Discover MARKS & SPENCER Award Winning Wines

MARKS & SPENCER's wide variety of wines offerings have become very well established in Hong Kong over the years. This year M&S wines have received more than 100 medals from the International Wine Challenge and Decanter World Wine Awards and there’s a reason why they win awards time and time again. Their experts source first-class wines from all around the world so that they can offer a superb selection ranging from classic favourites to exciting new arrivals. They have three in-house winemakers who work closely with wineries to create unique, exclusive wines of exceptional quality. Whatever your taste and budget, you’ll find that perfect bottle on their shelves despite too many varietals from different countries. We have been buying wines from them for many years simply because we recognized that they deliver value for money in all categories and ensure that all the main wine growing regions are covered, with a few hidden gems amongst the shelves. Here are some of mylifestylenews' favorite pick which will take from the rolling vineyards of Tasmania to France and Italy.

Champagne Oudinot Brut NV

We love champagne and you will enjoy every drop of this classy Champagne from Epernay, France. It has white blossom aromas and candied peel with mouth watering citrus flavours and a creamy textured soft mousse. The best Chardonnay grapes from the famous Cote des Blancs supply the wines elegance, plus it has been aged in chalk cellars for three years which really adds to the fine sparkle. It has been awarded a bronze from the IWC and a commendation from the DWWA, so quite a pedigree, considering how many types of champagne there are on the market. It is very suitable to match with seafood canapés or creamy chicken risotto, but we like to drink it any time we feel like it, as champagne always lifts our spirits.

Champagne Oudinot Rose NV

This dry rose also from Epernay, will dazzle you with its delicate aromas of fresh strawberries and redcurrants married to flavours of fresh raspberries with a decadent, creamy mousse – it sounds a bit over the top, but trust us, all those flavours can be found if you let the champagne linger on the tongue and back palate. A dose of fine red Pinot Noir wine provides the vibrant colour and flavor while two years of cellar ageing delivers the perfect fruit and savoury balance. This one has been awarded a bronze from both the IWC and the DWWA, so a little bit more special maybe, but the proof for you will be in the taste. The ideal pairing is with smoked salmon or fresh summer berry desserts.

Pauillac 2010

Made from a blend of classic grape varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc which are grown in ome of the best soil in the region and aged in oak barrels in the family cellars (Baron Philippe De Rothschild no less!). Its fruit and its rich, powerful flavours make it a wine with considerable ageing potential, which also means to decanter on hour or two before drinking will bring out the best in this wine. It has been awarded a silver from the IWC and a bronze from the DWWA, so quite a pedigree. It is best served with some well seasoned red meats or game birds.

Barolo Peironte 2010

This classic and seductive Barolo is a full bodied Peidmont red packed full of floral, savoury and roast plum flavours together with refreshing acidity and fine, firm tannins. The winemakers worked with prized Nebbiolo fruit from premium vineyards to give structure, finesse and perfume. The wine has been aged for two years in French oak barrels. This is a big wine, so it needs to be opened a while before drinking (preferably decanter an hour before hand at least to allow the wine to blossom in the glass). It was awarded an IWC bronze and it is extremely well priced for what it delivers. It is a brilliant food wine, making an ideal match with game food such as Guinea Fowl or Venison, but can go just as well with some other aged red meats.

Pure South 2013 Tasmanian Pinot Noir

An elegant red wine with forward flavours of wild raspberry and dark cherry and gentle notes of spice and dried herbs. This wine is from the southernmost and coolest wine region of Australia. Tasmania’s island climate is moderated by the surrounding ocean giving intense red fruit flavours with a long, elegant finish. Top quality grapes have been used to create this seductive Pinot noir using subtle integrated oak to complement the generous red fruit. It has been awarded a bronze in each award and would suit pan-fried duck with Asian spices or baked wild salmon, but as it is a subtle wine, we enjoy as an aperitif with cheese and dried raisins or pork fillet for example.

Crozes-Hermitage 2013

A refined medium-bodied red wine with a rich purple colour and an engaging savoury character. There are black and red cherry flavours overlaid with cinnamon spice and crushed pepper, while the tannins are impressively smooth. It emanates from the northern Rhone Valley in France, which is renowned for its fine red wines made from Syrah (shiraz).It was awarded an IWC bronze and is another great value for money wine.  It has a roundness and complexity that you will enjoy with Roast Lamb or a lightly spiced Thai curry for example.