India is set to mark a significant milestone in its evolving beverage industry with the launch of the India International Wine Competition (IIWC) 2026 and the India International Spirits Competition (IISC) 2026, international trade-focused wine and spirits competitions. Organised by Barrel Link Events, the inaugural competitions will be held on 23 October 2026 in Gurugram, Delhi NCR.
Created exclusively for the beverage trade, IIWC and IISC have been designed to recognise excellence in wines and spirits through a rigorous 100% blind tasting process judged by an independent panel of leading importers, distributors, retailers, duty-free buyers, hospitality professionals, sommeliers, bartenders, educators and beverage consultants.
As India's wine and spirits market continues to mature, driven by premiumisation, expanding hospitality, modern retail and evolving consumer preferences, the competitions aim to offer producers a credible platform that goes beyond medals by creating meaningful engagement with the professionals who influence purchasing decisions across the country.
Unlike conventional consumer-focused awards, IIWC and IISC are built with a clear commercial objective to help quality brands gain recognition within India's beverage trade while providing buyers with an independent benchmark for product excellence.
The competitions are open to international wineries, distilleries and producers seeking to enter or expand in the Indian market, alongside Indian wine and spirits brands looking to benchmark quality, strengthen trade credibility and enhance market visibility. Established labels launching new expressions and emerging craft producers are also encouraged to participate.
All entries will be evaluated anonymously, ensuring every product is judged solely on its quality. Outstanding entries will be recognised with Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and will receive the right to use the official competition medal marks across packaging, marketing and brand communications.
The international entry deadline is 31 July 2026, while domestic entries close on 31 August 2026. Winners will be announced on 10 November 2026.
Entries are now open.
For registrations and further information:
India International Wine Competition (IIWC)
www.indiainternationalwinecompetition.com
India International Spirits Competition (IISC)
www.indiainternationalspiritscompetition.com
