You can enter online through your IWC account. Once logged in, complete the entry form for each wine, submit payment, and send your samples before the deadline.
Any commercially available wine or sake can enter, provided it meets the Rules of Entry (labelling, sealing, finished product, etc.).
You will need ABV, varietal details, region, vintage, volume and bottling information. A full checklist is provided inside your account.
Yes. Wines without UK representation can also enter the Discovery Tasting for an additional fee.
Both are full competitions.
● Tranche 1 offers earlier results (ideal for winter trading, Q1 listings, and early PR).
Entry fees vary by category (Wine / Sake / Discovery Tasting) and are listed on the Rules of Entry page.
● UK companies: Yes
● EU companies with a valid VAT number: No
● Non-EU companies: No
Credit card, or invoice in GBP, EUR, or USD.
Entries cannot be judged unless fees are received before the published deadlines.
● 4 bottles per wine (standard entry)
● 6 bottles per wine (Discovery Tasting)
It avoids customs delays, reduces cost, includes duty/taxes, and ensures samples arrive correctly labelled.
Yes.
Do NOT use automated invoices from DHL/FedEx — they lack the necessary alcohol information and will cause customs delays.
IWC cannot accept any charges from couriers. Undeclared or unpaid shipments may be returned at your cost.
All wines are blind-tasted across multiple rounds. Each wine is evaluated for quality, balance, typicity and potential.
Over 500 experts from 40+ countries, including Masters of Wine, leading critics, winemakers, buyers and sommeliers.
Every wine is tasted at least twice, on separate days, by different panels, with Co-Chair sign-off for Gold and Trophy winners.
No. Judging is blind, impartial, and based purely on the wine in the glass.
Medal and Trophy announcement dates are published on the "Key Dates" page.
● Gold – Exceptional quality and typicity
● Silver – Very high quality
● Bronze – High quality
● Commended – Well-made wines offering value and typicity
Use medal stickers on your bottles or licence the artwork for printed labels, cartons or digital marketing.
Yes. Studies show medals influence both price and sales. Supermarket tests using IWC stickers show clear, measurable uplift — especially on crowded retail shelves.
Directly from the IWC Shop.
£49 per roll (1,000 stickers), with discounts for 20+ rolls and 50+ rolls.
Yes, delivery is free worldwide. Local duty or taxes may apply.
Only if you have purchased an IWC Medal Artwork Licence.
Annual licences start from £200.
No. Medals must match the correct year, wine, and vintage awarded by the IWC.
A special judge-led tasting designed to help producers without UK importers find distribution.
UK importers, distributors, retailers and on-trade buyers looking for new listings.
Yes. Sake is judged by specialised sake judges and industry experts.
IWC helped internationalise sake appreciation and quality standards worldwide.
The competition is now the largest and most influential sake judging outside Japan.
IWC also supports the category through events such as Drink Japan.
Contact info@iwcevents.com and the team will assist you.
Change it in your account, or email info@iwcevents.com within 24 hours of ordering.
Email Lee at lee@iwcevents.com.