[VIC] VWS Associate Judge Initiative: Wine Show Judging Masterclass

* NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED *

Sommeliers Australia x Victorian Wine Show Associate Judge Initiative: Wine Show Judging Masterclass

In partnership with Sommeliers Australia, the Victorian Wine Show Council (VWS) is offering Sommeliers Australia members the unique opportunity to apply for one associate judge’s position at the 2024 Victorian Wine Show (29-31 October in Nagambie).

Ten Professional members are invited to take part in a wine show judging assessment masterclass with Victorian Wine Show Chief Judge, Simon Osicka (Paul Osicka Wines).

Attendees will be introduced to, and guided through, the Australian wine judging system and asked to assess two brackets of Victorian wine. Based on their assessment and calibration results one attendee will be offered a fully sponsored associate judge’s position at the 2024 Victorian Wine Show.

The successful attendee will be advised by Thursday 26 September, four weeks ahead of the show date.

ABOUT THE VICTORIAN WINE SHOW & THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE’S ROLE

The Victorian Wine Show was established in 1981 to benchmark Victorian wine. Today the show judges the largest number of Victorian wines of any show in Australia.

At the VWS there are two associate judges per panel. Associate judges are judges in training. It is a great opportunity to observe, participate in and learn about wine show judging. The associates judge the wines in the same way as the judges, but while their scores do not count towards a wine’s final score, associate judges are encouraged to speak up and offer their opinions during panel discussions.

There are a number of pathways to becoming an associate judge at the VWS. Many associate judges start out as stewards. Stewarding is a great way to see the operation of a show first hand and to get an understanding of the process and the work that goes in to organising a show. Roughly half the associates at the VWS started as stewards. Some associates are offered positions based on recommendations from other wine shows or the VWS council.

The VWS council is keen to encourage and support the diversity of wine show judges. This is why the VWS is working with Sommeliers Australia to identify potential candidates from non-winemaking backgrounds.

The Victorian Wine Show prides itself on assembling a panel of esteemed judges who are industry leaders and respected figures in the wine world. The 2024 Judging Panel comprises: Simon Osicka (Chief Judge, Paul Osika Wines), Jennifer Docherty MW (International Judge), Sarah Crowe (Yarra Yering), Josh Cooper (Josh Cooper Wines), Sarah Fagan (Tarrawarra), Matt Harrop (Fowles Wines, Silent Way), Rohan Smith (Medhurst), Luke Lomax (Yabby Lake), Genevieve Mann (Corymbia), and Tim Perrin (Kooyong/Port Phillip Estate).

WHO SHOULD REGISTER?

Sommeliers Australia Professional members with a hospitality or non-winemaking background, looking for an opportunity to enter the wine judging system, are invited to register for and attend the VWS Wine Show Judging Masterclass on Tuesday 24 September.

Registration for this free masterclass will be taken on a first-in-gets-the-spot basis, with only ten spots available.

Registrations close at 4pm on Thursday 19 September, unless fully subscribed earlier.

REGISTRATION CRITERIA

Those registering their attendance must also meet the following criteria:

• Must be a current Professional member of Sommeliers Australia;
• Must be based in Victoria and actively working in the hospitality industry as a sommelier, wine buyer, or wine professional in a wine retail or distribution setting;
• Cannot have judged (as a judge or associate judge) at a wine show previously;
• Have completed at least WSET Level 2 or have equivalent industry experience;
• Must be available to attend the Victorian Wine Show from 29-31 October.

NOTE: Applicants with winemaking experience/background or previous experience as an associate judge/judge will not be eligible.

 Dates and details for the 2024 Victorian Wine Show:

Monday 28 October

• Associates and Judges arrive.
• A casual ‘Welcome’ dinner will be held so that everyone can meet and socialise.

Tuesday 29 October

• Judging begins
• A more formal Judges dinner will be held. Associate judges are invited to attend. Details TBC.

Wednesday 30 October

• Judging continues
• A casual final dinner. Details TBC.

Thursday 31 October

• Judging is finalised
• Associates and Judges depart.

TO NOTE:

1. Accommodation at Nagambie Discover Park is provided for all associate judges from Monday night until Thursday. Associates are required to arrange their own travel to and from Nagambie.
2. The VWS uses the Showrunner scoring platform. Associate judges are asked to BYO device (laptop or tablet – no phones). Devices do need to be relatively new and software should be up to date. If you don’t have a suitable device one can be provided if arranged ahead of time with VWS.

For more information about the Victorian Wine Show visit: https://www.victorianwineshow.com/