Marks & Spencer has once again topped the supermarket charts in the latest set of results from the International Wine Challenge (IWC), winning 58 medals - 22 more than second-placed Morrisons, which was just two ahead of Asda on 34.
A total of 222 gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to supermarket own label wines in the first tranche of the 2016 IWC - 38 more than the same stage last year.
Although M&S bagged 15 fewer medals in total, it doubled its number of golds from five to 10 - with five of these for fortified wines, and three for sparkling. Morrisons, which was named IWC supermarket of the year in July, won three golds - two of these for sherries - while Asda’s haul included a single gold for its Noster Nobilis Priorat 2010.
Tesco won 31 medals, including two golds, while Aldi’s total of 23 included four golds. Sainsbury’s took 17, including a single gold, while Waitrose and The Co-operative Group missed out on golds, but did take home 15 and eight medals respectively.
“The results of tranche one of the competition highlight how British shoppers really are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking up fantastic wines in their local supermarkets,” said IWC co-chairman Charles Metcalfe.
“Our judges have discovered some excellent own-brand and exclusive wines, whose quality often belies their modest price tags. The IWC medal stickers help shoppers buy with confidence, as they can be assured that a medal is a stamp of quality. Wine fans should search the wine aisles for our stickers - they are guaranteed to deliver a little extra festive cheer.”
In total, judges awarded 1,606 medals to wines from 33 countries: 101 gold, 567 silver, and 938 bronze. The IWC, organised by The Grocer’s publisher William Reed, is now in its 33rd year.
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