 MUNDUSvini is one of the largest international wine competitions and the only German competition in this class. It offers wine producers and importers the unique opportunity to have the quality and class of their product evaluated in direct comparison to others by an independent and international jury during strict blind tastings.
The best wines in each category are selected by wine experts from all over the world. The judging is carried out according to the strict rules and regulations of the Paris based International Organisation of Vine and Wine (O.I.V.) and in this respect it is similar to Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Vinitaly held every year.
The awards won in the competition, which is officially recognised by the European Union, can be printed on the bottles by the grower and are a useful aid for consumers, giving them direction when deciding which wines to buy. The confirmation that the wine is among the best of the excellent wines entered makes the medals much sought-after, and is a valuable marketing tool both for importers, retailers and the restaurants alike, say the organisers.
Still wines including sweet wines, sparkling wines, perl wines (frizzante) and fortified wines can be entered in the competition. The deadline for samples is 26th June 2009. The participation fee is €135.00 per sample entered.
The number of products awarded a prize is limited to a third of the samples entered, and is in tune with the OIV guidelines. Grand Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded depending upon the scores achieved. In addition, special prizes are awarded in the following categories: Importer of the year, Best naturally sweet wine of the year, Best dessert wine and liqueur wine of the year, Best sparkling wine of the year, and Best sparkling wine in the food trade.
In each of the subcategories Germany, Europe and Overseas, prizes are also awarded for: Grower of the year, Best dry white wine of the year, Best dry red wine of the year, Best dry red wine in the food trade, Best dry white wine in the food trade. This year for the first time, these special awards can also be printed on the bottles, with the exception of Grower and Importer of the year.
The judging is usually spread over two week-ends and takes place this year on August 28-30 and September 4-6.
The tasting assessment system corresponds to that of the international oenologists' association (UIOE) and the OIV. It is a mathematical scheme providing weighted points for the criteria of appearance, smell, taste and harmony or overall impression. A wine can be given a max of 100 points as the total of all the criteria. Each wine is tasted and assessed by a commission that comprises 5-7 jurors and must have 4/7 international and 3/7 German tasters.
India has been entering some spirits but reportedly not in the wine category. The Award offers a great opportunity for the domestic wine producers to enter a few of their fine quality wines in the competition to know where they stand in terms of international palates. There is nothing to lose beyond the cost of the sending the samples which is quite nominal according to the international standards.
 A special MUNDUSvini supplement with a print run of more than 100,000 copies reports in detail on prize-winning wines and their producers and is included with all the wine, beverage and hospitality trade magazines published by Meininger Verlag, giving the possibility of a tremendous international boost in case an award comes their way. India today produces many award-worthy wines and a competition like this provides an opportunity to show their capabilities.
‘The MUNDUSvini International Wine Award was first held in 2001 when it received 2235 entries from all the major wine-growing regions in the world. A record participation of 5343 wines in 2008 shows the tremendous support and recognition it enjoys in the international wine arena,’ says Susanne Denzer, Head of Tastings. She further adds, ‘ we store all our wines in a temperature cool environment and a representative from OIV is always present to certify that the competition has been held strictly according to their strict guidelines, leaving no chance for any error.’ She expects a record 5,500 of entries for wines this year.
For participations or more information, one can visit the mundusvini website or contact them for further details and checking up on procedure to enter the wines.
|