Ojeffso,
No, they're representative of a number of nations.

Last year the judges came from the UK, France, Spain, the US and Germany. In the past judges from Aussie, NZ, Argentina, Hungary, Italy, Japan, China , Austria and Swizterland have all been included.

I wonder if the judges primarily train on the wines from their country? That could make for somevery interesting results...

Bressler,
I think thats why there is a panel of 40 or so Wine Masters that head the judging panel. They're expirienced in the broad range of international styles and wines and would probably be fairly unbiased. Although to be fair how can one really compare a Tokaji against an Eiswein for example.

Jeremy, thanks for the info. It is pretty easy for me to group events like this with the cheesy ones that I've been to.

I like the point about this being a way for some wineries to get some well deserved recognition. The competition in France in the late 70's gave California Cabs recognition that it deserved. But, in reality is the 73 Stag's Leap really better than the first growths that it beat out? All I know is that the 73 faded very quickly and the 74, which was much better than the 73 for many years also faded badly after 25 years. There were much better CA cabs made at that time IMHO. And the Bordeaux's that it beat out are really singing now and clearly superior wines. The wine that won was the one that was drinking that best at that time.

GATC,
Completely agree.

This isn't a competition to say that these wines are the best on earth. Its a competition which says

" Hey this wine was compared today against Ch XXXX and today a group of wine lovers and wine scholars decided it was the better of the two today."

The important thing to note is that Ch Lafite 1990 could be entered into the contest. but the truth is there is no benefit for the Chateau to do that. Everyone already knows that 1990 Lafite is gonna be pretty damn awesome, and so why enter it?. But who knows about that strange Sardinian Carignan?

Good point Eric.

Longevity is only of benefit when a wine will improve. The truth is most Bordeaux's are pretty good in their youth, just even more so in their old age IMO.

Actually I think some of the wines in the 1976 "Tasting of Paris" were from the 1973 vintage and those are not drinking well now and never did drink that well. I believe there was at least one Bordeaux from 1970 though and I think the Ridge Montebello was a 1971 or 1970. Either way the French judges were certainly fooled by the American wines.

After a little searching I found the International Wine Challenge websitehere. You can see their winners, but only if you register (for free).

Unfortunately, the website does not list the superjurors and judges the way the magazine does. I don't feel like typing it all in, so in summary the superjurors are:
- mostly Masters of Wine
- nearly all employed in the British wine industry, e.g. "senior buyer for Oddbins", a big retail wine chain, "buying director at Justerini & Brooks", an old wine dealer in London, etc.
- I counted about ten not from UK or not directly in the wine industry, e.g.someone from Masi Agricola spa, Chris Gallo of E&J Gallo, winemaker at Quinta de Malhadinha Nova; chairman of Adnan's plc, the brewer.

The judges - who are the next level down - were elected by the superjurors from the British wine industry. "To be a judge you need not only to be a good taster but also a good team player."

The associate judges seem to have been walk ons, but they have to have earned "the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certificate" or even better, the Diploma.

Overall, there are about 400 judges and superjurors.

Cbmac,
Winemasters are often considered part of the UK wine industry as they are registered there irrelevant of their own national identity or where they reside.

Stephen Bennet was at the IWc two years ago. Hes a kiwi.

Proof positive that most wine competitions are completely meaningless...

CERES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2003--Bronco Wine Company, which produces the popular Charles Shaw wine, announced today that its other value-priced wines have won 616 awards in 18 different state, national and international wine competitions conducted from January through September, 2003. 101 of these medals were Gold or Double Gold.

Full article available here

Eric...

You're obviously misinformed.
I have it on good authority that the Charles Shaw wines deserved every medal they
received in the 'best wine for less than $2.01 category'.

It continues to amaze me that so many people love Charles Shaw.

I'm not that surprised. Whenever I go to a tasting, the casual wine drinker will generally rate the wines I like low and the wines I hate high. I believe that some of the things that like is an acquired taste.

I always think back to the Thanksgiving dinners at my Aunts. I bring really good wines and everyone drinks the white zinfandel that my cousin brings.

People generally don't enjoy concentrated well structured wines. They tend toward easy drinking weak, sweet and flabby.

I agree that most shows suck. But I think there are some shows worth looking out for, certainly down in this hemisphere.

The Sydney Top 100
The Air NZ Show
The Royal Easter Wine Show
The Liqour Land Top 100
Winestate Annual Competition

And in Europe
Vinexpo
IWC
London Wine Spirit Competition

Good point, Eric. it reminded me of Davidn's comments about the 2000 Jones Family. I was at the same tasting and I liked the 1999 better. II'm still wondering whether I actually enjoyed the 1999 more or whether I subconsciously factored in which wine will age better.

To be honest, I don't think the 73 Stag's Leap was that great even at its peak. I've had it quite a few times right after the competition (that is why I bought it) and I was never impressed with it. It was somewhat thin in my book. I should note that I've never been a fan of Stag's Leap since that time since the 5-6 bottles of 73 and case of 74 have never measured up to the BV and Mondavi of that time period - not even close IMHO. I'm sure someone like Bressler, or others who have tried these wines, may have a different opinion.

Although I really liked the fact that this competition put California Cabs on the map, I've been suspect of competitions of this type ever since.