As a complement to the list of events just published, here’s a list of Tasting Competitions
Micro Liquor Spirit Awards:: Eligibility: Product sells less than 50,000 9-liter cases annually in USA. Deadline Oct. 17, 2011. http://www.microliquorawards.com/
New York International Spirits Awards: New York, Oct. 16, 2011. www.nyispiritscompetition.com.
Indie Spirits Competition: November 11, 2011 San Francisco. http://indiespiritsexpo.com/
San Francisco Spirits Competition: 2012 dates TBD. Entries usually due mid Feb, event Mid-Mar. http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/
San Francisco Wine Competition. Entries due May 25, 2012. Event June 15-17, 2012. http://www.sfwinecomp.com/
Ultimate Beverage Challenge: http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/
Ultimate Spirit Challenge: Mar 5-9, 2012, entry deadline Feb. 17, 2012 http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/
Ultimate Wine Challenge: April 23-27, 2012, entry deadline April 6, 2012. New York. http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/
Ultimate Cocktail Challenge: June 4-8, 2012, Entry deadline May 18, 2012. This has been expanded in 2011 to include two sections, “Classic Cocktails” and “Signature Cocktails”. http://www.ultimate-beverage.com/
Beverage Testing Institute:
BTI conducts a series of tastings of both wine and spirits by category throughout the year. They also run a value wine competition and packaging competitions for spirits and wine. http://www.tastings.com/trade.html
The Wine Trials:
This is actually a book published annually and focusing on generally available wines retailing at under $15. There is no fee to participate. Deadline for entries usually in October. www.fearlesscritic.com
IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition): 2012 deadlines TBD. http://www.iwsc.net/news1/488
International Spirits Challenge: Put on by Drinks International Magazine, Entry deadlines vary by category but generally April/May.
http://www.internationalspiritschallenge.com/
Spirit Masters
Run by Drinks Business/Spirits Business Magazine. 2012 dates TBD, but usually end June. http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/content/view/10862/444/
SIP Awards:
www.sipawards.com, Deadline for submission May, 2012.
