The international wine and spirits competition was founded in 1969 by wine chemist Anton Massel as the "Club Oenologique"; in 1979 it was changed to its current name. The new feature was that not only sensory tests but also chemical analyses were included in the evaluation. In the meantime, it has become one of the most renowned competitions of its kind. The aim is to raise and promote the quality of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Producers from around 80 countries take part every year. The tastings take place annually from March to August in London, the publication via IWSC website of the results and the ceremonial awarding of prizes in November. More than 30,0000 bottles can be stored in their own air-conditioned cellars. Four bottles must be provided by the producer: 1. for initial round, 2. for chemical analysis, 3. for second round, 4. for any follow-up samples. They are divided into the categories region, area, variety, type of ageing, wine type, vintage, age etc..
The evaluation takes place in a two-stage process. First, a blind tasting is conducted by 250 professional tasters, many of whom are producers, not a few Masters of Wine. The wine evaluation is done with a 100-point system. For the best in each category, a further tasting and the awarding of trophies takes place. The second step is a chemical and microbiological analysis in an independent laboratory. The assessment lasted six months. Unlike other competitions, the number of winners is limited to one gold (90-100), one silver (80-89.9) and one bronze (75-79.9) medal in each tasting category to ensure the quality and prestige of each winner. The IWSC culminates in London in November with the annual awards ceremony and banquet held at the historically significant Guildhall in the City of London. The guest list with well over 500 participants reads like a "Who's Who" of the worldwide wine and spirits industry.
Every year, an outstanding personality from the wine and spirits industry takes over the presidency. These were Cyril Ray (1979), Harry Waugh (1981), Hans Ambrosi (1982), Robert Mondavi (1983), Marchese Piero Antinori (1988), Jos Ignacio Domecq (1989), Robert Drouhin (1990), Peter Sichel (1991), Jean Hugel (1997), Miguel Torres (1999), Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (2000), Warren Winiarski (Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, 2001), Paul Symington (2004), Wolf Blass (2005), Gina Gallo (2007), Prince Michael zu Salm-Salm (Prince Salm, 2010), Prince Robert of Luxembourg (Château Haut-Brion, 2011), Mauricio Gonzalez Gordon (González Byass, 2012), George Garvin Brown IV (Brown-Forman Brands, 2013), Laura Catena (Catena Zapata, 2014) and Neil McGuigan (Australian Vintage Limited, 2015). There is a partnership with the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. See also under Awards and Wine Events.
