" Wine awards are super important. You’re judged at a similar level to other wines and to come out on top means that people trust what you’re doing. "

Tamara Roberts  /  Ridgeview Wine Estate, UK  /  IWSC President 2020

"

An IWSC accolade is one of the key pieces of getting your name out there, to actually tell people not only that you exist but also that you have quality, that you are a great product.

"

Billy Abbott  /  The Whisky Exchange  /  2022 Spirits Communicator of the Year, shortlist

"

Some of the most discerning and demanding palates in the spirits industry can be found at the IWSC’s judging sessions, so achieving any kind of medal is no mean feat!

"

Guy Hodcroft  /  Bordeaux Index  /  Judge

" One of the biggest successes we can point to off the back of our IWSC awards, are the largescale customers we have won as a direct result of the award. "

John Hall  /  Trevethan Distillery  /  2021 UK Gin Producer Trophy

"In a competition where the bar is high – the IWSC wine judging process is fair but demanding so achieving a medal is meaningful."

Rebecca Palmer  /  Corney & Barrow  /  Judge

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Wines

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Spirits

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Case studies

Representation Directory

Representation Directory

Who we are

The IWSC is more than a competition. It is a global wine and spirits community, focused on people and expertise.

Our mission is to champion the best wine and spirits from around the world by taking a personal approach to our partners’ needs. We offer comprehensive business support via our network of world-class experts and aim to bring this global community together to share insights and help each other grow.

We don’t just champion award winners. We seek out undiscovered talent and help partners – large and small – reach ambitious targets and achieve their goals.

Competition. Connection. Community. Since 1969

From South Korea to France: The 7 Worldwide Whiskeys That Stunned the Judges

Spirit news

From South Korea to France: The 7 Worldwide Whiskeys That Stunned the Judges

Each year, just a small handful of spirits manage to cross the threshold from technical excellence to true drinks brilliance These are the whiskies that stop the judges in their tracks, bottles that prompt discussion, delight, and ultimately, unanimous agreement that they deserve the very highest honour

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A Golden Era for Global Whiskey

Spirit news

A Golden Era for Global Whiskey

The worldwide whiskey category is one of the most interesting, diverse and competitive at the IWSC, representing everything power rye’s from the Nordics to emerging spirits from China and Korea. This year’s gold medal winners showcase the category at it’s best, with some intriguing shifts in where - and how - quality whiskey is made

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Raising the Bar: Why Silver Medal Worldwide Whiskeys Deserve Your Attention

Spirit news

Raising the Bar: Why Silver Medal Worldwide Whiskeys Deserve Your Attention

At the IWSC, a Silver medal isn’t just a step on the podium. It’s a mark of true distinction. In the world of whiskey, where nuance and balance separate the good from the great, achieving Silver signals a product that stands out for its character, craft, and complexity

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Exploring Character and Consistency: Worldwide Whiskies Win Bronze at the IWSC

Spirit news

Exploring Character and Consistency: Worldwide Whiskies Win Bronze at the IWSC

For whiskies in the Worldwide category, bronze medals represent more than technical merit, they speak to promise, potential, and precision from a diverse and evolving set of producers around the globe

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From grape to glass: Pisco demonstrates quality at this year's IWSC

Spirit news

From grape to glass: Pisco demonstrates quality at this year's IWSC

Chilean and Peruvian Pisco impressed judges at this year's IWSC with one reaching Gold Outstanding quality.

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Meet the Champion: Maria Boumpa

IWSC news

Meet the Champion: Maria Boumpa

Having just won the IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year competition, which was held in London last week, we caught up with 2025 champion Maria Boumpa – restaurant manager and wine director at Da Terra in London’s Bethnal Green – to find out how she kept her cool during the final

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IWSC 2025: Strong performance from Calvados XO

Spirit news

IWSC 2025: Strong performance from Calvados XO

The 2025 IWSC spirits judging highlighted a strong year for Calvados, with a notable concentration of high-scoring entries in the XO category

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Global Grape Brandy at the IWSC

Spirit news

Global Grape Brandy at the IWSC

Discover highlights from this year's Grape Brandy judging, which saw 137 medals awarded including a Gold for a Brandy from Azerbaijan.

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20 August

2025 Global Wine Judging in Margaret River

26 August

2025 Global Wine Judging in China