The Sommelier Wine Awards have announced their winners for 2025 and we’re excited to see some of the fantastic wines from our producers recognised this year!
The Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) is the only wine competition in the UK focused entirely on the needs of customers in the on-trade. Since the competition started in 2007 it has grown to become the first point of reference for the UK's on-trade wine buyers, as well as the main competition for wines trying to increase their presence in hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants across the world.
Special award wines
Alongside medal winners, there were many producers who suitably impressed the judges, with their wines recognised by additional Trophies and a variety of Critics Choice Awards.
Taking home the trophy for Rosé Wine of the Year, Estandon’s Heritage embodies the traditional expertise and skills that go into the making of Provence rosé. SWA judge, Vincenzo Arnese described it as having ‘a very good nose, fresh and with good intensity, showing nice ripeness and great drinkability.’
Impressively, the 2021 Passo Sardo Cannonau Sardegna DOC took home a Critics Choice Award, Pub & Bar Award, and a By The Glass Award. Judges commended the wine for its rich, ripe red fruit, elegant texture and smooth tannins.
From Spain’s Rias Baixas, Paco y Lola’s 2023 Albarino got them a By The Glass award and a Critics Choice award, alongside their silver medal. SWA judge Konstantinos Nestoridis described the wine as 'complex, fresh, fruity, creamy and buttery with a great balance.'
Other notable achievements include Santo Santorini Vin Santo, Domaine des Grandes Esperances ‘Supernova’ Organic Malbec, and Chateau Tour de Yon all receiving a Critics Choice award.
Prieur De Meyney also won a By The Glass award, and Le Beau Sud Sauvignon Blanc Colombard Gros Manseng won a Pub & Bar Award.
Gold medal winners
On top of the great achievements for the above wines, there were plenty of Gold medals for some favourite sips in the Matthew Clark portfolio.
Only produced in exceptional vintages, Balfour’s 2018 Blanc de Blancs shows fine bubbles, precise citrus notes of lime and lemon, and savoury, biscuity complexity.
SWA judge Charlie Stein described this as ‘refreshing, with a complex, lovely finish.’
Greyfriars is a distinguished English wine producer known for its exceptional sparkling wines crafted from estate-grown grapes.
Of their Classic Cuvee Brut, judges commented on its aromatic nose, floral notes and refreshing vibrancy.
From the central Loire Valley, this Sauvignon Blanc is textured and subtle, with perfumes of fresh-cut grass and blackcurrant leaf and flavours of grapefruit, pineapple and guava.
Margot Tyson, SWA judge, described this as ‘an easy drinking wine, with a subtle white blossom not on the nose.’
Red meat’s perfect partner, each year the team at Angus the Bull work closely with their growers, hand selecting premium parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon cultivated on outstanding sites across Central Victoria.
SWA judge Anastasios Karakasis commented that the wine has ‘great expression of fruit, with pleasant acidity on a refreshing palate, leading to a long finish.’
This rich Chianti Classico is produced only in the best years, with smooth tannins, flavours of Maraschino cherry, blackberry and prune, and heady fragrances of cumin and rosemary.
Judge Nelio Pinto described this as ‘a beautifully crafted wine that’s harmonious and balanced, with great depth and a polished finish.’
As always, it’s a delight to see our wine producers recognised in one of the UK’s key on –trade wine competitions. Get these award-winning wines added to your wine list by shopping our collection online at Matthew Clark Live.
About the author
Mary McCarron
Mary looks after the majority of Matthew Clark's digital marketing comms. After a couple of years working in tech, she found her way back to the hospitality industry and can now be found talking all things cocktails, spirits, beer, softs and more across our website, social media, and other digital channels.
