The IWSC teams up with the London Wine Fair to judge the inaugural ‘Varietal of the Year’ Competition

 

For the first time ever, the London Wine Fair will be judging and awarding the best ‘Varietal of the Year’ using the world’s most rigorous and well-respected ‘double-blind’ judging process, that of the IWSC. The judging will take place live at the London Wine Fair on the morning of Monday 18th May at stand T40 in the centre of the show. Visitors will have a chance to see the IWSC judging process live in action.

 

Wine Grapes is a new annual celebration of two grape varieties, one well-known and widely planted, the other less so; one red and one white. For 2015, the grapes under scrutiny are Syrah and Grüner Veltliner. The competition, exclusively open to exhibitors, will showcase 74 Syrah and 32 Grüner Veltliner at the show giving visitors an invaluable snapshot of the best of these varieties from around the world. 

 

Commenting on the collaboration, show director Ross Carter said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the IWSC on this new initiative for The Fair.  Wine Grapes is all about putting a spotlight on key varieties – Syrah and Grüner Veltliner for the inaugural year – and the London Wine Fair’s Varietal of the Year Award provides the competitive element and of course prestige.”

 

The IWSC’s award-winning Operations Team are arranging the in-show judging of these grapes with top industry experts casting their scores to determine the ‘Best-In-Show’ varietal with medals awarded on the Monday.

 

Ewan Lacey, General Manager at the IWSC commented on the new initiative, “We are thrilled that the London Wine Fair has selected the world’s most rigorous judging process to judge these two diverse grape varieties live at the show. We are looking forward to discovering the judges’ top picks and promoting the winners over the course of the three days at Olympia.”

 

Medals to be awarded

•Best in Show: Syrah Northern Hemisphere

•Best in Show:  Value Syrah Northern Hemisphere 

•Best in Show: Syrah Southern Hemisphere 

•Best in Show: Value Syrah Southern Hemisphere 

•Best in Show: Grüner Veltliner

•Best in Show: Value Grüner Veltliner

 

To celebrate the release of the IWSC’s Northern Hemisphere wine results, winners’ tasting will take place on the IWSC stand (T40) throughout the show. The line-up includes tastings from 2015 IWSC President, Neil McGuigan and BBC 2’s Food & Drink wine expert, Joe Wadsack. 

 

 

Notes to editors:

 

For more information please contact Anna Grant, Head of Sales & Marketing, anna.grant@iwscgroup.com or +44(0)203 176 6460

•The IWSC will be hosting tastings at the London Wine Fair on stand T40 – to view the timetable visithttp://www.iwsc.net/LWF2015 

•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 are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary

•The IWSC has partnered with Wines Direct to promote its top award winning wines. The price comparison website will allow consumers to search for medal winners by country, variety, colour, region, or retailer. The website will also show judges’ tasting notes for wines which have won trophy, gold, gold outstanding and silver outstanding

•IWSC has appointed Neil McGuigan as the 2015 president.

•The 2015 Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday 26th November, at The Guildhall, City of London

•View the results online at www.iwsc.net 

•Italian and French wine results will be released at Vinexpo