The retailers and supermarkets shortlisted for top IWSC trophies

As well as judging individual wines and spirits, we are also keen to recognise the creativity of the companies that import, sell and distribute those bottles, showcasing their excellence in encouraging a greater understanding – and sales – of quality drinks.

Wine & Spirit Supermarket of the Year

This is the gong that all high street drinks retailers want to win, for it places them at the pinnacle of success in their buying and retailing. Running since 1998; the award seeks to find the place to shop at for informed, engaging, and clever drinks. A shop that marries customer need and want with education, promotion, and fantastic customer service.

The recent lockdown has seen supermarkets emerge as essential in our retailing and the IWSC looks to recognise two winners who make wine or spirits retailing the forestay of their stores.

The winners will be the place for the public to go and shop.

The shortlist is:

• Aldi
• Booths
• Lidl
• Waitrose

Business Awards

An IWSC business award is the ultimate acknowledgement for the trade. Highlighting the unsung heroes, be it distribution or supplying the on-trade; the companies that marry producers with buyers, brands with the buying public are the heart that keeps our trade running.

The On-trade Supplier award, sponsored by Riedel seeks to find the company that keeps our hospitality industry at the forefront of their minds, helping restaurants and services create and hold wine lists that define their companies.

Wine and spirit distributors reward those who; without their commitment to sourcing, matching and distributing fantastic drinks from all over, the public buying experience would be much more spartan.

The shortlist for Wine Distributor is:

• Bancroft Wines
• Berkmann
• Bibendum
• Liberty

The shortlist for Spirit Distributor is:

• Emporia
• Maverick Drinks
• Spirit Cartel

The shortlist for On-Trade Retailer, sponsored by Riedel is:

• Armit
• Bibendum
• Enotria & Co