English (and Welsh) delight

Patricia Stefanowicz MW, immediate past chairman of the competition and current judge, gives us the inside track on this year's judging of the UK's domestic ferments.

Some of you will already know that the English and Welsh Wine of the Year Competition, sponsored by the UK Vineyards Association, is unique. Apart from judging only that minuscule niche comprising English and Welsh wines, it is the sole competition worldwide that regularly uses only Masters of Wine as judges.

This year's competition took place last week in Shaftesbury Town Hall, overlooking Gold Hill (pictured) – Brits may know it more familiarly as...