The China Wine Competition is introducing two major entrant benefits for its 2026 edition, giving wineries access to constructive product feedback and current market intelligence from leading wine professionals working in China.

Every entered wine will be evaluated by a panel that includes Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, wine buyers, distributors, wine directors and senior hospitality professionals.

The 2026 judges include experts from Watson’s Wine, Berry Bros. & Rudd, EMW Fine Wines, Zuma Restaurants, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, La Petite Maison, Feuille and ÉPURE.

The objective is clear: to help producers understand not only how their wines perform, but also how they can improve their products, strengthen their commercial positioning and sell more effectively in the Chinese market.

Meet the MWs and MSs Judging the Competition

Cassidy Dart MW
Master of Wine and Owner, Purple Grape Consultancy, Beijing

Based in Beijing, Cassidy brings extensive knowledge of the Chinese wine market alongside the analytical and commercial expertise of a Master of Wine.

Her experience gives producers valuable insight into how wines may be positioned for Chinese importers, distributors, hospitality buyers and consumers.

Arnaud Bardary MS
Master Sommelier and Head of Sales for Wholesale at Watson’s Wine

Arnaud combines Master Sommelier tasting expertise with direct commercial experience in wholesale wine sales.

His role at Watson’s Wine gives him a clear understanding of the quality, pricing, positioning and portfolio requirements that influence wine-buying decisions.

Kamal Malik MS
Master Sommelier and Wine Educator

Kamal brings advanced tasting knowledge and extensive wine education experience to the judging panel.

He will help assess the technical quality of each wine, its stylistic strengths and its potential relevance to the Chinese market.

Feedback From Buyers, Distributors and Hospitality Professionals

The Master of Wine and Master Sommelier judges will be joined by professionals who currently buy, distribute, list, sell and serve wine.

The panel includes:

Dirk Chen, Director of Wine at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Jose Diniz, Head of Sales at Watson’s Wine

Juwan Kim, Head Sommelier at La Petite Maison, Hong Kong

Phenol Mak, Head Sommelier at Tosca di Angelo, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Dominique Noel, Senior Manager – Wine Management, Wine Buyer and Sommelier

Nicola Perrone, Head of Wine at Zuma Restaurants

Esther Poon, Senior Sommelier at Feuille, Hong Kong

Kevin Seun, Senior Sales Manager at EMW Fine Wines

Kenny Tsui, Sommelier at ÉPURE, Hong Kong

Kelvin Ziea, Chief Sommelier at JW Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong

These judges understand what makes a wine suitable for Chinese importers, distributors, restaurants, hotels and specialist retailers.

They will consider the questions that matter commercially:

- Does the wine offer the right quality for its price?
- Is its style relevant to Chinese consumers?
- Could it succeed on a restaurant wine list?
- Does it have by-the-glass potential?
- Is the packaging suitable for the target market?
- Does it have a clear commercial position?
- Can a distributor or sales team confidently present it to buyers?
- Is there a clear consumer, occasion and route to market?

Two New Initiatives for 2026 Entrants

The 2026 China Wine Competition is introducing two new initiatives designed to deliver greater commercial value to every entrant.

1. Constructive Feedback for Every Wine

For every product judged, the panel will discuss and answer two important questions:

- How can the entrant make this product better?
- How can the entrant market and sell this product better?

A designated Head Judge will moderate the discussion and prepare one collaborative feedback note for each question.

The feedback will be constructive, concise and actionable. Entrants will receive the collective guidance of the judging panel rather than comments attributed to an individual judge.

The first response may address areas such as:

- Wine quality and balance
- Style and structure
- Finish and drinkability
- Packaging or presentation
- Suitability for the intended consumer
- Potential product improvements

The second response will focus on commercial opportunities, including:

- Target consumers
- Suitable trade channels
- Restaurant or hotel positioning
- By-the-glass opportunities
- Pricing and value communication
- Food-pairing occasions
- Brand storytelling
- Sales and marketing messages

This gives producers practical feedback they can use when reviewing the wine, working with distributors or preparing future sales presentations.

2. China Buyer Market Intelligence Report

Every entrant will also receive access to an exclusive Buyer Market Intelligence Report.

The report will be developed from a survey completed by the competition’s judges, including wine buyers, distributors, sales professionals, sommeliers and hospitality decision-makers.

Judges will share their current perspectives on:

- What Chinese wine buyers are looking for
- Categories and styles showing growth
- Price points with the strongest demand
- Packaging and format preferences
- Wines buyers are actively seeking
- Categories experiencing lower demand
- How buyers discover new wines
- Factors influencing restaurant and hotel listings
- Opportunities for international wineries in China
- The challenges brands should understand before entering the market

Individual survey responses will remain confidential and will be combined into an annual industry report exclusively for competition entrants.

Product Feedback and Market Intelligence

The two new initiatives work together to provide wineries with two different levels of commercial insight.

The product feedback will help entrants understand how to improve and position each individual wine.

The Buyer Market Intelligence Report will help entrants understand the broader trends, priorities and opportunities influencing wine buyers in China.

Together, these benefits will give producers:

- A professional evaluation of every wine
- Constructive recommendations from the judging panel
- Guidance on marketing and sales positioning
- Current intelligence from Chinese wine decision-makers
- Greater context for importer and distributor discussions
- Useful information for pricing, packaging and portfolio planning
- A clearer understanding of the Chinese market

More Than a Medal

A medal can help a wine build credibility, but producers also need practical information that supports commercial decisions.

The China Wine Competition is strengthening its entrant benefits so that every winery receives value from participating—whether the objective is to find an importer, develop distribution, secure restaurant listings or better understand the Chinese market.

Entrants will receive more than a score and medal result. They will gain feedback and market intelligence from professionals who work with wine buyers and consumers every day.

Enter the 2026 China Wine Competition

If entering or expanding within China is part of your growth strategy, submit your wines before the Early Bird Deadline and take advantage of the lowest available entry price.

Key Dates

Early Bird Deadline: July 31, 2026
Regular Deadline: October 14, 2026
Warehouse and Sample Deadline: October 22, 2026
Judging Date: November 10, 2026
Winners Announcement: November 24, 2026

Entry Pricing

Early Bird: €120 per wine
Available until July 31, 2026
Regular Pricing: €140 per wine
Available from August 1 to October 14, 2026

Quantity Discounts

4–9 entries: 10% discount
10–14 entries: 15% discount
15 or more entries: 20% discount

Enter Before July 31 and Save

Enter your wines by July 31, 2026, to secure Early Bird pricing of €120 per wine.

Put your portfolio in front of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, distributors, wine buyers and leading hospitality professionals—and receive feedback designed to help your wines improve, strengthen their commercial positioning and compete more effectively in China.

Enter the 2026 China Wine Competition

Also Read:
Top On-Trade Buyers and Distributors to Judge the 2026 China Wine Competition
From Bordeaux To Hong Kong: Dominique Noël’s Unfiltered View On Wine Buying
Know Your Sommelier: Esther Poon, Head Sommelier