Home Winners > Winners 2015 > HOUSE WINES: White

Winner Details

House Wine: White


2015: Gold 5 Silver 13 Bronze 11 Commended 17
2014: Gold 6 Silver 11 Bronze 12 Commended 9

 

When we first started SWA in 2007, our ceiling for the House Wine category was £4 ex-VAT. Now it is £5.50. And if you want proof of how wine has become more expensive consider the fact that this year, only four of our medal winners came in at £4 or below.

On the plus side, for the whites, at least, our tasters were positive about what they saw. Relatively few faults, decent fruit and even (gawd help us) a bit of character sometimes. Frankly, it’s hard to ask for more. Chile and France tended to perform best and while most of the wines were in the fresh, Sauvignon spectrum, it was good to see the odd Chardonnay picking up a medal too.

FOOTNOTE: The price limit for House Wine is £5.50 ex-VAT.

From the Tasting Teams

‘The value was very good. All the ones we liked had a bit of mineralit . They were mostly dry, fresh and aromatic, rather than at the richer end.’ Giuseppe Longobardi, The Cross at Kenilworth

‘Too many of these were too green for house wine. You want something softer and easier to drink.’ Richard Brookes, Caroline Catering

‘With the huge increase in wine by the glass, house wine does not play as big a role now. I think house wine should be sold by the bottle – it’s such a low margin that you don’t want to be pouring it a day later.’ Martin Lam, team leader

‘You make a lot of GP with these wines, so you need to look very carefully at price. You want a very crisp, easy-drinking wine; light without too much complexity.’ Riccardo Guzzardo, The Gilbert Scott

‘You should have wines in this category that help people to push their boundaries, but also things to please a table that wants simple things.’ Jade Koch, team leader

‘The worst here had a somewhat confected and artificial sweetness, and the best had freshness, acidity, balance. It’s easy to be harsh, but some of these wines are sub-£4 a bottle…’ James Hocking, The Vineyard Group

‘There was a real diversity at these price points, which was great to see. There is a subtle difference in consumers’ minds between house wine and wines by the glass, with by the glass not just being the cheapest wine on the list, and these fit that bill.’ Hamish Anderson, The Tate Group

 

Award winners

Found 46 wines

House Wine: White - <£5.50 ex-VAT

Finca Las Moras, Pacha Mama, Torrontés 2014, San Juan, Argentina

Gold medal winner By the glass

Wonderful aromatics and bags of flavour won Finca Las Moras a coveted By The Glass spot as well as Gold. ‘Interesting floral, geranium notes on the nose, with grapefruit hints, good minerality and sweetness on a fresh palate, and mint and cumin notes on the finish,’ said Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth. Pair with flat fish with grapes or herbs.

£5.21 Bibendum

Emiliana, Adobe, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

‘Vegetal, floral and citrus aromas, light-bodied with notes of asparagus and artichoke on the palate,’ began an intrigued Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Sweet elderflower, aromatic and floral nose, with orange citrus; bright acidity on a clean, fruity, quaffable palate.’

£5.50 Boutinot

Foncalieu, La Picoutine, Ugni Blanc/Colombard 2013, Vin de France, France

Gold medal winner

Friendly and welcoming, a worthy Gold. ‘Light on the nose, chalky and delicate, with hints of flint mineral on the palate, rounded and firm, complex and long,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, with Paolo Pivato of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa also noting: ‘Mellow peach, white and yellow flowers with a long aftertaste.’

£5.08 Bibendum

Fray León, Matinal, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner

Sheer great value alongside a refreshing attack and savoury fruit flavours scored Gold for Fray Léon.

'Nice freshness on the nose, with citrus, melon aromas and a slight smoky minerality,' said Julian Bicknell of Hawksmoor Air Street, continuing: 'Good weight and balance on the palate. A bargain.'

£3.90 Bottle Green

Santa Carolina, Vistana, Chardonnay 2014, Central Valley, Chile

Gold medal winner Pub & Bar

Freshness and texture captured Gold for Santa Carolina. ‘Gentle flinty hint with a good aftertaste of orange blossom,’ said Mirco Giannoccaro of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa, while Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross said: ‘Creamy texture with hints of tangerine peel and a refreshing acidity.'
'Pair with monkfish with tomato, olives, anchovy and a touch of chilli,' said Peter Bagatti of Bagattis, getting quite carried away.

£4.70 Ehrmanns Wine

Concha y Toro, Mountain Range, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Central Valley, Chile

Silver medal winner

‘Fresh, intense green fruit nose, crisp, mouthwatering and refreshing in the mouth,’ said Robert Tozser of The Rib Room, with Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross adding: ‘Fresh and youthful on the nose, light peach and citrus notes and mandarin, with a lemony citrus finish.’

£4.00 CyT UK

Botter, Catani, Sicilian White 2013, Sicily, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Nice bright, tangy nose of apples and citrus,' said team leader Angela Reddin, with Giuseppe Longobardi of The Cross at Kenilworth adding: ‘Light bodied, with green vegetal and citrus notes, and mineral touches on the finish.’

