Freitag, 10. September 2010

IWSC - Australia tasting

For this year's International Wine & Spirits Competition I was invited as associate judge for the panel on Australian wines. Associate judge means that the other (proper) judges assess me on how I am assessing the wines, and the better I do, the higher is the chance that I am invited back next year (hopefully as proper judge then :-).




The two sessions were intense, with 63 wines tasted on day 1 and 66 wines on day 2, and wines being as versatile as Nebbiolo from Heathcote, Viognier-Marsanne blends from South Australia and botrytised Semillon from Riverina & districts, next to the classics Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache, Riesling and Chardonnay (+blends). The panels were chaired by Peter Nixson (day 1) and Philip Goodband MW (day 2), making sure that palates of the team members were thoroughly calibrated and results were consistent with the rest of the tastings (taking place 6 months per year, starting with France in April, continuing with the rest of European wines until early summer, then catching up with spirits, fortified and sparkling wines, before moving on to the new world in late summer).



Whilst the IWSC boasts the most highly qualified and trained international tasting panels, with each judge being experienced and specialized in the wines they assess, it is also open to new people (the wine trade's next generation, usually WSET diploma students or recently graduated like myself), and knowledgeable consumers getting their say as well. I so much enjoyed the last two days, the great, open-minded atmosphere, the generous advice and training provided by the other judges, the efficient organization (thanks so much to the IWSC team!) and last but not least: many very good and outstanding wines! All in all, a unique experience and opportunity!!!



Trophy winners are honoured at the annual IWSC Banquet, taking place in November at London's Guildhall. For tickets or more information on the competition, please see http://www.iwsc.net/.



Als Associate Judge (beisitzendes Jurymitglied) fuer Australische Weine wurde ich zum diesjaehrigen International Wine & Spirit Competition eingeladen. Beisitzendes Jurymitglied bedeutet, dass die anderen (richtigen) Jurymitglieder meine Bewertungen bewerten, und je besser ich abschneide, desto hoeher ist die Chance, im kommenden Jahr (als hoffentlich vollwertiges Mitglied) wieder eingeladen zu werden.

Die beiden Tage waren intensic, mit 63 Weinen am ersten und 66 Weinen am zweiten Tag, und einer grossen Bandbreite an Stilrichtungen: vom Nebbiolo aus Heathcote, ueber Viognier-Marsanne Verschnitten aus Suedaustralien, Semillon mit Edelfauele aus Riverina & Distrikten, bis hin zu den Klassikern Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache, Riesling, Chardonnay (+ Verschnitten).

Die Jury wurde von Peter Nixson (Tag 1) bzw. Philip Goodband (Tag 2) geleitet, welche dafuer Sorge trugen, dass die Bewertungen in sich sowie hinsichtlich der uebrigen Kategorien konsistent waren.

Medaillengewinner werden im Rahmen eines alljaehrlich im November stattfindenden Galadiners geehrt (welches in Londons Guildhall stattfindet). Karten und mehr Informationen ueber den Wettbewerb sind unter http://www.iwsc.net/ erhaeltlich.

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