HOW IT WORKS

ENTRIES

Producers, suppliers, retailers and agents are invited to submit their wines and provide details including price, vintage and retail availability. Three bottles of each wine (or equivalent quantity in cans and boxes) are required and must be sent to the delivery address provided at the relevant time.  They will be logged, and checked against the online application process.

JUDGING

We carefully select wine-knowledgeable consumers, from an online application process.  Many of them have WSET qualifications, but do not work in the trade.

Judging sessions take place in London and each session is lead by a member of the wine trade.  Professional judges, including respected wine buyers, importers, retailers and sommeliers make up around 30% of the judging panels.  They also give guidance to non-trade judges, as required.

All wines are blind-tasted and are judged on a points-based scoring system, without reference to the grape variety.

They are rated on a scoring system which includes:

• Aroma and Flavours
• Balance and Quality
• Suitability for the category
• Value for money

The consumer and professional panels will produce the finalists and medal winning wines.

SECOND ROUND JUDGING

Certain categories will undergo a second round of judging in the case of close scoring (or identical scores between two wines) and assess the potential for for Gold Commendations. 

RESULTS AND PROMOTION

The finalist wines are announced after the judging.  They are publicised by our Official Trade Media Partner, The Buyer .  The results will also be listed on the PCWA website and promoted on social media and via press releases to prominent trade and consumer publications.  Each supplier can download a finalists roundel.

Medal winning wines will be announced at the Awards ceremony in 2026 and publicised by The Buyer and selected consumer publications.

Detailed consumer and professional feedback on wines is available and included free within the submission fee.

CONFIDENTIALITY