One of the most prestigious worldwide competitions to rate Chilean wines, the fifth Wines of Chile awards took place this year in the Chilean capital of Santiago. Nine judges from the UK awarded medals to wines from many new regions, which reflect the scale and diversity of Chile’s wine offerings. Laithwaites scooped many top awards at this competition including Best Value Trophy from the Elqui Valley and the Best in Show Trophy for a red from the Rapel Valley. With a range of over 80 wines, Chile has proved deservedly popular with Laithwaites’ staff and customers.

Falernia Estate, from the little-known northern region of Elqui, won three of the competition’s ten trophies. The Laithwaites exclusive Alta Tierra Sauvignon Blanc from Falernia stunned the judges to win Gold, Best Value White Trophy and the Sauvignon Blanc Trophy. This is an incredible result for Falernia who were, until recently, the only producer to be based in the Elqui Valley.

Laithwaites’ producers in more established Chilean wine regions also achieved considerable success with the Trophy for the most coveted award, Wine of the show going to Viña La Rosa's Ossa 2004 from Cachapoal, Rapel Valley. Another traditional region, Maule Valley, saw its Gillmore Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 win the Cabernet Sauvignon trophy, also available to purchase at Laithwaites.

Another winner at the Wines of Chile Awards went to Adolfo Hutardio, Cono Sur’s Chief Winemaker who won the Chilean personality of the year. Cono Sur make many of the Laithwaites Chilean range including the Casa del Rio Verde and Gran Valle de Niebla wines The accolade rewards a person who is "a true character, with a dynamic and likable personality, and who is a great ambassador for the modern Chile."

Vicki Stephens Clarkson, the Laithwaites Chilean wine buyer says: "It is hard to beat Chile for its sheer quality and value. It is fantastic news that our Chilean wines have performed so well in this contest. We travelled to Chile 3 times in 2007 to ensure that the best quality and value wines are delivered to our customers’ doors from traditional and new regions"

Laithwaites have one of the largest Chilean ranges in the country with wines sourced from almost every wine region in the country from Limari in the North to Bio Bio Valley in the South. To buy wine from this impressive Chilean range call 0870 444 8282 or visit the Laithwaites Wine Merchants website