The Judging System
All competition entries are evaluated by members of the BC Guild of Wine Judges (BCGWJ) — trained volunteer judges who have completed a formal certification course. Judging uses a standardised 20-point evaluation scale covering appearance, aroma, taste, and overall impression.
Wines and ciders are judged blind — judges do not know the entrant’s name or club. Each entry receives written feedback from the judging panel, which is returned to the entrant after the competition.
Scoring System
| Score Range | Medal |
|---|---|
| 18.0 – 20.0 | Gold |
| 16.0 – 17.9 | Silver |
| 14.0 – 15.9 | Bronze |
| Below 14.0 | No award |
The highest-scoring gold medal entry in each class receives a Best in Class designation. The highest-scoring entry across all classes receives Best in Show. The entrant accumulating the most points overall is named Grand Champion Winemaker.
Wine Judging Forms & References
Administrative Forms
Become a Wine Judge
The BC Guild of Wine Judges runs certification courses across three chapters — Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo. Sessions run from September through June with approximately 10 training evenings per year.
BC Guild of Wine Judges
Learn more about judge training, chapters, and upcoming sessions.