IWC winners announced

The International Wine Challenge 2011 winners have been announced and there have been a few surprises. This year saw a record number of entries with 48 countries entering with over 450 grape varietals. The only still Rose in the world to win Gold is from England - Denbies Wine Estate Chalk Ridge Rose 2010 won out of 367 bottles submitted from 21 countries. Another Brit to win was Chapel Down - who supplied sparkling wine for the Royal Wedding- winning Gold for it's Rose Brut, they were among 4 other gold winners in this category and beat many big name sparkling bubbly producers.

The countries winning the most gold medals were France with 98 (last years champions) second was Australia with 61 gold medals and Portugal with 42 golds. Overall winners were France first, Australia 2nd and Italy 3rd.

There were a first time winners this year Brazil won it's first Gold for Gran Legado Brut Champenoise NV and Wales celebrated it's first silver medal for its Parva Farm Vineyard, Japan had an outstanding win with 31 gold medals for it's Japanese wine and sake.

UK supermarkets shone through with their own-label wines particularly the sparkling ranges. Tesco led the way with 86 medals overall including 2 golds while Marks and Spencer received 3 Golds and 61 medals, Sainsbury's 57 and Asda 56 medals.

Trophy winners will be announced in June.