International Wine Challenge hits TV screens
A new TV series will follow the process behind choosing the winners at the International Wine Challenge (IWC).
The BBC Four series Wine aims to explore the world of wine. In its final episode on 2 March, viewers will see IWC co-chairmen Tim Atkin MW, Charles Metcalfe and Derek Smedley, judge the wine produced by two unlikely South African wine makers.
"We have a process that takes longer, needs more people and costs more, but comes up with results that have been more carefully considered," said Andrew Reed of William Reed Business Media, which organises the IWC and publishes the Morning Advertiser.
"We are proud of our rigorous judging process where each wine is tasted at least three times before it wins its award, making it the world's most meticulously-judged wine competition."
Nick Angel, the films director at production company Oxford Film and Television, added: "We were delighted that the International Wine Challenge (IWC) agreed to let us follow the judging process - not only are the judges themselves highly entertaining characters, the competition demonstrates the sheer scale of the international wine trade. With nearly ten thousand entries, you can see what wine producers from all over the world are up against."
The final call for entries for the 2009 IWC has just gone out. This year's judging will take place in mid April and the results will be announced at the London International Wine Fair in May.
For full details about the Challenge and rules of entry visit the IWC's website a href="http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com" target="_blank"> www.internationalwinechallenge.com.
