The Grocer is launching a new set of awards for alcoholic drinks.
The Grocer Drink Awards 2016 is inviting entrants across categories from beer and cider to vodka and fruit wine, incorporating craft as well as mainstream, and including both own label and brands.
Uniquely, entrants will be voted for by consumers as well as expert judges (the same two-step judging process pioneered by The Grocer for its highly successful Own Label Awards programme), and receive detailed consumer feedback reports from our partners Cambridge Market Research based on new key measures and norms established for each alcohol category.
“The Grocer Drink Awards will champion excellence, innovation and diversity, help suppliers and distributors promote winning products to buyers and consumers, and inform product development,” said Adam Leyland, editor of The Grocer.
The deadline for entries is 8 July with winners to be announced on 7 November - with gold and silver medal recipients, and finalists, free to use the awards logos. Entries can be submitted here.
Winners from the International Wine Challenge, owned by The Grocer’s publisher, William Reed, will automatically qualify as winners in the six wine categories (red, white, rose, sparkling, sweet and fortified), though fruit wines need to enter separately via The Grocer Drink Awards.
“The IWC is delighted to be working with The Grocer on its new awards initiative,” said Andrew Reed, WR MD events & exhibitions. “The IWC is widely regarded as the most rigorous and authoritative wine competition and is held in the highest regard amongst retailers.
“The creation of this exciting new awards scheme also allows The Grocer to engage with the fast growing flavoured wines category that has a different style and presentation in the wine category, introducing new customers into the category who will then trade up as their taste profiles evolve, which can only be good for the category!
To support the launch of the awards, and to boost The Grocer’s wider coverage of the alcoholic drinks industry, Lisa Riley - senior reporter on The Grocer’s buying & supplying desk - will be appointed senior drinks reporter with effect from 13 June.
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