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1969
1969
- 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.