(Journal) Judging @ IWCB - Bucharest, Romania

I'm just back from my first experience with the Bucharest International Wine Competition where I've spent five days in Bucharest judging wines and familiarising myself with the Romanian wine scene.

Now six years in, IWCB has grown to one of Eastern Europe's premier wine competitions. With over 1700 samples from producers all over the world and more than 50 international judges from various professional wine backgrounds, it is very good event. Overseen by the OIV, it's a competition focussed on integrity. All of the wines are tasted blind.

Apart from the exciting opportunity to taste local Romanian varieties that are difficult to find in the UK, it's a huge networking opportunity, an occasion to meet people not only deeply passionate about wine but from diverse background of industry experience.

I'd like to say a huge thank you to the organisers of the Bucharest international wine competition and can't wait (I hope) to return next year.