Three English wineries in the South East achieved coveted gold medals, including the very first IWSC medal for an English still wine. Gold outstanding is the highest medal distinction awarded by the judges.

The top winning English wines are: Gold outstanding, Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2007 LD, Gusbourne Estate, white sparkling; Gold outstanding, Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2010, Gusbourne Estate, white sparkling; Gold, Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2013, Nutbourne Vineyards, West Sussex, white still; Gold, Gusbourne Rosé 2011, Gusbourne Estate, rosé sparkling; and Gxold, Black Dog Hill Classic Cuvee 2011, Black Dog Hill Vineyard, East Sussex, white sparkling.

English wine entries have increased by 70% year on year and medals for home grown wines are up by 63% from 2014, smashing records in the competition’s 46 year history. “This success is a tribute to the wines which have all undergone the IWSC’s rigorous judging process which includes a double blind tasting,” a spokesman said. In total, a record breaking 80 medals were awarded to English wines.

Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director for English Wine Producers, said: “It’s great to see that English wines are continuing to prove their international status through these fantastic competition successes. It’s the consistency that is really showing just what world class wines are produced in England.”