IWSC Announce new Chairman of Technical and Judging Committee

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), the world’s most prestigious wine and spirit competition, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Goodband MW as the new Chairman of the Technical and Judging Committee.

Philip said of his role “I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with an exceptional team to enhance the already high reputation of the IWSC”.

Philip takes over the role from David Wrigley MW who has stepped down from this role which he has held for over 15 years as he is moving to New York for 12 months to work on a number of projects in his capacity as International Development Director for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). David commented on Philip’s appointment

”The Technical and Judging Committee lies at the heart of IWSC’s commitment to excellence in judging. The IWSC owes it to participating producers, and to the consumer, to be as accurate and consistent as possible in the judgements it makes, and the Technical and Judging Committee is there to make sure this happens.  I have been very proud to serve as its Chairman, and honoured to work with a committee that boasts such a high level of international expertise.  Philip brings both a great deal of industry experience and, as a judging panel chairman of long standing, close knowledge of the IWSC to the role.  I know that the IWSC’s judging process is in very safe hands with him at the helm.”

David Wrigley MW remains a member of the Board of the IWSC in his role as Technical Director. Allen Gibbons, Managing Director of the IWSC Group said of the change: “The IWSC has always prided itself in the rigour of it’s technical knowledge and judgments, something we feel is a strength of the business and in splitting the roles’ of Technical Director and Chairman of the Technical and Judging Committee we have been able to further enhance our resource in this area with Philip taking over the Chair whilst retaining the services of David who has been a great asset to the IWSC over many years.”

The Technical and Judging Committee of the IWSC exists in an advisory capacity to give independent assurance of the quality, integrity, accuracy and impartiality of the assessment of all products entered for the Competition each year, reflecting the latest thinking in this area and thereby the thinking of the industry”.

ENDS

Editors Notes:

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC)

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs. All entries of wines, spirits and liqueurs are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary. Awards are made on a points system and sponsored trophies are presented in selected categories.

Technical analysis is carried out on Gold (Best in Class), Gold and Silver (Best in Class) award winning wines, spirits and liqueurs to ensure that all products are technically sound and will be of the same high quality when they reach the consumer as they were when the judging panels originally tasted them.

The IWSC is supported by a group of Vice Presidents made up of some of the most influential men and women in the trade, including Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Miguel Torres, Marchese Piero Antinori, Robert Drouhin, Paul Symington, May de Lencquesaing, Gina Gallo, Rafael Guilisasti, Prinz Michael zu Salm-Salm and this year’s IWSC President, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Clarence Dillon’s great-grandson and Domaine Clarence Dillon’s President.

2011 Entry Deadlines:

Northern hemisphere:

2nd March 2011 (Extended)

Spirits:

20^th April 2011

Southern hemisphere:

1^st July 2011 (South Africa)

5^th August 2011 (South American countries)

12^th August 2011 (Australia)

26^th August 2011 (New Zealand)

Philip Goodband MW

Philip is one of those rare individuals, one of only 289 Masters of Wine in the world today who is able to communicate his knowledge at whatever level is required to members of the wine industry and the public at large. During a successful career he has managed businesses in both classic and new world wine countries. He pioneered sustainable packaging in the UK with Stowells and has been the driving force behind some of todays most popular wine styles and brands..

Recent work has included brand creation with Constellation Brands, Baron Philippe de Rothschild and a series of internet videos for the Robert Mondavi Winery, webcasts, training programmes and many speaking engagements in the UK and around the world.

His work on behalf of the global wine industry has always been visionary including chairing the international working group on wine traceability and acting as facilitator for trade mergers.

• The only person to pass this most difficult of examinations and be awarded the Vintners Scholarship in the same year.
• Former Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine
• Directorships held include Whitbread Wines and Spirits, European Cellars, Grants of St. James’s. Wine Development Board, Wine Standards Board Of The United Kingdom.
• WSET Certified Educator
• Chair judge at the International Wine & Spirit Competition
• Life Member of the Champagne Academy
• Counsellor to the Commanderie De Bordeaux
• Cavaleiro da Confraria do Vinho do Porto
• Consultant Master of Wine since 1994

IWSC Technical and Judging Committee

The Technical and Judging Committee of the IWSC exists in an advisory capacity to give independent assurance of the quality, integrity, accuracy and impartiality of the assessment of all products entered for the Competition each year, reflecting the latest thinking in this area and thereby the thinking of the industry”

Members of the Technical and Judging Committee

Technical Advisors to the Committee:

Jim Beveridge (Diageo)

Anthony Foster (Bonhote Foster)

Richard Paterson (Master Blender, Whyte & Mackay)

Arthur Nägele (Spirituosenakademie)

The Committee:

Angela D’Orazio (Master Blender, Mackmyra Svensk Whisky)

Dr David Clutton (Consultant)

Geoff Taylor (Corkwise)

Dave Hughes (Freelance Consultant)

Sally Easton MW (Educator and Consultant)

For further information, interviews and comment, please contact:

David Kelly, Marketing Manager IWSC Group Ltd, Building 17, Dunsfold Park, Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TB Tel: +44 (0) 1483 548 963 e-mail:david.kelly@iwscgroup.com