Blind Tasting Competition
The Contest
Now in 2025, we want to give all companies, wineries, distilleries, and distributors of Wines, Vermouths, and Spirits the opportunity to freely participate in our blind tastings of their products. In doing so, we meet a growing demand among producers to know the opinions of perhaps the most influential voices in Spain regarding Wines and Spirits.
This Tasting Competition ensures that the results will serve as a market benchmark going forward. It is scored by specialized communication professionals who are accustomed to evaluating products based on direct market feedback through their media channels. A COMPETITION TO SELL MORE, which also guarantees broader visibility through the platforms represented by AEPEV and CODHIVI.
EQUIPO
The AEPEV provides specialist jurors to all competitions in Europe, and to almost all others around the world. Many of our members serve as head tasters at the most prestigious competitions, recognized by various organizations.
At the helm of PWC will be the President of the AEPEV
The technical and organizational aspects will be the responsibility of the Secretary General of AEPEV, Mr. Ernesto Gallud Mira. The coordination of the juries will be handled by a tasting team from the Spanish School of Tasting.
An important communications team will be responsible for disseminating all generated news, ensuring that any wine or spirit that stands out will be visible in the public opinion.
Our Jury
José Luis Murcia
PRESIDENT OF AEPEV
Director of the
National Ecorracimos Competition, held in Montilla (Córdoba), since 2023.
Participant in the Concours
Mondial de Bruxelles since 2010, attending 14 editions.
udge at Mundus Vini since 2018 in both its Spring
and Summer editions.
Judge at the Mezquita de Córdoba since 2009 in wine and since 2018 in EVOO.
Judge at the World Wine Selection in Canada in 2019 and 2022.
udge at the Casino de Madrid
Competition in all its seven editions
Occasionally at Zarcillos and CINVE.
Miguel Ángel Martín
VICE PRESIDENT OF AEPEV
competitions held in different countries, participating regularly in many of their editions.
His rigor in tasting,
experience, and commitment to sensory quality endorse him as a member of the jury of the First Edition of
the PWC Tasting Competition, promoted by AEPEV – Spanish Association of Wine Journalists and
Writers.
He regularly participates in the Bacchus International Wine Competition, Mundus Vini, the
International Zarcillo Awards, the Premios Vinduero-Vindouro International Competition, the DOP Jumilla
Quality Awards, the Iberian Wine Competition Premios Mezquita, Concurso Cidades do Vinho, and The
Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards.
Ernesto Gallud
SECRETARY GENERAL OF AEPEV
Director of the following competitions: Vino y Mujer,
Premios Magnum, Nuevo Vino, Mono Vino.
Official judge of the Wine Influencers Awards and the
International Competitions of Lyon and Frankfurt.
Ocasionalmente en el Concurso Mundial de Bruselas.
FRAN LEÓN
both in organization and evaluation.
He has directed the Wine and Spirits Competition of the Province of
Seville and collaborated in the commercial management of the Ecorracimo competition.
In addition, he has
served as a judge in national and international competitions such as the Mezquita Awards, Agrocanarias,
Ecorracimo, The Mediterránea Wards, and competitions organized by regulatory councils such as
Montilla-Moriles, among others.
This experience has allowed him to develop a solid technical criterion and
a global vision of the Spanish wine scene.
Arturo hurtado
Graduate in Information Sciences, founder and general manager of Escuela Española de Cata.
Head of
the Training Committee of the Spanish Association of Wine Journalists and Writers (AEPEV).
Editor and
director of the digital magazine Vinotendencias, passionate about matters related to 'Eno Trends' and
'Foodie Trends' in Spain and Latin America.
Head of Institutional Relations at the Association of
Professional Sommeliers of Madrid (ASUMAD) and taster in several national and international competition
juries
Contests in which he has participated
- VinDuero-VinDouro Awards (Spain/Portugal)
- International Wine and Spirits Competition (CINVE)
- Magnum International Wine Competition
- Real Casino de Madrid Wine Competition
- Zarcillo Awards International Wine Competition
- MonoVino National Awards Competitions
- national competitions of small D.O.S.
