1. A Competition by Sommeliers… for the On-Premise Trade

Founded in 2018 and presented by Beverage Trade Network (BTN), the Sommeliers Choice Awards was created with a single mission: to benchmark wines that excel in restaurants, bars, and other on-premise venues—not just as collectors’ items. 

Unlike many competitions, its judging panels are composed exclusively of professional sommeliers, Master Sommeliers, wine directors, and on-premise buyers—the people who make daily purchasing decisions for wine lists. This ensures every medal is awarded by those who truly understand the realities of the hospitality trade.

2. A Judging Formula That Mirrors Real-World Decision Making

At the Sommeliers Choice Awards, wines are evaluated using a scoring system that reflects exactly how sommeliers and on-premise wine buyers make purchasing decisions. Judges consider Food Pairability, Typicity, Quality, Value, and Packaging—the five factors that determine whether a wine will earn a place on a wine list and keep guests coming back for a second glass. This approach ensures that every medal is more than just a mark of technical excellence; it’s a seal of approval from the very people who curate wine programs, balance price points, and pair bottles to menus in real-world hospitality settings.

SCA’s scoring system stands out by focusing on five criteria that matter most in everyday restaurant settings:

- Food Pairability (how broadly a wine pairs with food)

- Typicity (how well it represents its varietal character)

- Quality (appearance, aroma, body, taste, finish)

- Value (rated blind, based on perceived on‑premise fair price)

- Packaging (shelf and table appeal in a real-world competitive environment)

These are combined in the formula:

 F + T + Q + V + P = Final Score. Moreover, judges consider two key questions throughout: “Would we stock this?” and “Will the consumer come back for a second glass?”

3. Master Sommeliers In Each Panel

Every judging panel includes a Master Sommelier as chair, ensuring that every wine benefits from unmatched expertise.

4. Consistent Growth and Global Reach

What began in 2019 with around 700 entries has grown significantly—by 2025, SCA attracted approximately 1,600 entries from over 40 countries, judged by 50 wine professionals, including 14 Master Sommeliers.

5. Valuable Visibility and Marketing Support

Winning a medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards is more than an accolade—it’s a marketing asset that opens doors in the on-premise trade. Medal-winning wines gain exposure through Beverage Trade Network’s powerful media ecosystem, which includes SommelierBusiness.com, BevRoute, and regional Drinks Guides such as the Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York Drinks Guides. 

Winners are also featured in the Top 100 On-Premise Wines list, a go-to resource accessed by thousands of sommeliers, beverage directors, and wine buyers across the United States. Beyond media coverage, winners receive a full suite of customizable marketing tools, including high-resolution medal images, shelf talkers, bottle neck tags, and digital assets to boost both trade and consumer sales. Their achievements are highlighted in Wine-Searcher’s competition listings, further increasing discoverability among buyers worldwide. 

Many medal-winning wines are also showcased at USA Trade Tasting and other BTN trade events, providing direct exposure to importers, distributors, and key decision-makers. This combination of prestigious recognition, targeted trade visibility, and practical marketing support ensures that an SCA medal not only celebrates quality, but also actively helps wineries turn that recognition into real-world sales opportunities.

6. Created to Bridge Producers and the On-Premise Market

As BTN CEO Sid Patel explains, SCA was born from the need to reflect what sommeliers—and by extension, consumers—actually buy and enjoy in restaurants. It ensures wines are judged on criteria that drive commercial placement and satisfaction, not just technical excellence.

7. The Judges

The Sommeliers' Choice Awards judging panel is a handpicked group of some of the most respected professionals in the hospitality industry, including Master Sommeliers, award-winning wine directors, seasoned beverage managers, and influential on-premise buyers. Each panel is chaired by a Master Sommelier, ensuring that every wine is assessed with the highest level of expertise and consistency. 

These are the individuals responsible for shaping wine programs at top restaurants, luxury hotels, and leading hospitality groups—people who understand not only what makes a wine exceptional in the glass, but also what drives sales, repeat orders, and guest satisfaction in real-world dining environments. Winning their approval means your wine has been endorsed by the very best in the trade.

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Why the Sommeliers Choice Awards Are Different

- Judged exclusively by master sommeliers and top on‑premise wine directors—reflecting real‑world buying decisions.

- Scored on Food Pairability, Typicity, Quality, Value, and Packaging, mirroring the five essentials every wine list needs.

- Each panel is chaired by a Master Sommelier, ensuring high-level expertise at every tasting.

- Fast-growing global presence—over 1,600 entries from 40+ countries in 2025, judged by 50 industry pros.

- Medal winners get front‑of‑house visibility through Top 100 On‑Premise Wines, BTN media, Wine‑Searcher listings, and trade tasting showcases.

- Founded with the purpose of elevating wines that perform in hospitality—Would we stock this? Would customers return?

Now Open for Entries – Super Early Bird Deadline: October 31, 2025

The Sommeliers Choice Awards 2026 is officially open for entries, giving wineries worldwide the chance to put their wines in front of some of the most influential on-premise buyers and Master Sommeliers in the industry. 

By entering before the Super Early Bird deadline on October 31, 2025, producers secure the lowest entry fees of the year while gaining more time to leverage their participation in marketing, distributor outreach, and trade conversations. 

Early entry means your wines can start benefiting from the competition’s promotional build-up well before judging day—maximizing both visibility and ROI.

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