‘It’ll be fine by 3pm on Sunday in Leominster’ announced the weather forecaster on
Saturday, as the rain bucketed down in North Shropshire. 8.30am, the next morning,
we were having doubts as lowering skies greeted us on the A49 as we headed through
Church Stretton, with the ‘blue-remembered hills’ of Shropshire blurred by scudding
clouds. In front, the inevitable camper van was trundling down the winding road
at a stately 25mph. Always happens when you are in a hurry. An hour later,
Bromyard passed and the inevitable vineyard approach road -narrow,
high-hedged and with the threat (fortunately unfulfilled) of a combine
harvester and an oil tanker round every blind corner. Then through the
impressive archway that opens into Paunton Court, site of the 2006 Challenge.
Promptly at 9.30am, Ian Rowe’s impressive panel of judges had started their deliberations. Ninety-two wines to sample and white smoke expected before lunch. Ian Clarke from the Wine Standards Board arrived to witness fair play - arousing considerably less controversy than a certain Australian umpire who was operating on the same day! Half an hour later and the first flight of wines was cleared and results carefully recorded and checked. David Bird, MW, chairman of the judges, invited comments on what was being looked for in a typical English or Welsh white wine. The words, ‘fruity’, ‘light’, ‘flowery’, ‘balanced’ and ‘unique’ came back. The next flight was put out with a standard now set.
In the tasting room across the courtyard, the first members began to arrive.
Stuart and Elizabeth Smith down from Huddersfield (soon to be even further
north as they are moving up to Malton in Ryedale). Joyce Boulos-Hanna from
Northamptonshire and the Grahams from the northernmost outpost of the English
wine growing world in Carnforth, Lancashire. Wines, now tested, were beginning
to appear so those members could add their opinions. Growers kept their
fingers crossed.
At last, early afternoon and the results were safely stored. A superb lunch,
arranged by Jeannie Falconer, appeared at the same time as the skies cleared.many members
took the opportunity to admire the model vineyard, which displays many types of training
method (see photo above).
An hour of steady, appreciative eating, after which David Millington (photo on right, rhs), our new
chairman rose to introduce the chairman of the judges, David Bird who commented
on the morning’s work, saying that the wines tasted had continued to demonstrate
the rising standards of English and Welsh wine. The judges had less appreciation
of the medium-dry and red wines.
David Bird questioned the need to produce red
wines in this country likening it to the ‘Everest syndrome’. One of the strengths
of the dry wines was the uniqueness of them in the world. He applauded the
sparkling wines in this country but cautioned against attempting to produce
them in unsuitable locations. Later another of the judges, Paul Shave, applauded
the diversity of English and Welsh wines while retaining that uniqueness.
The presentation of trophies and announcement of other awards then commenced.
Tony Skuriat’s smile broadened and the trophy-laden table
in front of him groaned as the prizes for Eglantine North Star mounted.
Shropshire celebrated as the two Morville vineyards and Wroxeter received
a pile of awards between them. A pre-wedding present for Richard Rallings
of Morville St. Gregory as he received the cup for the Small Producer of the Year.
Then, as evening approached and the sun threatened to burst through, the
formalities ended. Another successful competition was over and everyone
headed back for the far-flung corners of Mercia. Road miles? Who would think
about them on such a day? Jeannie Falconer and Ian Rowe had put on a day to remember.
Cup | Section | Winner | Wine/Maker |
| THE ATTINGHAM CHALLENGE CUP | Mercian Wine of the Year | EGLANTINE VINEYARD | North Star 2002 |
| THE RENISHAW TROPHY | Best Dry White Wine | WROXETER ROMAN VINEYARD | Madeleine Angevine 2005/tr> |
| THE WROXETER ROMAN TROPHY | Best Medium-Dry White Wine | THREE CHOIRS VINEYARD | Willowbrook 2006 |
| THE SEVERN VALLEY TROPHY | Best Non-Dry White Wine | EGLANTINE VINEYARD | North Star 2002 |
| THE WELLAND VALLEY TROPHY | Best Rosé Wine | WROXETER ROMAN VINEYARD | Shropshire Rosé 2005 |
| THE HEART OF ENGLAND TROPHY- | Best Red Wine | WELLAND VALLEY VINEYARD | St Nicholas 2005 |
| THE EGLANTINE TROPHY | Best Sparkling Wine | WELLAND VALLEY VINEYARD | Tickled Pink 2004 |
| THE TANNERS TROPHY | Best New Vintage Wine | WROXETER ROMAN VINEYARD | Madeleine Angevine 2005 |
| THE VINE HOUSE TROPHY | Best Older Vintage Wine | EGLANTINE VINEYARD | North Star 2002 |
| THE LEVENTHORPE TROPHY | Best Commercial Winemaker | EGLANTINE VINEYARD | TONY SKURIAT |
| THE MORVILLE TROPHY | Best Small Producer | MORVILLE ST GREGORY VINEYARD | Richards Rallings |
| THE EAST MIDLANDS TROPHY | Best East Midlands Wine | EGLANTINE VINEYARD Red | TONY SKURIAT |