00 Cover IWSC 2016 MC LE_db_april_folio_ 04/11/2016 16:09 Page 1 IWSC REPORT 2016 REPORT IWSC THE GUIDE TO THE WORLD’S BEST WINES AND SPIRITS IWSC.NET 02_IWSC_16_Adverts_Layout 1 07/11/2016 09:48 Page 1 The ONLY way to ensure you get your own personal copy every month is to subscribe UK 1 Year £168 Europe 1 Year £216 Rest of World 1 Year £258 Call Lewis O’Sullivan on: Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 2427 Fax: +44 (0)20 7803 2421 Email: [email protected] 01 Contents MC LE_Layout 1 03/11/2016 14:47 Page 1 contents IWSC Report 2016 8 6 02 foreword 15 supermarket How innovation is driving the industry Rewarding success among the retail giants 03 president’s message 16 buyers Matteo Lunelli’s presidential highlights Shining a light on the trade’s best buyers 04 IWSC year 18 importers and distributors A round-up of the IWSC’s 2016 activities This year’s top wine and spirits shippers 06 communicator 19 lifetime achievement Two talented writers talk wine and spirits One woman’s extraordinary contribution cover 08 winemaker 20 president elect IWSC An Australian winemaking giant wins praise Q&A with the IWSC president for 2017 09 distiller 22 testimonials From cattle farmer to global distiller – one Why should you enter the IWSC? spirits maker’s path to the top 23 national producers 10 outstanding achievement 2016’s top-performing producers Highlighting two individuals who have Printed by Buxton Press, Promoting sustainable made an outstanding contribution to wine 35 product trophies Winner, Print Week forest management. Printing Company of For more information Discover this year’s category champions the Year 2009 and 2011 visit www.pefc.org 12 online retailer Rewarding e-commerce success • Editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW 48 medal directory • Managing Editor Lucy Shaw Your guide to this year’s medal winners • Deputy Editor Lauren Eads • Managing Editor HK Rupert Millar 13 innovator • Sub-Editor Martyn Cornell One retailer’s quest for originality • Consultant Jack Keenan • US Consultant Clint Rodenberg • Chairman & Publisher 14 independent retailer Anthony Hawser • Deputy Chairman David Rose An indie spreading the word on wine • Art Director Alan MacKenzie-Morris • Director of Sales Spirits Bert Grant • Director of Sales Drinks Andrew Oliver • Marketing Director David Hennelly • Advertising Manager Marcus Clark • Research & Events Sheila Crisp • Events Manager Chloé Beral • Web Designer Asif Merchant Published by: The Drinks Business, Unit 122, 30 Great Guildford Street, London SE1 0HS • Subscriptions Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 2420 • Fax: +44 (0)20 7803 2421 • E-mail: [email protected] Lewis O’Sullivan Printed by: Buxton Press • ISSN: 1477-7495 • Production Manager Mile Budimir Annual subscription: UK: £158 • Europe: £216 • Rest of world: £258 • Subscription enquiries: Lewis O’Sullivan www.thedrinksbusiness.com 02 foreword MC LE_Layout 1 04/11/2016 16:10 Page 2 foreword ‘We are constantly inspired by the innovation and commitment of the industry. This is something we seek to reflect both in our own working practices and also in the awards we give’ WELCOME TO this year’s awards The wine and spirits business is packed wines and some gentle verbal sparring between supplement, celebrating the 2016 with great communicators, and therefore our president and immediate past president. IWSC winners. the IWSC Communicator of the Year is Following this, Matteo hosted a dinner held for Once again the IWSC has received more keenly fought. The names of previous the regional wine marketing bodies at Prowein entries than ever before, so our trophy winners is a veritable who’s who of the and then our Influencers Dinner at Vintners Hall winners can be proud of the fact that they industry. This year we have taken the in London, where we were pleased to welcome have won from an ever-increasing field. decision to split the award to enable us to the Master Vintner as an honoured guest. We at the IWSC are constantly inspired recognise greatness in both wine and Matteo also presented a masterclass on Ferrari by the innovation and commitment of the spirits communication simultaneously. wines at the London Wine Fair, and we thank him industry. This is something we seek to This year the Wine Communicator, for all his support which makes the IWSC team’s reflect both in our own working practices supported by our friends at Vinitaly, was job easier and much more enjoyable. and the awards we give. I am very won by a previous winner of the Naturally, I would also like to welcome Chris pleased to say that the IWSC has once Communicator award, the irrepressible Blandy, our incoming president and first from again introduced a number of new Joe Wadsack, with Alice Lascelles picking Madeira. I look forward to working with him initiatives that recognise