What did the judges really think after a day tasting blind and scoring eighty wines from Roussillon?
This edition of the Sommelier Edit Awards was sponsored by Wines of Roussillon. Sommeliers were invited to taste and score, blind, a wide selection of wines from across the region including: AOP Côtes du Roussillon; AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages (Caramany, Les Aspres, Tautavel, Latour de France); IGP Côtes Catalanes; AOP Maury Sec; AOP Muscat de Rivesaltes; AOP Rivesaltes Ambré; AOP Rivesaltes Grenat; AOP Maury Doux Tuilé; and AOP Rivesaltes Tuilé.
I loved the Grenache Gris flight… it was very refreshing and had a very approachable style and great value. In general the whole tasting had great value wines, there were fantastic wines under £10 which is something that we are really looking for.
Joanna Nerantzi, Head Sommelier, Raffles London at the OWO
First time judging for Sommelier Edit. Very interesting selection of wines. I was really surprised mainly from the entry level wines, I found them beautiful, joyful, bright, refreshing. I selected a couple for the wine by the glass category because I think they were very interesting. The one that surprised me the most was single varietal Syrah, the lighter styles and they are doing a very good job.
Ennio Pucciarelli, Head Sommelier, Ma/Na
The quality of the wine overall has been really good. It’s been lovely to come and taste some super classic examples, and try some new things as well. I’ve loved the set up, I love the way that it has been run, it’s just fabulous, really really good.
Charles Carron Brown, Sommelier, Aulis London
The judging was a really good experience, because we tried some wines that we don’t sell and tried a lot of wines with great potential and versatility. Most of the wines were really good value for money.
Milos Forgic, Senior Sommelier, The Connaught
My first time trying something like this, good experience, good fun, hopefully there will be more!
Patrycja Szpiech, Head Sommelier, Sat Bains
This was my first time judging so it was a very interesting experience. The orange wine was amazing, my favourite. It’s nice to know that your opinion is valued in this way and it is great tasting practice.
Enrique Santiago, Sommelier, The Ritz London
My first professional tasting as a judge for Sommelier Edit. Very enlightening and always great to see classic varieties, classic blends but also see one or two new varieties which I’m very excited to buy in the future.
Sean Crosby, Head Sommelier, W8 Kitchen
Really enjoyed the judging today, specifically the dessert wines, which are a little bit more towards my personal palate than what we serve at lot at work, nice to see representation of different styles, sweetness, oxidisation, very interesting to compare them
Harry Cooper, Restaurant Manager, Counter 71
It was really interesting to taste the wines today because we could see a wide range of styles across different price points. The biggest surprises came from the lowest price points so there is definite high quality in there, so a region to be explored.
Maria Boumpa, Wine Director, Da Terra restaurant group
Fun, productive afternoon, always good to taste different things. First time judging for Sommelier Edit, I’d heard wonderful things, so I wanted to take part. Particularly enjoyed the sweet wines.
Stuart Skea, Head Sommelier, Lyla Edinburgh
Thrilled to be judging this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and there are some deserving wines, every wine deserves its place in this competition.
Brian Chau Rodriguez, Sommelier, Freelance
Well thought out, modernised, no paper thank god! A few really great wines that I thought had merit and I always take into account the price…got to look for value for money. Great wines, great sweet wines, some interesting whites. It was nice to see a region which needs to move into the forefront now.
Michael Fiducia, Sommelier, St George’s Hill LTC
