The eighth WineGB Awards saw a record-breaking number of entries and gold medals, with wines from 33 counties across England and Wales receiving accolades. Over 350 medals were awarded: 177 for sparkling wines and 174 for still wines, with a significant increase in gold medals for still wines compared to 2023.
Notable categories included Classic Cuvée Non-Vintage/Multi-Vintage, Classic Cuvée Vintage, and Rosé for sparkling wines, each securing six golds. The top still wines were Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, each with five golds, followed by Bacchus with four. Gold medals were awarded to wines from 10 different grape varieties, including the first gold for a Solaris wine and an orange wine Vermouth.
Medals were distributed widely, with 33 counties (28 in England and five in Wales) winning honours. Gold medals were awarded across 18 counties, with Kent and Hampshire leading with nine each. Kent also topped the overall medal tally with 71, followed by East Sussex with 47.
Innovation was a key theme, showcasing diverse winemaking techniques such as multi-vintage still wines, various oak uses, low/no dosage sparkling wines, skin contact still wines and solera system blending. Medals were awarded to wines produced using different sparkling methods, including Traditional Method, Charmat, Col Fondos, Pét-Nats and carbonated wines.
The WineGB Awards, now in its eighth year, aims to highlight the quality, consistency, and variety of English and Welsh wines. Judging is conducted over four days with blind tastings, leading to the selection of gold medallists, trophies and ultimately the Supreme Champion.
