DWWA masterclass
Steven Spurrier, Paolo Basso Markus del Monego MW, Gerard Basset MW MS OBE
(Image credit: Steven Spurrier, Paolo Basso Markus del Monego MW, Gerard Basset MW MS OBE)

Decanter kicked off the first day of Vinexpo by hosting the fair's first masterclass, 'Excellence in unexpected places', showcasing eight medal winning wines from the Decanter World Wine Awards 2015.

Decanter publishing director Sarah Kemp was joined by DWWA chair Steven Spurrier, vice-chair Gerard Basset MW MS OBE, and judges Markus del Monego MW and Paolo Basso, who chose their favourite wines from among this year’s more unexpected medal winners.

Eight wines were selected in total, from the UK, Switzerland, France, Morocco, Turkey and Australia, and the judges spoke about their reasons for highlighting their chosen wines. Gerard Basset MW MS OBE chose the sparkling English wine from Coates & Seely, reminiscing how 30 years ago, on a wine list of 600, only two were English, and that ‘no English man ever drank English wine, only tourists….’

The masterclass also highlighted the success of the Decanter World Wine Awards in showcasing highly quality wines from unexpected countries and regions, including the Slovenian wine that won international trophy for Sweet wine over £15. As the wines are all judged blind, the awards give the ‘little guys a chance to stand up to the big guys’, said Sarah Kemp.

The wines: Excellence in unexpected places

Coates & Seely, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Hampshire, United Kingdom NV – Regional trophy

Adrian & Diego Mathier, L’Ambassadoeur des Domaines Diego Mathier, Valais, Switzerland 2013 – Regional trophy

Didier Joris, Amigne, Vetroz Grand Cru, Valais, Switzerland 2014 – Gold medal

Musset-Rouiller, Les Neuf VIgnt, Anjou, Loire, France 2014 – Regional trophy

Sauska, Cabernet Franc, Villany, Del-Pannonia, Hungary 2011 – Regional trophy

Chateau Roslane 1er Cru, Coteaux de l’Atlas 1er Cru, Meknes & Fes, Morocco 2011 – Commended

Selendi, Selendi Blend, Aegean Coast Region, Turkey 2012 – Silver medal

Morris, Black Label Liquer Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia NV – Gold medal

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(Image credit: Credit Unknown)
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Ellie Douglas
Ellie Douglas
Digital Editor

Ellie Douglas is digital editor at Decanter.

She has worked at Decanter since 2013, when she joined as editorial assistant, then moving to the web team as assistant web editor in 2015.

Over her years at Decanter, Ellie has helped to significantly grow Decanter’s social media presence and with the launch of Decanter Premium in 2017.

She holds her WSET Level three in Wine, and in 2018 was shortlisted for PPA Digital Content Champion of the Year.