LWC sweeps the board at 2024 Sommelier Wine Awards with record number of medals

LWC Wine Merchants & Shippers is celebrating a milestone win, having swept the board with 74 medals at the latest Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA).

Showcasing the quality, depth, and range of its diverse portfolio of wines, the specialist importer and distributor secured six gold, 24 silver and 44 bronze medals in this year’s awards, almost doubling on its success at the 2020 awards, and securing its most medals to date.

A much-respected barometer for the on-trade wine industry, the SWA sees each entry put through its paces by a panel of leading sommeliers and buyers, to establish the best wines currently available to the hospitality trade. Once assessed, wines either receive no medal, commended, bronze, silver, or gold, with tasting notes and comments provided for standout entries.

Frances Bentley, Wine Buyer for LWC commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of the 2024 Sommelier Wine Awards. A combined effort between ourselves, supplier partners and wineries to secure 74 medals is something we are all incredibly proud of.

“A Sommelier Wine Award medal carries weight in our industry. Not only does it tell us as buyers that we are choosing the best wines for our customers, but it also gives our customers that added layer of confidence that comes with selling a bottle that has the SWA stamp of approval. To have our wines independently verified as some of the best available in the on-trade is the ultimate seal of approval.”

The six gold medal-winning wines available via LWC are; Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No 26 NV, Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs NV, Rioja Vega Viña Cerrada Crianza 2020, Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2023, Rioja Vega Viña Cerrada Blanco 2022 and Calmel & Joseph La Pointe 2021, Corbières.

Bentley continues: “Vina Cerrada Blanco Rioja has been a firm customer favourite and staple in our range for over five years now. To have leading figures in the industry reaffirm this with comments such as ‘a beautiful example at this price point’ alongside a much respected ‘by the glass’ medal is a wonderful feeling for all involved.

“La Pointe Corbieres is a more recent but exciting addition to our portfolio. A complex, full bodied, delicious red wine, it is great to see this new wine already picking up awards.

“We are only as good as the people we partner with, and the achievement of 74 medals is a testament to the quality of suppliers and producers we work with. A massive thank you to the incredible wineries, supplier partners and – of course – our customers for your ongoing commitment to producing, selling, and serving incredible wines!”

LWC’s Winning Wines List: