Glass of Bubbly Awards
inkREADible - Official Supplier of Glass of Bubbly Award Medals
Imagine, if you will, a label so elegant and so sophisticated, that it practically glistens with the excitement of the awards it represents. Here at inkREADible Labels, we’re absolutely thrilled to partner with Glass of Bubbly, to supply their award medal stickers. These are no ordinary stickers, mind you. Oh no, these medals are crafted to embody the sophistication and splendour of each award-winning champagne bottle or sparkling wine bottle they grace.
In this Q&A, we’ll pop the cork on what it’s like working with Glass of Bubbly, the unique charm of these award stickers, and the sparkling impact they are making. We spoke to Christopher Walkey, Champagne and Sparkling Wine Consultant, and Founder of Glass of Bubbly – these are his words.
Please can you give us a brief overview of the Glass of Bubbly Awards and how it came about?
“Our vision was to create a unique awards dedicated to champagne & sparkling wines that focuses on helping consumers to understand better the flavours, aromas and styles of wines. We have recently completed our eighth awards, and they continue to grow in entries as does the recognition within the industry - We have some of the top international wine professionals judging so that the very best quality and tasting experiences are recognised.”
How do these awards influence champagne and sparkling wine sales?
Feedback from previous winners of medals and trophies shows us that our awards help to increase recognition, sales and opportunities. As an example, Villa Sandi, who won the World's Finest Trophy in 2018, shared with us that by winning this trophy they were able to open up new markets for their wine (Serenissima Opere DOC) to include Mexico.
How can Glass of Bubbly award stickers help winners stand out in a crowded sparkling wine market, and also help consumers make purchasing decisions?
Like any awards, and especially within the wine industry, consumers recognise and are responsive to seeing medal badges on bottles. Awards received certainly help to influence purchases. When a sparkling wine wins a medal from Glass of Bubbly Awards, not only the quality level of wine is displayed (gold/silver/bronze), but also the style of wine to expect such as 'Oaky & Toasty', 'Zesty & Zingy' or 'Herbal Gardens' - Not everyone is familiar with terms such as blanc de noirs, traditional method, or ancestral, nor the characteristics of grapes such as Glera, Meunier or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Are there any studies or feedback that show the effectiveness of award stickers on sales for previous winners?
They most certainly do both from our own opinion and those of the industry - Yes, our awards are there to recognise the quality of wines and the people who make them, but one winemaker said that a gold medal can add an additional £1 to each bottle. So, when you consider our entry fee of £125 against a production of 100,000 bottles annually, it can be financially rewarding as well. If two identical bottles are presented of similar wine at a similar price point, a medal can make a big difference.
If purely a decision on the style of wine is in question, then the Glass of Bubbly awards can also offer a positive influence in guiding the buyer to the best wine to suit their taste and requirements. The Glass of Bubbly Awards has eighteen categories which guide consumers on flavours from those preferring lighter and fruity to others wanting more complex and elegant styles.
How has your experience of working with inkREADible Labels, as the official supplier of award medal labels to the Glass of Bubbly Awards, been so far?
The communications with inkREADible have been exceptional and it has been quite refreshing to deal with a company whose staff and procedures have made the process of our taking on a new service provider smooth and stress-free. One of the best customer service experiences we have had since we launched some ten years ago - Well done inkREADible and a special shout out to Dawn!
What can we expect from the Glass of Bubbly Awards in the future in terms of initiatives or expansion that will continue to support and celebrate excellence?
For 2025 we want to expand our partnerships with key suppliers of the industry that should be recognised by our global network of sparkling wine producers from glassware to cork suppliers! Sustainability is also very close to our heart at Glass of Bubbly, and we again wish to expand this section of our awards, alongside our partner Slow Food UK, to increase entries globally and increase our criteria for applications. Lastly, we want to reward more of the people behind some of the greatest sparkling wines of the world - We re-introduced the 'Significant Contribution to the World of Sparkling Wine Trophy' at our 2024 awards along with a new title of 'Sparkling Wine Influencer' - Next year we want to expand awards to writers, winemakers, innovators, sommeliers and many more in our industry.
How to Order Glass of Bubbly Award Medal Stickers
An exciting and unique event, not to be missed! We will certainly be looking out for winners displaying medal stickers to help us make decisions when buying sparkling wine and Champagne. It seems an ideal way to educate consumers and elevate their enjoyment of different wines. As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right."
If you have won an award from Glass of Bubbly you can order award medal stickers here:
