The judging process

All the wines are blind tasted by category and are judged on food-friendliness, versatility, typicity, personality and importantly, value for money at whatever the price. Judges are shown the trade prices of each wine as they are judging a flight. 

The wines are considered for medal status: Bronze, Silver and the ultimate award, a place on the Gold List.

Critics’ Choice awards are given to wines that the judges simply fall in love with, whatever their price or style.

By the Glass and Pub & Bar award winners are great value, versatile wines that would be great on their own or with food, whatever your venue.

The chair and the Senior judges decide on the ultimate trophies, the Wines of the Year:

Overall Wine of the Year, House Wines of the Year, Fine Wines of the Year, Popular Picks, Fortified, Champagne, Sparkling and Dessert Wines of the Year. 

Finally there are Merchant and Producer Awards, given to those submitters who have done particularly well in certain areas.