The 13th century poem "La bataille des vins" (The Battle of the Wines) by the minnesinger Henri d'Andeli suggests that competitions probably already existed in the Middle Ages. It tells of a competition between 70 wines with a surprise winner. Especially in France, there were already more or less regular evaluations of a larger scale in the 19th century. The first international wine competitions were organised, among other things, in the context of the World's Fairs, the first of which took place in London in 1851.
Famous wine classifications
Probably the best-known wine classification from this period is the legendary Bordeaux classification. This took place in Paris in 1855 under the aegis of Napoleon III (1808-1873), also on the occasion of a world exhibition. These are so-called pre-phylloxera wines (before phylloxera), which are therefore very different from the wines of these 61 châteaux, most of which still exist today, due to completely different production techniques. Nevertheless, after one and a half centuries, some producers still proudly advertise the rank they achieved in the process on their labels. From modern times, the probably most intensive and longest classification known under the name Paris Wine Tasting should be mentioned, which took place with partly the same wines in four stages over a period of thirty years.
Wine competitions
Today, there are countless national and international events in the wine industry where wines or wine products are judged and awarded prizes according to the respective criteria. There is no other sector in the food and luxury food sector that compares its products with each other so often at international competitions as is the case with wine and spirits. These events contribute positively to the general improvement of quality. There are often medals (platinum, gold, silver, bronze) or trophies in various categories (white, red, sweet, sparkling wines, etc.) and also special awards such as "Winemaker/Newcomer/Winery of the year". Among the most important are AWC = International Austrian Wine Challenge (Vienna), Decanter World Wine Awards (London), International Wine Challenge (London), ProWein (Düsseldorf), VieVinum (Vienna), VINEXPO (Bordeaux) and Vinitaly (Verona), where awards are held as a supporting programme. Overseas, such events are known as "wine shows". The medals have an unofficial hierarchy depending on the importance of the competition. For example, silver from one competition may be more significant than gold from another.
However, one must bear in mind that many wineries do not take part in such competitions on principle. Famous wineries such as Château Cheval Blanc, Château Mouton-Rothschild or eChâteau d'Yquem do not even need to do this or do without it. Moreover, smaller producers often cannot afford it. Such competitions are therefore not European or world championships where "all" renowned top producers are present in principle. A comparison of quality is therefore only possible within the participating wines. This does not mean, however, that the most renowned top wineries do not participate. Apart from the international events, there are also national competitions in almost every wine-growing country, organised either by wine-growing institutions or by wine guides (wine journals).
Further information
See also under wine appellation (verbal description) and wine rating (in the form of points/symbols). For a complete list of all classification systems for areas and wines, see Grand Cru. The quality classes for wines valid within the European Union are described in detail under Quality System. A list of all relevant keywords on the subject complex can be found under the keyword wine tasting.
Napoloen III: by Adolphe Yvon - Walters Art Museum, Public domain, Link
Table Premier Cru Classé: Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer
AWC Wiener Rathaus: By Gryffindor - Own work, Public domain, Link
Vinitaly: By VinoFamily - Vinofamily, CC BY 2.0, Link
