The competition is open to any international producer creating wines from a minimum of 85% Gamay and this third edition will feature a new category for sparkling wines. It will be judged on Saturday January 19, in Lyon by a panel of top winemakers, experts, merchants and critics. The results are due to be released on January 28 during the Place des Vins Fair, Lyon.

Since its creation in 2010, Inter Beaujolais says the competition has received a great amount of interest from around the world with the 2011 edition attracting more than 600 entries from five countries includingItaly,Croatia an Switzerland.

Last year’s competition also saw a total of 169 medals awarded including 36 ‘Grand Gold’ (the highest accolade in the competition), 65 gold and 68 silver.

Inter Beaujolais marketing and communications director Anthony Collet, said:“The success of the first two editions of our International Gamay Competition proves an increasing interest for the grape variety which we believe perfectly fits to the current trend for lighter, fruity wines also showing interesting complexity and true ageing potential”.