Top Canadian Judges

The Wine Access IVWA judging panel is comprised of some of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals. In addition, the competition seeks out new and emerging talent from across Canada to be a part of the panels. This blend of experience and enthusiasm, and the involvement of judges from different regions across the country, gives the competition a truly national perspective of what’s current in the world of wine.

Blind Tasting Process

Wines are first sorted into flights by the Competition Director and then tasted blind by various panels, each led by a senior Wine Access tasting panel member. All wines are scored independently out of 100 points. Entries that progress to later rounds are tasted blind again and rescored by new panels. Results are processed by powerful software specially designed by Wine Access to provide accurate tracking of results.

Increased Recognition for Winners

A Wine Access International Value Wine Awards medal is a global achievement — winners receive huge industry and consumer recognition, and find the results to be an extremely valuable addition to their marketing strategies. Detailed results of the Wine Access 2012 IVWA will appear in the October/November 2012 issue of Wine Access, along with a “Highlights” feature in WestJet’s up! magazine, which reaches more than one million travellers each month. This national exposure, along with the opportunity to label your wine as a Wine Access 2012 IVWA winner, will significantly increase both your profile and your profits in Canada.

Awards are presented for the Top 25 Killer Values — wines with the highest scores and lowest prices — as well as the Top 15 Wines Under Screwcap, major grape varieties and blends and the best wines by country. Categories will have a “Category Champion” and the top “runner-up” wines in each category will receive a “Judges’ Choice” award. With more than 300 value awards handed out each year, the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards is a major competition with plenty of opportunities for success and recognition.

All Category Champions, Judges’ Choice and Killer Value winners will be sent complimentary bottle stickers for consumer marketing and are encouraged to indicate their success in all marketing material. Additional materials can be purchased to achieve even greater reach. We support medal-winners throughout the year in all consumer and trade marketing initiatives, and winners will notice a dramatic growth in sales.