Judges

The Palates To Trust

The reputation of a competition is defined by the quality of its judges. At the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, our judging panels consist of the most respected, experienced experts in the wine and spirits industry. Our judges range from renowned writers and well-known New York City mixologists to esteemed beverage buyers, including Anthony Dias Blue, John Oliver, and Aimée Lasseigne New.

SPIRITS COMPETITION JUDGES

NYWSC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Anthony Dias Blue
President, Blue Lifestyle; Editor-in-Chief, The Tasting Panel Magazine

Damon Boelte
Co-Owner & Head Bartender, Grand Army; Host, The Speakeasy Podcast

Darnell Holguin
Beverage Director, Las Lap

Gary Gruver
Senior Beverage Manager Global Operations, Marriott International

Jack Robertiello
Writer & Consultant, Drinks Ink

John Oliver
National Trade Marketing Director, Breakthru Beverage

Kara Newman
Spirits Editor, Wine Enthusiast

Leslie Merinoff
Founder, Matchbook Distilling Co.

William Elliott
Bar Director, Maison Premiere, Sauvage & The Golden Hour

WINE COMPETITION JUDGES

Aimée Lasseigne New
Buyer, Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit

Jennifer Englert
Director of Sales & Business Development, ReserveBar

Jim Trezise
President, WineAmerica

John Farrell
Wine Director, Wine Express

Nick Johnson
Fine Wine Sales Team Leader & Manager, Sherry-Lehmann Wines & Spirits

Nicolas Prieto
Beverage Manager, Grand Hyatt New York

Sam Ehrlich
Wine Director, Blue Ribbon Restaurants

Tali Dalbaha
Corporate Wine Director, Buy-Rite Wine & Liquor

READY TO PUT YOUR PRODUCT BEFORE THESE EXPERTS?

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ANTHONY DIAS-BLUE

LOS ANGELES, CA

President, Blue Lifestyle
Editor-in-Chief, The Tasting Panel Magazine

 
Anthony Dias Blue is the Executive Director and founder of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as well as the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Mr. Blue is recognized worldwide as a leading food, wine and lifestyle authority. His work in all media is circulated to more than 30,000,000 consumers each month. His James Beard Award–winning food and wine critiques, The Blue Lifestyle Minute, are broadcast daily on KNX in Los Angeles and on WCBS radio in New York, reaching an audience of more than 200,000 listeners daily. In 2011, he launched a nationally syndicated talk show called BLUE LIFESTYLE that currently airs in more than 150 markets across the country. Formerly Wine & Spirits Editor of Bon Appétit, Mr. Blue is owner and Editor-in-Chief of the beverage trade publication, The Tasting Panel Magazine, the highest-circulating beverage trade publication in the country. He is also Editor-in-Chief of The SOMM Journal. In addition, he is a frequent contributor to numerous other publications. Mr. Blue is the author of nine books, including The Complete Book of Mixed Drinks and The Complete Book of Spirits. More about Anthony Dias Blue can be found on his company website www.bluelifestyle.com.