Coming soon: Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 results will be released on 17 June, providing a new indispensable guide to stellar premium wines – from classics to new-wave styles – being produced by talented winemakers across the globe.

Get first access to DWWA 2026 results on 17 June: Sign up here to receive our newsletter alerts

Now in its 23rd year, DWWA is the world’s biggest wine competition and is renowned for its rigorous judging process.

Nearly 17,000 entries were blind-tasted at DWWA 2026, and judging involved 245 experts from 35 countries. Leading authorities in their field took part, including 24 Master Sommeliers and 63 Masters of Wine.

This provides a platform for consumers to explore the richness of the wine world with confidence across all medal colours, from Best in Show to Bronze. It also offers producers themselves a valuable benchmark.

‘We had a fantastic quality of entries this year,’ said Andrew Jefford, one of five DWWA 2026 Co-Chairs.

‘The tasting discussions were more animated than ever – a good sign, as discussion is the key to our judging process. I'm really confident in these results, and look forward to sharing them.’

Know your DWWA medals

Coveted Best in Show medals are the pinnacle of DWWA, with just 50 awarded.

This year, that represents only 0.3% of total wines tasted. Platinum and Gold medal tiers accounted for 1.18% and 5.56% of wines tasted respectively.

While all entries are discussed by expert panels, wines reaching these upper levels of the competition must be tasted and reviewed several times.

DWWA is also committed to rewarding brilliant, premium wines for every budget.

This year’s Top Value Gold list features 35 wines, up from 30 at DWWA 2025, chosen by Co-Chairs. Launched in 2023, the category highlights the best wines under £15-a-bottle.

Meanwhile, DWWA's focus on expert panel discussion for every entry means that Silver and Bronze medal tiers are well worth exploring, too.

Judging: From Co-Chairs to new faces in 2026

DWWA Co-Chairs lead the competition’s judging process, with experienced Regional Chairs overseeing the expert judging panels.

Co-Chairs at DWWA 2026 include: Andrew Jefford, Beth Willard, Michael Hill Smith AM MW and Ronan Sayburn MS.

They were joined by Caro Maurer MW, who became the first ‘Resident Co-Chair’, a new role that sees a Regional Chair join the competition’s established Co-Chairs – bringing fresh perspectives and insight to the leadership team.

There were also several new Regional Chairs at DWWA 2026:

• Dr Edward Ragg MW (Asia)
• Beatriz Machado (Portugal)
• Matthew Wilkin MS (Loire)
• Jason Millar (Southern Italy)
• Alessandra Piubello (Veneto)
• Regine Lee MW (Germany, acting)
• James Davis MW (South & Eastern Mediterranean, acting)

Sustainability in action

Alongside the judging process, sustainability is a core principle at DWWA.

In 2026, for example, more than 20,000 single-use plastic bags previously used for blind tastings have been replaced with reusable cotton alternatives.

In addition, more than 1,000 cardboard boxes are reused annually.

This year also involved an initial trial of the Coravin wine preservation system during Platinum and Best in Show judging rounds.

It's an initiative that is being explored with a view to reducing the number of sample bottles that entrants are required to submit in future DWWA editions.

Get first access to DWWA 2026 results on 17 June: Sign up here to receive our newsletter alerts

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