The IWFS Global Grapevine December 2025

Message from the President Chris Bonsall

What a year we have had at the IWFS. Wonderful Festivals in Napa, Rioja and Malaysia, the launch of the new Ask André A1-powered pairing tool for perfect wine and food matches, our latest Vintage Card, a new World Chair in the person of John Nicholas from the EA and, most excitingly, the Society's sponsored Susie & Peter's Wine Blast podcast episode Top of the Pops: Classic Fizz Beyond Champagne featuring Essi Avellan MW, author of our latest monograph: Sparking Wines of the World. I highly recommend both this episode and the podcast to all

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New Global Chairman Appointed

We are pleased to announce the appointment of John Nicholas as the new Chairman of the IWFS International Council of Management (Council). John is the immediate past Chair of the Europe Africa region and was appointed as Chair of Council at its meeting on 21 October 2025. He was subsequently presented with the IWFS Chain of Office by President of the Society, Chris Bonsall, at the Asia Pacific festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Our Festivals

3-9 November 2025

Penang, Ipoh & Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Asia Pacific)

This festival gave members the chance to experience the soul of Malaysia and to create memories that will last a lifetime. What a festival it was. Malaysia's three branches put on an amazing festival showcasing their rich history, culture, local attractions and fine wine and food. Penang and Ipoh arranged the pre-tour event followed by the Kuala Lumpur festival, Malaysia's capital and home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

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New For Members

Sparkling Wine Podcast - Listen Now

The IWFS sponsored episode of the award winning and highly successful Wine Blast podcast featuring Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, is now available, so tune in now. This recording titled Top of the Pops: Classic Fizz Beyond Champagne features our latest sparkling wine monograph and interviews the author - Essi Avellan MW. Find out about the 'magnum effect' and the need for 'deliciousness' in wine. You can listen while you work, walk or run… It is just under an hour long.

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Wine Blast One Million Giveaway

To celebrate Susie & Peter’s Wine Blast podcast topping one million downloads with their Wine Blast podcast (many congratulations to them) Masters of Wine Susie Barrie and Peter Richards are organising a celebratory giveaway. Prizes totalling more than £1,000 are up for grabs, including fine glassware, grower champagnes, a wine book bundle, VIP Fine Wine Encounter tickets and a limited edition Coravin. The deadline for entries is 31st Jan 2026.For more details including how to enter click here.

Ask André AI: Food & Wine Matching App

Please put Ask André to the test. This is the latest addition to our member app using AI technology and is now available to download. This wine and food pairing app is your AI assistant providing the perfect matches for your future events or just dinner at home. We have also been working on improving the quality of the information provided, so please take a look.

However you choose to use Ask André the password is wine&food (please do not share with non-members of the IWFS - it is a benefit for you!). Thanks to our member Mark Geller based in the USA for his work on this. We have been very impressed with the results. We hope you are too.

Merchandise for Members

Branded Chef's Apron

These have proved extremely popular with a repeat order just being placed. They are an ideal way to promote the IWFS within your local community with branch members and also local restaurants. The IWFS logo is stitched onto the bib, taking centre stage, alongside the large front pocket.

Blind Tasting Bottle Kits

These kits are the allow you to present a blind tasting - professionally. Each kit comes neatly packed in a carry bag and comprises 10 bottle bags with the embroidered IWFS logo, numbered 1 to 10.

Lapel Pins

The IWFS lapel pins are a discreet, but smart, way to show your membership and support of the Society. The most cost effective way to purchase them, as they are only small, is for your branch to place one order for the members. They come packaged in a presentation box so you can keep it safe. Don't go out without one…

To view all merchandise click on your region below:
Americas · Asia Pacific · Europe Africa

2025/26 Branch Directory

The updated edition will be available, in the coming week, on the website and is an incredibly useful resource providing members with a contact for each branch around the world. To view this online only directory go to iwfs.org - Resource Directory and Branch Contacts / Global. You can also view it via the member App but have to be signed in to view this information, as it is strictly for members only.

Visitors to our HQ in London

It was a pleasure to meet briefly with Chicago branch member Matthew Smith while he was visiting London in November. His visit was an ideal time to soak up the festive celebrations of London as the city's famous streets switch on their lights. The In & Out had also joined in with the festive spirit. Do remember that members are invited to stay at The Club at an affiliate rate.

