Beyond Bordeaux - Judging at the International Wine Challenge

The International Wine Challenge is the world's largest wine competition. Over 9000 wines from across the world are entered. Four potential rewards are up for grabs: commended, bronze, silver and gold. Gold medals are particularly coveted: vaunted by marketing departments, they can significantly improve sales from the retail outlets via which the majority of these wines are distributed.

Judging at the IWC is grueling, rewarding and fun. It is a ruthless test of your tasting skill, and consistency. It is also an unparalleled opportunity to taste across the world of wine, and there is a waiting list to join the ranks of even the most junior judges. Multiple panels of five judges taste flights of around 7 wines from endlessly varied origins. From Argentinean Mable, to Kiwi Sauvignon, to white Burgundy and red Bordeaux, we taste, note, score and  - inevitably - argue. I used to think it would be great to be a Panel Chair - to be in the position of final arbiter. Be careful what you wish for! Even the most expert of wine geeks is informed by personal preferences, and the passionate, knowledgeable character of the IWC judges makes the job of Panel Chair - as I discovered - not dissimilar to that of a rugby referee. This debate is essential to getting under the skin of every wine. I like to think that the makers of these wines would be heartened if they could see the time and energy that panels commit to evaluating quality, typicity and potential of every single wine.

It has been said that the 'classic' wines of Europe do less well in these competitions than the fruity, overt styles of the New World. Although the final results are not yet public, I do know that this was not my experience. Tasting at the IWC is invaluable to anyone involved in buying wine, because it is a barometer of what is potentially interesting across the wine world. Classic Europe was one of the highlights for us, at least. Italy is extremely high on my shopping list. Particularly Italian reds - they were among the most consistently exciting, characterful wines we tried. Spanish Garnacha - aka Grenache - is in superb form. This grape variety is the subject of renewed interest and respect across Spain and Southern France, and some producers are making seriously good, age worthy reds from rejuvenated old vineyards of this once dismissed variety. The judging was a reminder, if any were needed, of the superb quality, at even 'modest' quality levels, of 2009 red and 2010 white Burgundy. And 2009 Bordeaux is still absolutely sensational.

A key mission this year is for BWI is to expand the range and depth of our wine range. This shopping list will come in very handy.