The Top 100 Vins de Pays Competition aims to bring together all the Vins de Pays wines available to the UK market and present them to an impartial and highly qualified jury of tasters, who, through rigorous blind tasting and deliberation, will select the Top 100 wines. A trophy will be awarded for each category and the best White, Rosé and Red of show will be also selected.
In the launch year 2004, over 650 wines were tasted. In 2008 the number of entries reached a staggering 1490!
Wines are submitted by UK importers, agents and retailers plus producers, negociants and co-operatives in France. Entry is free. The competition is sponsored by ANIVIT and Inter Oc.
Tim Atkin who chaired the tasting since 2004 will again take the hot seat this year. He comments:
"The Top 100 Vins de Pays competition has established itself as an important and successful competition in the UK . In the past, we have benefited from the expertise of some very experienced judges, and this year is no exception. Once again, I'm sure that the entries will demonstrate the value for money and stylistic diversity of French Vins de Pays. I'm looking forward to the 2009 competition more than ever this year."
The panel
- Tim Atkin MW, wine writer & OLN Wine Editor at large
- Jo Ahearne MW, winemaker and wine technologist, Marks & Spencer
- Jonathan Butt, head of global sourcing, Wine Rack
- Rosemary George MW, wine writer, author
- Chris Hardy, buyer, Majestic
- Sam Harrop MW, wine industry consultant
- Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, director of wine buying, Waitrose
- Alex Hunt, group wine buyer, Berkmann Wine Cellars
- Laura Jewell MW, agency director HWCG
- Willy Lebus, Director, Bidendum
- Graham Nash, product development manager, Tesco
- Charles Metcalfe, wine writer
- Anthony Rose, wine correspondent, The Independent
- Olly Smith, writer and TV presenter
- Joanna Simon, wine writer, The Sunday Times
- Richard Verney, general manager, Oddbins
- Dominique Vrigneau, buying director, Thierry’s
- Simon Woods, wine writer
Chairman : Tim Atkin MW
Off Licence News, the voice of drinks retailing, is the official media partner for this event and will provide extensive coverage.
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