Every year, the world's top wine gurus gather to blind taste thousands (7,500 at the last count) of wines at Decanter's World Wine Awards. The structure of the competition means a £4.99 Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon has the same chance to shine as a £100 Bordeaux.
This year it was the supermarkets' entries that really impressed the judges - 'many are over-delivering on their price tag'. This is good news for us. 'High-street wine retailing is at a low ebb', says Guy Woodward, editor of Decanter, 'with the relentless discounting at some of the big off-licences, but this is welcome evidence of supermarkets leading the way to more adventurous vinous pastures.' Here's a selection of the best high-street and supermarket wines from the competition - with a Waitrose own-brand Champagne coming in a comfortable first.
· Decanter magazine, featuring the full list of award-winning wines, is out now. OFM readers can save 25 per cent on a Decanter magazine subscription. Call 0845 676 7778 quoting code 38K or go online to www.decantersubs.com/ofm
My best buy
Non-Vintage Champagne Regional Trophy, Waitrose, Blanc de Blancs
£18.99, Waitrose
That a supermarket own-brand wine should beat off the big-brand non-vintage Champagnes is a fine accolade to Waitrose. This has a big, expansive, hazelnut nose. Rich, dry, explosive - loads of brioche and racy, zingy Chardonnay style. Lovely.
The best white wines
2001 McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon Hunter Valley, Australia
£112.45 per case, www.everywine.co.uk
Hunter Valley is the source of some of the New World's most complex, long-lived whites. This is refined, delicate and clean.
2005 McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Riesling, South Eastern Australia
£5.99, Somerfield
Australian Riesling is sharper, drier and more citrussy than that of Germany. This is pure lime juice. Aromatic and fresh.
2005 E.Guigal Côtes du Rhône, France
£7.99, Tesco
Most people think of red when they see Côtes du Rhône, but the whites are pretty good too - particularly those from Marcel Guigal, a former Decanter Man of the Year.
2006 Falchini, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vigna a Solatio, Italy
£7.95, Berry Bros and Rudd, 0870 900 4300
Italian, and particularly Tuscan whites, are often overlooked. Which is a shame, as their indigenous varieties offer a wealth of discovery. This has typically light fruit. Fresh, uncomplicated, good, clean fun.
2006 Weingut Josef Leitz, Rudesheimer Berg Riesling Roseneck Spatlese Rheingau, Germany
£14.99, Oddbins, 0800 917 4093
Think all German wines are cheap and sickly? Try this open and expressive number. A Mosel-type Rheingau, but richer and very good.
2006 Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia
£9.99, Oddbins
Petaluma is one of Australia's bluechip names, and here's why. Lively nose. Definite lime and lemon. Fresh, tangy palate. Crisp, lively and fruity.
2004 Signal Hill Vive La Difference Grenache Blanc, La Siesta, South Africa
£11.39, Waitrose
Further proof of South Africa's burgeoning reputation for character whites. Honey nose. Good acidity.
Peter Lehmann Semillon, Barossa Valley, South Australia
£5.49, Asda
Another legendary Aussie name, and an example of what makes Semillon such an alluring variety down under. Dry yet fruity nose. Apples and green fruit. Classic.
2006 Domaine des Hautes Noelles, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Loire, France
£4.99, Majestic, 0845 605 6767
Pale lemon. Lightly citrus. Crisp palate but with some weight of fruit and texture. Good depth of flavour.
The best red wines
2001 Gran Feudo Vinas Viejas Reserva, Chivite, Navarra
£8.99, Oddbins
Very deep purple, but subtle. Spicy, blackcurrant, vanilla, hint of smoke. Full-bodied style but not overripe.
2005 Cono Sur, Ocio Pinot Noir, Casablanca
£29.99, Wine Society, 01438 737 700
Cono Sur, part of the Concha y Toro empire, is fast establishing itself as one of Chile's star turns. This has bramble fruits, cherry, and spice.
2004 Regional Rhône blend Trophy Columella, Cape of Good Hope, Coastal Region£36, Waitrose
South Africa was one of the surprise performers at this year's awards. This Syrah blend is spicy, with blackcurrant and white pepper. Loads of sweet fruit. Multi-dimensional.
2004 Martinborough Vineyard, Pinot Noir, New Zealand
£16.99, Majestic
A classic example of why New Zealand is rivalling Burgundy when it comes to affordable Pinot. Smoky, ripe, tangy nose. Lively, fresh raspberry fruit.
2006 Dios del Sol Argentine, Bonarda Mendoza
£3.99, Somerfield
Bonarda is an Italian grape of which Argentina is making its own. A vibrant wine with strawberry, cherry and forest fruit texture and great purity. It has elegance and freshness.
2004 Château Richelieu, La Favorite, Fronsac
£17, Marks & Spencer
Fronsac has long been delivering underrated claret, such as this rich, creamy, meaty number. Earthy cassis with lovely freshness. Good weight and balance.
2002 Domaine de Perdrix, Nuits St Georges
£153.84 per case of 6,
www.tesco.com
A more forward, accessible red Burgundy - juicy with fresh summer fruits.
2005 Buckingham Estate, The Crown Duals, Cabernet-Petit Verdot, South Australia
£4.99, Morrisons
It's wines like this which make Australia such a user-friendly option. Attractive, clean nose of black fruit. Nice, rounded, easy drink. Balanced fruit and oak notes.
2006 Otra Vida Malbec, Argentina
£6.25,
www.drinkon.com
Could this be the best-value wine on the UK high street? From the Argentinian branch of the Concha y Toro stable. Smooth tannins, good concentration, explodes with figs, violets, damson and spice.
The best fizz and rosé
Champagne - 2002 Tesco Vintage Champagne, France
£17.95 per bottle, £102.37 a case
Tesco didn't do badly here, outshining Bolly's more austere heritage in the vintage fizz category. Very nutty and rich. Marzipan and brioche. Very good.
Champagne - 1999 Bollinger La Grande Année, France
£60, Waitrose
Nose influenced by old oak. Very fresh. A very particular style from the Ab-Fab favourite.
Champagne - NV Duval-Leroy Rosé Saignee Champagne, France
£25.99, Waitrose
Waitrose does it again, this time with a pink fizz. This is made in a sweet, pure style, with a deceptive fruit complexity.
Rosé - Non-Vintage Sainsbury's Rosé Brut
£16.79, Sainsbury's
You could find worse sparkling rosés than this - lots of lovely strawberry, and plenty of bold summer flavours. Fruity and stylish.
Rosé - 2007 Familia Zuccardi, Santa Julia Syrah Rosé, Mendoza, Argentina
£4.99, Somerfield
Proof that you can get a serious rosé for under £5. From one of Argentina's most reliable names, good depth of colour - very rich, ruby red. Black cherry and blackberry cassis.
Rosé - 2006 Leopard's Leap Pinotage Rosé, Western Cape, South Africa
£6.99, Tesco
Pinotage is the Marmite of grape varieties, but this rosé might win round those who can't stand it. Quite interesting.
