Professional alcoholic drinks tasting

Regulation of the 26th Professional Alcoholic Drinks Tasting "The best product of FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2024"

1. General provisions

1.1. Professional tasting is held in the frame of the 26th annual Central Asian International Exhibition 'FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2024' in Almaty (Kazakhstan).

1.2. The professional alcoholic drinks tasting contest is organized by Iteca LLP.

1.3. Samples of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) may be presented for the competition

2. Product samples shall specify the following

2.1. The application for the competition must be submitted not later than 01 November 2024. The application includes:

• sample(s) name
• producer company name

2.2. No less than five (5) labelled bottles of each sample shall be submitted to the Exhibition Organizing Committee complete with a copy of application. Product samples shall have Certificates of Compliance and Statements of Tests performed by manufacturers' laboratories, specifying the following:

• sample name;
• producer company name;
• proof;
• color;
• sugar content;
• brief description of sample (composition, organoleptic, physical, and chemical indicators in conformity with sample-specific standard specifications);
• and ripening period (for wines).

2.3. In case samples are not submitted by manufacturer, availability of Powers of Attorney issued by producers (or copies) is obliged.

2.4. Vodka and liquor tasting shall be held in groups as follows:

• Group 1 – vodka;
• Group 2 – special vodka;
• Group 3 – bitters, mild / low-proof bitters, and aperitifs;
• Group 4 – sweet, semi-sweet berry liqueur / ratifies; and liqueur;
• Group 5 – balsams;
• Group 6 – low-proof beverages;
• Group 7 – spirits and raw materials for liquor.

2.5. Tasting of wines shall be held in groups as follows:

• Group 1 – table wines (dry, semi-dry and semi-sweet);
• Group 2 – fortified wines;
• Group 3 – flavoured wines;
• Group 4 – sparkling wines;
• Group 5 – cognacs;
• Group 6 – winy beverages

3. Organoleptic evaluation procedures of the samples' quality

3.1. To evaluate the quality of the presented samples, the Organizing Committee will set up a qualified tasting commission (jury) to include the Chair and two sub-commitions: on the qualitative assessment of winy beverages, vodka, liqueurs and spirits, and low-proof beverages.

3.1.1. To determine the winners and do the awarding, a commission (jury) will be set up to include the Presidium and a sub-commission.

3.1.2. The Presidium includes the Chair, a representative of the Organizing Committee, and an executive secretary. The Presidium members do not participate in the expert evaluation.

3.1.3. The Chairs of the sub-commissions participate in expert evaluation and the Presidium's work without a right to vote.

3.2. The expert commission consists of highly qualified specialists in the field of organoleptic qualitative assessment of vodka, liqueurs and spirits, wines and low-proof beverages (the number of members stands from 5 to 7 people).

3.3. Prior to the tasting and in accordance with the submitted range of products, the Presidium shall outline the competition procedures and specify awarding criteria and an approximate number of medals, by categories. This decision will be followed by a protocol signed by the Presidium members and rendered to the representatives of the firms which take part in the competition.

3.4. Organoleptic evaluation of the presented samples is carried out according to the Rules for Tasting vodka, liqueurs and spirits, and wines beverages adopted in the Republic of Kazakhstan (10-score scale).

3.5. During the tasting competition, the experts evaluate each sample individually, without discussion, and enter the results in their evaluation sheets to be submitted to the Presidium. The Presidium calculates the average score as the arithmetic mean of all expert evaluations. In cases, with discrepancies in distillery and wines beverages products' evaluations (less than 0.5 point), the point is recalculated for the second time. With significant discrepancies in evaluations, the sample is to be brought for a second tasting with an oral discussion of its properties.

3.6. Styling and appearance are evaluated separately according to a 5-score scale.

3.7. The preliminarily determined number of medals is awarded in the decreasing order following average points received by samples. In disputable cases, with equal points for quality, preference is given to samples with a better appearance. The Presidium has the right to introduce additional awards or reserve pert of medals not awarded.

3.8. Results of the jury's work shall be formalized by a protocol signed by the Chair and the secretary of the Presidium.

3.9. The products must be delivered by 08th November. In addition to the Quality certificate, the Organizing Committee will submit: sample collection reports with the involvement of third-party organizations, GOST Russia Certificate of Conformity and Certificate of Product Registration. The quantity of products will be negotiated in advance with the special events coordinator.