IWSC announces developments as it continues to evolve its drinks awards

As its awards continue to evolve, the IWSC is delighted to announce the appointment of several industry renowned judges to oversee the panels of its new award categories.

Essi Avellan MW has been confirmed by the award body as the IWSC’s new head judge for Champagne and sparkling wines. Following the announcement in December, Essi shared with her followers: “I am thrilled to let you know I will be leading the panel of experts judging the IWSC’s new Champagne and sparkling wine award category! I am super happy to join the IWSC team to award sparkling wine excellence.”

The IWSC Champagne and Sparkling Wine awards will be judged in May.

Also being judged in May will be the IWSC’s new (still wine) rosé award category. The judging for these awards will be fronted by Dirceu Vianna Junior MW. Junior has judged with the IWSC for several years and with entry of the rosé category showing no sign of slowing down, creating a separate judging panel for this wine style seemed the right direction.

Junior comments, “A separate award category for rosé reflects the way the industry has been developing and paying more attention to this style. As producers started to take the category more seriously and consumers have increasingly been enjoying drinking rosé, it will be our job to select the best examples and help guide consumers to the most exciting wines.”

Following a refresh of its Mixer awards, Shannon Tebay, will oversee the judging of this growing awards category. Shannon joined The Savoy as Head Bartender for the renowned establishments American Bar in the summer.