Trevor's sloe gin is quick to win trophy (From The Argus)

Henfield postie's sloe gin is quick to win trophy

2:02pm Wednesday 24th December 2008 in Henfield

Henfield postman Trevor Simmons won the annual sloe gin competition at the White Hart on Sunday night.

He beat the previous year's winner, Libby Serpis (who came fourth), after a blind tasting by guests and professional wine experts Charles Metcalfe and his wife Kathryn McWhirter.

From the dozen entrants Charles and Kathryn decided Trevor's entry had the "perfect balance".

"It was good honest, elegant drink with excellent acid content and charm," said Charles, who presented Trevor with his trophy and his and Kathryn's book, The Wine and Food Lover's Guide to Portugal.

Landlord Gyles Culver said: "We were delighted at the standard of entries and welcome even more for next year's event."

Second place was taken by Duncan Clough and third by John Gill.

Said Charles Metcalfe, a leading broadcaster on wine who lives in Balcombe: "Sloes have been in short supply this year so the standard of entries was very high considering the lengths they went to to get the fruit."