Le Froglet Shiraz hit the headlines last month when high street retailer Marks & Spencer launched its hugely successful cup-a-wine range, brainchild of Dragon’s Den reject James Nash. The sealed plastic glasses of red wine proved an instant hit and to keep up with the demand they have since been rolled out to all M&S stores nationwide.

Now the bottled version of the same wine has been awarded a gold medal at the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards – the most influential wine competition in the world – cementing its position among the top wines in the world. 

The French red was entered into the internationally renowned competition alongside 10,983 wines from around
the world. It was judged by the best palates in the business before being awarded a gold medal.

Describing the Marks & Spencer Le Froglet Shiraz 2009 Decanter’s Editor Guy Woodward commented: “‘It’s a great value find. It has a lovely leather and bramble fruit nose. It’s fragrant and complex, with lots of dark fruit and savoury chocolate. The plastic glass version is a great idea, but given the bottled version is screwcap, won a Gold medal and works out cheaper, if I was going alfresco I’d probably buy a bottle and take my own glasses!”

M&S winemaker Belinda Kleinig, added: “We are delighted with the success of Le Froglet Shiraz, not only has it proved a huge hit with our consumers but it has impressed the Decanter judges as well. The bottle version is now an award-winning wine and the glasses are proving hugely popular with our customers. There really is no stopping the little frog!”