The Competition and The Judges
The New York International Wine Awards (NYIWA) is a competition that consists only of judges who interact, on a daily basis, with the most valuable and ultimate decision-maker, the Consumer. Our trade only judges are buyers from top retail stores, sommeliers, restaurant owners, distributors and importers of fine wine from around the world.

The Judging Guidelines
All judging of the wine will be performed blind by a number of panels of experienced wine judges.  All wines will be evaluated by members of a panel individually, who will then confer and decide in consensus whether a wine receives a double gold, gold, silver, bronze or no medal.  Double Gold winning wines will be tasted by all panelists in a sweepstakes for the FDR awards, our best of category award.  Each panel will taste a variety of white and red wines to avoid palate fatigue.  In the event a winery lists an incorrect classification for their entry, the competition will move it to the correct classification.

The Awards
The highest score in each wine category wins an “FDR” award, named in honor of one of our greatest presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who actively supported & endorsed the repeal of Prohibition. We will then be rewarding the top wines of the participating wines in each category with Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

First International Wine Competition to take Place in New York City

New York, NY – April 2nd 2010  Dori Bryant, President of The Polished Palate, and Adam Levy, spirits writer, today announced the debut of the New York International Wine Awards.

The NYIWA is a competition that will award the best wines in various categories as judged by the people on the front line of consumer contact.  Trade-only judges will consist of restaurant owners, sommeliers, liquor store buyers, and distributors and importers of fine wine.

Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink will act as the Competition Host and lead the judging panel.  All judging will be performed blind by a number of panels of experienced wine judges who will then confer and decide in consensus whether a wine receives a double gold, gold, silver, bronze or no medal.  Double Gold winning wines will be tasted by all panelists to determine the recipients of the FDR awards, our Best of Category award.

Bryant and Levy hosted the premiere New York International Spirits Awards in June 2009.  The success of that inaugural event led to the expansion of the franchise to include wine.

“The NYIWA is the first wine competition to rely solely on the results of trade-only judging.  These judges are the front-line of consumer purchases on a daily basis,” said Dori Bryant, co-founder of the NYIWA.  “These judges are also critical decision-makers for the brands,” furthered Levy.  “Brands, through this event, will get in front of judges with the purchasing power to make a difference.”

For more information and to download entry forms, contact info@nyiwineawards.com or visit www.nyiwineawards.com.

More about the Founders

Dori Bryant started the Polished Palate LLC (www.polishedpalate.com) in 2005, building on years of experience in publishing and a passion for spirited excellence.  The Polished Palate hosts consumer tasting events, professionally judged competitions, seminars, gourmet food/spirits pairing experiences and other special events.

Adam Levy is a spirits writer and judge.  He received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and his EMBA from Baruch College.