This year’s selection of the top 100 Vins de Pays selected from 1,115 wines entered has been announced by Sopexa in London and these are the trophy winners:
Best White Wine of Show
Domaine de l'Aujardière, Fié Gris 2006 Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France
Best Rosé of Show
Les Caves du Commandeur, Syrah Rosé 2006 Vin de Pays du Var
Best Red of Show
Domaine de Camplazens, Camplazens Syrah 2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc
Colombard Trophy
Marks & Spencer Gascogne Colombard 2006 Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne
Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
J&F Lurton, Les Fumées Blanches Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc
Roussanne Trophy
Domaine Ste Rose, Barrel Selection Roussanne 2004 Vin de Pays des Côtes de Thongue
(this is a domaine that should be added to our list of Leading producers of the Languedoc Roussillon)
Unoaked Chardonnay Trophy
Marquis de Goulaine, Chardonnay 2006 Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France
Oaked Chardonnay Trophy
La Bouscade, Chardonnay 2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc
Chardonnay Blend Trophy
Les Domaines Paul Mas, Vignes de Nicole Chardonnay/Viognier 2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc
Viognier Blend Trophy
La Différence Viognier/Muscat 2006 Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes
Pinot Noir Trophy
Vignoble Guillaume, Pinot Noir 2005 Vin de Pays de Franche-Comté
Cabernet Franc Trophy
Domaine de la Tourlaudière, Tourlaudière Cabernet Franc 2005 Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France
Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy
Domaine de Sérame, Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve 2006 Vin de Pays d’Oc
Carignan Trophy
Le Carignan de La Bastide Aux Oliviers 2006 Vin de Pays du Mont Baudile
Aléatico Trophy
Domaine du Mont Saint Jean, Aléatico 2006 Vin de Pays de l’Ile de Beauté
Braucol Trophy
Chaumet Lagrange, Les Marguerites Braucol 2006 Vin de Pays des Côtes du Tarn,
You may query some of these categories (especially the last two) but these winners were identified on the basis of intensive blind tasting by the following panel of illustrious judges: Tim Atkin MW, Wine Writer & OLN Wine Editor at large; Jo Ahearne, Marks & Spencer, Winemaker and Wine Technologist; Jonathan Butt, Head of Global Sourcing, Thresher Group; Camilla Bordewich, Buyer, Majestic; Oz Clarke, Wine Writer and Broadcaster; Sara Faulkner, Buyer, John Armit ; Rosemary George MW, Wine Writer ; Sam Harrop MW, Wine Industry Consultant; Alex Hunt, Group Wine Buyer, Berkmann Wine Cellars; Laura Jewell MW, Agency Director HWCG; Willy Lebus, Director, Bibendum Wine; Joëlle Marti-Baron, Wine Buyer, Great Eastern Hotel; Peter McCombie MW, Restaurant Consultant; Anthony Rose, Wine Correspondent, The Independent; Andrew Shaw, Wine Buyer, Waitrose; Joanna Simon, Wine Writer, The Sunday Times; Joe Wadsack, Food & Drinks Consultant, Writer and Broadcaster; Simon Woods, Wine Writer, Wine & Spirit; and Doug Wregg, Director of Sales, Les Caves de Pyrène.
