Former French international football player David Ginola shared success with more than 3,500 medal winners in this year's International Wine Challenge, dubbed the "best ever" by organisers William Reed (owners of Drinks International).

Winners from the 2008 IWC were announced at last month's London International Wine Fair. There were 14 per cent more medal winners than at last year's Challenge, including 267 gold.

Among the 1,257 silver medal winners was David Ginola, formerly of Paris St Germain, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, and now promoting wines from his native Provence and specifically his Coste Brulade rosé

Ginola said: "It was a big surprise but I'm very happy. I was always confident about it."

Another of the silver medals went to the Robert Mondavi winery, for its Carbernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003 - a fitting tribute following the recent death of the 94-year-old "father of Napa".

Wine writer Tim Atkin MW said 2008 was the best IWC yet. "It was a good year for France and also New Zealand. Maybe this will be seen as a good year for cool climates."

France, the world's largest producer, scooped the most medals with 696. But several New World countries picked up ground, with Australia, New Zealand and Argentina all increasing their gold medal tallies from last year. Australia finished second in the gold medal table, as it did in 2007.

For a full list of the award-winning wines go to: [http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com].