The 19th Shanghai International Wine Challenge (SIWC), organized by the Shanghai Waigaoqiao International Trading Operation Center Co Ltd under the Waigaoqiao Group, officially commenced at the Global Hub.
As one of China's most influential professional wine competitions, SIWC serves as a crucial platform for domestic and international wineries to explore the Chinese market and expand their global presence. The event also plays an active role in promoting international trading cooperation and driving consumption upgrades.
This year's four-day competition features over 600 wine entries from nearly 20 countries, showcasing the latest trends in the global wine industry. In a special collaboration, SIWC 2025 has partnered with Georgia's Ministry of Agriculture and National Wine Agency, a "Belt and Road" initiative partner country, to curate nearly 200 premium wines for the competition. A dedicated "Georgia Day" has been introduced as a new highlight for industry exchange and cooperation.
The event boasts a prestigious judging panel chaired by Ronny Lau, the first Chinese winemaker to produce Super Tuscan wines in Italy, and James Dai, founder of the renowned food and wine website gourmet114.com. The panel includes internationally acclaimed Masters of Wine such as Jane Skilton MW and Cathy MW, alongside other authoritative experts. Following strict international blind-tasting protocols, the judges will award wines in four categories: Best in Show, Platinum, Gold, and Silver.
Innovating this year, SIWC has introduced a new "100-Yuan Showdown" category, focusing on quality domestic and international wines retailing for under 100 yuan (US$13.95), making fine wines more accessible to consumers.
