Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

Supermarket own-label wine has dominated the International Wine Challenge awards for best-value wines.

12 of the Great Value 15 awards – given after two weeks of intensive blind tasting - went to supermarket wine.

Great Value awards are bestowed on wines that received a Gold or Silver medal at the 2015 IWC competition and are nationally available in supermarkets, independent retailers or online wine clubs. To qualify, still wines must have at least 100,000 bottles in circulation, sparkling 60,000 and fortified and sweet 6,000 bottles.

Tesco picked up four trophies – in the sparkling, white, rosé and sweet categories – while Sainsbury’s took three, Marks & Spencer and Asda two, and Aldi one.

The winners were:

Sparkling Wine (under £12): Asda Asti NV

Sparking Wine (£12-£20): Sainsbury’s Winemakers’ Selection Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

Sparking Wine (under £25): Tesco Finest Vintage Grand Cru Champagne 2007

White (under £7): Aldi The Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling 2014

White (£7-£12): Majestic Wine Russian Jack Sauvignon Blanc 2014

White (under £15): Tesco Finest Chablis 2013

Red (under £7): Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Côtes du Rhônes Villages 2013

Red (£7-£12): Asda Extra Special El Mesón Rioja Gran Reserva 2005

Red (under £15): Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

Rosé (under £12) joint winners: Tesco Finest Sancerre Rosé 2014 / Boutinot Italia Pinot Grigio Rosé 2014

Sweet (under £10) Tesco Finest Dessert Semillon 2009

Sweet (under £15) Marks & Spencer Paul Cluver Late Harvest Riesling 2013

Fortified (under £10): Marks & Spencer Dry Old Palo Cortado NV

Fortified (under £15): De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat NV

“These Great Value Awards demonstrate that savvy shoppers are able to pick up fantastic wines with very competitive prices at their local retailers,” said Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge. “Each of these marvelous award winners punches well above its weight in terms of quality and they are all delicious wines. They have been blind tasted by some of the best wine judges in the world, so consumers can buy these with confidence.”

The IWC, now in its 32nd year, is owned by The Grocer’s publisher, William Reed Business Media.

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