DWWA 2026: Judging week begins as global wine community convenes in London
Judging begins for the Decanter World Wine Awards 2026, as the world’s largest wine competition brings together global expertise, new leadership and evolving approaches to sustainability and service.
London becomes the focal point of the global wine trade this week as judging begins for the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026, marked by a series of notable shifts in both leadership and approach.
From the appointment of a new Resident Co-Chair to the competition’s largest-ever cohort of women judges and expanded sustainability initiatives, this year’s judging reflects how the wider wine world continues to evolve.
Against this backdrop, more than 16,700 wines from 57 countries are now under review, assessed by 246 judges drawn from 36 nations. As ever, the scale is significant – but in 2026, it is the combination of expertise, diversity and innovation that defines the competition as much as its size.
Judging takes place over two weeks: the first week (4–8 May) focuses on Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, followed by Platinum and Best in Show deliberations from 11–15 May.
Judging set-up at DWWA 2026.
New leadership and global expertise
A key development for 2026 is the appointment of Caro Maurer MW as DWWA’s new Resident Co-Chair, joining an experienced leadership team and bringing further international perspective to the competition.
Her arrival coincides with a number of new Regional Chair appointments, including Dr Edward Ragg MW (Asia), Beatriz Machado (Portugal), Matthew Wilkin MS (Loire), Jason Millar (Southern Italy), Alessandra Piubello (Veneto), Regine Lee MW (Germany, acting), and James Davis MW (South & Eastern Mediterranean, acting).
In addition, a distinguished new selection of Regional Chairs will join in Platinum judging week, including Amanda Barnes MW, Michaela Morris, Paz Levinson and Dominique Vrigneau – reinforcing the competition’s commitment to regional expertise at the highest level.
The strength of this competition really does come down to the quality of the judges.
Ronan Sayburn MS
Beatriz Machado signs a Gold as new Regional Chair for Portugal.
Meet the new judges for 2026
The 2026 competition welcomes 36 new judges from across the global wine community, spanning key markets and a wide range of professional expertise:
- Alisha Blackwell-Calvert (United States)
- Andrew Johnson (United Kingdom)
- Anna Lee Iijima (United States)
- Anna Spooner (France)
- Arnica Rowan (Canada)
- Bertrand Lutaud MS (France)
- Brianne Cohen (United States)
- Dion Wai (United Kingdom)
- Dr Chris Howard (France)
- Christy Frank (United States)
- Clara Rubin (United Kingdom)
- Cristina Mercuri MW (Italy)
- Evan Goldstein MS (United States)
- Jadranka Klarikj Kimovska (North Macedonia)
- Jitka Auermullerova (United Kingdom)
- Jonathan Wright (United Kingdom)
- June Rodil MS (United States)
- Karoline Reinhold (Estonia)
- Lisa Granik MW (United States)
- Maria Boumpa (United Kingdom)
- Mattia Tabacco (United Kingdom)
- Melody Wong (United Kingdom)
- Philipp Reinstaller (United Kingdom)
- Raffaele Mosca (Italy)
- Rob Mack (Australia)
- Rosana Lisa (Spain)
- Sabra Lewis (United States)
- Sara Matos (Portugal)
- Sara Underdown (Australia)
- Sietze Wijma (Netherlands)
- Sophie Thorpe (United Kingdom)
- Sue Tolson (Hungary)
- Teresa Cedenilla (Spain)
- Vladimer Kublashvili (Georgia)
- Yannick Benjamin (United States)
- Yuri Shima (United States)
Their additions reflect DWWA’s ongoing commitment to combining established authority with new voices, ensuring the judging process remains both rigorous and representative of today’s global wine landscape.
New judge Yannick Benjamin (right) and returning judge Eugene Mlynczyk MW (left) taste on the USA panel, chaired by James Tidwell MS.
Why DWWA matters
For producers, a DWWA medal remains one of the most powerful endorsements in the global wine trade, offering both commercial advantage and international visibility.
For consumers, the awards provide a reliable benchmark of quality across a vast range of styles, regions and price points.
At a time when wine drinkers are seeking authenticity, value and sustainability, the role of rigorous, expert-led competitions has arguably never been more important. DWWA’s unique judging model – combining regional specialism with collaborative panel discussion – continues to set it apart, ensuring consistency and credibility in its results.
Have fun, share and discuss. That is the complete essence of everything that the Decanter judging process means, and that’s the way we truly get the best results.
Andrew Jefford
Innovation in judging and service
This year introduces a new dimension to judging methodology through collaboration with Coravin, with founder Greg Lambrecht leading a dedicated masterclass for judges. The session explores how by-the-glass technology can support quality, consistency and premium wine service in today’s hospitality landscape.
A comparative blind tasting of Coravin-accessed wines alongside freshly opened bottles – using DWWA 2025 medal winners – will allow judges to assess performance firsthand, prompting discussion around service, ageing potential and the practical realities of modern wine programmes.
Coravin will also be incorporated into Platinum and Best in Show judging on a trial basis. The initiative is being explored with a view to reducing the number of sample bottles required at entry stage in future editions, offering potential benefits for both producers and the competition’s broader sustainability objectives.
Sustainability in focus
Sustainability remains a growing priority for DWWA, with new initiatives introduced for 2026. More than 20,000 single-use plastic bags previously used for blind tastings have been replaced with reusable cotton alternatives, while more than 1,000 cardboard boxes are reused annually, cutting waste significantly.
During judging week, leftover wine – expected to exceed 10,000 litres – is collected and processed through anaerobic digestion, converting waste into clean energy.
Additionally, approximately 16,000 corks will be gathered and repurposed for mulch production, contributing to circular economy efforts.
These measures build on recognition received in 2025, when DWWA was shortlisted for Excellence in Waste Management and The Green Transformation by Green Awards UK, underscoring the competition’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
The DWWA 2026 warehouse, colour coded by day of judging with over 67,000 bottles categorised.
A global community
Beyond the tasting rooms, judging week also serves as a key moment of connection for the international wine community. This year’s judges’ celebration will take place at Vagabond Urban Winery in London, marking 23 years of DWWA and honouring long-standing contributors through the Legacy Awards.
Two new recipients – Andrew Shaw and Dawn Davies MW – join a group of more than 50 judges recognised for 15 years or more of service, reflecting the continuity and institutional knowledge that underpin the competition’s authority.
Over the years it has been fantastic to see how the quality of wines have gone up and to see many more countries enter wines as their winemaking journey develops. I have always loved the judging weeks as it is time to catch up with old friends and enjoy sharing thoughts about a business we all love.
Dawn Davies MW
When to expect the results
The DWWA 2026 results will be announced on 17 June on Decanter.com, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the year’s top-performing wines across all categories and regions.
Readers can subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to be among the first to access the results as they are published, along with expert analysis, highlights and regional breakdowns.
Looking ahead
As judging progresses this week, early indications point to a broad and increasingly diverse field, shaped not only by the range of entries but by the evolving composition of the judging panel itself.
For the trade, the results will offer a timely snapshot of quality benchmarks in a market navigating rising costs, shifting consumption patterns and a growing emphasis on sustainability.
For consumers, they remain a trusted guide to discovering wines across styles, regions and price points.
With innovations including the trial use of Coravin technology during top-tier judging – with a view to reducing sample requirements in future editions – alongside expanded environmental initiatives and new voices joining the panel, DWWA 2026 reflects a competition adapting in step with the global industry it seeks to represent.
One of five evaluation rooms at DWWA 2026.
Further updates will be published on Decanter.com as judging continues, with additional behind-the-scenes coverage shared via Decanter Awards’ social channels.
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