A WINERY has won gold at the International Wine Challenge.

Ridgeview’s Blanc de Blancs 2014 scored 95 out of 100 points.

It is one of only two English wines to win a gold medal in the competition.

Ridgeview, based at Ditchling Common, has been producing wine for more than 20 years. A royal favourite, it has been served at Buckingham Palace to former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

The only sparkling wines to receive gold medals in this first tranche of the 2019 competition were champagne and English sparkling wines.

Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the competition, said: “England and France are the only gold medal winners among sparkling wines.

“That is amazing and shows the astonishing improvements English producers have achieved over the past few years.”