VINUS regulation

Official rules of the International Wine and Spirits Competition

Objectives of the competition

VINUS is an International Competition that brings together nutrition, health and wine. It includes spirits, and its main objectives are to:

  • Promote good quality wines and spirits
  • Be the only competition that relates wine to health and nutrition
  • Show how healthy wine is for our body
  • Encourage responsible production and consumption
  • Help present traditional wines from countries that specialize in their production
  • Raise the technical and scientific level of participants
  • Contribute to the international culture of wines and spirits

Admitted products

Wines and wine liquors

  • Open to all wines, special wines, mistelas and wine liquors that follow their country's regulations
  • Must state origin and where the grape was harvested
  • Containers of 1.5 litres or less

Other liquors and spirits derived from wine

  • All types of liquors and spirits derived from wine may compete

Non-wine distillates

  • All types of distillates not derived from wine may compete

Samples and tasting

Registration and sample requirements (quantities, dates, labeling) are on the Samples page.

After several controls and verifying that all documents and analytical data are correct, samples are presented to the judges in decreasing order according to their year and aroma intensity. The OIV and UIOE sheets are used, with a positive point system of 0-100.

The technical committee names the judges and members. Each jury has an even number of judges and one president of commission — never less than five judges.

Samples are evaluated by a committee of world-class professionals. The international jury combines different perspectives from the industry to ensure a balanced and expert criteria:

  • Oenologists and wine-making professionals
  • Sommeliers and sensory analysts
  • Purchasing directors and wine trade professionals
  • Specialized journalists and international critics

Awards

Double Gold
95 – 100 points
Gold
90 – 94 points
Silver
87 – 89 points

Special awards

  • VINUS International Champion
  • Red Wine Champion - Raúl Castellani Award
  • White Wine Champion
  • Rosé Wine Champion
  • White Sparkling Champion
  • Rosé Sparkling Champion
  • Sweet Wine Champion
  • Best wine series in the contest (minimum 5 wines from the same company)
  • Young Red Champion
  • Distillates Champion
  • Vermouth Champion
  • Best Country Wine (more than 15 wines)
  • VINUS TOP TEN

Double Gold winners receive a medal and a diploma; Gold and Silver winners receive a diploma. Winners who wish to use their award logo commercially must request a "Reproduction Authorization" — copying the logos without permission is not allowed.

Legal provisions