A privately owned country inn has scooped the UK prize of one of the top trophies of the European champagne industry from under the noses of some of the UK’s most respected fine dining establishments. The Bell at Skenfrith, which nestles between the Welsh and English borders in the some of the most beautiful and unspoilt Monmouthshire countryside, took the UK prize in this year’s international Trophée Gosset CELEBRIS, where all past winners from other European countries submitted their current lists for scrutiny by an international jury. Other UK contenders for the prize were London’s Le Gavroche, Fishmarket Restaurant at the Great Eastern Hotel, the Capital Hotel and last, but by no means least, The Inn at Whitewell in the Forest of Bowland.
Originally launched in France in 1995 by the oldest wine house in Champagne: Aÿ-1584, the Gosset Trophée CELEBRIS was expanded in 1999 to include an award for the Belgian and Luxembourg markets. In 2000 the U.K market was added, in 2002 Germany-Austria, and in 2003 Switzerland. In 2004, the Netherlands joined Belgium and Luxembourg for a Benelux Trophy.
It was originally established to reward restaurants which have a diverse selection of champagne on their wine-list and which promote champagne as an accompaniment to fine food as well as a drink in its own right. Champagne Gosset appearing on the wine-list, or not, had no influence on the jury composed of wine professionals.
The win was announced earlier this week in Reims, Champagne by Beatrice Cointreau, CEO of Champagne Gosset. Representatives from all the past winners, as well as some of Europe’s leading food and drink writers were present at the awards ceremony.
Situated in the some of the most beautiful and unspoiled Monmouthshire countryside, The Bell at Skenfrith is a former 17th Century Welsh coaching inn which overlooks the Monnow River and one of the Marches castles, Skenfrith, an important Norman stronghold during the 13th century cross-border skirmishes.
“We take champagnes very seriously at The Bell,” says owner William Hutchings, “and organise special wine tasting dinners. Champagne is luxurious, but I price it reasonably so that people will be encouraged to try something that they may not normally choose. I also have a good range of styles for different seasons and dishes.”
The Bell at Skenfrith was re-opened in 2001 by William and his wife Janet, after extensive refurbishment. Carefully and thoughtfully decorated, the flagstone floors, oak beams and antique furniture coupled with sumptuous sofas give The Bell an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation.
This year all past entrants from Benelux, Germany, the UK and Switzerland were invited to resubmit their current wine lists for the scrutiny of an international judging panel in order to find a “Gagnant des Gagnants” (Winner of Winners). The overall winner was Zur Traube in Germany, the second prize went to T Oud Konijntje in Belgium and in third place was T Molenje, also from Belgium. The judges also awarded a prize to the top restaurant in each country.