Subscriber login Close [x]
remember me
You are not logged in.

Wales to host English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition for the first time

Published:  14 June, 2016

The Welsh Vineyards Association has been announced as the host of the upcoming English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition 2016 - cementing Wales's status as an emerging wine destination.

The Welsh Vineyards Association has been announced as the host of the upcoming English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition 2016 - cementing Wales's status as an emerging wine destination.

Despite only being in existence for last three years, The Welsh Vineyards Association has been named the host of the competition 2016 due to take place later this month.

The wine industry in Wales sprang up around 35 years ago and now boasts 16 vineyards producing 100,00 bottles of wine per year.

Current chairman of the Welsh Vineyards Association, Robb Marchant, said that having their own branch of the UK Vineyards Association (UKVA) was the beginning of the jounrey to establish Wales as a wine-entity distinct from England and the rest of the UK.

"Previously, Welsh vineyards were part of the South West region of the UKVA. Around three years ago the former chairman asked if we could have our own region and they agreed. Three years later, we're hosting the competition which is an honour for Wales and a great way to raise our profile," he said.

The national competition is organised by the UKVA for its members across all wine regions in the UK and is the only competition in the world judged entirely by Masters of Wine.

While the first Welsh vineyards were planted 35 years ago, Marchant said that Welsh winemakers have hit their stride in the past few years.

"People are starting to realise that good quality wines can be planted in our climate," he said.

"South East Wales was where the first vineyards were planted where there's a softer climate. Pinor Noir is doing really well, as is Rondel, Ancre Hill which does sparkling and chardonnay. To some extent we're piggybacking of England's success in the sparkling category, but we do more still wines rather than sparkling. I think we have a real opportunity to be a bit different."

He added: "The Welsh Assembly has been very supportive and I'd like to thank them."

The competition will take place at Llanerch Vineyard, The Vale of Glamorgan, over three days from June 22 to 24, 2016.

Keywords: