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Spring Tasting shines spotlight on best releases for 2022

We bring you the results in full from this year’s Spring Tasting, which rewards the best wines being released onto the market right now.

IT’S ALWAYS fascinating to find out what shines when you taste blind. And the Spring Tasting is especially interesting because the samples are so varied. Indeed, their only uniting factor is timing – these are all wines due for release right now, hence the title of the competition.

In such an environment, where the entries are organised according to price band, and loosely on style too – sparkling, white, rosé, red, along with oaked/unoaked, and dry/sweet – you unearth some real surprises, and the stars of their category are often not what one might expect. Among the delights in 2022 were the whites from Austria and Italy – with some fine single-vineyard Grüner Veltliners impressing for their oily texture, and fresh, gently peppery finish, along with some appealing Arneis, with peach and pear fruit, and a dry, finely phenolic edge. In each case, such wines outclassed more conventional alternatives at the same price.

Among other notable results this year, was a lovely Italian multi-regional red blend made by Alberto Antonini for high-profile chef Gordon Ramsay – called Intenso Rosso – and a lovely, affordable fine Bordeaux from Les Vignobles André Lurton called Divinus. Certain producers performed particularly well too in 2022. In particular, Villa Maria, along with its Esk Valley label, picked up a slew of Golds for wonderful Chardonnays and red Bordeaux blends.

As one judge, Jonathan Pedley MW, commented after the tasting: “Chapeau to Sir George Fistonich and his team for maintaining such high standards over three decades and more.”

Another name that garnered a host of high scores was Bernard Magrez. His Pape Clément 2019 from Pessac-Leognan was outstanding, and so too was his Saint-Émilion – Château Fombrauge – and Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe, called La Destinée de Clément V.

In a world of competitions when so often it’s the rising stars of the New World that shine the brightest, it was pleasing to see classic bottles from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe twinkle too.

Please see below for all the medallists from The Spring Tasting 2022:

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Low/No – White Sparkling
£10-£15
Lyre’s Lyre’s Classico Australia Australia NV Silver
Pierre Chavin Pierre Zéro Sparkling White Languedoc-Roussillon France NV Bronze
Lyre’s Lyre’s Classico Grande Australia Australia NV Bronze
White Sparkling
£10-£15
K+K Kirnbauer “Cesario” Sekt Brut Österreich Austria 2019 Silver
£15-£20
Stift Klosterneuburg Blanc de Blancs Brut Sekt Grosse Reserve “Mathäi” Vienna Austria NV Gold
Codorníu Ars Collecta Blanc de Blancs Reserva Catalan Spain 2018 Silver
Stift Klosterneuburg “Klostersekt” Sekt Klassik Brut Niederösterreich Austria NV Silver
£20-£30
A-Nobis Sektkellerei “Cuvee 1217 Blanc de Blancs” Extra Brut Sekt Reserve Burgenland Austria 2018 Silver
£30-£50
Ridgeview Busi Jacobsohn Cuvée Brut East Sussex UK 2018 Silver
Rosé Sparkling
£10-£15
A-Nobis Sektkellerei “Cuvée 1217 Blanc de Noirs” Extra Brut Sekt Reserve Burgenland Austria 2018 Silver
Tiwari Wine and Sprits Unwritten Poem Badacsony Hungary 2019 Bronze
£20-£30
A-Nobis Sektkellerei Bio Rosé Brut Nature Österreich Austria 2018 Silver
Low/No – Still White – Unoaked
£10-£15
Pierre Chavin Pierre Zéro White Languedoc-Roussillon France NV Bronze

 

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Still White – Unoaked
Under £10
Peninsula Wines Gary Barlow Organic White Wine Castilla La Mancha Spain 2020 Silver
Distell Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc South Africa South Africa 2021 Silver
Distell Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc South Africa South Africa 2020 Silver
Agricola Cottini Bianco di Custoza Tenuta La Falcona DOC Veneto Italy 2020 Silver
Averești Estates Zghihara de Averesti Diamond Junior Dry Husi Romania 2021 Bronze
Piccini Memoro Bianco Italy Italy NV Bronze
Weinwurm “Austrian Hills” Grüner Veltliner Niederösterreich Austria 2021 Bronze
Artner Grüner Veltliner Höflein Carnuntum Carnuntum Austria 2020 Bronze
Heiderer-Mayer Roter Veltliner Ried Großweikersdorfer Steinberg Wagram Austria 2020 Bronze
Schneeberger Riesling Kitzeck-Sausal Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Bronze
Domenile Averești Nativus Dry Sauvignon Blanc Husi Romania 2021 Bronze
Domenile Averești Nativus Dry Chardonnay Husi Romania 2021 Bronze
Urbanihof Grüner Veltliner “Classic” Wagram Austria 2020 Bronze
Weinwurm Grüner Veltliner “Asia Blend Cuvée White” Niederösterreich Austria 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Schneeberger Muskateller Ried Kittenberg Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Gold
Royal Tokaji Winery Sárgamuskotály Tokaj Hungary 2019 Silver
Taliano Michele Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2020 Silver
Alpha Estate Malagouzia Single Vineyard Turtles Florina Greece 2021 Silver
Heiderer-Mayer Roter Veltliner Ried Großweikersdorfer Steinberg Wagram Austria 2020 Silver
Ridaroca Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2021 Silver
Schmid Grüner Veltliner Ried Spiegel Gobelsburg Kamptal Austria 2020 Silver
Tenuta Laramè Terre del Conte Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2021 Silver
Schmid Riesling Ried Loiserberg Kamptal Austria 2020 Silver
Azienda Agricola F.lli Massucco Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2020 Bronze
Casa Marin Cartagena Riesling San Antonio Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Buontalenti Gordon Ramsay Vibrante Bianco Abruzzo Italy 2020 Bronze
Az. Agr. Bordone Giuseppe di Bordone Dyana Roero Arneis DOCG Piedmont Italy 2020 Bronze
£15-£20
Casa Marin Cipreses Sauvignon Blanc San Antonio Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Schneeberger Chardonnay Ried Flamberg Südsteiermark Austria 2019 Gold
Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Gold
Francone Roero Arneis Magia Piedmont Italy 2020 Silver
Cascina Lanzarotti Roero Arneis Riserva Sant’Anna Piedmont Italy 2019 Silver
Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Silver
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Az. Agr. Ritter de Zahony Pàlava Bianco IGT Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2020 Silver
Pescaja Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2021 Silver
Schneeberger Weißburgunder Ried Kreuzegg Südsteiermark Austria 2019 Silver
Schneeberger Weißburgunder Ried Kreuzegg Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Silver
Leth Grüner Veltliner Ried Brunnthal “1 ÖTW” Wagram Austria 2020 Silver
Schneeberger Riesling Kitzeck-Sausal Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Silver
Schneeberger Sauvignon Blanc Ried Kittenberg Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Silver
Giovanni Almondo Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie Piedmont Italy 2020 Bronze
Monchiero Carbone Roero Arneis DOCG Cecu Piedmont Italy 2020 Bronze
Esk Valley Artisanal Chenin Blanc Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2021 Bronze
Schauer Sauvignon Blanc Kitzeck-Sausal Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Bronze
£20-£30
Schneeberger Sauvignon Blanc Ried Hochbrudersegg Steiermark Austria 2020 Master
Malabaila Di Canale Roero Arneis DOCG “Le Tre” Piedmont Italy 2020 Gold
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Pinot Gris Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Gold
Leth Roter Veltliner Ried Scheiben “1ÖTW” Wagram Austria 2019 Silver
Pelassa Tucci Roero Arneis DOCG Piedmont Italy 2020 Silver
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seaspray Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Poderi Vaiot Roero Arneis DOCG Franco Piedmont Italy 2020 Silver
Leth Riesling Ried Fels am Wagramer Brunnthal “1ÖTW” Wagram Austria 2020 Silver
Schneeberger Sauvignon Blanc Ried Hochbrudersegg Südsteiermark Austria 2019 Silver
SIMI Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2020 Silver
Bric Castelvej Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2020 Silver
Antica Cascina dei Conti di Roero Roero Arneis DOCG Sru Riserva Piedmont Italy 2019 Silver
Enrico Serafino Poggio di Caro Roero Arneis Piedmont Italy 2021 Silver
Schauer Sauvignon Blanc Ried Steinriegl Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Silver
BAJAJ Roero Arneis DOCG Piedmont Italy 2020 Bronze
Schauer Weißburgunder Ried Höchtemmel Südsteiermark Austria 2019 Bronze
Alpha Estate Sauvignon Blanc Florina Greece 2021 Bronze
Poderi Moretti di Moretti Francesco Roero Arneis DOCG San Michele Piedmont Italy 2020 Bronze
Malvirà Roero Arneis DOCG Renesio Piedmont Italy 2019 Bronze
Rosso Francesco Roero Arneis Riserva Piedmont Italy 2019 Bronze
£30-£50
Schauer Riesling Ried Gaisriegl Südsteiermark Austria 2019 Master
Ott Bernhard Grüner Veltliner Ried Engabrunner Stein “1ÖTW” Kamptal Austria 2016 Gold
Nino Costa Roero Arneis DOCG Piedmont Italy 2020 Silver
Schloss Gobelsburg Riesling Ried Heiligenstein “1ÖTW” Kamptal Austria 2017 Bronze
Schauer Riesling Ried Gaisriegl Südsteiermark Austria 2019 Bronze
£50+
Angelo Negro Sette Anni Roero Arneis DOCG Piedmont Italy 2015 Bronze
Still White – Oaked
£10-£15
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chardonnay California USA 2020 Silver
Royal Tokaji Winery Dry Furmint Tokaj Hungary 2020 Bronze
Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda Custoza DOC Ca’Vegar Veneto Italy 2020 Bronze
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay California USA 2020 Bronze
£15-£20
Esk Valley Artisanal Chardonnay Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2021 Gold
Schneeberger Chardonnay Ried Flamberg Südsteiermark Austria 2020 Gold
Weinwurm Reserve Grüner Veltliner Ried Schilling “Hommage” Niederösterreich Austria 2019 Silver
Urbanihof Grüner Veltliner “1598” Wagram Austria 2019 Bronze
Stift Klosterneuburg Grüner Veltliner Klosterneuburg Ried Steinriegel “Reserve” Wagram Austria 2019 Silver
£20-£30
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2013 Master
Cantina Tramin Stoan Alto Adige Italy 2020 Gold
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Gold
Ott Bernhard Grüner Veltliner Ried Engabrunner Stein “1ÖTW” Kamptal Austria 2019 Silver
The Prisoner Wine Company Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc California USA 2020 Silver
Ott Bernhard Grüner Veltliner Ried Feuersbrunner Spiegel “1ÖTW” Wagram Austria 2019 Silver
Ott Bernhard Grüner Veltliner Ried Feuersbrunner Spiegel “1ÖTW” Wagram Austria 2018 Bronze
Esk Valley Great Dirt Seabed Chardonnay Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2019 Bronze
Ott Bernhard Grüner Veltliner “Der Ott” Niederösterreich Austria 2020 Bronze
£30-£50
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2020 Master
Muster.gamlitz Chardonnay Ried Grubthal Südsteiermark Austria 2018 Gold
Muster.gamlitz Sauvignon Blanc Ried Grubthal Südsteiermark Austria 2018 Gold
Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza Blanco Rioja Spain 2016 Silver
Giacomo Vico Roero Arneis Riserva Piedmont Italy 2018 Silver
Ott Bernhard Grüner Veltliner Ried Feuersbrunner Rosenberg “1ÖTW” Wagram Austria 2019 Bronze
Weixelbaum Sauvignon Blanc “Anno Dazumal” Österreich Austria 2017 Bronze
Still Rosé – Unoaked
Under £10
Viña Arnaiz Pata Negra Rosado Ribera del Duero Spain 2020 Bronze
Domenile Averești Busuioaca de Averesti Diamond Junior Dry Husi Romania 2021 Bronze
Piccini Memoro Rosato Tuscany Italy NV Silver
Stift Klosterneuburg Rosé Zweigelt Thermenregion Austria 2021 Silver
£10-£15
