William Reed takes on The Challenge

William Reed, new owners of the International Wine Challenge, have persuaded experts Tim Atkin MW and Sam Harrop MW to join Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley MW as co-chairmen. In turn the co-chairmen have appointed 100 senior judges for this event, the biggest blind wine tasting in the world.

[UKPRwire, Fri Mar 03 2006] William Reed, the new owners of the International Wine Challenge, the biggest blind tasting in the world, have declared that the twenty-third IWC will be better, smoother and slicker than ever. The judging process will be more rigorous and transparent than in the past and will be conducted by some of the world’s most renowned wine experts.

If anyone can take this event to a new level of professionalism and recognition it is former Army officer, stickler for detail and managing director of William Reed Events & Exhibitions, Andrew Reed, who comments:

“The IWC is the most influential wine competition in the world. Compared to other competitions, it is down to earth and approachable, and we’re going to keep it that way. We’re going to enhance the IWC’s strengths to promote a greater awareness of wine, not just in the UK but also around the globe.”

There are various enhancements in place for this year. The most significant of these is the change in co-chairmen and the appointment of 100 senior judges. In previous years the chairmen were the competition’s two founders, Robert Joseph and Charles Metcalfe, with Derek Smedley MW joining the ranks in 2002. This year there are four co-chairmen, as Metcalfe and Smedley have been joined by young bloods Tim Atkin MW and Sam Harrop MW. Together, the quartet will oversee every detail of the judging process.

Atkin believes the IWC is the most respected blind tasting in the world, and with the quality of judges involved this year, says it will be better than ever:

“I am extremely excited about the 2006 IWC. The judges who will be tasting this year are some of the best in the business and include Jancis Robinson MW, David Gleave MW, Peter McCombie MW, John Hoskins MW, Sarah Jane Evans, Joelle Marti, Gérard Basset MW, Chris Hardy, John Worontschak and Patrick McGrath MW.”

Metcalfe, too, is looking forward to the 2006 IWC:

“I am sure the Challenge will go from strength to strength with William Reed, and am delighted that Derek Smedley MW and I have been joined as Co-Chairmen by Tim Atkin MW and Sam Harrop MW, two tasters of great ability and experience.”

The IWC tasting and judging will take place between 24 April and 5 May. Medal winners will be announced at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair on 16 May. Trophies will be announced and presented at the IWC Awards Dinner at Grosvenor House on 6 September.

William Reed also owns the newly re-launched Wine & Spirit magazine, which was published on 28 February 2006.

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