WINES made in Herefordshire have been handed top awards, holding their own against competition from vineyards across the country.
Castle Brook Vineyard in Coughton, Ross-on-Wye, took home gold awards for its 2016 Rose and 2015 Classic Cuvee wines at the annual WineGB Awards.
Castle Brook Vineyard is run by the Chinn family, who are best known for producing Wye Valley Asparagus.
They planted the Castle Brook vines in 2004 on the site of an ancient Roman vineyard in the shadow of the Black Mountains and now grow 21 different clones of the three traditional Champagne grape varieties – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay – on three different rootstocks which has created really exciting blends.
Their range of three sparkling wines (Classic Cuvée, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs) are all traditional method, bottle fermented Brut (dry) wines each with their own unique style, and available to order online.
The Castle Brook name is derived from the farmhouse that sits at the bottom of the vineyard – an ancient building that was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday book as a coaching inn which is named after the ruins of Penyard Castle which overlooks the valley and the Coughton Brook which runs through it.
This year saw a record number of entries, with well over 100 producers entering from across 27 counties, including some 18 entering for the first time.
Co-chair of the judges Susie Barrie said: “We were absolutely thrilled with the quality of the whole range of wines that we tasted this year. We consistently see great sparkling wines and they only get better. What is great to see though is the evolution of the other categories, especially amongst the still wines, and the quality we are seeing really shows such enormous potential for the future. We also had more wines entering the innovation category this year which is fantastic. What’s also terrific is that the wins come not only from the largest producers but also some of the smallest, and from long-established wineries to newcomers. Huge congratulations to all the medal winners!”
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The trophy winners, including the unveiling of the supreme champion – the wine of the year - will be announced at the WineGB Awards ceremony on Friday, July 7, in London.
The WineGB Awards trophy ceremony and lunch is being co-sponsored this year by Bevica, a business management technology and software solution for the wine industry.
Claudio Martell, Bevica product director, said: “Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s WineGB Awards. It is wonderful to see that the wine industry in Great Britain is continuing to grow and flourish. We look forward to celebrating with the winners at the Awards Trophy Ceremony and Lunch next month.”
The WineGB Trophy winners will feature on one of the focus tables at WineGB’s annual trade and press tasting, taking place on Tuesday 5 September at Battersea Arts Centre, London
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