The IEWA is an independent, consumer focussed English wine competition.
But more than that it’s a celebration, and a community.
We place Values at the heart of The IEWA.
A values driven wine comp. Really? Yep. We’ve set out the key ones below.
Visibility
This is such an exciting, promising time but there remain barriers between English wine and the consumer. Some are more easily overcome than others, but a raised profile will help enormously.
Plurality
By increasing awareness about how good English wine is now, we believe we can help it on its way to achieving its thrilling potential. Plurality of opinion is so important: we are delighted to add ours.
Quality
Our medals and media activity will speak sincerely, openly, inclusively and engagingly with consumers. Accepting that the term ‘consumer’ is extremely broad. Therein lies the challenge.
Awareness
Of course as well as being a project centred on awareness, communication and engagement, it’s a celebration: of excellence, achievement, growth and really great wines.
Trust
We know that wine competitions aren’t for everybody, but for the winemakers and consumers who do find them useful, we’ve created a high quality signpost, which will benefit both.
Transparency
As you’ve probably picked up on already, we’re an independent company. That’s really important to the validity of our message. The IEWA is proudly free from conflict, compromise or influence.
Value
Apart from the modest entry fee, we’re not selling anything. There are no subscriptions, or up-sells, nor are we ‘marking our own homework’ here. This is a sincere enterprise aimed at helping English wine.
Credibility
This is a well-judged competition. We are really lucky to have a panel of professionally diverse, credible judges, who consider all wines within a digitally controlled, independently audited judging process.
Responsibility
Based in Bristol, the IEWA was created by a team of independent professionals with considerable commercial and industry experience, including in marketing, wine competitions and events.
Storytelling
In a hyper-competitive global marketplace, English wine’s emergent story blends sustainability, ethical production, culture, tradition, heritage and quality. We are excited and honoured to help tell it.
Alexander Taylor - Founder, IEWA
“English wine is such a buzzing, growing category, and we set up this specialist comp to award, promote and celebrate the creativity, quality and innovation of domestic wine producers from around the country - all regions; to recognise the best products on the market, and to help people make great buying decisions and discoveries...”
Categories
In terms of categories, we’re keeping this simple. If the IEWA is going to be a useful consumer signpost it needs to be that way. So we’re not going for the ‘best unoaked screwcap white under £12 trophy’ type of approach.
When submitting into the competition however, producers will be asked to mark wines as being one of the following, and they will be judged within these classifications:
White.Rosé.Orange.Red.White Sparkling.Rosé Sparkling.Red Sparkling.Sweet.Fortified
Of course within those there is room for a great deal of variation, so wines entering the IEWA will always be judged alongside comparable wines in terms of styles.
However the only thing the consumer will be aware of is the medal classification. So the only category we’re seeking to present to the consumer is this:
Medal Winning English Wine
Boost your English wine brand
Let us help you get your wines out there! And of course if you have any questions about the IEWA, please email us at comp@iewa.uk, or by telephone on +44 7599799266.
We’re currently inviting entries into #IEWA24 and will be until the deadline in early May. Find all our key dates here.