House Wine: White
2018 GOLD: 4 SILVER: 13 BRONZE: 7 COMMENDED: 21
2017 GOLD: 8 SILVER: 12 BRONZE: 14 COMMENDED: 25
We had far fewer house white entries than house reds this year, the result, no doubt, of the frost issues that trashed many European vineyards last year. Certainly there were far fewer cheap French, Spanish and Italian whites here than we’d normally expect, and that seemed to have an effect on the medal count.
Rising prices won’t have helped either. It’s noticeable that fewer and fewer of our medal-winning wines here are under £5, so huge credit to Chile’s Vistamar for its Gold-winning Sauvignon at £3.77. Stylistically, the move here is very much towards fresh and light, with minimal (usually no) oak use, and the teams appreciated the trend.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘These were mostly stainless steel, vibrant white wines, which is a useful style for a house white. Easy drinking and unobtrusive is what you’re looking for. These don’t need to have a sense of place.’ Andrés Ituarte, Coq d’Argent
‘This citrus and fresh style is what customers are looking for at this level.’ Mikolaj Harmider, Adam’s Restaurant
‘If I turned up in my pub and they served me these by the glass I’d be happy. And for ease of service, it was interesting to see that these were all screwcap.’ Sarah Jane Evans MW, team leader
‘More character in wines gives the customer a more interesting experience. I encourage that.’ Melody Wong, Ten Trinity Square Private Club
‘There was some very good value here. Some could even be sold in higher level restaurants by the glass.’ Yohann Pinol, Wiltons
‘Some were quite high in acidity. They’d fit very well in gastropubs. The best was quite complex, it tells a bit of a story, and very elegant.’ Aurel Istrate, The Connaught