The People’s Choice Wine Awards and People’s Choice Spirits Awards do exactly what they say on the tin. Awards chosen by regular drinkers as well as drinks professionals. Here are the highlights from the 2024 awards and to get a full run down of all the finalists and categories click here.
This was the the second year that both the People’s Choice Wine andPeople’s Choice Spirits awards were held on the same night and it also saw a return to Manchester’s Deansgate Locks, where the first awards were held at the Comedy Store, at a new venue the Revolution Bar.
The main retailer awards on the night went to:
Independent Wine Retailer 2024, sponsored by Boutinot: Hattersley Wines
Online Wine Retailer, Sponsored by Oakley Wine Agencies: The Online Wine Tasting Company
Online Spirits Retailer: Distillers Direct
Spirits Supermarket 2024, Sponsored by G’Vine: Booths
Booths won both the wine retailer and spirits retailer of the year awards
Wine Supermarket 2024, Sponsored by Oakley Wine Agencies: Booths
Consumer Drinks Communicator 2024, sponsored by Crate Communications
Wine: Diana Thompson, Wine Events Scotland
Spirits: Dave Marsland, Drinks Enthusiast
Best Independent Bar, Sponsored by Master of Malt Trade: The Art School Cellars, Liverpool
Here are some of the individual category awards’ highlights.
Silver Reign from MDCV picked up two awards
Silver Reign, the English sparkling wine that was entered into the competition for the first time by MDCV scooped two awards in both the categories it entered: Easy Weekday Fizz; and The Great Outdoors. Silver Reign describes itself as being a classic English sparkling by flavour, but is made using the Charmat Method by Silverhand Estate in Kent.
Eva Pemper from New Zealand was on hand to pick up the award for New to Market Easy Weekday white category for producers seeking UK representation for its 2002 Sauvignon Blanc.As was the team from Koopmanskloof in South Africa to pick up the Drink Fairtrade White wine award for its Koopmanskloof Sauvignon Blanc 2023.
Brazil was also represented at the awards by Luisa Valduga from Casa Valduga winery who picked up the Treat Yourself Sparkling wine New to Market category.
Amazon were first time winners in the own label category for white wine sponsored by Benchmark Drinks
Amazon entered the competition for the first time in 2024 and won the Easy Weekday White Supermarket Own Label award sponsored by Benchmark Drinks.
There was also an opportunity during the evening to remember the late cartoonist Tony Husband, who died at the end of last year, who had been such a supporter of the awards from its inception and had drawn the individual cartoons for each of the category winners. A new special award has been introduced – The Tony Husband Award for the highest scoring Sauvignon Blanc in the competition, to mark Tony and his favourite style of wine. The award was won by Invivo SJP Sauvignon Blanc that achieved the highest score from both the professional and consumer judges.
The popular Story Behind The Label Video Challenge, sponsored by The Buyer, was voted for by the audience on the night. The finalists were:
- Zeno Wines
- Old Perth, Morrison Distillery
- I’m Your Organic, Hammeken Cellars
- Pensador Mezcal
With Pensador Mezcal coming out with the most votes.
Man of many talents: Damian Best not only picked up two awards for his Dedbest Distillery spirits brands but also fronted up the brilliant band for the evening
It was a particularly eventful night for Damian Best from the Dedbest Distillery. Not only did it walk away with two medals on the night – for its Contractor’s Charcoal Filtered Vodka and Contractor’s Classic Dry Gin made with Hibiscus and Lemongrass – but he also performed with his indie rock band.
Annandale Distillery won the Scotch Heroes Whisky category, for whiskies exclusively made in Scotland.They beat an all-single malt line up with their blended Whisky Annandale Storyman.
