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Each week we publish stories about the best wines and spirits, our experts, upcoming events, and beverage industry news. And, don't miss our new IWSC Insights series, where we take an in-depth look into drinks businesses and markets around the world. Looking for recommendations? Visit our consumer website Club Oenologique to read our top 10s and reviews.

IWSC news

Popular Australian vineyard crowned ‘best winemaker in the world’

Popular Australian vineyard crowned ‘best winemaker in the world’ McGuigan Wines, a well-known brand among the UK’s 28 million wine drinkers, has beaten competition from the world’s finest vineyards to be crowned ‘International Winemaker of the Year’.   In addition to the prestigious title, awarded by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), the family-run Australian producer scooped 35 medals for its wine.   The

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IWSC news

Waitrose awarded ‘Retailer of the Year’ for its wines and spirits

OR the second year running, supermarket Waitrose has  been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Retailer of the Year’ by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).   Sponsored by leading independent wine importer PLB Group Ltd, the title celebrates innovation in retailing wines and spirits, as well as the quality of the supermarket’s range.   This year, for the first time, judging included an online

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IWSC news

Manchester wine merchants crowned ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’

hangingditch, an independent wine specialist in Manchester, has scooped the prestigious title of ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’ from the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).   The eclectic store which, in the three years since it opened has already notched up a string of awards, beat off competition from around the country to win the hotly-contested title.   Judges were impressed by hangingditch’s range

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IWSC news

Winners announced in the ‘Oscars’ of the drinks’ world

Scottish distiller William Grant & Sons, retailer Waitrose and Australian winemaker McGuigan Wines all have cause to celebrate after scooping top awards at the Oscars of the drinks world.   Family-run William Grant & Sons, producers of Glenfiddich, Grant’s and Balvenie, were crowned ‘Distiller of the Year’ at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) awards banquet. This is the fourth time that William

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IWSC news

Worldwide whisky-tasting event specialists Simply Whisky will feature IWSC medal winning whiskies at their events - 2011

Worldwide whisky-tasting event specialists Simply Whisky will feature International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) medal winning whiskies at their events.   The events will be promoted jointly and the IWSC whiskies featured will be clearly marked with their awards from the world’s most prestigious annual wine and spirit competition.   The next tasting event is being held on Thursday 10th November for a consortium of

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IWSC news

WSTA Chief Executive takes on new role

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has today announced that Chief Executive, Jeremy Beadles, will be leaving the organisation in the New Year, after six years, to take up the position of Corporate Relations Director for Heineken UK.   Jeremy Beadles said: "I have had a fantastic six years with the WSTA and, whilst I will be sad to leave, I am really looking forward

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IWSC news

New Zealand Wine Enjoys Unprecedented Success at Major Global Competition

New Zealand wine has shone brightly on the world stage with an extraordinary result in the UK-based 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC). New Zealand won a phenomenal 305 awards including 18 gold medals, 15 of which were 'Best in Class'. This tally of medals beats New Zealand's previous record of 11 golds in 2008 and the competition average of 4.9 gold medals per

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IWSC news

IWSC Southern Hemisphere Results Announced - 2011

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has today released the Southern Hemisphere wine results.   Among the medal tally, South Africa scooped an incredible 641 medals including 32 Gold Best in Class and 13 Gold in the prestigious Competition. The country also won 4 product trophies including two for its generic grape varieties Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.   South Africa has had a difficult

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IWSC news

PLB announced as sponsors of the prestigious IWSC Retailer of the Year Award

The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) today announced that PLB will be the Sponsor of the highly respected Retailer of the Year award for 2011 and 2012.   The award, considered to be one of the most coveted, is presented at the prestigious awards Banquet at the Guildhall in London on 16th November 2011. Winners over the past few years include Waitrose (2010), Sainsbury

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IWSC news

Simply Whisky to Feature IWSC Medal Winning Whiskies

Worldwide whisky-tasting event specialists Simply Whisky will feature International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) medal winning whiskies at their events.   The events will be promoted jointly and the IWSC whiskies featured will be clearly marked with their awards from the world’s most prestigious annual wine and spirit competition.   Marketing Manager for the IWSC, David Kelly comments: “It’s great to be working with such

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