It is a truth universally acknowledged that wine enthusiasts must always be on the lookout for newer wines to try. With the revolution in the wine industry, the impact of climate change and supply chains, the experimental varietals and newer wines, the repackaging of premium on budget, the technological revolution, and so much more — it is natural to be overwhelmed when you look at a restaurant menu! Restaurateurs around the world are always on the lookout for newer wines to add to their exhaustive list to cater to on-premise demands. What if there was a way to know the best wines of the year, tested on rigorous standards to see if it is a fit for modern audiences? Well, all ways lead to the Sommeliers Choice Awards!

[[relatedPurchasesItems-41]]

The Sommeliers Choice Awards provide renowned on-premise buyers and top sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list. On a scale of 70 to 100, wines with a score of 96 points and above win a Double Gold Medal, 90-95 points win a Gold Medal, 80-89 points win a Silver Medal, and 70-79 points win a Bronze Medal. Wines will be judged by Food Parability, Typicity, Value, Quality, and Package. The formula used to allot points at the Sommeliers Choice Award is: 

F (Food Parability Score) + T (Typicity Score) + Q (Quality Score) + Value Score (V) + Package Score (P) = Sommeliers Choice Awards Final Score.

A separate weighted score will be given for each of the parts of the judging process. The scores will be added up to give a final score from which individual prizes will be awarded.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is an award galore. More categories under which your wine could win include Wine of the Year, White Wine of the Year, Red Wine of the Year, Sparkling Wine of the Year, Rose Wine of the Year, Fortified Wine Of The Year, Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass), White Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass), Red Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass), Sparkling Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass), Rose Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass), Fortified Wine Of The Year - BTG (By The Glass), Importer of the Year, Distributor of the year, Wine of the Year (By Country) - Only top 10 Countries (USA, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Germany, South Africa) and Wine of the Year (By Varietal) - Only top 10 Varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz/Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Riesling).

Not only do you win points, but these points can take your wine places! 

All the medal winners also go on to become a part of the Sommeliers Choice Awards Top 100 On-Premise wines that are accessed by Buyers, Bar Managers, Bartenders, and Brands and are distributed to over 50000+ trade professionals across the United States. The winning labels can be used across different Brand Support Tools as well as Point of Sale processes such as Brand Deck, Sell Sheet, Shelf Talkers, Case Cards, Bottle Neckers, and more. All the entrants also receive tasting notes and shelf talkers for their brands, written by the judges themselves. 

For the 2022 Sommelier Choice Awards, the compelling panel of judges consists of the below-mentioned names.

Judges at Sommelier Choice Awards 2022, From Left to Right: Serena Harkey, Jacob Brown, and Luke Kenning

The judges of the Sommelier Choice Awards 2022 are

Maximilian Kast M.S., Master Sommelier and Director of Education at Broadbent Selections Inc.

David Keck M.S., Master Sommelier and Wine Director at VT Wine Shepherd, VT

Gillian Ballance M.S. DWS, Master Sommelier and Education Manager at Treasury Wine Estates

View More Judges

So many benefits, so little time! Enroll your spirit for big wins at the 2022 Sommeliers Choice Awards today!

Judging Dates

The judging will take place on May 16, 2022, in San Francisco. To be considered a part of the Sommelier Choice Awards, all products must be in the warehouse by April 24, 2022. 

Please check our website Sommelier Choice Awards to know about Key Deadlines and Pricing.