Welsh Vineyards Association
Welsh Wine competition 2018
Every country has its reason to be proud of its achievements-no more so than Wales. The rugby, the beer, the choirs and the scenery. Now, a new reason has emerged- its wine. The very best of Welsh wine – described recently by Oz Clarke as something to look out for- was on show at the annual wine awards at Cardiff. While England has its sparkling wine, Wales has its dry whites, and from them the international standard judges found two gold medallists.
The 2 trophies for white and rose sparkling wines, and for the rose went to Llanerch, hosts of the event for the third year running and organisers of the splendid location and dinner that accompanied the awards. Linda Johnson-Bell again led the panel that judged the wines. The first three awards were presented between the starting course and the main course, so that Llanerch owner Ryan Davies could look at the as he settled down for the main course. However, the other two awards went to other vineyards. Chairman Robb Merchant proudly presented the trophy for red wines to his wife Nicola for the Whitecastle Red from their own vineyard near Abergavenney. However, it was in the white wines that the real stars were to emerge. Eleven wines, 11 medals, with 2 golds. Woody Lennon of Montgomery Vineyard punched the air as one of them went to his Solaris 2017. Jac Evans of Llaellthliw in Ceredigion smiled as their Solaris got the other. At the end of the proceedings, it was Llaethliw who gained the Thomas Davies Memorial Trophy, presented by guest of honour, Lord Dafydd Ellis-Thomas AM.
With wines left over from the official tasting, members and guests had the chance to taste and admire all the wines. With record crops across the region in 2018, the competition next year should feature even more wines and to demonstrate the growing strength of a rapidly growing industry.