Jesús Flores Téllez
Renowned winemaker, sommelier, and international wine-gastronomy critic; specialist in sensory analysis
and the training of new professionals.
Awarded the highest recognitions in the field of sommellerie and
wine communication, Jesús Flores Téllez is a leading figure in promoting wine culture in Spain and
internationally
Technical Director and CEO – Aula Española del Vino · Madrid · – Present
Some
international competitions in which he has participated includ
- Concours Mondial de Bruxelle
- B
- wine competition of São Paulo
- Vinexpo (Burdeos)
- Catad’Or (Chile)
- Vinduero/Vindouro
- The Wine Competition of the Royal Casino of Madrid.
Participation by appellations
and regions: DOCa Rioja, Rías Baixas, Ribera del Duero, Jumilla, Vinos de Madrid, Valencia, Bierzo,
Canary Islands
Notable participation in awards such as Zarcillo, Ruinart, Sopexa and UEC.
PASCUAL IBAÑEZ
Judge at the Catad’Or Chile World Wine Awards from its first edition in 1995 until 2020
Jurado en Concurso de vinos Vinsud de Santiago de Chile, presidido por María Isabel Mijares en 1996.
Judge at the
Vinsud Wine Competition in Santiago de Chile, chaired by María Isabel Mijares in 1996. Directed for 12
years the wine selection of La CAV (Club de Amantes del Vino in Chile) and served as president of the La
CAV Wine Guide, published in print until 2010.
Judge at the Spirits Selection in 2017 in La Serena, Chile.
From Escuela de los Sentidos Ltda (2017–2018), he directed the CORFO Chile Project: Sensory Training
Plan and Quality in Pisco Service
Carmen Garrobo
and communication in wine and gastronomy. She loves learning and teaching. Competitions where she
has served as a judge include VinDuero-VinDouro (Spain/Portugal), CINVE, Real Casino de Madrid Wine
Competition, Veralia (Wines of Small D.O.’s), Magnum Wines, Vino y Mujer, Zarcillo Awards, MonoVino,
International Merlot Competition (Switzerland), and provincial competitions in Peru (Pisco tastings).
MAR GALVÁN
wine communication.
Her experience is rooted in years of training and a deep connection with the
vineyard.
Mar Galván is an interpreter of wine and an ambassador of its culture.
She has served as a
judge in Mundus Vini, Citadelles du Vin, Challenges International du Vin, Premis Vinari, Concours Mondial
de Bruxelles, Vinarium, Emozione Dal Mondo, Mondial Vins Blancs Strasbourg, Radicci del Sud, Vinalies
International, Mondial Rosé Cannes, Vinduero Vindouro, International Zarcillo Awards, Città del Vino and
Cervim.
mar sánchez
keen ability to identify and evaluate nuances in wines at every tasting.
As a competition judge she provides
precise and objective criteria, backed by continuous training.
Javier Prats
Taster for
several editions of the Bobal Wine Guide and the Rosé Wine Guide of the Valencian Community.
Carlos Schölderle
the authenticity of each wine.
His career has honed the ability to decipher complex aromas and flavors that
define a fine bottle,
applying technical knowledge and passion for winemaking tradition.
As a taster, he
values diversity and quality and seeks to offer balanced, detailed judgment guided by the pursuit of
perfection.
EMMANUEL DUPONT-MACHET
independent consultant specialized in premium spirits, liquid development, brand storytelling and sensory
experiences.
He has worked in training, tasting and positioning for many categories—from whisky to
vermouth, Champagne, wine and brandy—collaborating with international teams, competitions and
product launches.
MOIRA TRUJILLO
skills are her main strengths as a judge, ensuring rigorous and objective evaluations.
(WSET3) and Accredited Trainer for various DOs, and with master's degrees in Protocol, Public Image
and Neuromarketing, she offers a comprehensive perspective.
doctoral studies at Rey Juan Carlos University reflect her commitment to excellence and research.a excelencia y la investigación.
MARÍA LUISA MARTÍN TEJERA
2010); Judge at Ruinart Sommelier Challenge; Judge at International Sparkling Master Wine; Judge at
Best Sommelier of the Valencian Community Competition; Judge at Mondial Fromage Tours; Member of
the Tasting Committee of the Valencia Sommeliers Association.
