A HAMPSHIRE firm has scooped a top wine award after judges voted it as having the Wine List of the Year in the International Wine Challenge.

Twyford-based trader Stone, Vine and Son has been in business for just over a year, but has already won the equivalent of an Oscar in the wine world.

Company founder Simon Taylor is the former head of auction house Sotheby's Europe, but has traded in fine art for fine wine in order to concentrate on his love of regional wines.

Together with business partner Andrew Shaw and master of wine John Taylor, they have created a list that focuses specifically on wines from producers in regions including the Rhone, Burgundy, Languedoc and South Africa.

The collection obviously attracted the attention of the judges from competition hosts Wine International Magazine, as it was also voted Best Regional Wine Merchant in the South and Rhone Specialist.

Simon said: "We were delighted to win these awards. To receive such an accolade after just one year of trading is fantastic. It shows that you don't have to be big to have a great selection of wine."

The warehouse in Twyford - at 13 Humphrey Farms off Hazeley Road - is open weekdays and Saturday mornings.

For further details contact 0845 061 4604.