International Wine Challenge
I have just finished 7 weeks working on the, the biggest international blind tasting wine competition in the world. Over 9000 wines from across the world have been rigorously judged and the winners will be announced during the from the 22nd to 24th May.
I have been constantly impressed by the organisation behind the Challenge and the quality of the judging that has taken place. Judges have included winemakers, producers, suppliers, journalists and countless Masters of Wine. Although some only came for one day many also committed themselves to several days at the tasting table, each day consisting of the tasting of what could be up to 90 wines. There were 5 co-chairmen whose job it was to taste every wine and these were all recognised names in the industry - Charles Metcalfe, Tim Atkin MW, Sam Harrop MW, Derek Smedley MW and Michael Fridjhon.
The logistics behind the event are enormous. The 4 weeks of preparation in advance of the 2 weeks of judging saw the receipt of over 40,000 bottles into the Conference Centre at the Barbican in London, the sorting of these into similar styles and countries then the bagging of them to hide the label from the judges. Between 15 and 20 staff were involved all of whom were there because of their interest in and passion for wine. The final week, week 7, saw the final judging to award the trophies to the top wines and the boxing up of all the remaining wine much of which went to charities.
Alongside the main event, a Discovery tasting took place during the second week when producers looking for UK representation had their wines on show for members of the trade to come in and taste. Additionally over 200 sakes were tasted by a team of Japanese judges who had especially flown in for the event. 
This was a great event to have been a part of and has helped enormously with my WSET Diploma studies. At the end of every day staff were able to taste the wines that had been judged that day. I can’t think of any other opportunity I will have to taste so many quality wines alongside others over such a concentrated time.
