Judge profile: Philip Goodband MW

Chairman of the Wine Judging Committee, Philip Goodband MW is an active international independent consultant MW, having held many leadership roles at the top of the wine and spirits industry. 

He was uniquely both Vintners Scholar and the youngest ever Master of Wine in 1970, rising to be chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine in 1984-85. 

His senior appointments have included directorships of Stowells of Chelsea, European Cellars Group, Grants of St James's, The Wine Promotions Board, and The Wine Standards Board of the UK. He has also served as a Trustee of the WSET, and is senior lecturer in global business for the WSET School in London, for Fine Vintage in Canada and Italy and online.

What wines or regions are popular at the moment?

Sparkling wine is undoubtedly the story of the last decade with Prosecco opening the way for many others, including the UK’s own to be enjoyed on more and more occasions.  

Rosé is still in vogue – particularly in the USA, which is the largest wine market in the world – and thirdly, the emerging trend of quality wine in small packs including cans.    

What are you looking for when judging wines? What makes a Gold medal-winning wine?  

When I pick up a glass in an IWSC flight of wines, I want to find not only typicity of region or grape variety, but to discover levels of complexity of aroma, flavour, and intensity of character in a balance which clearly sets the wine apart. 

Gold medal-winning wines are those which deliver the WOW factor from the very first taste until the last lingering moments on my palate.  

What’s your most memorable experience in the wine industry (so far)?

This is a difficult question as there have been so many! Becoming an MW is a moment never to be forgotten or repeated, but the occasion just a few years ago when I spent the whole morning with Bernard Noblet – the renowned cellar-master at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – tasting, discussing and enjoying many old vintages from this iconic estate and hearing him relate the fascinating story behind each was also an amazing and unique experience.   

What are you most excited about judging at the IWSC?

Whenever I taste at the IWSC, I am always excited to see the remarkable quality of many wines presented, and privileged to taste, assess and importantly reward the considerable efforts of wine producers who have demonstrated excellence ahead of their peers.