£3.85 Greene King

Jeanjean, Plo de l'Isabelle, Picpoul de Pinet 2014, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Ripe, juicy style with nice, lively citrus, peach melba fruit and notes of halva, nice aromatic lift and good acidity,’ commented team leader Simon Woods, with consultant sommelier Maria Rodriguez adding: ‘Light, would make a good aperitif, with intense apple/pear nose and refreshing acidity.’

£5.42 Majestic Commercial

Boutinot, Bellefontaine, Sauvignon Blanc Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Pear and zesty aromas, dry, crisp and clean on the palate, with medium body,’ said Neil Bruce of Studio Alto, with team leader Martin Lam noting: ‘Herbal notes on the nose, citrus and mid-weight palate.’

£4.90 Boutinot

Boutinot, Domaine de Vedilhan, Viognier Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Nice elegant style with decent balance, long length in the mouth and a pleasing floral-acid balance,’ said James Hocking of The Vineyard Group, with team leader Simon Woods adding: ‘Lively pear/peach fruit aromas, then a hint of walnut on the palate, a good honest style.’

£5.25 Boutinot

Boutinot, Les Volets, Chardonnay Haute Vallée de l'Aude 2013, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Lychee and peach with really floral aromas; clean and fresh on the palate but has touches of earthy mineral and a lemon and lime finish,’ said Angelo Casali of The Duck & Rice. ‘Zesty, summer wine,’ added team leader Natasha Hughes MW.

£5.50 Boutinot

Winery Exchange, Aires Andinos, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Mendoza, Argentina

Silver medal winner

‘Sweet, fruity nose with sherbet and mineral notes, followed by a nice fruity palate with a bit of a zing, making it a refreshing glassful,’ said Julian Bicknell of Hawksmoor Air Street, with consultant sommelier Christophe Richelet finding it to have a ‘floral, peachy nose, good body, with a clean finish’.

£5.00 Majestic Commercial

Adria Vini, gPG, Garganega/Pinot Grigio 2014, Veneto, Italy

Silver medal winner

‘Floral, perfumed nose with hints of sweet spice. Stone fruit freshness on the palate, with luscious texture. Different and interesting,’ said Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall. ‘Clean, with fresh, candied fruit, in a popular style,’ added team leader Annette Scarfe MW.

£4.60 Boutinot

Berkmann Wine Cellars, Vent du Sud, Grenache Blanc/Viognier, Pays d'Oc 2014, Languedoc, France

Silver medal winner

‘Nutty notes with sweet tropical fruit undertones, balanced and good,’ said team leader Annette Scarfe MW, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall highlighting ‘sweet pea shoots on a subtle nose, leading to a delicate finish’.

£5.47 Berkmann Wine Cellars

GCF Exclusif, Les Vignerons, Muscat/Viognier 2014, Vin de France, France

Silver medal winner

‘Offering a good, fresh nose of tropical fruit, this is a pleasant wine of mingled fruity acidity and a lean, pleasant finish,’ said Sarah Riddle of Sketch. ‘Nose of cooked apple with citrus fruit, very fresh balance and good finish,’ added Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop.

£5.00 Fine Wines Direct, Wine Importers, Wine Fantastic

Omaka Springs, Southern Lights, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand

Silver medal winner

‘Full of flavour, the nose is grassy and fresh, with evolving stone fruit, lime and nettles on a good finish,’ said a satisfied Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners. ‘Herbaceous, savoury hints and gooseberries with a limey edge,’ added Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall.

£5.25 Bottle Green

Riptide, Chardonnay 2013, California, USA

Silver medal winner

'Ripe and opulent on the nose, with peaches and cream. Aromatic, spicy and rich, there's plenty for the money here,' said The Tate Group's Hamish Anderson. Team leader Angela Reddin added: ‘Light straw colour, yellow stone fruits on the nose, with melon overtones. Match with feta or pecorino cheese.'

£4.53 Bibendum

GCF Exclusif, Parlez-Vous, Sauvignon 2014, Vin de France, France

Silver medal winner

‘Floral nose with lime zest freshness, super-dry on the palate with a long finish,’ began Gustavo Medina of Rex Whistler Restaurant, with La Petite Maison’s Andrea Fasan adding: ‘Citrus, grassy nose, clean with great purity of fruit on the palate, juicy and long.’

£4.90 HT White & Co, R.W Randalls, NWBG

Concha y Toro, Mountain Range, Chardonnay 2014, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott highlighted ‘lime and lemon fruit, dry, crispy citrus flavours and a medium-long finish’, while Michael Moore of Room 24 recommended scallops or cod as a food match.

£4.00 CyT UK

Cono Sur, Los Gansos, Gewürtztraminer 2014, Maule & Casablanca Valleys, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Really nice, flowery aromatic style, has a touch of rose petal, gentle pear, good depth and enough acid to balance the tender fruit,’ said team leader Simon Woods. ‘Bright, aromatic nose with good balance,’ said Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s Mike Best.

£4.20 CyT UK

Zorgvliet, Silvermyn, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Banghoek, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

Nigel Sutcliffe of Truffle Hunting found this example ‘rounded, pleasingly ripe and soft’, while Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison noted: ‘Complex, spicy nose, great texture and vibrancy on the palate, with citrus and lime on a floral finish.’

