The goal of the Sommeliers Choice Awards is simple: to provide on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list.

The judging panel of the Sommeliers Choice Awards will consist entirely of top sommeliers, on-premise wine buyers and wine directors at U.S. restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. In order to be selected as a judge, sommeliers need to provide evidence of their expertise within the on-premise industry. In some cases, these sommeliers may also be wine consultants for on-premise establishments. They may also have a buying role in addition to working on the restaurant floor.

Medals will be awarded to those wines that meet very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying wines that should become additions to restaurant wine lists. Wines will be judged according to criteria such as how well they pair with food items in addition to their overall versatility. Highest marks will be awarded to wines that provide value for money at their respective price points. Judges know the trade prices of each wine as they are judging each flight. The number one question that sommeliers will be attempting to answer as they judge wines is: “Would we stock this?”

Key Dates:

Registration Closes - April 18, 2025
Warehouse Closes - April 25, 2025
Judging Day - May 19, 2025
Winners Announced - June 10, 2025

Pricing:

Early Bird Pricing - $100 per wine (November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025)
Regular Pricing - $120 per wine (February 1, 2025, to April 18, 2025)

*Instructions if shipping from outside the U.S.

It is best to use your own importer or agent to clear your shipment through U.S. Customs. All beverages shipped from outside the U.S. require import documents that must be obtained from your own importer or through import partners that provide TTB / Cola service.

If you do not currently work with a US Importer, Sommeliers Choice Awards will assist you with TTB and samples via its import partner.

The sender is responsible for shipping costs and any duties, taxes, customs charges, or other fees accessed by your carrier or third parties with whom you contract. Do not ship until the necessary COLA waivers have been obtained from TTB.

For more details please visit our shipping instructions page.

Produced and Organized Beverage Trade Network

Beverage Trade Network (BTN) is a global media and B2B networking platform servicing suppliers, buyers and beverage professionals in the global beverage industry. BTN also owns BevRoute, a magazine for Importers and Distributors and runs a lineup of trade shows around the world which includes  USA Trade Tasting in New York,  IBWSS UK  in London,  IBWSS USA  in San Francisco, IBWSS China in Shanghai, ABID Conference in the USA. Beverage Trade Network also owns and runs the London Wine Competition, London Beer Competition, London Spirits Competition, USA Wine Ratings.

Organizer & More Info

Web: https://sommelierschoiceawards.com/