By founding the Oenologique club in 1969, Anton Massel created a competition superior to all other wine competitions.
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Unlike the others, the Oenologique club focused on organoleptic evaluation and chemical analysis of wines and spirits.
Later, in 1978, the club changed its name to The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). Furthermore, Anton Massel introduced various technical tests to the competition, aimed to achieve high-quality standards.
Today, like in 1969, the competition aims to recognize quality products and award excellent wines and spirits worldwide. To ensure the competition meets its aim, panels of over 400 trained global wine expert’s judge the entries.
Wine Competitions: International Wine And Spirit Competition
Judging & Awarding
Unlike other wine competitions, IWSC runs for over seven months and involves blind tasting and detailed technical analysis of the entries. Expert judges carry out the tasting while an independent laboratory carries out the technical analysis.
Knowledge and level of experience are key when selecting the judges for the competition. Unlike other wine competitions, the judges must attend an IWSC judge’s induction course. And, some may attend a trial judging day before being permitted to sit on a panel. Also, IWSC reviews and monitors the judges scoring patterns and notes to ensure they meet the required standards.
The international wine competition has over 400 judges from over 30 countries. During the competition, each panel has at least seven judges. The judges are industry experts, including Masters of Wine, distillers, trade specialists, and winemakers. Therefore, the wine awards have the most highly qualified and trained international judges of any spirits and wine competitions.
A “double blind” tasting is the first stage of judging. This stage involves tasting samples in pre-poured numbered glasses that prevent judges from seeing the bottles. The second stage of the process is the detailed chemical and microbiological analysis, done by an independent laboratory. Notably, the analysis helps to identify products that are not a true representation of the entry. For example, products that appear organoleptically attractive during the judging, but which may change over time.
Judges use the IWSC crib sheets and basic parameters to access the products in silence. After the assessment, the panel chair collects the scores, and a discussion takes place to reach a consensus. However, should they not reach a consensus, another panel gets assigned the tasting flight.
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As well, The palate has hints of white peach, tangy apricot, and apples.
The Competition Awards Medals Based On The Following System;
- Outstanding medal, the product has the quality of the highest order. 93 and above points
- Gold, the product is superior, sets the standard for its category. 90–92.9 points
- Silver Outstanding, excellent quality an outstanding example of the category. 86-89.9 points
- Silver, excellent quality, a fine example of the category. 80-85.9 points
- Bronze, a good example of category and well above average. 75-79.9 points
- Good, but not worthy of an award. 66-74.9 points
- 50-65.9 points
- Below 50 points
The IWSC differs from other wine competitions, because it releases the results throughout the year, online. In the just concluded 2018 wine awards, the following received medals;
Gold 2018 & Cava Trophy 2018 – MM Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava 2013
This is a delicious dry wine with an intense citrus aroma and intriguing hints of herbs, apricot, and peach. On the palate, it’s fresh, with orange notes and soft bubbles. A fabulous wine to enjoy anytime or accompanied by a shellfish dish.
Gold 2018 & English Bottle Fermented Sparkling Trophy 2018 – Marksman English Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blancs 2014
It’s a super creamy and fruity wine with notes of citrus and apple fruit. As well, The palate has hints of white peach, tangy apricot, and apples. The acidity of the wine is refreshing and well balanced, giving it a long mouth-watering finish. Marksman English is an excellent apéritif or accompaniment to seafood canapes.
Gold 2018 & International Indigenous Grape Varieties Trophy 2018 – Terre del Grico Primitivo Salento Rosso I.G.P. 2013
It’s full-bodied, fruity with hints of spices and aromas of chocolate. It’s beautifully balanced on the palate with a silky texture and a firm-bite on the finish. It goes extremely well with game, beef stews or grilled red meat.
Wineries that take part in the IWSC enjoy the following benefits;
- Trusted seal of approval from the prestigious and most respected wine & spirit competition in the world.
- Advertising opportunities from the free IWSC marketing toolkit, which assists in PR and marketing of medal wins for the winners. Also, IWSC promotes winners throughout the year by running dedicated social media campaigns & multiple events. The advertising helps to boost the popularity of the winning wineries.
- IWSC promotes the winning wines and spirits available in the UK by highlighting them on Amazon and winesdirect.co.ke, which helps to increase sales.
- IWSC award winners also get promoted by a dedicated PR agency, which helps tell the winner’s success stories to the global media.
The IWSC wine awards culminate at the City of London Guildhall in November, where the annual awards presentation and the banquet ceremony takes place. During the invite-only event, guests taste award-winning products and enjoy great entertainment.