differing aspects up the Spirits Communicator award – over the coming year and developing the IWSC of the wine and spirits business, some of heartfelt congratulations to them both. further still. At 47 years old, the competition goes these building on successful introductions I would like to extend a personal thanks from strength to strength and seems to be hitting in 2015. to our president, Matteo Lunelli, who has its stride. I look forward to revealing more This year we have launched a wine label been a constant and energetic supporter innovation, recognising more quality and design award, won by La Posta Fazzio of the IWSC over the past 12 months. drawing more inspiration from our ever- Malbec 2015, which followed on from the Beginning with the now traditional head- fascinating industry. successful spirits label award launched last to-head press dinner with his predecessor year. Additionally, building on the success Neil McGuigan at Balthazar in Covent of the Gin and Tonic award, we have Garden, London, where attendees were launched a Vodka and Tonic award, also treated to a night of fabulous food and Allen Gibbons supported by our partners at Fever-Tree. wine matched with Ferrari and McGuigan Group Chief Executive Officer Thank you to our media partners for their continued support: 2 IWSC Report 2016 03 president's message MC LE_Layout 1 04/11/2016 16:10 Page 3 president’s message I was also privileged to States, as well as the Master of the attend the ‘Wine Bureau’ Vintners Company, Mr Charles dinner in Düsseldorf during Leschallas. Prowein, where we hosted the These events were significant occasions heads of many of the UK’s for wine and spirits producers to meet wine marketing bodies for a and exchange ideas and impressions with relaxed evening of others about the best strategies on information exchange and promoting the culture of fine wine and brainstorming. It was spirits around the world. I believe this is a interesting to know how each valuable platform for highlighting the bureau is organised and link between each wine and the tradition, financed and to discuss the history and culture of the territories from trends of our sector in where they have originated. different countries. During my tenure as IWSC president I The IWSC has also been a looked for new growth opportunities for protagonist of the London the IWSC, particularly in the Italian wine Wine Fair, where we market where I have strong roots and organised numerous history. One memorable occasion was the masterclasses; some of them awarding of the Wine Communicator of dedicated to specific markets the Year Trophy, which celebrates wine and producers, others experts for their exceptional contribution focusing on food and wine towards increasing consumer awareness pairings, with others solely of wine. The 2016 trophy, awarded to Joe dedicated to the tasting of Wadsack, received very good visibility I AM extremely pleased and honoured to unique wines. These tastings received thanks to its presentation during the have served as President of the IWSC; it is positive feedback from all attendees and celebration of the 50th Vinitaly trade fair a privilege to be the third Italian president further emphasised the role of the IWSC – one of the most important events for and to follow in the footsteps of my in educating the consumer in fully wine in Europe. During this fair, Joe esteemed fellow countrymen, Marchese understanding the beauty and diversity hosted masterclasses and IWSC tastings, Piero Antinori and Marchese Leonardo of the wine world. One of these highlighting the diversity and excellence de’ Frescobaldi, who are icons of the masterclasses was dedicated to Ferrari stemming from different regions. wine world. sparkling wines and I had the pleasure to Looking ahead, I believe the IWSC The presidency of the IWSC has been a present our Trentodoc to an expert and should maintain a strong link with wine great experience, giving me the interested audience. personalities, as they play a key role opportunity to meet a diverse range of During the summer the IWSC held its within the wine and spirits world. They international wine, spirits and liqueur ‘Influencers Dinner’ in the prestigious are global ambassadors who can transfer producers from all corners of the globe. board room of the Worshipful Company their passion for wine and spirits to a The IWSC aims primarily to award of Vintners in London. I was delighted to wide audience with simplicity and ease. excellence in wines and spirits meet key industry figures from the UK, I would like to thank all the people who worldwide, to communicate to and Europe, South Africa and the United work day after day in order to spread the educate large audiences on the differences passion for spirits and wine, for their in style and characteristics within the land, traditions and history.