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WINE COMPETITIONS

Elizabeth Gabay MW
Based in southern France since 2002, she works extensively
throughout southern France as a France contributor to the
annual Hugh Johnson Pocket Guide, Jancis Robinson‘s World
Atlas of Wine etc. In 2018 she published „Rosé: Understanding
the Pink Wine Revolution.“ Elizabeth is specialized in rosés
around the world as a writer, consultant and lecturer. She is
a president of the jury for the International Rosé Championship
and ambassador the for the International competition Danube
Wine Challenge.
MASTER´S OF WINE NOTES

The best competitions were not just ones
with good judges, but also those with good
publicity. Publicity should not be restricted to
the week of the competition.
Pre Covid – I was unsure. Many competiti-
ons seem to be social events for the judges
and many wineries do not know how to take
advantage of medals and participation. So
a very expensive promotion.
Post Covid – I think competitions could be
considered more important as it is increasing-
ly difficult for buyers to travel. Five Star Wines
(Vinitaly) very efficiently sent out wines to eve-
ry judge and we logged in to the same compu-
ter programme.
I think – as we are seeing there will be an
increase in very regional competitions – local
judges as so many judges will not be able to
travel.
I think most competitions are not a succes-
sful marketing tool. Selling medal stickers lo-
oks good only in specific markets. The French
market only recognises French competitions.
How many competitions collect articles or I think maybe more local judges could be
website reviews? How many medal winners one of the most important ways to alter the
use their medal for promotion? logistics of running a competition. Otherwise
The competitions could be good – but the impossible to keep people apart.
marketing around the competition needs to I have more work this year giving individual
be improved. Danube Wine Challenge – doing ratings. Brexit has also played a role as wines
masterclasses throughout the year showing cannot easily be sent to the UK, not until buy-
the winners is a good idea. ers and journalists are able to travel. ƅ

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