Entries now open for the 2026 International Wine Challenge

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is now open for entries, and the new team has shaken things up by reinstating the two-stage judging process - Tranche 1 and Tranche 2.

IWC Tranche 1, originally created with Southern Hemisphere producers in mind, returns this year. Judging in November/December allows producers from those regions to enter their wines at a time of optimum freshness, showcasing new vintages at their best.

However, there is also a clear benefit for Northern Hemisphere winemakers too, especially for their red wines - for this reason, Tranche 1 is open to all.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners from Tranche 1 will be announced immediately after judging. This allows producers to promote their success ahead of Christmas and in time for first-quarter new listing reviews. After all, the IWC is all about helping producers sell more wine!

Top Tranche 1 winners will then be judged alongside April's best wines, with the ultimate trophies awarded at the 2026 International Wine Challenge.

Here are the new deadlines for entering the International Wine Challenge Tranche 1

Hellmann Consolidated Shipping
Deadline to register entry for consolidated shipping - 21 October 2025
Deadline for samples to arrive with Hellmann - 26 October 2025

Direct shipment to the UK IWC Warehouse
Deadline to register entry - 26 October 2025
Deadline for samples to arrive at IWC Warehouse - 14 November 2025

Shipping labels for both options downloadable from the IWC website once you have registered your entries.

https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/how-to-enter.html