Awards Categories: Winners and Finalists
Matt: Mindful Drinking: Wines with 7.5% or less alcohol Sponsored by Club Soda
Bronze
Eisberg Selection Pinot Grigio Schloss Wachenheim AG
Silver
Kylie Minogue Wines 0% Sparkling Rosé
Gold Commendation:
ZENO alcohol-liberated Red 2022, Vinolo Ltd
Winner:
Zerozecco, Aldi
Alcohol Free Zone: Spirits with a Maximum ABV of 0.5%
Bronze
Gordons Pink 0.0
Silver
SENTIA Red
Gold Commended
Bel Nada L’Aperitivo
Winner
Myth Non-Alcoholic Coconut White Cane
The sold out night brought people from all over the world to Manchester’s Revolution bar in Deansgate Locks
Back to Nature: Red: Organic & biodynamic wines
Bronze
Gabriel Meffre Saint Francois Organic Côtes du Rhône, 2022
Silver
Gary Barlow Red, 2021
Winner
Terre di Faiano Rosso Puglia Organic, 2021, Waitrose
Vegan Friendly: White: Wines made without use of animal derived products
Bronze
Cramele Recas, Orange Wine, 2022
Silver
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Gold Commended
Wakefield Taylors Wines, Estate Pinot Gris, 2023
Winner
Ponto Nero Cult Brut
Vegan Friendly: Red: Wines made without use of animal derived products
Bronze
Cidade Branca, 2022
Silver
Cramele Recas, Solara Natural Red, 2022
Winner
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz, 2022, Tyrrell’s Vineyards Pty Ltd
Drink Fairtrade: White/Rosé Sponsored by Fairtrade Foundation
Bronze
Koopmanskloof Pinotage Rosé, 2023
Silver
Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Winner
Koopmanskloof Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Waving the flag for South Africa was Koopmanskloof
Drink Fairtrade: Red Sponsored by Fairtrade Foundation
Bronze
Koopmanskloof Shiraz, 2022
Silver
Kleine Zalze Shiraz Grenache, Cabernet Franc, 2022
Winner
Coop Fair Trade Irresistible Organic Shiraz, 2022
Easy Weekday: Fizz
Bronze
Family Collection 1955. Organics Prosecco DOC Extra Dry
Silver
Simonnet Febvre, Crémant de Bourgogne Brut
Winner
Silver Reign Bru, MDCV UK
Easy Weekday: White
Bronze
Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Silver
Wakefield Taylors Wines, Promised Land Chardonnay, 2023
Winner
Yealands, Babydoll Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
Easy Weekday White: Supermarket Own Label Sponsored by Benchmark Drinks
Bronze
Waitrose Blueprint Grüner Veltliner, 2022
Silver
Booths Chenin Blanc, 2022
Winner
by Amazon Chardonnay, 2021
Easy Weekday White: New To Market: For producers seeking UK representation
Bronze
Campaneo, Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
Silver
Campaneo, Verdejo, 2022
Winner
Eva Pemper Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
Eva Pemper from New Zealand was delighted to win an award at first time of entering the competition
Easy Weekday: Red
Bronze
by Amazon Our Selection Côtes du Rhône Villages, 2021
Silver
Cramele Recas, Zana Pinot Noir, 2022
Winner
Campaneo, Garnacha, 2021
Easy Weekday: Red: Supermarket Own Label
Bronze
Coop Fair Trade Irresistible Organic Shiraz, 2022
Silver
Waitrose Trincadeira, 2021
Winner
Coop Irresistible Rioja Crianza, 2019
Easy Weekday Red: New To Market: For producers seeking UK representation
Bronze
Marrenon, Orca, 2021
Silver
Del Fin Del Mundo, Postales, 2022
Winner
João Portugal Ramos, Spyland, 2021
Aromatic & Asian Cuisine: White
Bronze
Cramele Recas, Fetele Feteasca Regala, 2021
Silver
Wakefield Taylors Wines, St Andrews Riesling, 2023
Winner
La Couronne des Plantagenets Vouvray, 2021, Boutinot
Aromatic & Asian Cuisine: Rosé
Bronze
