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News
IWSC unveils 2010 winners
The 41st International Wine and Spirit Competition awards presentation and banquet took place last night at the Guildhall in the City of London.
Among the highest profile awards announced on the evening, González Byass took the prestigious IWSC Winemaker of the Year, while IWSC Distiller of the Year went to William Grant & Sons.
2010 also saw the reinstatement of the IWSC award for Outstanding Contribution to Scotch Whisky, which was awarded to Dr Bill Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg.
In his citation, Lumsden was praised as “the pioneer in wood management, producing whiskies that have truly changed the single malt market.”
It was a good year for Waitrose, which scooped Retailer of the Year, while holding onto the Wine Buyer of the Year award for an impressive eighth successive year.
Meanwhile Aldi’s team held onto the Spirits Buyer of the Year title for the second year in a row, helped by its surprise result as winner of the Gin & Vodka Association Trophy for gin with the Oliver Cromwell 1599.
In his speech, Prinz Michael zu Salm-Salm, IWSC president 2010, reflected on another successful year for the Competition. In particular he tracked the fortunes of his native Germany, pointing to its 22-strong gold medal haul, compared with just two gold medals a decade ago.
The IWSC is set to continue its run of prestigious presidents with the announcement that Prince Robert of Luxembourg, owner of Château Haut Brion, will take over as IWSC president in 2011.
Gabriel Savage, 18.11.2010