Wine Innovation results released
the drinks business has announced the results of the Innovation Masters for 2011.
The competition is engineered to reward the novel in the world of wine, from new blends, improved winemaking, as well as original packaging.
In the design category, the likes of the Amour de Deutz wowed the judges, along with the striking appearance of Crown Estates Tokaji Essencia.
Notable among the medal winners for innovative winemaking was an “icewine” made from frozen apples, a “summer red” from Gallo, and Freixenet’s new Mia range of lower alcohol wines for women.
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Among the labels commended for quality and originality were McGuigan’s The Semillon Blanc, a Semillon designed to entice Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, and Funambule, a new brand whose name, which is French for a tightrope walker, references its “perfect balance”.
The competition highlighted the focus on new product development in the lower alcohol category, with the likes of Banrock Station Light, Blossom Hill Vineyard Collection Aromatic & Delicate, Astoria’s 9.5 – named after its abv – and the aforementioned Mia, all featuring, and gaining medals.
Speaking to db on the potential of the lower alcohol sector in UK retail, Julian Dyer, wine buyer at Sainsbury’s said, “This has a big future and at Sainsbury’s we’ve made a commitment that by 2020, we’ll double the sales of lighter alcohol wine and reduce the average alcohol content of own brand wine and beer.
Medals awarded for tasting
| Producer | Brand Name | Medal |
| Champagne Deutz | Amour de Deutz 2002 | MASTER |
| Laurent-Perrier | Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé NV | GOLD |
| Codorniu | Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs Reserva Vintage 2008 | SILVER |
| Casella Wines | Yellow Tail Tree Free Chardonnay 2010 | SILVER |
| Viña Carmen | Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenère 2009 | SILVER |
| Orion Wines | Sette Vigne Vino Rosso Italiano 2009 | SILVER |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | LFE 900 2008 | SILVER |
| La Face Cachee de la Pomme | Neige Winter Harvest – Apple Icewine NV | SILVER |
| Tokaj Kereskedohaz | Crown Estates Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2004 | SILVER |
| Astoria Vini | Astoria 9.5 Cold Wine | BRONZE |
| Aimery Sieur d’Arques | 1531 Blanquette de Limoux 2008 | BRONZE |
| Angas/Yalumba | Tesco Angas Sparkling Rosé NV | BRONZE |
| Bodegas Murviedro | Estrella Frizzante Rosé NV | BRONZE |
| Blossom Hill Winery | Blossom Hill Vineyard Collection Aromatic & Delicate | BRONZE |
| Constellation Australia | Banrock Station Light 2010 | BRONZE |
| Schmitt Söhne | Fünf 5 Moscato 2010 | BRONZE |
| Yealands Estate Wines | Full Circle 2010 | BRONZE |
| Stellenzicht | Cellar Master’s Release Chardonnay 2010 | BRONZE |
| Adoro Wines | Adoro 2008 | BRONZE |
| E & J Gallo Winery | Gallo Family Vineyards Summer Red | BRONZE |
| Blossom Hill Winery | Blossom Hill Vineyard Collection Aromatic & Smooth | BRONZE |
| Santa Tresa | Purato 2010 | BRONZE |
| KWV | Cafe Culture Pinotage 2010 | BRONZE |
| The Grape Grinder | The Grinder Pinotage 2010 | BRONZE |
| Bodegas Murviedro | Murviedro Colección Petit Verdot 2010 | BRONZE |
| Freixenet | Mia Singature Blend No 1 – 2010 | BRONZE |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | Mourvedre – Gran Reserva 2009 | BRONZE |
| Viña Carmen | Carmen Gran Reserva Petite Sirah 2008 | BRONZE |
| DeMorgenzon | DeMorgenzon DMZ Concerto 2008 | BRONZE |
| Schild Estate Wines | Schild Estate Wines Ben Schild Reserve Shiraz 2006 | BRONZE |
| Tokaj Kereskedohaz | Grand Selection Tokaji Késői Arany 2009 | BRONZE |
| KWV | Berraz Sweet Shiraz NV | BRONZE |
| Domaine du Tariquet | Domaine du Tariquet L’Idée Folle | BRONZE |
| Spyglass Trading | Île Four Sparkling Blanc | BRONZE |
| Spyglass Trading | Île Four Limited Edition | BRONZE |
| Reh Kendermann | Black Tower Pink Bubbly 2010 | COMMENDED |
| McGuigan Wines | McGuigan The Semillon Blanc 2011 | COMMENDED |
| Viña Doña Paula | Dona Paula Estate Torrontes 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Santa Tresa | Purato 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Schmitt Söhne | Agris 2010 | COMMENDED |
