M&S tops first tranche of 2016 International Wine Challenge
Britain's multiple and discount retailers have taken home a total of 222 awards from Tranche One of the 2016 International Wine Challenge, including 21 gold medals.
Marks & Spencer topped the medal table with 58 gold, silver and bronze awards for its wine range.
Morrisons, in second place, picked up 36. Its tally of three golds was beaten by Aldi's four, however.
Waitrose and The Co-operative failed to win any golds at all.
Marks & Spencer claimed ten golds in total, five of which went to fortified wines, including the Palo Cortado Dry Old Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez in its own-brand Very Rare sherry range, produced by Emilio Lustau.
Each retails at £8 for a half-bottle.
Three sparkling own-brand wines from Marks & Spencer also won gold: Graham Beck the Rhona Blanc de Blancs 2010, Champagne Oudinot Sparkling Rosé, and Oudinot Brut Vintage 2007, priced at £13, £27 and £31 respectively.
Aldi's four golds came from a total of 23 medals for the discounter. They comprised The Exquisite Collection Hunter Valley Semillon 2013, Aldi Lot 08 Colchagua Carmenere 2012.
Morrisons, which was named IWC Supermarket of the Year in 2015, received two gold medals for its non-vintage sherries, and a third for its Morrisons Signature Chablis 1er Cru 2013.
Metcalfe, co-chairman of the IWC, said: "The results of Tranche One of the competition highlights how British shoppers really are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking up fantastic wines in their local supermarkets.
"Our judges have discovered some excellent own-brand and exclusive wines, whose quality often belies their modest price tags. With the festive period just around the corner, these award-winning wines make great gifts.
"The IWC medal stickers help shoppers buy with confidence, as they can be assured that a medal is a stamp of quality.
"Wine fans should search the wine aisles for our stickers: they are guaranteed to deliver a little extra festive cheer."
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