The 2025 London Wine Competition is gearing up to showcase the finest wines from across the globe, judged by some of the UK’s most influential sommeliers, wine buyers, and hospitality professionals. Known for its unique approach to evaluating wines, the competition prioritizes quality, value, and packaging—making it a standout platform for brands aiming to excel in the on-premise market. 

This year, the competition boasts an exceptional panel of judges, bringing together expertise from Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and leading retail establishments. The diversity and experience of the judges ensure a comprehensive assessment, offering entrants not just accolades but actionable insights to enhance their market positioning.

The people evaluating your product are industry leaders—buyers, sommeliers, and market experts who understand what sells. When they award your product, it’s not just an accolade; it’s a stamp of approval from the industry itself.

Image: From (L-R) Matteo Furlan DIPWSET, Head of Wines, Dorchester, and Maria Boumpa, Wine Buyer at Da Terra Restaurant.

Judging Panel: A Blend of Expertise and Authority The 2025 judging panel features an illustrious lineup of sommeliers, wine buyers, and industry experts who are renowned for their deep understanding of what makes a wine succeed in the hospitality sector. These professionals work at the forefront of the UK’s wine and hospitality industry, curating wine lists, making purchasing decisions, and shaping consumer trends.

Here are the judges line up of the 2025 London Wine Competition:

Philipp Reinstaller MSS – UK Sommelier of the Year (2024), Master Sake Sommelier, and Head Sommelier at Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London

Georgios Iordanidis – Head of Wine at Annabel’s

Christopher Delalonde MS – Head of Wine at Tao Group Hospitality

Yves Desmaris MS – Head Sommelier at Royal Automobile Club

Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS – Premium Wine Ambassador at Enotria Winecellars Ltd

Matteo Furlan DipWSET – Head of Wines The Dorchester

Valeria Rodriguez DipWSET AIWS – Head of Fine Wine Bibendum Wine

Annette Scarfe MW – Master of Wine

William Lowe MW – Master of Wine

Svetoslav Manolev MS – Manager at Berkmann Wine Cellars

Matteo Montone MS – Master Sommelier

Dafydd Morris – Director, Cheers Wine Merchants, UK

Marinela Ardelean – Owner of Wines Of Romania

Carla Bertellotti – Managing Director at Vinos Latinos

Beatrice Bessi – Head Sommelier at Chiltern Firehouse

Claire Blackler MW – Master of Wine

Douglas Blyde – Wine Columnist

Maria Boumpa – Wine Buyer

Salvatore Castano – On-Trade Advisor & Assistant Wine Buyer at Friarwood Fine Wine

Marcello Colletti DipWSET – Wine Director

Giuseppe D'Aniello DipWset – Director of Wine at The London EDITION

Eugenio Egorov – Head Sommelier & Wine Buyer at The Stafford London

Irem Eren WA, DipWSET – Ambassador For Low and No Alcohol Category

Bianca Ford – Operations Director and Buyer at Yapp Brothers Ltd

Colin Hampden-White – Presenter on The Three Drinkers  on Amazon Prime

David A. Harvey – Wine Importer at Raeburn Fine Wines

Susan Hulme MW – Master of Wine

Anastasios Karakasis – Head of Wine and Wine Buyer

Irina Romanoff Mihailenko DipWSET – Wine Distributor

Federico Moccia – Head Sommelier at 67 Pall Mall

Ruchira Neotia DipWSET – Drinks Consultant & Founder, Ruchira’s Table

Joanna Nerantzi – Certified Sommelier from Court of Master Sommeliers and Assistant Head Sommelier at Maison Estelle and Estelle Manor

Emanuel Pesqueira – Former Group Head of Wine at Gordon Ramsay Group

Mattia Scarpazza DipWSET – Wine Podcaster & PR and Advertising Strategist at Looking into Wine

Chiara Sieni DipWSET – Regional and Category Ambassador

Adriana Valentini – Wine Manager at Triple Sea Food

Kirsty Woodgate DipWSET – Communications Professional, Wine Judge, Occasional Wine Writer

The Judging Criteria: A Practical Approach

The competition evaluates wines based on:

1) Quality: The fundamental element of aroma, taste, and finish.

2) Value for Money: How the wine’s price compares to its overall experience.

3) Packaging: The aesthetic appeal and functionality of the bottle, play a critical role in consumer purchasing decisions.

This well-rounded approach aligns with what buyers and sommeliers seek when selecting wines for their establishments, making it a relevant and highly regarded competition in the industry.

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Benefits for Entrants

Winning at the London Wine Competition offers wineries unparalleled advantages:

- Global Recognition: Medals signal excellence to buyers, importers, and sommeliers worldwide.

- Feedback from Experts: Judges provide constructive insights into how wines perform in real-world scenarios.

- Market Viability: With an emphasis on value and packaging, medal winners are well-positioned for success in both retail and on-premise markets.

- Increased Sales Potential: Winning wines gain exposure through media coverage and the competition’s extensive industry reach.

Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network which organizes London Competitions recently did an interview: Behind the Scenes with Sid Patel: Revolutionizing Drinks Competitions Through Consumer-Centric Judging.

About the London Wine Competition

The London Wine Competition was established to create a platform that reflects real-world consumer and trade preferences. Now in its eighth year, it has become one of the most influential competitions globally, particularly for wines targeting on-premise channels such as restaurants, hotels, and bars.

With its focus on market relevance, the competition ensures that medal-winning wines meet the highest standards of quality, value, and design—qualities that are crucial in today’s competitive wine industry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your wines judged by the UK’s top sommeliers, wine buyers, and industry leaders. Enter now and position your wines for success in 2025!

London Wine Competition judging is set to take place on March 24 and 25 in London.

Also Read:
The Making of a Winner: What London Wine Competition’s Judge Yves Desmaris MS, Look for in Top Wines
The Making of a Winner: What London Wine Competition’s Judge Eric Zwibel MS, Looks for in Top Wines
The Making of a Winner: What London Wine Competition’s Judge Chiara Sieni, Looks for in Top Wines.

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