Could Wales become the next Chablis?
A small vineyard in Wales could be set to join the ranks of Coche Dury and Comte Lafon as a producer of high-quality wine, after winning no less than three major awards for its first vintage.
White Welsh Regional Wine 2008, which hails from Monmouthshire's Ancre Hill Estate, was given a silver medal at the recent Decanter World Wine Awards, a bronze from the International Spirit and Wine Competition and a commendation from the International Wine Challenge.
Ancre Hill is managed by Richard Morris, a former chartered accountant who five years ago decided to plant pinot noir, seyval blanc and chardonnay in a meadow by his home.
He told the Independent that he sent soil samples to the local school's geology master, who advised him that it contained the same Jurassic limestone content that makes France's Chablis region so successful.
Mr Morris' business could now be set to rival Sugarloaf Vineyard, another Welsh location known for its award-winning wines.