The IWFS Global Grapevine March 2026

Message from the President Chris Bonsall

Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the South. These seasons are now upon us inviting our many Branches to complete their programme of events, which hopefully will include many of you embracing the important initiative of The Judgement of Paris (plus 50) Blind Tasting taking place in late May before the big reveal on May 24th. Post May events will be part of a follow-up announcement - keeping the celebration in the news!

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Message from the International Chair John Nicholas

This is my first letter to you all as the new Chair of the International Council of Management (ICM). There are thanks to be given, a welcome and good luck in a new role. Thank you to Mike Donohoe, of the Americas, for his exemplary time as Chair of Council and to Ian Nicol who has now stood down from Council having been a member since 2013. A welcome to Stephen Harrison who is the newly appointed EA representative and also good luck to Council member Nicola Lee who has now taken over the role of AP Chair from Council member, Michael Tamburri.

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New For Members

2026 Monograph

Grape varieties, the future by Dr José Vouillamoz (co-author of award-winning Wine Grapes). This title will look at the effect of climate change on viticulture, which grape varieties producers may now look to plant. Will it be old indigenous or non-indigenous varieties or could crossings be the future? There is also the option of resistant hybrids or maybe creating new clones. Watch out for your copy in October.

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'Hi' and 'Bye' from our HQ in London

It was nice to say a quick 'hi' to Branch President of the Kuala Lumpur branch Ajeet Ahluwalia who dropped by to collect some IWFS merchandise, while he was in town. It is a 'bye' to Franco Baroni who has been a customer of the IWFS Vintage Card for nearly 60 years. At 95 he has advised that his taste for wine has somewhat diminished. Saluti Franco.

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Judgement of Paris - the Society Celebrates

The IWFS is celebrating this event that changed the wine world forever with various wine events in countries across five continents - UK, Americas, Australia, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Philippines and South Africa. 50 years ago, 20 wines were tasted blind - 10 reds (4 from Bordeaux and 6 from California) and 10 whites (4 from Burgundy and 6 from California). California came out on top and changed the wine world forever. This time a range of new wines will be tasted blind, who will be victorious? Let's make the IWFS voice heard. It is your, the peoples, vote. Whether your results are part of the reveal on 24 May, or later, it's great that we are all connecting to spread the IWFS word far and wide. 

Contact your region to find out how your branch could be involved (the Americas are currently researching a package for their members and more information will be forthcoming once agreed):
Americas · Asia Pacific · Europe Africa

To help promote your event

Blind Tasting Kits

Enhance your blind tasting event with these branded bags (1-10). Extra bottle bags 11 & 12 are also on order. Free to branches arranging a Judgement+50 event. Email sec@iwfs.org with date and venue for your event, to receive your free kit.

Event logo

Promote your event with the new tailor made logo.

Click here to to view and download the logo format required and also to find out more about the event 50 years ago.

Judgement of Paris - Enhance your library with 2 titles

To complement our Judgement+50 celebratory events Académie du Vin Library, publisher of beautiful, descriptive wine titles are kindly offering IWFS members a discount on two of their titles related to this tasting.

Steven Spurrier, A Life In Wine

This is Steven's memoirs. Steven enjoyed life as an Englishman in Paris. There he successfully sold wine to the French and was also instrumental in the JoP tasting back in1976 of which the subsequent highs and lows make this a fun and fascinating read. He was also the founder of Académie du Vin wine schools in Paris and ambassador, commentator, author and critic with Decanter magazine, and latterly launched Cuvée Bella, English sparkling wine from Bride Valley Vineyard.

Cover price £35/$47.50, Discount price to members £31.50/$42.75 (Discount code IWFS10 - click here to order)

The Judgement of Paris - for release on 1 May 2026

This is the 50th anniversary edition of this event that shocked the wine world. "A young Englishman (Steven Spurrier) and an American journalist (Patricia Gallagher) decide that California's emerging wine stars should've better known in France." Read about the journey of the winning wine, profiles and tasting notes of the competing wines plus seven other events that shook the wine world and more… Presented as a beautiful, cloth-bound commemorative edition with rare archive photography and colour images.

Cover price £70/$90, Discount price to members £63/$81 (Discount code IWFS10 - click here to order)

Ask Sid: Judgement of Paris

For this issue we asked Sid for his thoughts on this momentous event. With the Society's upcoming Judgement+50 blind tastings taking place in May and June, as well as many events by others outside the Society, in celebration of this tasting 50 years ago, Sid gives us a rather pragmatic view. He felt that the recognition California received was well overdue and just a matter of time before the exceptional quality of California's came to the fore. Click here to read Sid's article.

Regional News

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

Americas Chris Ankner

I'm writing this note on a cold, snowy New York day, when the calendar says we should be in the early bloom of spring. But I'm excited by our spring and summer plans. Steve Greenwald is reprising the acclaimed Paris/Bordeaux trip with 77 members in May, and Steve Hipple is leading 54 members to Walla Walla in June. While everyone knows Bordeaux as one of the planet's truly great wine regions, I was still surprised by the sheer number of 95+ wines we'll be able to serve in Washington at a relatively affordable price. Two different trips, but each should reach or exceed the high expectations we have for Steve and Steve.

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Asia Pacific Nicola Lee

Warm greetings from Asia Pacific. As we begin 2026, our region enters an important period of transition with the retirement of our long-serving Chair, Michael Tamburri. Over the past five years, Michael has made an immense contribution to strengthening and reconnecting the Asia Pacific community. He revived the Asia Pacific newsletter, travelled extensively throughout the region to visit branches, fostered valuable ties among members, and championed the use of the IWFS website as an important tool for information-sharing and branch management.

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Europe Africa Stephen Harrison

It's been a busy start to 2026, and there is a lot to look forward to, with the Final and Awards Lunch of our Young Chef Competition in April and May, along with the Judgement of Paris (Plus 50) events. Branches in Singapore and Australia are joining European branches for Judgement to deliver what will (probably!) be the largest global tasting ever attempted.

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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, but click in case a place has become available.

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. Last few places remaining. 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 for more details.

September 2026

Manchester, North-west England, UK (Europe Africa)

Europe Africa region invites members from around the world to join them to enjoy the cultural gems and cuisine of this great City of the North. Details to follow shortly.

6-8 November 2026

Barossa Valley, Adelaide, South Australia (Asia Pacific)

Join Asia Pacific for all that is best in the Barossa - wines, cuisine and a warm welcome. Click here to read the festival brochure in full colour. Bookings now being taken.

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