The International Wine & Spirit Competition is an annual wine competition founded in 1969 by the [German/British] oenologist Anton Massel.[3]. Each year the competition receives entries from over 80 countries worldwide. The awards given by the competition are considered to be some of the highest honors in the industry.[1][2] The competition is considered to be the worlds most prestigious wine and spirit competition [3]
The two stage judging process takes place over a six month period, consisting of blind tasting and detailed technical analysis. Entries are judged by panels drawn from 250 specialists from around the world.
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Since its inception in 1969, the competition has been supported by some of the most influential men and women in the drinks industry (below). This tradition is maintained by careful selection of a new President each year from the world of wines or spirits. A President serves a one-year term and then will join other former Presidents on the Competition’s Advisory Board.
2011 Prince Robert of Luxembourg, France
2010 Prinz Michael zu Salm-Salm, Germany
2009 Sir Ian Good, Scotland
2008 Rafael Guilisasti, Chile
2007 Gina Gallo, USA
2006 Anthony von Mandl, Canada
2005 Wolf Blass, Australia
2004 Paul Symington, Portugal
2003 Claes Dahlbck, Sweden
2002 Dominique Hriard Dubreuil, France
2001 Warren Winiarski, USA
2000 Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, France
1999 Miguel Torres, Spain
1998 Sir Anthony Greener, UK
1997 Jean Hugel, France
1996 Dr.Anton Rupert, South Africa
1995 Marchese Leonardo de Frescobaldi, Italy
1994 Michael Jackaman, UK
1993 Mme May de Lencquesaing, France
1992 Chris Hancock Hon MW, Australia
1991 Peter Sichel, USA
1990 Robert Drouhin, France
1989 Jos Ignacio Domecq, Spain
1988 Marchese Piero Antinori, Italy
1987 Kenneth Graham, UK
1986 Dr.Max Lake, Australia
1985 Marquis de Goulaine, France
1984 Mme Odette Pol Roger, France
1983 Robert Mondavi Hon MW, USA
1982 Dr. Hans Ambrosi, Germany
1981 Harry Waugh Hon MW, UK
1980 Peter Noble, CBE
1979 Cyril Ray, UK
1978 Sir Reginald Bennett VRD, UK
1977 Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, UK
The judging process is rigorous and two stage; blind tasting and detailed technical analysis undertaken by an independent laboratory. The competition maintains its high standards and smooth running by having its own purpose built premises including temperature controlled cellars, tasting rooms and a dedicated team of staff. The competition has its own storage facilities and cellaring for over 30,000 bottles. Judges sit in dedicated tasting rooms and are served only numbered glasses and an assessment sheet – at no time do they see the bottles.
It takes over six months to judge all the products as they are sorted into over 1500 categories. Initially all judging is by region/area; variety/style/type; vintage/age etc. Wines and spirits that win awards may then go forward to the appropriate trophy category to compete at national or international level.
The International Wine & Spirit Competition have over 250 specialists that travel from all over the world to judge. Many are Masters of Wine, some are winemakers or distillers, others are trade specialists. Every judge is screened and panels selected for their knowledge and expertise and only taste products that we are sure they know well and understand. All judges also attend an IWSC judges induction course.
The International Wine and Spirit Competition culminates in London in November with the annual awards presentation and banquet, which takes place at the historic City of London Guildhall. The guest list of over 550 reads like a who’s who of the global wine and Spirits industry.[4]