The SWVA Annual Competition

The annual competition is an exciting opportunity for our members to enter wines to be tasted by an expert judging panel consisting of MW's (Master of Wine), and wine trade professioanls. The judges are knowledgable tasters, used to tasting to an international level.

Each judge tastes each wine and awards a total score out of 20. These are averaged across the panel and awards are allocated accordingly to the following scoring levels:
GOLD @ 17/20, SILVER @ 15.5/20, BRONZE @ 14/20, H'COMMENDED @ 13/20.

The competition is a DEFRA approved regional wine competion, and wines awarded Highly Commended and above automatically pass the tasting section of the Quality Wine Scheme.

Entrants benefit from feedback from the (hopefully constructive) judges tasting notes which may help them to improve in following years.

Entries have steadily risen over the past few years, and 2007 had a record entry of 129 wines.

From 2008, the judges will have a full day to judge the wines, rather than just a morning, and the results will be announced the following day at the members event.

The results event usually involves a vineyard visit and tour, an opportunity to taste the entered wines, lunch and finally the awards ceremony.