The IWSC is founded by wine chemist Anton Massel as Club Oenologique, a competition created to reward excellence in wine and spirit production.
1970
1970
The first official competition takes place, with Massel inviting producers from around the world to take part.
1978
1978
On 14 April, Club Oenologique is officially renamed as the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
The IWSC Awards Banquet takes place at the Palace of Westminster.
1979
1979
The IWSC celebrates its 10th anniversary.
1981
1981
The IWSC receives its highest number of entries to date, with 1,104 products sent in from 38 countries.
1983
1983
Robert Mondavi (right) of Mondavi Winery (USA) becomes President and instigates the tradition of Presidents coming exclusively from wine and spirits producers, which continues to this day.
1985
1985
The IWSC Awards Banquet takes place at the House of Commons.
1990
1990
Rainer Karl Lingenfelder wins the very first Winemaker of the Year award.
1993
1993
34 countries enter the awards.
The IWSC receives entries from Switzerland and Russia for the first time.
1994
1994
The IWSC’s silver jubilee coincided with the 500th anniversary of Scotch whisky, so to celebrate the IWSC invited seven major companies to create limited edition blends: Whyte & Mackay, Diageo, Burn Stewart, William Grant, Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Allied Distillers & Inverhouse Distillers. The distillers were interviewed and their whiskies were blind-tasted by the IWSC for the 'Spirit of Scotland' award.
Pictured: Michael Jackaman (President) presenting the 'Spirit of Scotland' trophy to Richard Paterson of Whyte and Mackay.
1995
1995
Marchese Leonardo de’Frescobaldi (Italy) becomes President.
The IWSC hosts its first open tasting, showcasing an array of gold medal winning wines.
1996
1996
The Communicator of the Year award is initiated to celebrate individuals who have made a difference to the industry, with the first recipient being Jancis Robinson MW (pictured accepting the IWSC's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019).
1998
1998
The competition introduces a new trophy to give recognition to wines and spirits sold by UK retailers, which is awarded to Waitrose.
1999
1999
More than 90 judges attend the IWSC tastings, including a number of MWs.
Chemical analysis of wines continues.
2000
2000
Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (France) becomes President.
Entries increase by 30%.
2002
2002
Producers are able to enter the awards online for the first time.
2004
2004
Paul Symington (left) of Symington Family Port Shippers (Portugal) becomes President.
2005
2005
Wolf Blass (right) of Wolf Blass Wines (Australia) becomes President.
The IWSC premises are moved to Dunsfold Park in Surrey, where there is more cellar space and dedicated tasting rooms.
2006
2006
The Awards Banquet takes place at Old Billingsgate, as the usual venue of the Guildhall is under refurbishment.
2007
2007
Gina Gallo of E&J Gallo Family Estates (USA) becomes President.
The judging period is extended from four to six months to enable wine producers in the Southern Hemisphere to enter their fresh vintages when they are ready to be released.
Entries in spirits categories increase by 16%, making the IWSC the largest spirits competition in the world.
2009
2009
IWSC produces a 40th Anniversary Blended Scotch Whisky, with contriutions from 17 distilleries, which is served at a special dinner held at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh.
Allan Cheeseman and Sir Ian Good were awarded special trophies for their contributions to the wine and spirits industries over the last 40 years.
2011
2011
Prince Robert of Luxembourg, of Domaine Clarence Dillon (France) becomes President.
2013
2013
G. Garvin Brown IV (right), of Brown-Forman Corporation (USA) becomes President.
2014
2014
Gin becomes the third largest spirits category as we introduce trophies to recognise London Dry and Contemporary styles.
2017
2017
The IWSC broadcasts the Awards Banquet live on Facebook for the first time, reaching 30,000 people worldwide.
2018
2018
The IWSC’s sister company Club Oenologique launches, named after the competition’s original title.
2019
2019
The IWSC celebrates its 50th anniversary and makes a number of changes to bring the competition into its next era, including moving our wine judging sessions to central London and creating a commemorative whisky blend.
