2014 Decanter Retailer of the Year Awards
Posted on Sat 21st Nov 2015 at 11:59
Established to celebrate and reward success within the wine industry, the annual Decanter Retailer of the Year Award ceremony took place this year at the Connaught hotel in London.
Awards chairman Peter Richards MW handed out prizes to both winners and runners up across 12 different categories where wine retailers were judged on the quality of their wine offering, their online and in-store innovation in addition to the customer service levels achieved during a 12 month period. This year Decanter announced nine new categories for retailers specialising in particular regions, from Old World heavyweights Bordeaux and Burgundy to the Americas and Australia allowing retailers extra opportunities to win one of the coveted prizes. Chairman Peter commented 'The purpose of these awards is to highlight the very best, giving the consumer the expert steer to those people offering the finest value, service, experience and range.'
Two other new categories for 2014 included Large Independent Wine Retailer of the Year and Small Independent Wine Retailer of the Year. Judges included wine retail consultant Allan Cheesman, alongside Decanter contributing Editor Stephen Brook and Decanter tastings director Christelle Guibert. Signature Wines Operations Director, Jyoti Bhatia said, “It was particularly nice to see both large and small independent retailers recognised for their service to consumers and to see specialists in wines from particular regions gain recognition. As a specialist wine importer and wholesaler for the Eastern Mediterranean region we are passionate about promoting wines new to the UK and feel it is imperative that wine retailers have the knowledge to introduce and spread the word that there are emerging regions that will excite their customer’s palettes.” John Stimpfig, Decanter content director, said, 'The UK’s highly competitive marketplace means that standards have never been higher. So these awards give Decanter readers a trusted go-to list of the creme de la creme in UK wine retailing.’
The winners and runners up of the Decanter Retailer Awards 2014 Supermarket of the Year Winner: Marks & Spencer Runner up: Tesco National Wine Merchant of the Year Winner: The Wine Society Runner up: Majestic Large Independent Retailer of the Year Winner: Berry Bros & Rudd Runner up: The Sampler Small Independent Retailer of the Year Winner: Vagabond Wines Runner up: Highbury Vintners Specialist – Burgundy Winner: Goedhuis Runner up: Lea & Sandeman Specialist - Italy Winner: Vini Italiani Runner up: Berry Bros & Rudd Specialist – Bordeaux Winner: Bordeaux Index Specialist – Rhone Winner: Uncorked Specialist – Germany Winner: Howard Ripley Specialist – Spain & Portugal Winner: Highbury Vintners Runner up: The Wine Society Specialist – Americas Winner: Roberson – Specialist North America Runner up: The Wine Society – Specialist South America Specialist – South Africa Winner: Handford Wines