QUICK FACTS:

• 10,800 wine glasses and 240 champagne flutes were used during the 2010 Competition
• The glasses are washed FIVE times after each use
• 55,200 squeaky clean washings each day for three days equals 165,600 washings
• As many as 20 wine staff members at a time pitch in to wash glasses
• Glasses are never touched by hand; specially designed lint-free towels are used
• Towels are made of flour sack and are washed multiple times a day in very hot water; soap is never used
• More than 1,100 towels will be used during the Competition      
• Judges smell, sip, swirl and spit a minimum of 200 times daily
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CLEANSING PALATES TIPS:

• For wine judging, palates are cleansed with rare roast beef, Graber olives, grapes and cheese
• For olive oil judging, palates are cleansed with Granny Smith apples, plain yogurt and baguettes
• For spirits judging, palates are cleansed with Graber olives, crackers and water
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JUDGES STATS:

• 75 wine judges, with panels tasting approximately 100 wines a day
• Eighteen olive oil judges will experience the unique taste of 506 entries
• Twelve spirits judges make determinations on 214 entries
• Judges at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition are the best in the world, averaging 25-30 years experience

• Wine judge Wilfred Wong tastes 6,000 to 8,000 wines a year. That’s an average of 21 wines a day!

OVERVIEW OF 2010’S ENTRIES:

• More than 3,200 wines
• 214 spirits
• 506 olive oils
• 16 countries including USA, France, New Zealand and others were represented