Decanter World Wine Awards is now the biggest wine competition in the world

In total 10,285 wines were entered into the Awards - more than any other wine competition.

The number of individual companies that submitted entries also increased by 23% to 2,240.

For the 200 MWs, sommeliers, winemakers, critics and journalists who spent a week in April tasting the many thousands of wines, there were a few surprises.

Croatian wines were awarded an unprecedented eight gold medals while a South African Pinotage – traditionally a much-maligned variety – won the South African red single varietal regional trophy.

For the first time in the history of the competition English wines had their own category and were awarded two gold medals for their sparkling wines.