Woodchester Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021 gains top award

Woodchester Valley, a family-owned vineyard in the Cotswolds, has taken a top accolade for its still Sauvignon Blanc 2021. The wine was awarded a Master medal, the highest possible award in the Drinks Business Global Wine Masters competition, beating international contenders from around the world. It was the only Master medal awarded in the ‘unoaked’ category.

The panel of expert judges, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, sought out the very best Sauvignon Blancs on the market from across the globe. The wines are tasted completely blind with the judges having no prior knowledge of the wine producer or the country/region of origin. The Global Wine Masters award wines Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, and Master medals for the very best entries. According to the rigorous judging criteria, a Master medallist must be ‘an outstanding example of its type, showing impeccable winemaking’.

The panel of expert judges, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, sought out the very best Sauvignon Blancs on the market from across the globe. The wines are tasted completely blind with the judges having no prior knowledge of the wine producer or the country/region of origin. The Global Wine Masters award wines Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, and Master medals for the very best entries. According to the rigorous judging criteria, a Master medallist must be ‘an outstanding example of its type, showing impeccable winemaking’.

As the first English still wine to ever win a Master medal across the Masters competitions, this showcases the potential of English still wines in addition to the already well established reputation for English sparkling wines.

Woodchester Valley’s founder and owner, Fiona Shiner, took a leap into the unknown when planting Sauvignon Blanc vines on a steep, south-facing limestone slope on the edge of the Cotswolds at Stonehouse, formerly ‘Stanhaus’ where there is mention of vineyards in the Domesday Book. The vines have a history of producing medal winning wines since their first vintage release.

Fiona Shiner says: “It’s a phenomenal result for us. Eyebrows were raised in 2015 when I planted Sauvignon Blanc in the Cotswolds…..nearly 8 years later to have our Sauvignon Blanc wine judged one of the finest in the world and by such a prestigious panel of judges – it really doesn’t get much better than that! From the first taste of the juice from the 2021 harvest we were excited about its potential and are immensely proud of winning this award. We hope this highlights that England can produce great quality still wines as well as sparkling.”

Winemaker Jeremy Mount continued: “Sauvignon Blanc is a relatively new variety to the UK so it’s extremely rewarding to be given this award from such an esteemed panel of judges, acknowledging the quality of our Sauvignon Blanc against other world class wines.”