The IWSC brings its international awards to Austria

Last year, the IWSC visited South Africa for its first ‘in situ’ judging, tasting wines on location in the winemaking region of Paarl, making it simpler for producers across the Cape to get their wines in front of a panel of international judges.

Following its success, this October, the IWSC visited Georgia to judge almost 500 wines ‘in situ’ and we are delighted to announce that the next region we will be bringing our awards to, is Austria.

At the end of May, the IWSC will be taking a panel of international judges, including Master of Wine, Dirceu Vianna Junior to Vienna, to taste Austrian entrants to its 2023 wine awards.

While perceived as an incredibly small wine producing nation, Austria produces 1% of the global wine output. Wine has been central to Austria’s culture for hundreds of years, with evidence of it being produced as far back as 700 BC.

Rust, Leithaberg, Burgenland ©Austrian Wine

Austria’s most recognised indigenous grape, Gruner Veltliner, covers approximately 32.5% of the country’s 45,000ha under vine, but the volume of red wine grapes planted across Austria now make up 30% of the country’s vineyard plantings. By bringing its international awards to Austria, the countries 11,000 winegrowers will have an opportunity to bring their wines to the global stage, building recognition and understanding of the country’s vinous heritage.

Additionally, entrants will benefit from:

• Discounted entry fee (£109) into one of the worlds most respected wine awards (usually £159)
• Local delivery to Korneuburg, Lower Austria
• Award winning wines put in front of the IWSC’s global audience
• Inclusion in the IWSC’s 2023 communication campaigns
• Access to a panel of the IWSC’s internationally renowned wine judges

Weinbaugebiet, Carnuntum, Niederoesterreich ©Austrian Wine

Judging will take place on Wednesday 31 May and Thursday 1 June and the results will be announced the following week from Monday 5 June. As well as the IWSC’s international panel of judges, local experts from Austria will join the judging.

Entry is open now, and full information on how to participate in the judging can be found here. Entry closes on 27 April 2023.