After a brief pandemic-induced hiatus, (which prompted a virtual tasting last time around), the New York International Wine Competition (NYIWC) is back in full force this year, anticipating between 1500 to 1800 different wine submissions from around the globe.
Known as one of the largest, most prestigious events of its kind, the NYIWC is being held in the heart of New York City at 3 West Club across from the Rockefeller Center on June 5, 2022.
The competition is distinguished by judging panels made up entirely of trade professionals, including retail buyers, sommeliers, restaurant beverage directors, hoteliers, distributors, and importers, who, in combination, procure more than $20 million in wine per year.
“If you’re a retail buyer, you’re going to know what will sell and at which price point,” explains NY Wine Competition founder Adam Levy. “The results of this phenomenal blind tasting provide good, honest feedback from the trade industry to commercial wineries and producers all over the world.”
NYIWC medals are awarded on a merit basis by majority vote from panels made up of a minimum of four qualified trade buyers. The judges are instructed to grant no medals or awards if the wines are not ones they would import, distribute, buy or sell in their businesses based on product and price category. Panelists are encouraged to reach a consensus and award at the following levels:
- Double Gold: “Phenomenal Product”(must be unanimous).
- Gold: “Buyers Love It.”
- Silver: “Buyers Like It.”
- Bronze: “Buyers Would Purchase It.”
All Double Gold winners are re-tasted by panelists to determine which brands are eligible for a “Best of Category” pricing distinction.
“We’ll be judging wines at all different price levels, from $8.99 a bottle to $250 a bottle,” notes Levy. “It’s a rare opportunity for wineries to get their product out in front of trade professionals where established brands can reconnect and new brands can be discovered.”
Levy also points out that the marketing advantages for winning wines include recognition by the worldwide trade industry, use of the medals and awards in the wineries’ own promotional materials at no charge, distribution of competition results to international media partners and importers, and featured articles in a lifestyle blog called “The Alcohol Professor.” The top winners will also be showcased at prominent tasting events throughout the year.
“If you’re a producer, it’s a lot easier to send bottles to us than go from store to store trying to get someone to see you,” Levy reasons. “All in all, this is a really affordable marketing opportunity for commercial wine producers worldwide.”
Any table, sparkling, fortified, fruit, and specialty wines commercially produced within any wine region around the world are eligible for entry. The deadline for registration and product deliveries is June 4th, 2022.
For more information on the NYIWC and additional submission guidelines go to https://nyiwinecompetition.com.
