Our Vision

Now in its 27th year, Japan Wine Challenge's key focus continues to be the development of consumer/wine lover awareness and understanding of wines, resulting in on-going increase in sales of quality wines in this very demanding market.

 

The Japan Wine Challenge is generally considered to be the key vehicle to be properly understood in the market. Exporters, importers and the trade can value and appreciate the Japan WINE Challenge award medal seals which truly confirm that the wine carrying them has been judged to be an appropriate choice for the Japan consumers.

Once the competition is finished each year, we focus all our attention on getting the results out in timely manner, both on the website and through our E-magazine, and to working with entrants worldwide through our medal seals and related promotions to develop demand for their wines in Japan and around the world.

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The 26th Japan Wine Challenge 2023 was held at the Daiichi Hotel Rhogoku from 28th September to 1st October.  A total of over 1,200 wines from across the world were entered.  These were judged by a panel of over 30 top wine professionals from Japan and internationally.  We have welcomed as Co-Chairmen Chris Martin, International Development Advisor of WSET, and Katsuyuki Tanaka, the leading wine professional in Japan, as well as their counterparts from across the spectrum of Japan's wine trade and media.

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A total of 15 wines received the coveted Trophy award, 21 Platinum Gold medals and 73 wines received Gold medals,  212 received Silver medals, and 435 received Bronze medals.  In addition to recognising absolute quality, special Trophy Awards were made for Best Value Wine, Best Discovery Wine and Best Wine from organically grown grapes.

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In addition to the awards won by individual wines, we have the following awards: 

JWC Award for No. 1 Best Value Wines
Awarded to wines which have reached the Best Value Standard in each price bracket: Wines up to 1,000 yen, Wines from 1,000 yen to 1,999 yen, Wines from 2,000 yent to 2,999 yen, Wines from 3,000 yen to 4,999 yen, and Wines above 5,000 yen.

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Japan Wine Challenge Awards
These Awards are for Best Wines of particular countries. For a country to have an Award, the best wines must have received a Silver Medal or better.

Riedel Japan Wine Challenge Award for Best Wine Importer
Awarded to the Importer whose wines entered have achieved the highest overall score.

Best Discovery Award
Awarded to the wine not currently represented in Japan which in the opinion of the judges has the best potential in the Japan market.