The IWC gears up for China launch

By Lisa Riley

Published: 07 June, 2018

The International Wine Challenge (IWC), owned by William Reed, has announced it is launching the competition in China.

The IWC China will be established as a standalone awards and accreditation event focused on the local market, but will benefit from the local experience and knowledge of the team behind the Shanghai International Wine Challenge (SIWC), which has been running for 13 years.

Following this years awards, the SIWC will be incorporated into the launch of the IWC China which will be based in Shanghai at the same premises of the Shanghai Waigaoqiao International Exhibition & Trading Center of Wine & Beverage Co and The Shanghai Pudong International Exhibition Corp.

IWC China, which will make its debut in the first week of June 2019, would adopt the same “rigorous judging process” as the IWC has in London for the past 35 years, said William Reed.

“We are confident that with the combined assistance of the SIWC we will be able to continue with our mission of helping producers from all over the world sell more wine in their targeted markets,” said IWC director Andrew Reed.

The project would make the IWC the first globally recognised competition to be operating out of mainland China, he added.

“China is already a huge and fast growing market both in terms of local producers and consumers. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to grow awareness and celebrate some of the great wines that are now available in China.”

IWC China would gather the finest local wine tasting talent as well as Asian based international judges to taste and adjudicate wines targeted for sale in China, said William Reed.

“IWC China, working with the team behind SIWC, is set to be the primary wine event in China and will use their combined international reach to grow entries from overseas and local Chinese producers alike,” said Reed.

Cici Li from Shanghai Waigaoqiao International Exhibition & Trading Center Co, said: “We are very pleased to be co-operating with the IWC and look forward to helping more international wines gain recognition in China, as well as Chinese wines gain international recognition from such an influential competition. This will also allow a better understanding of different wine cultures and enhance the wine trade internationally.”

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