Winning Blogger of the Year at the IWSC awards dinner

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Winning Blogger of the Year at the IWSC awards dinner

Isn’t the Guildhall in London just fabulous? It’s properly grand and very old, and it proved to be a great setting for last night’s IWSC Awards Presentation and Banquet. It was my first visit to this venue, and I was attending the banquet because I had been shortlisted for the inaugural Blogger of the Year award.

Pre-dinner tasting in the crypt

The good news (at least from my perspective) is that I was joint winner, along with Helen McGinn’s fabulous http://knackeredmotherswineclub.blogspot.co.uk/. Our sites are both quite different, so giving both the gong was an inspired idea.

Dinner companions Liz Lock and Lottie West

The food was excellent, considering that they were catering for around 400 covers. We began with a very good rabbit and prune ravioli, before moving to a superb ceviche of bream, scallops and razor clams with a radish, cherry tomato and cucumber garnish. The main of poached tournedos of rose veal was also pretty smart.

I took notes on some of the wines that were served.

Stellenrust 47 Chenin Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch, South Africa
This is a rich, bold Chenin Blanc from 47 year old vines. I guess the number will have to change each year? Bold with citrus, spice, vanilla and toast notes. Rich and intense, but with good acidity. A real mouthful, with well integrated by noticeable oak. 92/100

Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 Central Otago, New Zealand
Powerful, full and vibrant with black cherries, plum and spice. Lovely floral, meaty aromatics with focused, pure fruit. Good grip on the palate with nice freshness and structure, as well as admirably taut cherry and berry fruits. 95/100

De Bortoli Old Boys 21 Year Old Tawny, Australia
A fabulous fortified wine. Warm, rich, spicy and sweet with good freshness and focus. Lovely raisin and citrus peel characters. 93/100

Graham’s Crusted Port, bottled 2006 Douro, Portugal
Fresh and bright with a hint of mint and lovely depth of fresh blackberry and cherry fruit. Pure black fruits to the fore, with a bit of spiciness. A lovely Port. 92/100

7 Comments on Winning Blogger of the Year at the IWSC awards dinner
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

7 thoughts on “Winning Blogger of the Year at the IWSC awards dinner

  1. Jamie, congratulations and thank you for such kind words about my blog (especially like use of word fabulous). Lovely round up of evening’s food and wine. Ironically, my phone was out of juice…Congratulations again, so very honoured to be sharing a stage with you, my lovely anorak-wearing friend.

  2. Many congratulations Jamie on your win.Richly deserved. I was a couple of tables away enjoying the excellent food and wines with award winning teams from Ch. Ste Michelle, Fox Creek and Rachel Nicofrom “drinkoftheweek.com” all the way from the USA for this special evening.

  3. very well done Jamie. I’ve enjoyed your blog for about 2 years now and visit almost every day. All the best for the years ahead and hope you keep going

  4. Well done Mr Goode. Always enjoy your writing. Looking forward to the Christmas Champagne Challenge!

  5. Congratulations Mr. Goode on winning the IWSC blogger of the year. I definitely think you deserved this award, as for too many years before blogging wine has been an elitist drink for overly wealthy people.

    I think your blog brings wine down to an approachable level where one can learn about it and appreciate the infinite varieties and options that the wonderful world of wine has to offer. Also you aren’t afraid to showcase new and/or emerging new wine regions and also new/old wine regions such as the Douro and Hungary.

    Keep up the good work and looking forward to reading and learning more from your blog.

    Cheers!

    Solomon Mengeu

  6. Hello
    Thought your readers might be interested to know that Sainsbury’s (online) currently has the Graham’s Crusted Port (bottled 2006) at £12.99 at the mo, reduced from £17.99, with a further 25% off if you buy 6 bottles.
    Cheers
    Tom

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