Association of Wine Educator awards recommends English wines

The respected Association of Wine Educators (AWE) has announced its ‘100 AWEsome wines 2022’, which includes five English wines.

AWE chair Mandy Stevens said: “As educators and wine experts the members of the AWE are regularly asked for recommendations. Many of us pride ourselves on our unbiased teaching, choosing wines that can be typical of an area, examples of new winemaking techniques and so on. But sometimes we want to jump and up and down and yell, ‘Go and buy this one, it’s great value.’”

“Each year we collectively put together the wines we think deserve this accolade. Why? It could be for many reasons. One being the price and we have listed these in price categories as we are aware that most of us use this as a first guide. But it is getting more difficult to stick to suggesting wines at the lower end due to market forces – exchange rates, shipping costs, tax rates – all parts of the trade we’d love to ignore but the bits that have the biggest impact on costs at the lower levels. And they’ve really taken a hit over the last few years. So, if you do need to spend more this guide also should give you some confidence in wines that give more flavour, interest and have that little extra something so you’ll be wanting to spread the word too.

“There will be something for all palates and budgets, all occasions and foods, found in supermarkets and independents- an ‘AWEsome list’ to keep handy and bookmark in your favourites now it’s online. Ever changing with seasons and vintage to help you keep exploring.

“Look out for our new AWEsome Wines roundel. This has been introduced this year for retailers to post against their wines, either online or in-store, as recommended for their great value by a professional,” said Stevens.

Vineyard's wine correspondent Matthew Jukes said: “It is nice to see that the Association of Wine Educators has honed in on a great selection of English wines and without showing any favouritism, I think the overriding theme here is one of stunning value for money, overlaying truly professional winemaking.”

Below are the categories. The name at the end is the AWE member who recommended the wine with a quote and tasting note.

White wines – over £12

Dart Valley Reserve 2020, Devon, England: Sharpham Estate £14.10, Wickhams (2018) £13.49

After opening this 2020 vintage of Dart Valley Reserve, the room filled with English hedgerow scents! A new vintage of this Madeleine Angevine (grape) is always a joy and this is no exception. Apple and elderflower vie for attention in both the nose and body of the wine. Great with Devon fish and seafood. Stephen Barrett

Stopham Estate Pinot Blanc 2018/2019, Sussex England: Waitrose £15.99

It is unusual to find an English Pinot Blanc which could be described as "pear in a bottle”. Dry and full-bodied with pear and citrus notes with a long finish. Worth buying to surprise your friends and show an alternative to Bacchus. Brian Davis

Three Choirs Bacchus 2020, England: Three Choirs Vineyards £15.99

England's still wines were simply wonderful in 2020. This is a zesty dry white, far more gooseberry than a Sauvignon Blanc, refreshing and utterly delectable. Helen Savage

Rosé – over £12

Simpsons Railway Hill Rosé 2020, England: Hawkins Bros, Roberson Wines £20

Grapefruit, lychee and stone fruit with a crisp finish. Lovely aperitif or with white fish. Sue Eames

Sparkling – Under £35

Morrisons The Best English Sparkling Wine Brut Vintage 2010, England: Morrisons £25

A remarkably mature vintage for a supermarket Cuvee - and very impressive it is. Loved its creamy richness, nutty toastiness from 8 years on lees. Made from all three grapes - but Chardonnay shines with its sleek elegant citric fruits. Very well made by the Nyetimber ‘stable’. Well done Morrisons. Rose Murray-Brown MW

Langham Corallian NV, England: Langham Wine £29 The Wine Society £26

Very lucky this is now ‘my local bubbles’ but it is available across the country and not just in Dorset. Lovely green apple flavours with more depth and weight than you might expect. Grown on chalk and Chardonnay-heavy, the majority of the grapes were picked in 2018 so you're 83% on your way to a vintage wine too. Mandy Stevens