Education and insights
09 December 2008
Conditions such as phases of the moon, statistics from the IWSC weather station on temperature & barometric pressure, plus performance indicators by judging panel were all examined and marked; showing averages & average standard deviation.
Some of the most interesting findings were on closures. Given that the IWSC present all products to their judges 'blind' in pre-poured glasses, where no knowledge of the style of closure would thus be known by the panel, the incident of 'faults' was on average twice that in bottles using cork closures to those using screw-cap.
Ultimately, the most experienced tasters provided almost identical assessment charts to each other, with 'faultlessness' on product both technically and by style, being the gauge against which the winning wines & spirits succeeded or fell.
Said Allen Gibbons, Executive Director of the IWSC:
“At the Competition, we pride ourselves on our accreditation, which is supported by work such as this study and the chemical analysis we undertake across top winners. We are committed to working in controlled conditions, with the best of judges to find the best of products.
This year we introduced 'Associate' judges to our work at the IWSC. These were students who came to us through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, (WSET) with whom we have a close association. The scheme provided a new generation with the chance to blind taste alongside of some of the industry's best, gaining experience, whilst not having the burden of casting final marks. The scheme proved hugely popular and will be repeated in 2009. Some of the Associates so impressed our teams that places on our induction training to become full judges are now being offered to several for next year”.
David Wrigley, MW, Technical Director for the IWSC and International Development Director for the WSET, stepped forward to present winning certificates to the two top Associate Judges, adding:
“The IWSC have always been keen supporters of industry education and have done much to help us at the WSET. Discovering talented tasters such as Katrina de Gentile-Williams and Alexander Redfern is the benefit for organisations which involve themselves in helping young people in their training and continuing professional development.
The IWSC and WSET share a birthday; both institutions having been founded in 1969. In celebration our joint 40th anniversary in 2009, I'm pleased to announce that the highest performing student in WSET's Level 5 Honours Diploma next year will be awarded with the inaugural 'IWSC Anniversary' Trophy. The prize will include a study trip (worth £2,500) and inclusion in some of the outstanding events being organised by the Competition for this special anniversary year. We are more than pleased to welcome the IWSC as new Corporate Patrons of ours at the WSET”.