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The IWSA 2025 Jury Tasting unfolded in grand style at the iconic Taj Lands End, Mumbai, bringing together 17 expert juries and some of the sharpest palates in the country. Over the course of two days, the competition became a true showcase of excellence, with over 400 nominations spanning wines, spirits, sake, meads, and ciders.
Each tasting was approached with rigor, integrity, and passion. Our juries balanced their unmatched expertise with enthusiasm, ensuring that every pour was given the undivided attention it deserved. Through thoughtful discussions, shared insights, and spirited debates, the panel worked to curate the ultimate guide to what’s worth raising a glass to this year.
While the focus remained firmly on quality and credibility, the atmosphere was anything but stiff. Between serious tastings came moments of camaraderie, laughter, and conversations that celebrated the joy of beverages, making the experience as memorable as the winners themselves.
A heartfelt thank you to our venue partner, Taj Lands End, Mumbai, for hosting us with warmth and elegance, and to our presenting partner, Sober, whose thoughtful gesture and appreciation of the jury members added a special finishing touch to the event.
Meet the IWSA 2025 Jury
The IWSA 2025 Jury Tasting brought unmatched credibility, with experts assessing wines, spirits, sake, meads, and ciders with precision.
- Sonal C Holland, MW – India’s only Master of Wine and Founder & Chairperson of IWSA
- Anish Trivedi – President & CEO, Alenka Media; accredited whisky ambassador and trained whisky nose
- Anmol Chandok – VP at Chenab Impex; WSET Level 3 (Distinction) and seasoned wine enthusiast
- Amber Deshmukh – Certified Sommelier, Italian Wine Scholar, and 2nd Runner-Up, Best Sommelier of India 2025
- Arth Jain – Head Sommelier, Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, blending tradition with innovation
- Gorakh Gaikwad – COO & Chief Winemaker, Sula; over two decades of pioneering winemaking experience
- Hridhay Mehra – Sommelier & beverage program curator at Masque; certified sake sommelier
- Jezan Limzerwala – AVP, Food & Beverage; hospitality leader and brand storyteller
- Kevin Rodrigues – Head of Wines, EHV International; Best Sommelier India 2024
- Apurva Gawande, DipWSET – Founder, Curated Wines; WSET educator and wine consultant
- Suneeta Sodhi Kanga – Corporate trainer and wine & spirits appreciation expert
- Abhisheik Bindel – COO, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality; luxury F&B visionary
- Sumedh Singh Mandla – CEO, VBev & AWS Global; DipWSET and leading alcobev industry expert
- Aneesh Bhasin – Entrepreneur & co-founder of Svami; wine & spirits commentator
- Vaniitha Jaiin – Founder & CEO, Revelry Distillery & The Perfect Pour; spirits industry trailblazer
- Suvir Saran – Award-winning chef, author, and educator with a global palate
- Gauri Devidayal – Co-founder, Food Matters Group; visionary restaurateur behind The Table & more
- Shreya Mhatre – Beverage Educator at Sonal Holland Academy; WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits and Master’s in Alcohol Technology
The IWSA 2025 Jury Tasting reaffirmed its place as India’s most trusted benchmark of brilliance, guiding consumers and brands alike toward a future of greater quality, diversity, and discovery in the world of wines and spirits.