Cramele Recas, Sanizana Pinot Rosé, 2022
Silver
Alaina Rosé, 2022
Winner
MadFish Blush, 2022, Benchmark Drinks
Bargain Buys: Wines under £10 Sponsored by Mid Week Wines
Bronze
Waitrose Dry German Riesling, 2022
Silver
Cramele Recas Zana Sauvignon Blanc, 2021
Gold Commended
DFJ Vinhos, Portada Winemakers Selection, 2021
Winner
The Hidden Sea, Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
Janet Harrison, the awards founder, introduced the night
War of the Rosés under £12
Bronze
Aldi Specially Selected Pinot Noir Rosé, 2022
Silver
DFJ Vinhos, Escada, 2021
Winner
Coeur de Cardeline Rosé, 2022, Boutinot
War of the Rosés Over £12
Bronze
Mirabeau en Provence Rosé, 2022
Silver
Oddo Vins and Domaines, Vallon des Glauges, 2022
Winner
Villa Moncigale Cicada La Légend, 2022, Boisset UK
Treat yourself: Sparkling: Wines Over £19 Sponsored by Lund Bennett
Bronze
Coop Les Pionniers Non Vintage
Silver
Waitrose No.1 Brut Special Reserve Vintage Champagne, 2015
Winner
Champagne Pannier Brut Selection Non Vintage, Beyond Wines Ltd
Treat Yourself Sparkling New to Market
Casa Valduga Arte Brut Rosé, 2021
Treat Yourself: White: Wines Over £15
Bronze
Ricky Ponting Top Order Chardonnay, 2022
Silver
Howard Park Miamup Chardonnay, 2021
Winner
Wakefield Taylors Wines, St Andrews Chardonnay, 2022
Treat Yourself White: Own Label: Wines over £10
Bronze
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Albarino, 2022
Silver
Quinta do Casal Branco Reserva White Wine, 2021
Winner
Tesco Finest Brooks Road Chardonnay, 2021
Treat Yourself: Red: Wines over £15
Bronze
Bodegas Rodríguez y Sanzo Whisba, 2020
Silver
Vinchio Vaglio, Vigne Vecchie Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore, 2019
Gold Commended
Wakefield Taylors Wines, The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
Winner
Lithic Whisperer, 2018, Andreas Wine Trading
Treat Yourself Red, New to Market
Oddo Vins and Domaines, Le Chant, 2019, Simon Cairns Consulting
Treat Yourself: Red – Supermarket Own Label: Wines over £15
Bronze
Waitrose No.1 Malbec, 2020
Silver
Quinta do Casal Branco Reserva Red Wine, 2020
Winner
Castelo do Vinteiro Colheita, 2019, João Portugal Ramos
The Great Outdoors: Canned drinks only
Bronze
Original Gunner Rum Sinner
Silver
Mix Up Gin & Tonic
Winner
Mix Up Coffee Rum & Cola, Crate Communications
The Great Outdoors: White, Rosé and Sparkling Wines
Bronze
Casa Valduga Arte Brut Tradicional, 2021
Silver
Ponto Nero Cult Brut Rosé
Winner
Silver Reign Brut, MDCV UK Ltd
The Great Outdoors: Red Wines
Bronze
Jam Shed Shiraz, 2021
Silver
Terre di Faiano Primitivo, 2022
Winner
Hardys Crest Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, 2021, Accolade Wines
Boxing Clever: White/Rosé Sponsored by Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box
Bronze
Hardys Crest Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
Silver
DFJ Vinhos, Escada Reserva, 2022
Winner
Andrew Peace Signature White Label Chardonnay, 2022
Andrew Peace flew in from Australia for the awards
Boxing Clever: Red Sponsored by Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box
Bronze
When in Rome Wine, Nero D’Avola, 2022
Silver
Andrew Peace, Signature White Label Shiraz, 2022
Winner
Andrew Peace, Signature Black Label Shiraz, 2022
Fire up the BBQ: White
Bronze
DFJ Vinhos, Grand Arte Chardonnay, 2022
Silver
Zacharias Assyrtiko, 2022
Winner
The Hidden Sea, Chardonnay, 2021
Fire up the BBQ: Red Wines under £12
Bronze
Esprit des Trois Pierres, Costières de Nimes Rouge, 2022
Silver
Reserve de Bonpas, 2022
