A NORTHERN retailer has been crowned Supermarket of the Year at the Decanter Retailer Awards 2020 by a panel of experts.

Booths beat stiff competition to win the prestigious award, from go-to wine industry publication Decanter, which recognises the best wine retailers based on range, service and innovation.

Booths Wine Buyer Victoria Anderson said “I’m absolutely delighted with this award, which is a win for our whole team at Booths.

“Sharing our love of great wine is a big part of what makes Booths a very special business.”

Victoria’s buying ethos is focused on the customer, aiming to offer a wide eclectic range, value for money and uncompromising quality.

She has said that while the ethos is simple, selecting the absolute best wines at a variety of price points from a range of growers and countries is a challenge and an art.

The awards were judged by five experts, including Masters of Wine Peter Richards and Andy Howard, wine writer Peter Ranscombe, Kate Hawkings and Laura Clay, Chair of the Association of Wine Educators.

Decanter Award judge Peter Richards said: “Booths have got a great list, their wines are good, tastings are always strong and they’re quite bold in their buying choices.”

Andy Howard MW added: “For me, what they do with their involvement with the local community and some of their eco things they are doing, I thought was quite impressive.”

Booths fought off several big rivals with their alcoholic offerings, including Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and discounter Aldi to win the award.

The independent retailer also won the award in 2017 and were runner up in 2019.

Booths were recently awarded five medals, including two golds, in the International Wine and Spirit Competition for their Booths brand wines and were named Supermarket of the Year by the People’s Choice Awards earlier this year.

Edwin Booth, Chairman of Booths, who served as the wine buyer at Booths for many years said: “I’m enormously proud of Victoria and this recognition for her work is richly deserved. “Victoria is a buyer of exceptional taste and talent.

"She ensures that every bottle we stock at Booths is a joy to drink.”

The family owned business is committed to sourcing products locally and seasonally from the counties it serves, including Cumbria, and Yorkshire.