Les Vignobles Gueissard Pink Diesel Provence France 2020 Silver
Buontalenti Gordon Ramsay Elegante Roasto Abruzzo Italy 2020 Silver
£15-£20
Villa Maria EarthGarden Rosé Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2021 Silver
£20-£30
Casa Marin Rosé Miramar Norte San Antonio Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Still Red – Unoaked
Under £10
Bernard Magrez Le Paon Bordeaux France 2020 Silver
Peninsula Wines Gary Barlow Organic Red Wine Castilla La Mancha Spain 2020 Silver
Bernard Magrez Bordeaux 58 Bordeaux France 2020 Silver
Piccini Pinocchio Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and Puglia Italy NV Bronze
£20-£30
Artner Zweigelt Ried Steinäcker “1ÖTW” Carnuntum Austria 2018 Silver
The Prisoner Wine Company Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon California USA 2019 Bronze
Still Red – Oaked
Under £10
Piccini Collezione Oro Chianti Governo Tuscany Italy 2020 Silver
Château Jamais Renoncer Château Jamais Renoncer Bordeaux France 2020 Silver
Piccini Memoro Vintage Italy Italy 2015 Bronze
£10-£15
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir California USA NV Gold
Buontalenti Gordon Ramsay Intenso Rosso Abruzzo Italy 2020 Gold
Charles Smith Wines The Velvet Devil Merlot Washington State USA 2019 Silver
Piccini Sasso al Poggio Tuscany Italy 2019 Silver
Las Veletas El Salto Grand Reserve Carménère Maule Valley Chile 2019 Silver
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Rum Barrel-Aged Merlot Californiau USA 2019 Silver
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Rye Barrel-Aged Red Blend California USA 2019 Silver
Geografico Contessa di Radda IGT Tuscany Italy 2019 Bronze
£15-£20
Villa Maria EarthGarden Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2020 Gold
Esk Valley Artisanal Syrah Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2019 Gold
Castello di Buttrio Marburg Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy 2019 Gold
Johanneshof Reinisch St. Laurent Ried Frauenfeld Thermenregion Austria 2019 Gold
Bodegas Bilbainas Viña Pomal Reserva Rioja Spain 2016 Silver
Banfi Aska Bolgheri Rosso DOC Tuscany Italy 2018 Silver
Regio Cantina Donpà Aglianico del Vulture Basilicata Italy 2018 Silver
Gebrüder Nittnaus Reserve Zweigelt “Luckenwald” Neusiedlersee Austria 2019 Silver
Esk Valley Artisanal Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2019 Silver
Tenuta Laramè Tumlin Roero DOCG Loreto Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Az. Agr. Bordone Giuseppe di Bordone Dyana Roero DOCG Bric del Medic Piedmont Italy 2018 Silver
Casa Marin Viñedos Lo Abarca No. 1 Pinot Noir San Antonio Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Alpha Estate Xinomavro Single Vineyard Hedgehog Amyndeon Greece 2019 Silver
Villa Maria EarthGarden Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Silver
Casa Marin Viñedos Lo Abarca No. 4 Garnacha San Antonio Valley Chile 2018 Bronze
Geografico Contessa di Radda Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy 2020 Bronze
Casa Marín Pinot Noir Litoral San Antonio Valley Chile 2019 Bronze
£20-£30
Las Veletas El Salto Family Reserve Petit Verdot Maule Valley Chile 2017 Gold
Pelassa Antaniolo Roero Riserva DOCG Piedmont Italy 2017 Gold
Bernard Magrez La Destinée de Clément V Rhône France 2017 Gold
Château Fombrauge Château Fombrauge Bordeaux France 2019 Gold
Banfi Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany Italy 2017 Gold
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2015 Gold
Les Vignobles André Lurton Divinus de Château Bonnet Bordeaux France 2018 Gold
Esk Valley Great Dirt River Gravel BDX Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2019 Gold
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2019 Gold
Banfi La Lus Piemonte DOC Piedmont Italy 2019 Silver
Geografico Contessa di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva Tuscany Italy 2018 Silver
Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Silver
Az. Agr. Benotti Rosavica Roero DOCG Piedmont Italy 2018 Silver
SIMI Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon California USA 2019 Silver
