Medals from the International Wine Competition in Ljubljana have shone for
50 years



This year the international wine competition in Ljubljana celebrates its
50th anniversary of existence on the international wine scene and as no
other wine competition has such a long tradition it can be called the
oldest international wine competition in Europe and the world. And where
there was no other international wine competition there was the Ljubljana
wine competition that right from the start abided by strict international
rules and for many years was the only international centre for the sensory
analysis of wine.

The roots of the wine competition in Ljubljana go back even further, deep in
the past to 1811, when the "Tasting of Illyrian Wine" was first held.
Various forms of wine exhibitions and tasting events followed, especially in
the first half of the 20th century, that sought and selected the best
quality in wine produced. The first exhibition in Ljubljana to include wine
tasting was held in 1926. It is not therefore coincidental that Ljubljana
has such a long tradition in evaluating wine. Ljubljana, the centre of
Slovenia, has throughout its history been a trading city on the Vienna and
Venice axes, between the Mediterranean and Central Europe, and has always
lived from the wine trade that was carried out through countries to the
north and south. The result was the occasional wine tasting events right up
to 1954.

1955 was a milestone in that the first modern international wine competition
was held. Even then it was held under the auspices of the International
Organisation of Vine and Wine from Paris (OIV) and has continued under its
wing without a break every year to today. A little later the international
wine competition was to come under the auspices of the International Union
of Oenologists from Paris (UIE) and was to become a member of the World
Federation of the Largest International Wine and Spirit Competition from
Montreal (FMGCIVS). At the establishment of the World Federation of
International Wine Competitions in Montreal in 1994 Ljubljana took the
presidency until 1997.

Constant patronage, control and cooperation with the three international
wine organisations - OIV, UIE and FMGCIVS - and strict adherence to
international rules has brought the Ljubljana wine competition the greatest
fame both for the organisers and within the profession. Due to its
professionalism the wine competition in Ljubljana has become an example for
all other international wine competitions and a reference for the three
international organisations. The objectivity and quality of the competition
has awakened trust in world wine manufacturers who sent their wine to
Ljubljana.

Medals awarded at the international wine competition in Ljubljana have
quickly become recognised and an authentic measure of quality of the wine
tasted. The Ljubljana wine competition is said to have become the most
neutral event of its kind in the world. Producers do not send their samples
to Ljubljana for the market or for marketing but for the reputation the
competition brings and its extraordinary objectiveness in proving quality.
With its constant and high quality judging the medals awarded in Ljubljana
have become the highest sought after in the trade. Ljubljana has become a
centre for sensory activity with various international and global meetings,
congresses and assemblies being held at the same time as the international
wine competition all on the theme of sensory appraisal of wine.

In 1976 in Ljubljana the General Assembly of the OIV adopted an
international definition for oenologist and the rules of international wine
competition. All the new rules have been adopted and tested in Ljubljana.
Because of its long and rich tradition in wine Ljubljana was named by the
general assembly of the OIV in Rome 1987 as the "City of Vine and Wine". In
1990 the European Community recognised the International Wine Competition in
Ljubljana in its official gazette, number C 289 of 17 November 1990 and
provided the opportunity for the prize-winning wines from the Ljubljana
competition to be advertised in the EU-countries.

To today, over 50 years, 50,000 wines from 40 countries (practically all the
wine producing countries) have been appraised. The oldest foreign wine
appraised was from Spain in 1885 that was sent to Ljubljana in 1969. Every
year more than 400 wine producers from all over the world send their samples
to Ljubljana. Around 70% of all wine judged comes from abroad. Each year 40
recognised tasters from all continents participate in the wine competition.
Many are recognised and appointed by the OIV and UIE. International rules
are adhered to in that each judging committee has one representative from
the home country and each of the others come from other countries.

In Ljubljana only 30% of samples tasted are awarded medals. In this way the
reputation of the medals is preserved. The judging procedure takes place
without commentary and totally anonymously. Tasters are provided with only
data on the year and category of wine tasted, not the producer, sort, origin
or country. The purpose of this is to ensure the objectivity of the event
and to provide judges with the least possible burdensome data.

In May 2004 Slovenia becomes a full member of the European Union and
Ljubljana's international wine competition will become even more solid among
the numerous other wine competitions in Europe and the world.