IWSC retailer gongs

Three British-based supermarkets are celebrating success in the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009.

At last month’s awards dinner, Sainsbury’s collected the title as IWSC Retailer of the Year, Aldi picked up the IWSC Spirits Buyer of the Year and Waitrose was awarded the Wine Buyer of the Year category title.

The Viscount Thurso presented each of the gongs to the supermarkets’ representatives at the dinner held in The Guildhall in the City of London, where Sainsbury’s prize was collected by Julian Dyer. The IWSC said Sainsbury’s was chosen for its significant achievements in innovating and inspiring its customers.

  The Spirits Buyer award, which was collected by Aldi’s buying director Will Barstow, was a reflection of Aldi’s success in the competition itself, where it won more spirit awards than any other supermarket.

Waitrose’s wine team collectively joined Thurso on stage for its Wine Buyer of the Year prize. This year is Waitrose’s seventh consecutive year of winning the award. It was chosen for this title once again for continuing to ensure it offers an eclectic, mid-market wine range despite the economic downturn.

Waitrose has also announced its IWSC Waitrose Scholarship short list, which was drawn from the top candidates on the WSET Diploma course. The short list includes Nicola Cornelius, Chris Grimes, Danielle Whitehead and Andrew Imrie, while the winner will be announced at the WSET awards and graduation ceremony in London next month.

Full details of the IWSC results can be found in the IWSC Report 2009, published by the drinks business.

Jane Parkinson, 07.12.2009