Chapel Down wins international award for rose
08:06, 19 May 2011
Chapel Down - whose wine is said to have been served at the royal wedding - is set for an overseas sales boost after winning another accolade.
The Tenterden vineyard's Rose Brut saw off rival fizzes to land the sparkling rose prize in this year's International Wine Challenge (IWC).
According to head winemaker Andrew Parley the £24.99 pinot noir offers "ripe berry and rhubarb flavours and a nose of strawberry and raspberry with a splash of creaminess."
The IWC is judged by around 400 experienced wine tasters and entrants are scored by variety, country, region and vintage. Each medal-winning wine is tasted at least three times to ensure that the winners are of a sufficiently high standard.
Chapel Down CEO Frazer Thompson said: "The medal is another great stride forward and an international achievement of which we are very proud. It makes all the hard work worthwhile. Good wine starts in the vineyard and is improved by hiring great people. We've invested well. This is our reward."
He added that demand for Chapel Down wine had never been higher. "The award will also enhance our export business, especially in the USA, which - following the Royal wedding, but also galvanised by the London Olympics - is really starting to show a keen interest in Chapel Down."