insideKENT Magazine Issue 46 - January 2016 | Page 18

NEWS

IWSC NAMES ENGLISH WINE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 2015

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has awarded Gusbourne
Estate, Kent as the English Wine Producer or the Year. Sponsored by
Vintner’s Hall, the title celebrates the most passionate and committed wine
producers in English wine.

Commenting on the win, winemaker for Gusbourne Estate, Charlie Holland,
said: “We are honoured to be announced this year’s English Wine Producer
of the Year and are extremely happy to be recognised for creating some
of the finest wines in the world. This year we secured some fantastic ontrade clients including Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray, Gordon
Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea and Simon Rogan’s foraging
focused L’Enclume in Cumbria, and we will continue to develop our ontrade connections next year. ”

The announcement follows the continued rise of English wines showcased
by successes earlier this year in the IWSC’S Northern Hemisphere results.
This saw English wines awarded a record-breaking 80 medals. Amongst
these great triumphs, Gusbourne Estate was the only English winery to be
awarded the IWSC’s highest accolade this year, winning two IWSC Gold
medals and one Gold Outstanding.

Ewan Lacey, general manager of the IWSC, commented: "Gusbourne Estate
has continued to go from strength to strength and produce a high standard
of world-class wines. They have achieved some great results this year
including IWSC’S highest accolade – a gold outstanding and have become
a standard-bearer of quality English sparkling and still wines.”

Fellow shortlist, Nutbourne Vineyard also got a taste of success this year
with their Nutbourne Sussex Reserve 2013, which was the first still English
wine to take home a gold medal.

THE ONLY WAY IS UP FOR KENT’S GOLF COURSES IN LATEST TOP 100
GOLF COURSES RANKING
The five Kent golf courses that feature in Top 100
Golf Courses’ updated ranking of ‘The English
Top 100 Golf Courses of England 2016’ have all
improved on their positions since the last list was
drawn up two years ago.
Strictly speaking, the highly regarded Royal St
George’s has not moved up as it has retained its
position in the number one spot, with Top 100
Golf Courses describing the championship links
on its website with the words: “There’s nothing
artificial about Royal St George’s Golf Club; there