PRODUCERS OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015
We all know producing good wine is a very tough business. These Trophies recognise those producers who have truly excelled in their chosen field, whether it’s across all colours and prices, or honed in on a specific style.
EUROPEAN PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
A tie between a 500-year-old Loire estate pulling quality out of adversity, and a 50-year-old Puglian cooperative encompassing 1200 vine growers.
Joseph Mellot
2 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze, 1 Commended
A string of rotten vintages made this a difficult year for the Loire in SWA, so for one producer to garner six medals was superb going. In among all the Sauvignon there was even, amazingly, a Silver for a Pinot Noir and a Bronze for a ‘crowd-pleasing’ rosé.
josephmellot.com; Supplier: Hatch Mansfield
Cantine San Marzano
1 Food Match Trophy, 2 Gold, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze, 3 Commended
A significant force behind Hallgarten’s European success this year, San Marzano showed just what Puglia can do, with a range of excellent southern Italian wines nearly all under £10. The Food Match-winning Moscato in particular is an absolute steal.
cantinesanmarzano.com; Supplier: Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines
NEW WORLD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Distinctive and honed, top quality from a Tupungato winery within sight of the Andes shares the New World honours with a Stellenbosch stalwart.
Bodega Atamisque
1 Food Match Trophy, 3 Gold
A new name to this competition, Atamisque, from Mendoza, exploded on to the scene with a truly impressive range of Argentinian reds: a Bordeaux blend, a Malbec (natch) and a terrific Food Match-winning Cabernet Franc. Three entries, three Gold Medals. Job done!
bodegaatamisque.com; Supplier: Matthew Clark
Kleine Zalze
1 Food Match Trophy, 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze, 1 Commended
There’s nowhere to hide in a blind tasting, and Kleine Zalze produces the goods year after year, regularly picking up not just Golds, but Trophies as well. And it was the same this year, with a string of really well-priced, well-made, easily sellable wines that totally over-delivered. Its Chenins are always excellent, but it’s interesting to see Syrah (and Pinotage!) doing well too.
kleinezalze.co.za; Supplier: Hatch Mansfield
SPARKLING WINE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Champagne Charles Heidsieck
3 Gold, 1 Silver
We’ve never given out a Sparkling Wine Producer Trophy before, but Charles Heidsieck’s performance here thoroughly deserved it, with Golds for NV, NV Rosé and the prestige cuvée Blanc des Millénaires. A one-stop shop of top pop.
charlesheidsieck.com; Supplier: Liberty Wines
FORTIFIED PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Justino’s Madeira Wines
1 Critics' Choice Trophy, 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Commended
It’s hard to remember the last time one producer so dominated a single category as Justino’s did with Madeira. Whatever the grape, and whatever the style, it was imperious. And the Critics’ Choice-winning Terrantez 1978 was jaw-dropping.
justinosmadeira.com; Supplier: Liberty Wines