Latest news with #InternationalWine&SpiritCompetition
Wales Online
14-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
10 award-winning supermarket wines you must try this summer — including a £7 bottle of red
10 award-winning supermarket wines you must try this summer — including a £7 bottle of red It turns out some of the world's best wines could be hiding in your local supermarket, according to the results of the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition Your favourite supermarkets sweeped at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (Image: Getty Images ) Summer is just around the corner, and with the warm weather and chock-a-block calendar often comes the need for a good glass (or bottle) of fine wine. Whether it's a cheap bottle of red or a snazzy bottle of champagne, UK supermarkets have got your back, as they swept up a load of medals with their own-brand drinks at the latest International Wine Awards. From Aldi and Tesco to Sainsbury's and M&S, all of your trusty supermarkets went head to head with wine producers from around the world and proved themselves to be some of the best. In one of the most competitive judging seasons yet, wines from your favourite household brands earned Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for their everyday-priced products. David Kermode, IWSC judge and broadcaster, shared: "These results are a wake-up call for anyone who still associates great wine with high prices." The best supermarket own-label ranges are now being made by some of the most respected producers in the world, and the blind tasting at IWSC proves just how well they perform." A £12 Tesco wine made the top 10 list (Image: Getty Images ) The top 10 supermarket wine winners In no particular order, here are 10 of the best supermarket wines that came out on top at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition. 1. Aldi Animus Douro Reserva 2022 – £6.99 Article continues below This full-bodied Portuguese red received high praise for its richness and structure, coming out on top as one of the best-value medallists of this year's competition, with a silver win. 2. Co-op Les Pionniers Vintage Champagne 2013 - £22 This was the one and only supermarket Champagne to take the Gold, with its complex brioche and citrus notes, as a standout vintage in the category. 3. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 - £16 One judge described this drink as "impressively elegant", which helped to rank it as gold, thanks to its bold southern Rhône red made in partnership with top estates. 4. Tesco Finest Sauternes - £12 This drink is a classic French dessert wine that offers a luscious, honeyed fruit, sitting at half the price of its château equivalents. 5. M&S Collection Saint Gall Premier Cru Champagne NV - £28 Made in partnership with a historic grower in Épernay, this champagne offers an elegant, chalky feel that is finely textured. Two selections from M&S made the top 10 list (Image: Mirrorpix ) 6. Asda Extra Special Rioja Reserva 2019 - £8 The Asda fruit-filled wine was praised for its structure and ageing potential, alongside its classic vanilla, spice and red fruit Rioja profile. 7. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference English Bacchus 2023 - £9.50 This is a fresh and zesty white made right here in England and earned itself a silver ranking in a competitive aromatic white category. 8. M&S Collection Picpoul de Pinet 2023 - £9 When it comes to an ideal summer drink, this is your best friend as a crisp, coastal white from the Languedoc. 9. Waitrose No.1 English Sparkling Brut NV - £22.99 The unsurprising entry from Waitrose is one of the UK's most awarded sparkling wines, holding its own against Champagne. Article continues below 10. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Barolo 2019 - £14 This Barolo is an accessible expression of Italy's king of wines and gained a silver award for its delicious dark cherry and rose petal notes. The CEO of the International Wine & Spirit Competition, Christelle Guibert, explained the significance of the supermarket wins. They shared: "At the IWSC, every wine is judged blind by a panel of experts from across the globe. What makes this year especially exciting is the number of affordable supermarket wines standing out alongside premium bottles. It's proof that great winemaking doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag."
The Herald Scotland
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Small Scottish distillery wins international recognition
The distillery in the Scottish Lowlands has won international recognition by taking home a gold medal at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) for its Moffat Moonshine, which it says is a 'wood-fired, unaged spirit made entirely in Dumfries & Galloway'. Moffat Distillery said it scored 96 points and 'the spirit stood out to judges for its depth, clarity and character - a remarkable result for a first release from a new distillery'. 'This is a huge moment for our small team,' said Nick Bullard, founder of Moffat Distillery. 'Moffat Moonshine is where our journey begins — raw, honest and full of character. We're proud it's been recognised on a global stage and we hope it puts our small but perfectly-formed corner of Scotland on the spirits map.' Loganair launches new Glasgow route to Newquay in Cornwall Regional airline Loganair has opened up a new route between Scotland's largest city and the very south of England. Loganair has launched a new summer service between Glasgow and Newquay, offering Scots a direct route to Cornwall's coastline and vibrant seaside culture.
