Wine Categories

Wine Categories -reflecting the steadily increasing number of entries, the Japan Wine Challenge Management will continue to create new categories in addition to those shown wherever the number of entries from a country or region exceeds in 15 wines.

If the Japan Wine Challenge Management decides that a wine would be better served by being in a different category, Japan Wine Challenge has the right to later the category.

New Best Value Awards Category

Best Value Wine Under Yen 2,000/Best Value Wine Under Yen 1,000
From 2006 the Japan Wine Challenge is providing a separate competition within our competition for lower priced wines which can compete for a separate set of awards. As 75% of all wine sales by value in the Japan wine market sells for less than Yen 2,000 it is time to recognise these great value wines.

There will be two best value price breaks: Wines which retail for less than Yen 1,000 and for wines under Yen 2,000.

As an entrant, wine producers or importers can choose to enter these less expensive wines into either the main competition or one of the Best Value sections. In the Entry Kit, the entrant nominates either the main competition or a best value section by ticking the appropriate box.

The Best Value sections will also be judged within the existing wine categories (eg Chardonnay). Wines which are judged to be at the Best Value Award level will receive a Best Value Award. From this set of winning wines, a Trophy for Best Value Wine will be awarded. This is replicated for both price breaks.

Please note: A wine can only be entered once, and not into both halves of the Japan Wine Challenge. No wines in the best value section will be awarded a medal. Entrants do have the right to enter to their wines (which retail for less than Yen 2,000) in the main competition if medal consideration is wanted. These wines will not be considered for the Best Value awards.

New Trophy Categories
(1)Trophy for Best Koshu
In recognition that the Japan wine industry has a unique grape variety, Koshu, and that the quality level has improved to the point where international interest has begun, the Japan Wine Challenge is awarding a Trophy for Best Koshu from 2006.

This category will be judged by senior members of the Japanese wine industry and senior members of the International Judges team. The Chairman of this panel will be a Japanese Koshu expert.

The Trophy for Best Koshu will be an important component of the Japan Wine Challenge. We are expecting a large number of entries from wine producers throughout Japan to contest for this major award.

(2)Trophy for Best Biodynamic/Organic Wine
Japan as a nation is very concerned with sustainable practices when considering the environment. Therefore bio-dynamism as a concept has a good profile. The Japan Wine Challenge would like to recognize this with the inclusion of a Trophy for Best Bio-Dynamic Wine being awarded from 2006.

With a growing trend towards organic or bio-dynamic vineyards, this is a trophy which in the years to come, will be highly sought after. The Japan Wine Challenge is very pleased to announce, that from 2006 the award will be called the Voss Water Trophy for Best Bio-Dynamic Wine.

In the entry form, there is a box to tick if the wine entered comes from a bio-dynamic vineyard or producer. Along with the other Trophy taste-offs, the leading wines from across the competition will be re-judged to determine the winner. If there are Gold Medal winning wines which have previously been flagged as Bio-Dynamic, Silver Medal wines will be considered. If no Silver Medals have been awarded to a Bio-Dynamic wine, then the Trophy will not be awarded.