H&C is congratulating Sainsbury's, who have been named Retailer of the Year at the Drinks Business Awards, held at London's International Wine Fair. The supermarket was praised for its innovative new wine aisle layout, due to hit stores in June. This award comes on the back of a successful haul of medals at the International Wine Challenge, International Wine and Spirit Competition and Decanter awards this week.

Sainsbury's saw its tally of gold medals rise since last year, winning four at the International Wine Challenge, all for wines in its Taste the difference range. Top gongs included Taste the difference Barossa Shiraz, 12 year old Oloroso Sherry and Gavi.

Sainsbury's head of beers, wines and spirits, Justin James, said: "Our great new house wines are in store early June, so we're really proud that they've won so many medals before they've even hit the shelves. Our House wines have been specially selected by our in-house winemakers and represent excellent quality, retailing for less than £4.50 for a standard 75cl bottle. Great value for money, even more so now that they have won so many medals in these prestigious competitions."

Sainsbury's total medal haul for its own-brand wines was 135, with Fairtrade wines performing strongly too. The Fairtrade Pinotage won silver at the IWC, with both the Chenin Viognier and Pinotage Rosé picking up highly commended.