Poderi Vaiot Roero DOCG Pierin Piedmont Italy Silver
Geografico Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy 2017 Silver
The Prisoner Wine Company Unshackled Red Blend California USA 2019 Silver
Taliano Michele Roero Riserva “Roche dra Bossora” Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Massucco F.lli Azienda Agricola Roero Riserva Piedmont Italy 2014 Bronze
Scala Dei Scala Dei Prior Catalan Spain 2018 Bronze
Monchiero Carbone Roero DOCG Srü Piedmont Italy 2018 Bronze
Giovanni Almondo Roero Bric Valdiana Piedmont Italy 2018 Bronze
£30-£50
Ridaroca Roero Riserva Testun Piedmont Italy 2016 Master
Legaris Alcubilla de Avellaneda Castilla y Léon Spain 2018 Master
Angelo Negro Sudisfà Roero Riserva DOCG Piedmont Italy 2018 Gold
Tenuta Carretta Roero DOCG Riserva Bric Paradiso Piedmont Italy 2017 Gold
The Prisoner Wine Company Saldo Zinfandel California USA NV Gold
Villa Maria Attorney Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Gold
Malabaila Di Canale Roero DOCG “Bric Volta” Piedmont Italy 2018 Gold
Az. Agr. Pace Roero Riserva Piemonte Italy 2016 Gold
Malvirà Roero DOCG Riserva Mombeltramo Piedmont Italy 2017 Gold
Château La Tour Carnet Château La Tour Carnet Bordeaux France 2019 Gold
Schmid Cabernet Sauvignon “Nero Wein aus Eingetrockneten Trauben” Österreich Austria 2019 Silver
Banfi Summus Tuscany Italy 2019 Silver
Bajaj Roero DOCG Piedmont Italy 2018 Silver
Giacomo Vico Roero Patarrone Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Banfi Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany Italy 2017 Silver
Winemakers Club Italia Brunello di Montalcino Montalcino Italy 2015 Silver
Rosso Francesco Roero Riserva Piedmont Italy 2015 Silver
Bric Castelvej Roero Riserva Panera Alta Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Poderi Moretti di Moretti Francesco Roero DOCG Occhetti Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Antica Cascina dei Conti di Roero Roero DOCG Riserva Vigna Sant’Anna Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Banfi Vigna Marrucheto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany Italy 2017 Silver
Esk Valley Hillside Syrah Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2019 Silver
Giusti Wine Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore Veneto Italy 2018 Silver
Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Bronze
Cascina Lanzarotti Roero Riserva Carlinot Piedmont Italy 2017 Bronze
£50+
Château Pape Clément Château Pape Clément Bordeaux France 2019 Master
Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Spain 2007 Master
Esk Valley The Terraces Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2018 Master
Villa Maria Ngakirikiri Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2013 Gold
Villa Maria Ngakirikiri Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2018 Gold
Esk Valley The Terraces Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2015 Gold
Casa Marin Syrah Miramar San Antonio Valley Chile 2012 Silver
Nino Costa Roero DOCG Piedmont Italy 2017 Silver
Banfi Poggio all’Oro Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Tuscany Italy 2016 Silver

 

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Sweet White Wine
Under £10
Gebrüder Nittnaus Beerenauslese Cuvée “Exquisit” Burgenland Austria 2018 Silver
£15-£20
Stift Klosterneuburg Grüner Veltliner Eiswein Niederösterreich Austria 2018 Gold
Gebrüder Nittnaus TBA Cuvée “Exquisit” Burgenland Austria 2018 Gold
£20-£30
Royal Tokaji Winery By Appointment Fordítás Tokaj Hungary 2016 Master
£30-£50
Clos Haut-Peyraguey Clos Haut Peyraguey Bordeaux France 2019 Bronze
Producer Name of product Country Medal
Mead – Low/No
Bemuse Tarragon, Basil & Hops UK Gold
Bemuse Ginger & Cardamom UK Silver
Bemuse Raspberry UK Silver
Bemuse Hops UK Silver
Sparkling Saké Spritz
Shima Yuzu & Elderflower UK Silver
Shima Plum & Hibiscus UK Bronze

About the competition

Please visit The Global Masters website for more information about The Spring Tasting, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

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