UK wine competition sees unprecedented interest
They may have some way to go before they are considered in the same league as Petrus and Leoville Lascases, but a record-breaking number of English and Welsh wines have been entered in an annual contest this year.
The English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition is counting its highest-ever number of entries, following a successful harvest in 2009 and a steady growth in the number of new wines and wineries, Harpers Wine & Spirit reports.
Entries will be judged today and tomorrow (June 14th and the 15th) by a panel of experts, chaired by Master of Wine Susan McCraith.
"I'm looking forward to a fascinating two days of judging," she told the publication.
"I know we can expect some top quality wines and a good range of style and grape varieties to show the diversity of wines now produced in England and Wales."
English and Welsh wines recently impressed at the London International Wine & Spirits Trade Fair, where Camel Valley, Nyetimber and Ridgeview all walked away with gold medals.