North Wales Live
27-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Wine expert says you're storing and drinking wine wrong
Almost half of people in the UK claim to be a wine buff but a study found many of us are making common errors. Topping the list of mistakes include thinking white wine, or Rose, should be served straight from the fridge, while experts say seven to 10 degrees is the perfect serving temp. Other faux pas include holding the glass by the bowl (42 percent), putting ice in white wine (29 percent) – or filling the glass almost to the brim (21 percent). Adding a dash of lemonade (16 percent), ordering the second cheapest wine on the menu to save face (20 percent) and storing bottles upright, instead of on their side (21 percent) are other common mistakes people make, according to the study by IWSC. (International Wine & Spirit Competition) Wine expert, and broadcaster, David Kermode, who was involved in the study said: 'UK wine drinkers are among the most enthusiastic, so it's well worth separating fact from fiction, understanding the basics and banishing the myths, to guarantee the best experience. 'A heavy bottle, a fancy label, or the presence of a cork might give the impression of quality, but they don't guarantee it. Ultimately, it's what's inside the bottle that matters, so understanding how to serve, taste and store wine properly makes all the difference.' On average, Brits drink seven glasses of wine a week, spending an average of £13 on a bottle, but are happy to spend up to £32 for a special occasion. And when it comes to how we store our wine, 21 percent keep it standing up in a kitchen cupboard, 13 percent keep it on the kitchen counter, while a further five percent store it in the garage. Christelle Guibert, IWSC CEO, said: 'At the IWSC, our blind tasting process ensures every wine is judged solely on its merit, without influence from price, label or bottle. This rigorous approach provides those looking to try new wines with a truly reliable benchmark for excellence.' To help the nation's wine drinkers, wine connoisseur David Kermode offers his top tips on how to drink, store and serve wine like a pro… Overlook the label - A traditional label with a grand château might look expensive, but appearances can be deceiving. Great wines often come in simple bottles. Look for medal-winning wines from reputable international competitions such as IWSC – these are often judged blind, purely on taste, by renowned, unbiased tasters. Serve wine at the correct temperature - Serving wine too warm or too cold can dull its flavour: red wine should be served slightly cool, at around 12–14°C (not room temperature). For white and rosé: chill to 7–10°C so it's cold but not ice-cold. Serve a sparkler between 6–8°C for freshness and finesse. Hold your wine glass by the stem - This keeps the wine at the right temperature and lets you enjoy the aromas. Holding the bowl warms up the wine and can impact its bouquet. Pour less, taste more - Don't be tempted to pour too much. Fill the glass as far as its widest point - this allows the wine to aerate and makes swirling easier, which enhances aromas and taste. Don't fear the screw cap - Screw tops are not a sign of cheaper wine. Many top vineyards use them to lock in freshness and avoid taint from dodgy corks. Experiment with regions and grapes - Don't limit yourself to the usual suspects. Try unfamiliar grape varieties or lesser-known wine regions - you might discover a new favourite (often at a better price). Store wine away from heat and light - Keep wine in a cool, dark place - ideally laying it down if it has a cork. Avoid warm kitchens or fluctuating temperatures and never keep a wine bottle in direct sunlight. Avoid adding ice - Ice dilutes the wine and deadens the flavour. Instead, chill your wine in the fridge, use an ice bucket with added water and salt for quicker cooling, or add some frozen grapes because they won't melt into the wine. Avoid needlessly heavy bottles - Bigger is not better so a weighty bottle is not an indicator of a premium wine - it's the liquid inside that counts. What grows together, goes together - When picking wine to pair with food, remember the golden rule: what grows together, goes together. Foods and wines from the same region usually make a great match.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Wine expert says you're storing and drinking wine wrong
Wine expert says you're storing and drinking wine wrong A report has found a number of common mistakes wine drinkers in the UK make every day People drink an average of seven glasses of wine a week Almost half of people in the UK claim to be a wine buff but a study found many of us are making common errors. Topping the list of mistakes include thinking white wine, or Rose, should be served straight from the fridge, while experts say seven to 10 degrees is the perfect serving temp. Other faux pas include holding the glass by the bowl (42 percent), putting ice in white wine (29 percent) – or filling the glass almost to the brim (21 percent). Adding a dash of lemonade (16 percent), ordering the second cheapest wine on the menu to save face (20 percent) and storing bottles upright, instead of on their side (21 percent) are other common mistakes people make, according to the study by IWSC. (International Wine & Spirit Competition) Wine expert, and broadcaster, David Kermode, who was involved in the study said: 'UK wine drinkers are among the most enthusiastic, so it's well worth separating fact from fiction, understanding the basics and banishing the myths, to guarantee the best experience. 'A heavy bottle, a fancy label, or the presence of a cork might give the impression of quality, but they don't guarantee it. Ultimately, it's what's inside the bottle that matters, so understanding how to serve, taste and store wine properly makes all the difference.' Article continues below On average, Brits drink seven glasses of wine a week, spending an average of £13 on a bottle, but are happy to spend up to £32 for a special occasion. And when it comes to how we store our wine, 21 percent keep it standing up in a kitchen cupboard, 13 percent keep it on the kitchen counter, while a further five percent store it in the garage. Christelle Guibert, IWSC CEO, said: 'At the IWSC, our blind tasting process ensures every wine is judged solely on its merit, without influence from price, label or bottle. This rigorous approach provides those looking to try new wines with a truly reliable benchmark for excellence.' To help the nation's wine drinkers, wine connoisseur David Kermode offers his top tips on how to drink, store and serve wine like a pro… Article continues below
