James Nicholson Wine

JN Wine was the only Irish firm to be honoured at the prestigious International Wine Challenge which took place in London (18th July), claiming the Regional Wine Merchant of the Year title. The competition is the world's largest wine contest and viewed as an indicator of the finest merchants and vineyards. A panel of international wine authorities assessed the firm in a number of critical areas and praised its variety and quality of wines, customer service, innovation and future strategy. In the last year, JN Wine has grown its direct sales offering and its team, appointing Master of Wine, Jane Boyce, as Fine Wine Manager and hiring Rachel Mackenzie from Ahoghill as a wine trainee following a unique nationwide search for promising young talent. As part of the training programme Rachel will take participate in a grape harvest with a premium Loire-based winemaker and receive sponsorship through industry-approved WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) courses. JN Wine Managing Director, James Nicholson, said receiving the award was an honour for his team and a result of dedicated customer service: "It is important for us to measure ourselves against the very best in the business and to hear that international wine authorities and our peers hold us in high regard is very satisfying. It underlines the exceptional service that our team give our customers and our dedication to bring the world's very best produce to these shores. "Year on year we've continued to develop new lines and services from listening closely to what our customers want. As demand has grown, so have we. We now have the biggest ever portfolio of quality independent wines on the island of Ireland, but we're also selling more to UK and overseas markets as our reputation has grown." Later this year JNwine.com's team of experts will be working with a host of celebrity chefs including James Martin and Michael Deane to create perfect wine and food combinations at the Food and Drinks Show Northern Ireland at the King's Hall Pavillion, Belfast.