The London Wine Competition, a leading global platform for recognizing wines based on quality, value, and packaging, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its judging panel for the 2025 edition. This year’s panel now includes wine buyers from some of the UK’s top drinks merchants, alongside an impressive lineup of importers, distributors, and influential industry professionals. 

The addition of wine buyers from renowned merchants ensures that the competition reflects the preferences and insights of those directly involved in shaping the UK’s dynamic wine retail landscape. By bringing these experts to the judging table, the competition further solidifies its role as a benchmark for wines that resonate with trade buyers and consumers alike

Dafydd Morris (Left), Director at Cheers Wine Merchants, will be judging at the 2025 London Wine Competition

Notable judges for the 2025 competition include:

• Frances Bentley, Wine Buyer at LWC Drinks
• Valeria Rodriguez, AIWS Head of Fine Wine Bibendum Wine
• Carla Bertellotti, Managing Director at Vinos Latinos
• Joshua Castle, Group Head Buyer For Keeling Andrew, Noble Rot and Shrine to the Vine
• Maxence Masurier, Director & Founder at Made In Little France Import Limited
• Dafydd Morris, Director at Cheers Wine Merchants, UK
• Douglas Blyde, Wine Columnist, Evening Standard, UK
• Emily Brighton, MW Master of Wine & Head of Technical at North South Wines Ltd
• Cong Cong Bo, Wine Writer, Educator, Sommelier, Retailer and Owner, Amphora Cambridge
• Harry Crowther, Wine buyer at Good Pair Days
• Bianca Ford, Operations Director and Buyer at Yapp Brothers Ltd
• Sunny Hodge, Wine Judge and Writer
• Irem Eren, DipWSET Regional And Category Ambassador For Low and No Alcohol Category
• David Harvey, Wine Importer at Raeburn Fine Wines
• Josh Kelly, No and Low Buyer and Brands Relations Manger at Club Soda
• Vidya Narasimhan, Wine Consultant and Advisory Board Member at Be Inclusive Hospitality
• Ruchira Neotia, Drinks Consultant & Founder, Ruchira’s Table
• Emma Penman, Wine Buyer at Waitrose
• Kirsty Woodgate, DipWSET Communications Professional, Wine Judge, Occasional Wine Writer
• Henna Zinzuwadia, Award-Winning Sommelier | Ambassador for Diversity in Wine & Hospitality | GQ Sommelier of the Year | Founder of Service | Mentoring the Next Generation of Wome.
• Emma Jenkinson, Wine Sourcing Manager at Morrisons
• Dan Belmont, Director & Wine Buyer at Good Wine Good People & GWGP TRADE

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A Growing Benchmark for Success

The London Wine Competition has become a benchmark for wine producers, seeking not just to win awards but also to understand how their wines perform in the real-world marketplace. The judging criteria—quality, value for money, and packaging—are designed to help entrants showcase their wines in a way that resonates with buyers and consumers.

“The London Wine Competition is evolving to stay ahead of the curve in the wine industry,” said Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network. “By expanding our judging panel to include more off-trade retail buyers, importers, and distributors, we’re giving entrants direct access to the feedback of professionals who influence purchasing decisions. This move ensures our awards carry even greater weight in helping producers market and sell their wines.”

Bianca Ford, Operations Director and Buyer at Yapp Brothers Ltd will join the judging panel of 2025 London Wine Competition

Benefits to Entrants

This enhanced panel provides entrants with valuable insights into how their wines appeal across diverse markets, from boutique retailers to large-scale distributors. The inclusion of influential writers and educators further amplifies entrants' visibility, creating opportunities for media coverage and consumer recognition.

For wine producers, winning a medal at the London Wine Competition means their wines have been vetted by the very professionals they aim to impress—those who sell, recommend, and shape consumer preferences.

The 2025 London Wine Competition will be held on March 19, with results announced in April. Producers are encouraged to submit their wines early to take advantage of this unique opportunity to be judged by a panel that reflects today’s dynamic and evolving wine trade.

View full list of judges here which also includes top sommeliers of UK, Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and other leading wine directors of UK.

The 2025 London Wine Competition is set to take place in March, with results announced in April. The final submission deadline for wine entries is February 28, 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your wines evaluated by some of the industry’s top trade buyers, importers, and influencers. Submit your entries and ship your samples before the deadline to ensure your wines are part of this career-defining event.

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