Wildwood Vinegars among big winners at Great Taste 2019

Following 75 days of judging, the results of the world’s most coveted food and drink awards, Great Taste, have been released, with many producers in Ireland now celebrating.

Great Taste three-star winners from Ireland include Elderberry and Star Anise Balsamic Vinegar from Wildwood Vinegars in Carrowmore-Lacken, Ballina, which transported the judges to the festive season with a 'big kick of warmth from the spices'.

Three-star awards are difficult to achieve; they only go to 'extraordinarily tasty foods' and less than 3% of products are awarded a three-star each year.

Out of a record breaking 12,772 entries sent in from over 100 different countries, 4,943 were awarded a highly prized Great Taste accolade and a remarkable 432 are based in Ireland.

While these producers revel in their success and begin displaying the unmistakable gold and black Great Taste logo, they will wait with much anticipation to see if they also scoop the top awards for their region.

These final honours, including the Great Taste 2019 Supreme Champion, will be announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Dinner on September 1 at the InterContinental Park Lane Hotel, London.

Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else, with no regard for branding or packaging. Whether it is honey, kombucha, coffee or bread being judged, all products are removed from their packaging before being tasted. The judges then savour, confer and re-taste to decide which products are worthy of a one-, two- or three-star award.

Details of this year’s winners can be found at www.greattasteawards.co.uk