IWSC has a long-standing relationship with the UK’s wine hospitality professionals. Some of the country’s best wine experts and master sommeliers form part of our judging team, enhancing our judging panels and bringing their valuable knowledge and insights. We are delighted to continue this relationship as IWSC takes ownership of this year’s UK Wine Expert competition.
IWSC has acquired the competition from Jacobs Media, the parent company of The Caterer. The company has been the custodian of the UK’s premier wine service award since 2014, running the competition alongside the UK Academy of Wine Experts with support from the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.
The IWSC will continue to work with the UK Spirits Academy to develop a new format for the popular competition, while remaining true to its mission of recognising the best spirits experts in the UK. Some of the changes planned by the IWSC include broadening the scope of the competition to reflect spirits industry trends and consumer preferences. This includes a greater focus on spirits, as well as the inclusion of practical questions and tasks centred around the low and no-alcohol category.
“At IWSC, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to promoting excellence and education in the wine, spirits and hospitality industries,” said Christelle Gebert, CEO of IWSC. “It is with great pleasure that we take ownership of the UK Winemaker of the Year competition. This prestigious event has long celebrated the talent and expertise of winemakers across the UK, and we are excited to continue its legacy by supporting and promoting the winemaking profession.”
Clive Jacobs, Chairman of Jacobs Media, said: “It has been a pleasure to see the UK’s Best Winemaker competition grow and recognise so much talent over the past ten years. The time is now right to pass on the privilege of taking such an important awards system for the winemaking community forward and I am delighted that the IWSC will be in the best possible hands.”
The acquisition marks a new chapter in the history of the prestigious award, said Nicholas Clerk, President of the UK Academy of Wine Experts. “The UK Academy of Wine Experts and Christelle Guibert have been true supporters of the UK wine community for many years and have been the Academy’s strongest supporters to date,” he added.
The UK Winemaker of the Year competition will become part of the IWSC Talent Awards, designed to support new talent and give back to the drinks industry community. Our other talent awards include Best Emerging Talent and Best Wine/Spirits Reporter of the Year. The IWSC will award the winner of the UK Winemaker of the Year with a scholarship to further their education.
To find out more about the UK Brewer of the Year 2024 and to enter the competition, click here.