ANA GÓMEZ GONZÁLEZ
Professional taster with WSET 3 certification and experience as a judge in prestigious competitions such
as CINVE and the Zarcillo Awards.
Capable of accurately assessing color, aroma, flavor, varietal
characteristics, flaws and overall quality across wines from diverse regions.
Analytical, objective and
committed to excellence.
José Ricardo Fernández
He tastes more than 300 wines annually and participates by invitation in many of Spain’s leading wine
salons and events, including
Peñín Best Wines of Spain, Verema Experiences, Barcelona Wine Week,
First Brands Showroom, Ulisses Experience, Madrid Wine Showroom, and several dedicated regional
salons.
He has served on juries in blind tasting competitions such
the XII Vinoro Salon, Champions
Wine 2018, and The Best People’s Wine Awards (2018, 2019).
IKER BERASALUCE
Weinakademiker and regular judge at competitions such as IWC London, Berliner Wein Trophy, AWC
Vienna and SALON Austria.
He also participates in tastings for regional committees and guides such as
Wine Guide Austria.
His background in chemistry and oenology (Oenology School Klosterneuburg)
provides a solid technical foundation;
as a communicator and consultant he values precision, expression
of origin and oenological consistency.
JESÚS ALVAREZ DE YRAOLA
Oenologist (Member of FEAE), Geography graduate; Certifier, Advisor and Evaluator for sommellerie and
cuisine (Ministry of Economy, Employment and Competitiveness, Community of Madrid).
Former
sommelier in Michelin-starred restaurants.
Judge in various international and national competitions
including Challenge International du Vin (1991), Bacchus, Baco, Cinve, and Viña de Madrid.
Full professor
at the Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism of Madrid.
Concours des vins en Blayais-Bourgeais, actually Challenge Internacional du Vin.
ANNA datsenko
Russian taster, leading influencer and wine specialist for Russian-language magazines published in Spain.
Experienced in wine communication and member of the Zarcillo Awards judging panel.
Especialista en comunicación vitivinícola experimentada que también forma parte del Panel de jurados de los Premios Zarcillos.
Elvira Sánchez
communicator in digital and audiovisual media.
Active member of recognized industry associations and
accredited as an Approved Trainer for various Spanish Designations of Origin.
Presenter and director of
the TV and blog program 'De Bodegas con la Bruja Viri', with over 300 documented winery visits. She
contributes experience, judgment and objectivity as a jury member in national and international
competitions such as the Royal Casino de Madrid Wine Competition and VinDuero-VinDouro.
Nieves Caballero Barrigón
Worked for 32 years at El Norte de Castilla. Currently collaborates on the gastronomy and culture program
'En un Lugar de la Panza' on Radio Marca Valladolid.
Specialist in sensory analysis, she participates in
blind tastings for the Zarcillo Awards, Sarmiento Awards, Manojo Awards, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
and CINVE.
She has served on vintage classification tasting panels for the DOs of Cigales, Rueda, Ribera
del Duero, Arlanza, Bierzo, Toro, León, Arribes and Sierra de Salamanca.
Ana Belen Toribio
Bárbana Martínez
Jonatan Armengol
Elena Arraiza
collaborates in cultural initiatives and tastings, bringing strategic and educational insight into the world of
wine.
Ha ejercido como jurado en el Concours Mondial de Bruxelles y en otros certámenes de ámbito regional, y colabora habitualmente en iniciativas culturales y catas enológicas, aportando una amplia visión estratégica y divulgativa del mundo del vino.
Cristina Tierno Conde
been a competition judge and guide contributor since 2005.
She participates in national and international
events such as Portugal Wine Trophy, Baco Awards (UEC), Zarcillo, Vinduero-Vindouro, and serves as
table president at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in both Wine and Spirits editions.
Member of the Madrid
tasting panel for the Verema Guide. Head of AEPEV's Spirits Committee and of the Wine division at
Mujeres en Gastronomía.
Jimmy Lim
Celso Vázquez Manzanares
lover and culture advocate, frequently promoting the great qualities of wines.
