The Sommeliers have Spoken!
We are delighted to have emerged triumphant at the 2024 Sommelier Wine Awards, taking home the Large Merchant of the Year Award and two wines from its portfolio win Trophies for Overall Wine of the Year, Red Fine Wine of the Year Trophy and Gastropub Wine of the Year.
Hallgarten Wines Managing Director, Andrew Bewes, commented: “Sommeliers are truly the backbone of the UK’s wine-led restaurants, providing a fundamental service uniting the world of wine with the guest. To be recognised by this group of individuals as having such an exciting portfolio that can tick all the boxes on a wine list is a huge honour.”
On winning the Sommelier Wine Awards, Large Merchant of the Year Award, judges announced at Imbibe in London: “Our winner has always been a significant presence at the Sommelier Wine Awards, and this year was no exception. Our winner’s total medal count was an impressive 182, with white, red, rosé, orange and sparkling wines all represented, making it a go-to supplier for all types of wine list.”
Winner of the Red Fine Wine of the Year Trophy and Overall Wine of the Year went to Michele Chiarlo, Cipressi, Barbera d’Asti Superiore Nizza 2021. The judges praised the bright fruit character, floral components, pepper, and sweet spice on this star of the show. They also noted its elegant and refined tannins, bright acidity, and complexity.
Competition chair, Isa Bal MS, described the wine as: “We tasted a lot of remarkable wines, but this one stood out for its overall balance and fruit intensity. It’s simply a delicious glass of wine that one can drink now or put away in the cellar for a number of years.”
Also announced at Imbibe, the Sommelier Wine Awards Gastropub Wine of the Year Trophy was awarded to Gaia Wines, 'Notios' White, Peloponnese 2022. The judges praised this wine for being clean, moreish and a great aperitif. They noted its vivacious, floral aromatics, as well as its beautiful pop of fruit definition. They described it as an easy-drinking option and noted an intriguing nose of peach, white flowers, cut grass, and orchard fruit.
Hallgarten Wines Portfolio Director, Jim Wilson, commented: “We are extremely proud to see two wines from the Hallgarten portfolio so highly regarded by the country’s sommeliers. Winning the Overall Wine of the Year and Red Fine Wine of the Year Trophies is an enormous accolade for a wine producer we have been partnered with for 26 years, and for a wine that continues to win awards with each and every vintage. Wine professionals are becoming more commonplace in the Gastropub sector and it is inspiring to see a Greek wine, from our partners at Gaia Wines, take home the crown of Gastropub Wine of the Year.”
The Sommelier Wine Awards is the UK’s only on-trade wine competition, focusing entirely on wines aimed at the hospitality sector. The judges are carefully selected, including Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine who all serve or buy wine for their venues in the on-trade, or are leading consultants developing wine lists.
