REWARDING EXCELLENCE SINCE 1969 iwsc.net @theIWSC
About The IWSC The International Wine & Spirit Competition exists to recognise and reward the very best in the wine and spirits industry leading consumers to better drinks experiences. With 47 years’ heritage, an IWSC Award is recognised internationally as a badge of quality. The Competition is proud to set the international benchmark for quality, remaining unique in the crowded world of drinks competitions with a dedicated tasting premises, a permanent onsite cellar and nearly 400 global experts judging products for 7 months of the year. What sets the IWSC apart from other competitions is the rigour of the judging process, the credibility of the results and the respect key influencers in the world of wines and spirits have for the winners.
Our President 2016 President, Matteo Lunelli, CEO of Ferrari Trento & of the Lunelli Group
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It doesn’t get much better than receiving a trophy award from the IWSC. The Trophy gives our consumers around the world total confidence in the Rapaura Springs brand and is a great way to supercharge the release of our 2015 vintage.
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Brendan Neylon, Owner, Rapaura Springs
Matteo is part of the third generation of the Lunelli family; his grandfather, Bruno, acquired the company in 1952 from the founder, Giulio Ferrari. Matteo’s goal is to continuously innovate whilst respecting the century old tradition of the winery and he is a passionate ambassador of the Italian Art of Living on the global stage. The IWSC is delighted to welcome Matteo as president for 2016 and we look forward to a great year ahead.
IWSC Benefits
Trusted Seal of Approval • With 47 years’ experience, the IWSC is widely recognised as the most respected wine & spirit competition in the world
The IWSC is truly international in its reach and recognition with entrants, sponsors and supporters in over 90 countries worldwide:
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• Global consumers trust and actively seek the IWSC medal when making purchasing decisions • A two stage judging process ensures the industry’s most credible results
Raise your profile • Competition winners receive a free marketing toolkit • Dedicated social media campaigns ensure winners are promoted year round with consumer friendly campaigns
Entering our wines and spirits into the IWSC and winning awards is highly regarded in the eyes of consumers and wine writers. It offers exceptional value and maximum exposure to national and international media, supports our distributors and retailers and helps to increase our wine’s retail value. It is a great marketing and sales tool.
• International agents & media partners work in global markets to drive awareness of the competition
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• The Competition hosts and attends multiple events to promote competition winners’ year round
Increase Sales • Winners are published in the drinks business distributed to over 10,000 international subscribers showcasing winning products to buyers worldwide
Africa Romero International Marketing & Sales, Bodegas Williams & Humbert
Worldwide PR Coverage
• Medal winning wines & spirits are highlighted on Amazon.co.uk and Winesdirect.co.uk • Official IWSC medal stickers ensure differentiation on a crowded retail shelf
A dedicated PR agency promotes winners’ successes to the global media.
What makes an IWSC Judge? IWSC judges must be qualified to a WSET Diploma level or equivalent to be considered for a place on the prestigious IWSC judging panel. They must also submit 2 current tasting references to support their tasting skills to ensure they are of the correct ability to taste on an IWSC panel. Once accepted onto the IWSC judging programme, judges must attend an introduction and briefing to assess their tasting skills. For judging enquiries please contact: judges@iwscgroup.com
Judging 7 reasons why we are different… 1. Dedicated judging premises at IWSC HQ 2. Custom built cellar to store submitted wines & spirits 3. Judging schedule over 7 months of the year 4. Samples served in numbered glasses
Marking System
5. At least 7 judges per panel
Gold Outstanding 93 & above
6. Nearly 400 judges from over 30 countries
Quality of the highest order
7. Second round chemical analysis of winners
Gold 90 - 92
Superior example; setting the standard
Winning a coveted IWSC award isn’t easy but that’s what makes the medal so well respected amongst trade and consumers alike. Our panels of handpicked industry experts judge entries over 7 months of the year to ensure a considered approach to tasting is adhered to for each and every product.
Silver Outstanding 86 - 89
Outstanding example; excellent quality
Silver 80 - 85
Fine example; excellent quality
The Competition runs a structured and rigorous two-stage judging process;
Bronze 75 - 79
Good example; well above average
• Samples are tasted in pre-poured numbered glasses so judges never see a bottle (double-blind). Each product is judged by a whole panel in sync, initially individually, and then panel chairs facilitate group discussions. • Detailed chemical and microbiological analysis which is undertaken by an independent third party to identify ‘show products’ that may not be the true representation of the product that consumers would buy from the shelf.
Nearly 400 judges including;
Susy Atkins
Wine Columnist, Sunday Telegraph
Ivan Dixon
Wine & Spirit Buyer, Harvey Nichols
Anne Kriebel MW Freelance Wine Writer
Beverley Tabbron MW
Head of Training & Education, Hallgarten Druitt
Chris Hatcher
Chief Winemaker, Wolf Blass
Anne Jones
Category Manager, BWS, Waitrose
The rigorous judging process of the competition guarantees quality to consumers.
Visit iwsc.net
Fernando Ravera, Winemaker, Bodega Navarro Correas
Click on the ENTER NOW button
Register and complete the online product form
Send your products to the Competition cellars
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How to Enter
Please note, online entries are exempt from admin fees. If necessary, entry forms are available to download from our website.
Entry Deadlines
Shipping Products can be shipped to our competition cellars using a consolidated shipment option through Hellmann Beverage Logistics. For only £45, Hellmann will manage the duty and shipment to the IWSC Competition Cellars.
Northern Hemisphere Country
Consolidated Shipping Deadline
IWSC Final Delivery Deadline
Eastern Europe & Greece
19th February
4th March
India, Thailand, China
19th February
4th March
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada & USA
23rd February
8th March
Mexico
n/a
8th March
Portugal
2nd March
16th March
England
n/a
24th March
Japan
10th March
24th March
Spain
16th March
30th March
France
29th March
12th April
Italy
19th April
3rd May
To locate your nearest office or to find out more about the individual deadlines for shipment, visit iwsc.net/shipping
Southern Hemisphere Country
Consolidated Shipping Deadline
IWSC Final Delivery Deadline
South Africa
n/a
24th June*
South America
5th July
19th July
Australia
19th July
2nd August
New Zealand
9th August
23rd August
*Please note, South African wine judging takes place in Paarl so products must be shipped there directly between 4th and 11th July
For a full list of terms & conditions, visit iwsc.net/termsandconditions
Save the Date Annual Awards Banquet Wednesday 16th November 2016 Guildhall, City of London
With thanks to our sponsors
With thanks to our supporters
With thanks to our media partners
The International Wine and Spirit Competition Ltd Building 17, Dunsfold Park, Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh Surrey, GU6 8TB UK Tel: +44 (0)1483 548 963 Fax: +44 (0)1483 548 826 Email: info@iwscgroup.com theIWSC Part of the
@theIWSC theIWSC
marketing@iwscgroup.com
The International Wine and Spirit Competition
Enter at iwsc.net