Ask Sid: Château Pichon Baron vertical tasting

Sid recently had the fortune to taste, at a dinner at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, no less than 8 vintages from Château Pichon Baron, second Grand Cru Classé in 1855. This was his second opportunity to taste wines from the estate this year and was an affirmation of their ability to age. This is a great insight for those joining the Americas Paris & Bordeaux festival in May 2026. Click here to get Sid's views on the wines.

Our Awards

Europe Africa took the opportunity at their AGM in September this year to award five André Simon medals to recognise their team who have given so much of their time to support their region and in some case internationally too.

André Simon Silver Medal

Alan Shepherd (London) joined the Society in 2006 and since then he has served as Chairman and many other key roles in his branch. In addition to running many London branch events he was instrumental in the very successful 2018 London International Festival. He has provided vital IT knowledge to improve our website and systems.

André Simon Bronze Medal

Geeta Lloyd (Devonshire) joined in 2009 and has served as Branch Secretary since 2015 organising many branch events including the successful EA AGM weekend based in Torquay in 2022. She is now working as EA Membership Secretary.

Stephen Harrison (West Yorkshire) joined in 2003 and has been Branch Chairman since 2014. He has built up a flourishing membership in particular attracting a younger generation of members; driven the organisation of numerous European branch tours and a key driver in setting up the Young Chef's competition. He is now Chair of EA.

Tim Hodges (Merseyside and mid-Cheshire) joined in 2008. He has been Branch Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. He joined Exco in 2020 and was also key in making the Young Chef's competition as success and a driver marketing initiatives for EA including the Branch Excellence Award.

Phillip Kim (Capital) joined in 2018 and has organised overseas and UK events including the successful 2022 festival in Piedmont. In 2023, he was key in setting up the Capital branch. He also coordinated the making of the videos to support our Pinot Noir and Tea monographs. He joined Exco at this year's AGM.

More recently, Tan Sri Fumihiko Konishi (Penang) of Asia Pacific was awarded the Andre Simon Bronze medal on 4th November, during the Asia Pacific pre-tour festival in Penang. This award acknowledges his long term commitment to the IWFS being a founding member of the Penang branch back in the 1990s.

Regional News

We welcome the latest news from our Chairs from the regions, Chris Ankner (Americas), Michael Tamburri (Asia Pacific) and Stephen Harrison (Europe Africa) - a special welcome to Stephen who was recently appointed to chairman of EA.

Americas Chris Ankner

We have three wonderful festivals planned in 2026 - we are returning to Paris & Bordeaux in May with a new itinerary - staying at the legendary 5 star Palace hotel, Le Bristol in Paris and exclusive visits to the greats of Bordeaux including châteaux Margaux, Palmer and Figeac. In June we are heading to Walla Walla in June and then Mexico City in November.

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Asia Pacific Michael Tamburri

With our magnificent festival in Malaysia (see Our Festivals) just closing in November, I also had the opportunity to visit our branches in China. As Chair of the Asia Pacific, it has been my objective for the last five years to travel and visit in person several of the branches within the region. In October I visited Chaoyang District in Beijing to award branch members for their exceptional service to the branch, since its inception in 2012. Read on to find out more about my wine experience in China…

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Europe Africa Stephen Harrison

We've had a fabulous response to our proposed "Judgement of Paris, 50 years on", with branches from 5 countries planning to join possibly the largest international wine tasting ever! From the Sparkling Wines podcast we have achieved 8,000 views on Instagram, a record high for one of our posts, and which has been spreading the word about the IWFS far and wide. Plans are also underway for our 2026 Chef's competition - now in its fifth year.

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Dates for the Diary

Americas · Asia Pacific · Europe Africa

6-11 May 2026

Porto & Douro Valley, Portugal (Europe Africa)

Join us to celebrate the wines, food and culture of this beautiful region. Now full, Click here to be added to the waitlist.

14-23 May 2026

Paris & Bordeaux, France (Americas)

Make sure you are part of this amazing trip to France's capital city, Paris, and its renowned wine capital, Bordeaux. Click here to find out more and book now.

1-5 June 2026

Walla Walla, Washington, USA (Americas)

A town so nice they named it twice. A very special trip to a hidden gem - explore with us the historic town and of course visit. Click here to find out more.

November 2026

Mexico City, Mexico (Americas)

We are planning a festival in November 2026. Visit the cultural sights of this vibrant city and we will focus on wines from Latin America. Watch this space for more details.

If you are interested in joining an event that is full, or reservations closed, then please contact the organiser in case space is available.