Trophy winners

Best Value Rosé Wine

Best Value Fortified Wine

Caves Languedoc Roussillon Rosé des Plages Premium

Fonseca Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Port

IGP PAYS D’OC FRANCE 2018

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rovençal rosé has increasing competition in the south of France these days, with more and more producers in the Languedoc-Roussillon making pinks of pale interest at very competitive prices. That was what we said about last year’s winner of The Wine Merchant Top 100 Best Value Rosé trophy – and the same is true again this year, albeit with a different name on the (as it turns out; the judges wouldn’t have known) very smart packaging. Rosé des Plages is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Carignan sourced from vineyards on stony clay/ limestone soils at an altitude of 160m above sea level in the Saint Saturnin commune in Hérault department of the Languedoc. And it was a big hit with the Top 100 2019 judges. “Nice colour! Very pale onion skin,” was their verdict. “Lovely nose, too, of purple flowers and strawberry – this is a charming, well balanced wine with wild forest fruits. Value!” Vindependents RRP £11.99

16

ABV 13%

The Wine Merchant Top 100

DOURO PORTUGAL 2012

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ne of the great, historic names of the Douro, Fonseca is justly famous for the quality of its vintage and single-quinta Ports – some of the finest fortified wines in the world. But The Fladgate Partnership-owned producer’s range is stuffed with fine wines at all prices, not least this exemplary Late Bottled Vintage. The blend of 2012 fruit is sourced from some of the best plots in both Fonseca’s own vineyards and their long-term partners’ in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior, and is aged in large (27,500-litre) wooden vats before going into bottle after five years. “Such an appealing layered nose with fresh exuberant fruit but also some mature secondary flavours just starting to show through,” the Top 100 judges said. “In the mouth, it has so much sweet berry fruit and structured but velvety tannins – delightful texture. “This is very high quality Port and exceptional value for money.”

Mentzendorff RRP £16.50

ABV 20%