Marks & Spencer won Britain’s biggest blind wine tasting contest when it came to a festive tipple.
The supermarket walked away with 60 medals, including six golds, at the International Wine Challenge last month, beating Morrisons with 45 medals.
Asda was third with 39 awards, beating Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsburys.
But judges said the 245 gold, silver and bronzes they awarded showed the strength of in depth of the own brand plonk on offer to the national.
IWC co-chairman Charles Metcalfe, who founded the contest 34 years ago, said, “Whether looking for festive gifts, or party tipples, British supermarket shoppers are spoiled for choice.
“Tranche One of the 2017 IWC has rewarded some sensational own-brand and exclusive wines that deliver on flavour, quality and value every time.
“Our careful selection of medals allows people to buy with confidence: knowing these medal winners have been awarded by some of the world’s top wine judges.”
Judges come all the way from Japan and Australia to take part in the tasting. And each wine is tasted blind by at least 10 of those on three separate occasions, with the final word from TV tasters like Oz Clarke.
Aldi picked up an impressive 28 medals, including a gold for its Maynard’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2012, “for a jaw-dropping £8.95”.
A spokesman said: “With such inviting price tags, these winners will soon be flying off the shelves.
“Savvy shoppers should stock up on the gold medal-winning Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut (at £21.99) and Waitrose Brut Special Réserve Vintage 2005 (at £24.99) for their festive celebrations.”
