Mamma Mia! Muchos Medals at the International Wine Challenge - 12th - 14th May 2009

What a fantastic and unexpected surprise! After moping around for several days at the London International Wine Fair feeling like an insignificant speck of wine dandruff, I was getting ready to leave with Kira when we bumped into the delightful Ray O’Connor: “Have you picked up all your medals yet?”. My jaw dropped open… “moi?”. Our very first wines had landed Gold (Aliot 2006) and Silver (Héloïse and Abélard 2006), despite their young age and stiffly competitive peer group of established wines. I had missed all the announcements and award ceremonies for not knowing the ropes of this prestigious competition. Darling Charlie Metcalfe and Cool Cat Tim Atkin delivered congrats and awards, which I accepted on behalf of Jean-Louis and Bénédicte, who deserve all the credit. I have to admit I was chuffed for the Chêne Bleu team.