£5.35 Boutinot

Los Robles, La Fonda, Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Curicó Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

‘Delicate, neutral nose with flowers and hints of citrus fruit, integrated acidity and a pleasant finish,’ said Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel, with Chris Wood of Chelsea Vintners adding: ‘Attractive and delicate, with a flavoursome finish.’

£3.90 CyT UK

GCF, Michel Servin Blanc 2013, Vin de France, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Great pear perfume nose, light on the palate but good easy drinking,’ said Michael Moore of Room 24. Team leader Jade Koch added: ‘Citrus, elderflower and lime aromas, viscous, fleshy tropical fruit, with good minerality and a dry finish.’

£4.42 Majestic Commercial

Reh Kendermann, Kumi, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Breede River Valley, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Honeyed citrus aromas with a waxy edge; a dry, citrus palate with a clean finish,’ said Andrea Fasan of La Petite Maison, with team leader Sarah Jane Evans MW adding: ‘Apples, lees and a creamy, honeyed texture.’

£4.10 Copestick Murray

Bibendum, Bush Telegraph, Pinot Grigio 2014, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

‘Decent depth of pear/apple/peach fruit with brisk acidity,’ began team leader Natasha Hughes MW, with Oscar Miller of Vinoteca King's Cross agreeing: ‘Orchard fruit dominates, very fresh and reminiscent of a bite of apple.’

£5.06 Bibendum

Five Foot Track, Chardonnay 2013, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Bronze medal winner

Joris Beijn of Marcus found a ‘fresh nose with good attack on the palate and good balance overall’, while Carlos Ferreira of New Street Wine Shop noted: ‘Green apple, lemon/lime nose and medium-length finish.’

£4.71 Majestic Commercial

Adria Vini, Ca' di Ponti, Grillo 2014, Sicily, Italy

Bronze medal winner

‘Medium body with a clean, fresh nose and citrus fruit notes. Would lead you to a second glass,’ said Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott, with Sarah Riddle of Sketch adding: ‘Tropical, fruity and dry, with a nice lean finish.’

£4.50 Boutinot

Boutinot, Percheron, Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2014, Western Cape, South Africa

Bronze medal winner

‘Nice tropical fruit on the palate, well rounded, with medium length and good acidity,’ began Andrea Domenicucci of Whatley Manor, with Robert Mason of Cheese at Leadenhall adding: ‘Subtle green nose, easy drinking with a light citrus finish.’

£4.70 Boutinot

Broadland Wineries, Pais de Poetas, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Central Valley, Chile

Bronze medal winner

With Alejandro Icart of Fera at Claridge’s noting ‘good aromatic nose, a crisp, fresh palate with lemony citrus notes and good intensity’, team leader Angela Reddin added: ‘Light lemon sherbet nose, herbal touches and a fuller palate than expected.’

£4.69 Molson Coors

Boutinot, Sierra Grande, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Central Valley , Chile

Commended medal winner

£4.80 Boutinot

Trivento, Zonda, Chardonnay/Torrontes NV, Luján de Cuyo , Argentina

Commended medal winner

£3.50 CyT UK

Boutinot, Pasquiers V, Sauvignon Blanc Pays d'Oc 2013, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£4.90 Boutinot

Félix Solis, Ayrum, Verdejo 2014, Valdepeñas , Spain

Commended medal winner

£5.00 Matthew Clark

Emiliana, Andes Peaks, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Central Valley , Chile

Commended medal winner

£4.95 Boutinot

Foncalieu, Le Sanglier de la Montagne, Ugni Blanc/Colombard 2014, Vin de France, France

Commended medal winner

Boutinot, Domaine Mas Bahourat, A Côté des Abricotiers, Viognier Pays du Gard 2013, Languedoc, France

Commended medal winner

£5.45 Boutinot

Cevico, Tavino, Trebbiano 2014, Emilia-Romagna , Italy

Commended medal winner

Luis Felipe Edwards, Flor del Fuego, Chardonnay 2014, Central Valley , Chile

Commended medal winner

Ormonde, Stonebuck, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Western Cape , South Africa

Commended medal winner

LGI-Wines, Cuvée des Familles, Sauvignon/Viognier 2014, Vin de France , France

Commended medal winner

Boutinot, El Tesoro, Verdejo 2014, Rueda , Spain

Commended medal winner

£4.85 Boutinot

Boutinot, Cape Heights, Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Western Cape , South Africa

Commended medal winner

£4.60 Boutinot

Boutinot, Cape Heights, Chenin Blanc 2014, Western Cape , South Africa

Commended medal winner

£4.60 Boutinot

Broadland Wineries, Cawston Crossing, Chenin Blanc 2014, Paarl, South Africa

Commended medal winner

£4.35 Molson Coors

Broadland Wineries, Three Mills Varietals, Pinot Grigio NV, British Wine, Other

Commended medal winner

£3.65 Molson Coors

Broadland Wineries, Compass Point, Chardonnay 2014, South Eastern Australia, Australia

Commended medal winner

£4.99 Molson Coors