Winner
Coop Irresistible Carménère, 2022
Fire up the BBQ: Red Wines Over £12
Bronze
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz, 2022
Silver
Reserve de Hospitalier Cairanne, 2020
Winner
Wakefield Taylors Wines, Taylor Made Malbec, 2022
Paul Schaafsma from Benchmark Drinks picked up the inaugural Tony Husband award – in memory of the late cartoonist who drew all the winning cartoons for the awards – who died at the end of last year. The prize was the for best scoring Sauvignon Blanc in the competition
Pass The Crackers
Bronze
DFJ Vinhos, Grand Arte Touriga Nacional, 2019
Silver
Cramele Recas, Cuvée Uberland Single Vineyard, 2021
Winner
Lustau On The QT Oloroso Sherry, Waitrose
Big Night In: White Sponsored by Bents Garden and Home
Bronze
Vinarchy, Greasy Fingers Big Buttery Chardonnay, 2022
Silver
Capeography Old Vines Chenin Blanc, 2023
Winner
Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
Big Night In: Red
Bronze
Gordon Ramsay Intenso Rosso, 2021
Silver
Wakefield Taylors Wines, Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021
Winner
DFJ Vinhos, Escada, 2022
Gin: Small Batch
Bronze
Atlas Chai Gin
Silver
Dingle Pot Still Gin
Winner
KYNGS London Dry Gin
Gin: The Classic G&T
Bronze
G’Vine Nouaison Gin
Silver
Rockfield Dry Gin
Winner
G’Vine Floraison Gin, Paragon Brands
Gin: The Contemporary G&T
Bronze
Brockmans Orange Kiss
Silver
The Lancaster Spirits Company, Firecracker
Winner
DedBest Distillery, Contractor’s Classic Dry Gin – Hibiscus & Lemongrass
Dedbest Distillery picked up two spirits awards
Vodka: Easy Weekday
Bronze
Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka
Silver
Flirt Original Vodka
Winner
Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 2020
Vodka: Small Batch
Bronze
Le Philtre Organic Vodka
Silver
Royal Mash Vintage Vodka 2020
Winner
DedBest Distillery, Contractor’s Charcoal Filtered Vodka
Rum: Easy Weekday
Silver
Pusser’s Rum Blue Label Navy Rum
Winner
Takamaka Grankaz, LX PR
Rum: Spice up Your Life
Bronze
DropWorks Rum Distillery, Spice Drop Rum
Silver
Pusser’s Rum Gunpowder Spiced Navy Rum
Winner
Titan Orange Rum
Rum: Local Heroes: UK based production
Bronze
Salford Rum Company’s White Rum
Silver
The Portsmouth Distillery, 1812′ 3 year old Rum
Gold Commended
South Downs Spirits, Sussex Overproof
Winner
Llanfairpwll Distillery, South Stack Golden Rum
Llanfairpwll Distillery picked up a rum award
Rum: On the Rocks Sponsored by Manchester Rum Festival
Bronze
Kromanti Tamarind Rum
Silver
Takamaka Pti Lakaz
Winner
Pusser’s Rum Gunpowder Proof Navy Rum, Paragon Brands
Out of the Ordinary Spirits
Bronze
Pensador Espadin Mezcal
Silver
Arumdu Butter Salted Popcorn Rum Liqueur
Winner
Biggar and Leith, Shanky’s Whip
Whisky/Whiskey: Easy Weekday: £45 and below
Bronze
The Highland Shepherd, Single Malt Scotch Whidky
Silver
McConnell’s 5 Year Old Irish Whisky
Gold Commended:
Agitator Blended Whisky
Winner
Speyside Distillers, SPEY Trutina
Whisky/Whiskey: Around The World: Excluding Scotch
Bronze
Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon
Silver
Heaven’s Door Double Barrel Bourbon
Winner
Celtic Whiskey Gwalarn Blended Whiskey
Whisky: Scotch Heroes: Exclusively produced in Scotland
Bronze
The Goldfinch Bodega Series – Benrinnes 13 years old
Silver
Speyside Distillers, SPEY Tenne Cask Strength Batch 4
Winner
Annandale Distillery, Storyman
- To find out more go to People’s Choice Wine Award website here.
- To find out more go to People’s Choice Spirits Award website here.
