Oddbins has been given a break from contemplating its uncertain future after being named Best Wine Merchant of the Year. The accolade was handed to the retailer by the judges of the International Wine Challenge and comes against a background of impending change for the merchant, which could be up for sale. Diageo and Pernod Ricard, which are currently attempting to acquire Oddbins' parent company Seagram, have already signalled their intention to sell the chain if the US regulatory authorities allow the deal to proceed. However, Oddbins' attraction as an acquisition has been done no harm because it also took the trophy for High Street Chain of the Year. It has now scooped the title of Best Wine Merchant 12 times. Waitrose took top honours as Supermarket of the Year. This year the multiple has won the International Wine and Spirit Competition's European Wine Retailer of the Year and Which? Wine Guide's Supermarket of the Year. Booths was rated the top regional chain and Morrisons was a joint winner of a special Going Places award. This year the Australians took both the top red and white wine trophies ­ Stonier Reserve Chardonnay 1999 from the Stonier Estate on the Mornington Peninsula won both the White Wine and Chardonnay trophies, while the red wine gong went to Brokenwood Rayners Shiraz 1999 from the Hunter Valley. The Challenge judges awarded the Sparkling Wine trophy to Charles Heidsieck's Blanc de Blanc 1982. The New World also did well in the Great Value Wines category. Of the eight awards two went to Australia, two to Chile, and one each to New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and France. The two Australian winners were Jacob's Creek Dry Riesling from Pernod Ricard and Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 1999 from Southcorp. IF TOO LONG LOSE QUOTE PAR FROM JULIAN BRIND AND FINAL PAR - IF STILL TOO LONG.... DON'T ASK ME - THANKS, SIMON. {{DRINKS }}

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