| The Company of Wine People | Arniston Bay Bushvine Selection Chenin Blanc 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Bodegas Murviedro | Cueva de la Espera 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Freixenet | Mia Signature Blend No 2 – 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Lenz Moser AG | Fete Rosé 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Schild Estate Wines | Schild Estate Wines Old Bush Vine GMS 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Vina Errazuriz | Aconcagua Costa Single 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Bodega Volcanes de Chile | Tectonia 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Caves Du Mont Tauch | Farmer Yvan 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Summit Vineyards | Funambule 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Santa Tresa | Insieme 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Neethlingshof | Neethlingshof Malbec 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Overhex Wines | Balance Winemakers Selection Shiraz 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Stellenzicht | Cellar Master’s Release Petit Verdot 2009 | COMMENDED |
| The Company of Wine People | Arniston Bay Bushvine Selection Pinotage 2009 | COMMENDED |
| Adoro Wines | Adoro 2009 | COMMENDED |
| Spyglass Trading | Île Four Citrus | COMMENDED |
| Tatsuuma-Honke | Isake Classic | COMMENDED |
Medals awarded for design and packaging
| Producer | Brand Name | Medal |
| Champagne Deutz | Amour de Deutz 2002 | GOLD |
| Tokaj Kereskedohaz | Tokaji Essencia 2007 | GOLD |
| De Bortoli Wines | BellaRiva 2010 | SILVER |
| Vignerons du Pallet | Muscadet Les Dix du Pallet 2010 | SILVER |
| Caves Du Mont Tauch | Farmer Bernard 2010 | SILVER |
| Caves Du Mont Tauch | Farmer Yvan 2010 | SILVER |
| The Grape Grinder | The Grinder Pinotage 2010 | SILVER |
| Freixenet | Mia Signature Blend No 1 – 2010 | SILVER |
| Overhex Wines | Ostrich Landing The Baron 2009 | SILVER |
| Cantina di Soave | Dino Durello 2009 | BRONZE |
| Laurent-Perrier | Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé NV | BRONZE |
| Sogrape Vinhos SA | Sparkling Mateus Brut Rosé | BRONZE |
| Overhex Wines | Ostrich Landing Chenin Blanc 2011 | BRONZE |
| Casella Wines | (Yellow Tail) Tree Free Chardonnay 2010 | BRONZE |
| Schmitt Söhne | Agris 2010 | BRONZE |
| Yealands Estate Wines | Full Circle 2010 | BRONZE |
| Freixenet | Mia Signature Blend No 2 – 2010 | BRONZE |
| DeMorgenzon | DeMorgenzon Garden Vineyards Rosé 2009 | BRONZE |
| Le Chai Au Quai | La Part Du Boucher NV | BRONZE |
| McGuigan Wines | McGuigan Classic Range 2010 | BRONZE |
| Santa Tresa | Purato 2010 | BRONZE |
| Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box | Pouch-Up | COMMENDED |
| Bodegas Murviedro | Dual Pack – Gran Castillo White & Rosé | COMMENDED |
| Bodegas Murviedro | Dual Pack – Alba & Rosa de Murviedro | COMMENDED |
| Astoria Vini | Astoria 9.5 Cold Wine | COMMENDED |
| McWilliam’s Winery | Ocean’s Edge | COMMENDED |
| Angas/Yalumba | Tesco Angas Sparkling Rosé NV | COMMENDED |
| Blossom Hill Winery | Blossom Hill Winemakers Reserve Zinfandel Sparkling NV | COMMENDED |
| Reh Kendermann | Black Tower Pink Bubbly 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Blossom Hill Winery | Blossom Hill Vineyard Collection Aromatic & Delicate | COMMENDED |
| Constellation Australia | Banrock Station Light 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Vinedos Emiliana | Signos de Origen 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Caves Du Mont Tauch | Farmer Dominique 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Santa Tresa | Purato 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Schmitt Söhne | Fünf 5 Moscato 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Blossom Hill Winery | Blossom Hill Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Constellation Australia | Banrock Station Light 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Blossom Hill Winery | Blossom Hill White Zinfandel 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Export Union GmbH | Motörhead Shiraz 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Vinedos Emiliana | Adobe 2010 | COMMENDED |
| Santa Tresa | Insieme 2010 | COMMENDED |
