Elizabeth Kelly MW: It's important to stay impartial when you encounter your favourite type of wine

The IWSC judges are the industry's most influential voices. From Master Distillers to Senior Buyers, from Masters of Wine and Head Sommeliers to Bar Directors, these leaders guide the world's top drinks establishments. Our Insider series offers exclusive insights from the experts themselves.

Tesco Product Development Manager, and IWSC Judge Elizabeth Kelly MW shares her systematic approach to impartial wine evaluation.

The Power of Blind Tasting

"The way that IWSC does judging makes it much easier to be objective," Kelly explains. "You receive pre-poured samples so you aren't even feeling a covered up bottle - you really are going in blind." This approach eliminates preconceptions that might arise from bottle shape or weight, ensuring truly impartial evaluation.

A Systematic Approach

Maintaining objectivity requires a structured methodology. "Generally for judging I think about BLIC (balance, length, intensity and complexity) which is often used for WSET and MW quality notes," Kelly notes. This systematic approach helps ensure consistent evaluation across different styles and regions.

Managing Personal Preferences

One of the key challenges in objective tasting is managing personal preferences. "It is important to stay impartial when you encounter a wine that might be your favourite type of wine. This might be because of the grape variety or because it might be a style that you are keen on."

Understanding Context

Kelly emphasises the importance of evaluating wines within their stylistic context. "For instance, a Primitivo from Puglia might have a relatively high level of residual sugar for a still wine - but does it suit the style of fruit? Is the sugar supporting the style of wine or masking faults - such as a lack of fruit or hard tannins?"

A Balanced Perspective

This approach to evaluation ensures that each wine is judged on its own merits, within its stylistic framework, rather than against personal preferences or preconceptions.