The London Wine Competition (LWC) has introduced two prestigious awards—Importer of the Year In the UK and Importer of the Year by Country In the UK—to recognize the exceptional efforts of wine importers globally. These awards celebrate importers who play a crucial role in sourcing and promoting outstanding wines, ensuring they reach the hands of consumers worldwide.

Importer of the Year

This accolade is awarded to the importer who demonstrates excellence in curating a portfolio of high-quality wines, showcasing their commitment to value, innovation, and market impact. Importers are evaluated based on the performance of their wines in the competition, which is judged on three key criteria: quality, value for money, and packaging.

Importer of the Year by Country

The LWC has gone a step further by acknowledging the best importer in the top 10 participating countries of London Wine Competition which is Australia, Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Greece and Germany. This category highlights the achievements of importers in their ability to identify and promote wines that resonate with consumers in their region.

Eligibility and Evaluation

Importers automatically qualify for these awards based on the wines they submit to the competition. The award-winning importers are those whose submissions collectively perform the best, securing the highest number of accolades across the competition's rigorous judging process.

By introducing these awards, the London Wine Competition aims to spotlight the critical role of importers in shaping the global wine industry while offering consumers insights into the top-performing importers in their countries.

How It Works:

Eligibility:

All importers that enter at least 10 products into the London Wine Competition and select ‘Importer’ as their company type will automatically be eligible for this medal for the selected countries. 

Judging Process:

- Companies will be evaluated based on the total number of medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) won across their entries.

- The average scores across all submitted products will be considered to ensure consistent quality. 

- Companies must have entered a minimum of 10 products, scored a minimum average score of 85%, and won at least 4 gold medals to qualify.

- From the qualified companies, the company with the highest average among all entries will win the importer of the year award

- The process to qualify for country importer of the year will require the importer to enter 10 products per country of origin in order to qualify. And then the same process will be applied.

Countries Included:

France
Italy
Spain
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
USA
Chile
Portugal
Germany

Eligibility and Evaluation

Importers automatically qualify for these awards based on the wines they submit to the competition. The award-winning importers are those whose submissions collectively perform the best, securing the highest number of accolades across the competition's rigorous judging process.

Why Importers Should Enter the London Wine Competition

The London Wine Competition (LWC) is renowned for setting benchmarks in the wine industry by recognizing quality, value for money, and exceptional packaging. For importers, participating in this competition is more than just entering a contest—it’s a strategic move that offers unparalleled benefits and opportunities for growth.

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There will be winning benefits that will come with the winning importer of the year trophy.

- Importers that win the special category awards will be invited to the winner's pitch call which will happen with UK’s trade buyers and judges once a year.

- Editorial coverage in BTN’s UK assets On Trade and Drinks Merchants featuring their profile and story.

- One month of banner space advertising on BTN’s UK assets On Trade and Drinks Merchants featuring their profile and story.

- The importer of the year will also get £2000 pounds lunch sponsorship prize to be showcased in the following year's Lunch sponsor

- The importer of the year and country importer of the year winners will get a free exhibitor stand at BTN’s UK trade show in 2025. Valued at £2200

- The importer of the year and country importer of the year winners will get an Online seminar for a trade audience package (£2000)

Winning awards such as Importer of the Year or Importer of the Year by Country establishes your business as a leader in the industry. It solidifies your reputation and builds trust with producers, distributors, and consumers alike. Being recognized by a panel of esteemed judges—including Masters of Wine, sommeliers, and top-level wine buyers—carries significant weight in the global wine community.

Each wine in your portfolio that wins at the LWC enhances the overall prestige of your business. With awards focusing on quality, value, and packaging, your winning wines serve as endorsements of your ability to curate exceptional selections that appeal to both trade and consumers.

"Importers are the unsung heroes of the wine industry. They bridge the gap between exceptional producers and discerning consumers, curating portfolios that bring diversity and quality to the market. With the introduction of the Importer of the Year and Importer of the Year by Country awards, we aim to celebrate their invaluable contributions and provide a platform to showcase their expertise on a global stage." - Sid Patel, Founder, London Wine Competition

An award from the LWC isn't just a one-time achievement—it’s a badge of honor you can use in your marketing efforts for years to come. It’s a powerful tool for securing new clients, opening up new markets, and enhancing your overall brand value.

How to Enter

Entering the London Wine Competition is straightforward. Submit your portfolio and let the judges evaluate your wines. The performance of your wines in the competition determines your eligibility for awards such as Importer of the Year and Importer of the Year by Country.

Also Read:
London Competitions introduces Own-Label Retailer and Own-Label Restaurant of the Year Awards
The Making of a Winner: What London Wine Competition’s Judge Yves Desmaris MS, Look for in Top Wines
The Making of a Winner: What London Wine Competition’s Judge Eric Zwibel MS, Looks for in Top Wines