Wines of Chile unveils top independents

Wines of Chile has announced the winners of its second Independent Wine Merchant Awards.

Representing all corners of the UK, the following merchants were rewarded for their work to promote Chilean wine during September, through a combination of tastings, events, newsletters and social media activities:

Aitken Wines, Dundee

Christopher Piper Wines, St Mary, Devon

Corkscrew Wines, Carlisle

Great Horkesley Wine Centre, Colchester

Leamington Wine, Leamington Spa

Each will be rewarded with £500 and a trip to Chile in January 2012, which aims to help these merchants to discover new wines for their stores.

Five runners up were also selected, who will each receive £500:

ExCellar – London and Surrey

QP Wines – Llanelli, Carmarthenshire

Meadows Wine – Edinburgh

Park Vintners – London

Rodney Densem Wines – Nantwich

This year’s judging process saw the introduction of an online public vote, allowing customers to support their local wine merchant.

Commenting on the results, Michael Cox, European director of Wines of Chile, remarked: “We were particularly impressed with the breadth of the ranges at merchants entering and the real commitment to providing their customers with choice and quality.”