NI Wine Expert Tipped For Award

Crossgar-based wine merchant JNwine.com has been recognised as one of Britain and Ireland's best specialist retailers, having been shortlisted for three prestigious awards at the International Wine Challenge Merchant Awards 2009.

The competition, judged by a panel of international experts including Saturday Kitchen contributor Tim Atkin - a Master of Wines - is the largest wine contest in the world and is viewed as a bellwether for the world's finest vineyards and merchants.

Supplying over 2,300 restaurants and hotels across Ireland, JNwine.com is in the running for the titles of Direct Merchant of the Year, Specialist Merchant of the Year for Alsace and Regional Merchant of the Year for Northern Ireland.

Managing Director, James Nicholson, (pictured) said inclusion in the three competitive categories was a testament to the hard work of his team during a challenging year: "The International Wine Challenge identifies the very best players in the wine industry and the standards by which other companies measure themselves.

"We treasure our independence and our ability to meet the most discerning of customer needs. We know our wines and our wine makers personally and offer quality wines to suit every taste and every budget," he said.

"There's no doubt that consumers have less to spend these days, but few seem willing to give up the pleasure of enjoying a good bottle of well-priced wine.

"We've responded by tailoring our offering to their demands particularly through our direct online service," he said.

The winners of the coveted International Wine Challenge Awards will be unveiled on Wednesday 2nd September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

(BMcC/KMcA)