Winning our first International Wine Challenge Trophy

Last week I took a SqueezyJet flight to London, dusted off my black tie and headed to the Hilton Park Lane to attend the IWC Awards Dinner (also known as the “Oscars of the Wine Trade”), having won a Gold Medal for Mirabeau Classic. Little did I know that Mirabeau was also to be awarded the IWC Great Value Champion Rosé 2016, so it came as a bit of a shock to have my name read out in front of some 800 people. If I’d have known in advance I would have made sure my bow-tie was straight and, more importantly, I would have prepared a speech. So, it’s official, Mirabeau Classic is the best value rosé in the world under £15 ($20)!

We enjoyed an evening tasting all the other award winning wines and chatting to some lovely people. It was also great to meet the uniquely enthusiastic British TV presenter, award winning wine expert, foodie, columnist and author Olly Smith, who has been a terrific supporter of our wines since our very first vintage.

The International Wine Challenge, now in its 33rd year, is accepted as the world’s finest and most meticulously judged wine competition which assesses every wine blind and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Throughout the rigorous judging processes, each medal-winning wine is tasted on three separate occasions by at least 10 different judges and awards include medals (Trophy, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended and Great Value awards.