Winestars World, launching its fourth competition in just ten months, is a progression from the old ‘wine competition’ model, where wines are rated “blind,” or only on wine quality. It recognizes that quality is not the only metric for success. Packaging, management, growing, sourcing, winemaking strategy, pricing and the overall marketing and business plan are the things that, when counted together, are reflected in the final wine quality. Without the foundation of a well-run business, good wine quality is often not sustainable. As a result, Winestars World judges entrants based upon their complete business model, not just their wine quality, and uses the same methodology that real buyers use everyday to purchase wines. Nomacorc is a worldwide leader in wine closures and the No. 1 closure brand for still wines in many countries including France, Germany and the United States. Dedicated to technological innovation, Nomacorc manufactures its portfolio of products using a patented co-extrusion process. Nomacorc’s 100 percent recyclable products are available through a vast network of distributors and sales agents on six continents. With 500 employees worldwide and state-of-the-art facilities in the United States, Belgium, China and Argentina, Nomacorc produces more than 2 billion closures annually. Working with renowned wine research institutes worldwide, the company leads the wine closure industry in fundamental and applied research into oxygen management in wine. For Nomacorc, Winestars World’s idea of creating a faster route to market is a huge positive for the industry. "Helping wineries, importers and retail wine buyers get product to market more quickly and efficiently is critical to the growth of the wine industry and something we’re proud to support as an industry partner,” said Dean Bannister, Global Business Development Manager, Nomacorc.“As a leader in innovation, communication and wine quality via oxygen management, Nomacorc seeks to bring added value to our clients.Winestars World and Nomacorc’s mutual passion for helping wineries succeed makes this a great collaboration.” Nomacorc will be sponsoring and subsidizing entries to Winestars LIWF 2013, where Nomacorc customers will be able to enter at a reduced rate of 20%, from GBP 250 to only GBP 200. This allows wineries to enter any amount of wines and for the opportunity to qualify for the Top 50, where they will meet and present their wines to leading wine buyers from all trade sectors, to two leading wine importers: Bibendum and Enotria (both judges) sommeliers and to qualify for the Top 10 Finals. Nomacorc will be a regular guest on the weekly Winestars World Newsletter as well as thewebsite, giving advice and guidance to wineries on the best research, innovation and closures for their products. Nomacorc will also contribute an official judge at the LIWF: Katie Myers, Global Manger of Public Relations, joins with an eye toward packaging innovation and to analyse wineries’ marketing and communications. Prior to Nomacorc, Katie worked for nearly a decade at the United States’ largest independent branding agency, The Richards Group, in Dallas, Texas, on a number of brands including Woodbridge Wines and The Home Depot.In her role at Nomacorc, Katie oversees the company’s corporate and media communications, events and social media presence. She is responsible for sustainability outreach and reporting. Katie has also published articles on wine for online magazine Palate Press and is a New York City correspondent for the New York Cork Report. “We know that there are at least 20,000 wineries globally who could benefit from Winestars World,”says Catherine Monahan, Founder/CEO, Winestars World.“Working with Nomacorc, a leader and innovator, we know we can offer an enormous opportunity to our global winery database and really help them. These wineries will have the stage and an opportunity to potentially sell thousands of cases in ten minutes. This is about a platform that helps people actually sell wine and have the chance be exposed to leading buyers overnight. Furthermore, it offers buyers the opportunity of meeting exciting producers and to see new, innovative products that would normally take 6-8 months to see through existing channels. All this, in just two days.” Any wineries wishing to participate in the Winestars World LIWF Top 50 wineries Tasting and UK Buyers’ Top 10 Finals, should email catherine@winestarsworld.org or go to the website at www.winestarsworld.co.uk to read more and get an entry form. The Top 50 Wineries Tasting will take place on the 16th May 2013, followed by a Nomacorc conference and Live Top 10 Finals at the LIWF, on the Winestars Stand in the My Wine Zone, on Wednesday 22nd May from 11am-2.30pm.