The IWSC is bringing its international wine awards to Western Australia, in partnership with the Margaret River Wine Association.Wine judging in Margaret River
The IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition) is delighted to announce it will be taking a panel of international experts to Margaret River to judge local wines ‘in situ’ in August.
The same stringent judging process will take place, but producers will benefit from a more convenient, local delivery and the opportunity to bring their wines to the global stage.
IWSC’s CEO, Christelle Guibert, commented, “We are thrilled to be taking our international awards to Australia this year. We have seen the success our immersive judging has had in other countries, including Georgia, Turkey and South Africa, and are sure to see the same triumph in Margaret River in Australia. Both the IWSC and Margaret River’s wines’ history date back over 50 years, and we look forward to joining forces and sharing these world-class wines with our community.”
Regional benefits
Margaret River Wine Association CEO Amanda Whiteland said she is so excited to have retailers, sommeliers and key media from the IWSC, one of the world’s most highly regarded international wine competitions, coming to Margaret River.
“We believe judging Margaret River wines in Margaret River will immerse the IWSC judges in the region, giving them lasting impressions, as well as providing our winemakers an opportunity to meet and create relationships with key buyers and influencers.”
“Partnering with the IWSC will help us showcase some of the best wines from our beautiful region to wine industry professionals and wine drinkers through a program of events and publicity of the awarded wines," says Whiteland.
A panel of expert judges
The IWSC team of international judges include:
- Master of Wine Alistair Cooper, the global consultant wine buyer for Sydney-based Australian company United Cellars, Australia’s largest independent wine merchant.
- Veteran IWSC judge Freddy Bulmer, wine buyer for The Wine Society, the world's oldest wine club.
- Previously the Head Sommelier at the Medlar, Melania Battiston, recently moved to Aman Hotel, taking the lead of Wine Buying for the group. Melania also recently won the 2023 Young Sommelier of the Year award.
- The fantastic Libby Brodie, founder of Bacchus & Brodie, an independent, London-based wine consultancy and City A.M.’s dedicated wine columnist, will also be heading Down Under.
- Master of Wine Beth Pearce, the Buying Director at Lay & Wheeler, one of Britain's longest-standing fine wine merchants.
Local Australian judging experts will join the international judges:
- Erin Larkin: Reviewer of Australian and New Zealand wines for Robert Parker Wine Advocate
- Emma Farrelly: Director of Wine at The State Buildings & Como The Treasury in Perth.
- Chris Crawford: Group General Manager of Beverage for Crown Casino (Melbourne, Perth & Sydney).
- Randall Pollard: A long career as a wine merchant and wine show judge before establishing Randall’s Fine Wines in the 90s.
Judging will take place from Wednesday, 30 August to Friday, 1 September and results will be announced online the following week on 4 September 2023.
Proudly supported by WA Wines to the World; an industry-led Export Growth Partnership coordinated by Wines of Western Australia, co-funded by DPIRD.