Not a spirit

Although many sakes are clear, resembling spirits such as vodka or gin, this beverage, made from rice, water, kōji mould and yeast, isn’t distilled.

Alcohol typically ranges between 15% and 17%, just slightly higher than that of wine.

Core ratio

The rice milling ratio indicates how much of the grain remains after ‘polishing’, which removes outer layers rich in fats and proteins to reveal the starchy core.

The lower the percentage, the purer, more delicate and aromatic the sake, such as the premium Ginjo (≤60%) and Daiginjo (≤50%).

Pure or adulterated?

Junmai (‘pure rice’) means no added alcohol, and what’s in the bottle tends to be richer and more savoury; added alcohol Sake barrels often makes the sake crisper, with a cleaner flavour.

Drink fresh, hot or chilled

While you can age some sakes (‘koshu’), the vast majority are intended to be enjoyed young, and many suit a range of temperatures.

Lighter, fruitier styles are typically served chilled; richer styles may be served warm, though this largely depends on personal preference.

An all-round food companion

With lower acidity than wine, sake usually tastes rounder and slightly sweeter, making it suitable for a wide range of dishes.

Pick a Junmai for a first try; sparkling sake also makes a refreshing summer aperitif.

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Beware clear bottles!

Rosé Champagne is often bottled in clear glass, but bottles that sit on brightly lit shelves or in windows are vulnerable to ‘light strike’, a fault that gives wine an unappealing vegetal, savoury flavour.

The red wine factor

Most rosé Champagne is made by the ‘assemblage’ method, with red wine from Pinot Noir added at the blending stage.

The amount of red wine added is the major factor in how deep the style is; Taittinger and Ruinart, for example (with at least 15% red wine), are deeper and fruitier than Bollinger or Charles Heidsieck (below 10%).

Upping the intensity

Less common are ‘macération’ or ‘saignée’ styles, which are made by extracting colour directly from Pinot Noir or Meunier grapes at harvest time.

Wines labelled ‘saignée’ tend to be darker and more intense.

Pink for white lovers

If you enjoy the blanc de blancs style of Champagne (made from the Chardonnay grape), there may well be a rosé for you – producers such as Ayala make delicate, citrussy rosés with more Chardonnay than Pinot in the blend.

Cellarworthy styles

Just because it’s pink doesn’t mean it won’t age. Vintage and prestige rosés can be just as ageworthy as the white versions; try cellaring them for at least three years after release to bring out delicious spicy, dried fruit complexity.

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Don’t be in a rush to drink it

Most of us think of Sauvignon Blanc as an aromatic, early-drinking style, but Sancerre offers so much more.

Do as the growers do and wait a few years for the primary fruit characters to soften, revealing the complexities of the terroir.

The 2022 vintage is drinking beautifully right now.

Check out cuvées parcellaires

Small-batch wines from specific sites have proliferated in recent years, reflecting the appellation’s complex geology.

While there are no designated premiers crus in Sancerre, look out for wines from premium vineyard sites such as Monts Damnés, Cul de Beaujeu and Chêne Marchand.

The significance of silex

Following the success of the late Didier Dagueneau’s wine Silex, the name has almost become a brand in its own right, featuring on many Sancerre labels. ‘Silex’ is a reference to flint or silica.

These soil types make up a minority of the vineyard area in the region and produce wines said to possess a distinctive, powerful and smoky minerality.

It’s a great destination for wine lovers

One of the prettiest villages in France, Sancerre is perfect for a tasting trip. There are countless opportunities to visit and taste, often paired with a plate of the local goat’s cheese.

The vineyards are crisscrossed by a network of hiking paths and cycle trails for those wishing to get up close and personal with the vines.

Producer name is key

Sancerre sells at a premium these days, so it pays to seek out good producers.

Happily, there’s no shortage of winemaking talent, to be found at domaines Tabordet, Paul Prieur, Denizot, Claude Riffault and Jean-Philippe Agisson, to name a few.

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Prosecco has cemented its status as the world’s bestselling sparkling wine after enjoying a meteoric rise to prominence in the 21^st century.

Global sales of Italy’s budget-friendly fizz reached 307 million bottles in 2013.

That meant Prosecco overtook Champagne for the first time (by volume), and it has pulled well clear in the ensuing years.

Annual production now stands at 700 million bottles, and fans can’t get enough of this light, refreshing sparkler.

Many enjoy Prosecco on its own, but it’s also a key ingredient in popular cocktails like the Aperol Spritz.

Scroll down to discover 10 award-winning Prosecco wine wines from DWWA 2026

Why is Prosecco Day on August 13?

Riondo, one of the leading Prosecco producers, established Prosecco Day in 2016.

By that point, Prosecco was a cultural phenomenon in the UK and other parts of Europe, but Riondo wanted to boost its popularity in the US.

The winery chose August 13, as it’s the height of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, making it the perfect time to enjoy a chilled glass of Prosecco.

What began as an American marketing campaign has been enthusiastically adopted around the world.

In 2021, the US overtook the UK as Prosecco’s largest export market.

More than 80% of Prosecco is typically exported, with the US, the UK, France, Germany and Belgium among the top destinations.

A village, a grape and a name change

Prosecco takes its name from a small village near Trieste, which is close to Italy’s border with Slovenia. The grape is thought to have grown there for centuries.

Both the wine and the grape were traditionally called Prosecco, but that changed in 2009.

Italy wanted to protect its local industry from global competition, so it renamed the grape Glera and turned Prosecco into a strict geographical designation.

Prosecco must now be produced from grapes grown across a defined zone spanning the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions.

Some of the finest expressions come from the steep hills between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.

The landscape there is so striking that UNESCO added it to the World Heritage list in 2019.

Wines from this area carry the superior DOCG classification, and the tiny Cartizze hill within the zone is treated as the region’s unofficial grand cru.

How Prosecco gets its sparkle

Unlike Champagne, which gains its bubbles through a slow second fermentation in the bottle, Prosecco is made using the tank method.

The second fermentation happens in large pressurised steel tanks. It’s faster and less expensive, but it preserves the fresh, fruity aromas of the Glera grape.

Prosecco is designed to be light-bodied, youthful and easy-drinking, offering a different experience to Champagne.

One label quirk is worth knowing. A Prosecco labelled Extra Dry is sweeter than one labelled Brut, so if you prefer your fizz dry, Brut is the one to reach for.

You’ll also find fully sparkling (spumante) and gently sparkling (frizzante) styles, while Prosecco rosé – which is made with a splash of Pinot Noir – has been an official category since 2020.

Prosecco conquers the world

Prosecco’s rise has been remarkable. In the early 21^st century, it was relatively unknown outside of Italy, but it became the world’s bestselling sparkler in the space of a generation.

It’s easy to see why Prosecco has proved so popular, as combines a crowd-pleasing style with an affordable price tag, offering everyday luxury and easy-going charm.

Prosecco is also the engine behind two of the world’s bestselling cocktails: the almost ubiquitous Aperol Spritz and the peachy Bellini, which was invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice.

Its success has even sparked an international turf war. In Australia’s King Valley, growers planted the grape back when it was still legally called Prosecco.

They continue to sell Australian 'Prosecco' at home and in some export markets – much to the fury of the Italians, who insist the name belongs to their protected hills alone.

Wherever you stand on the dispute, it’s proof of how valuable those eight letters have become.

Prosecco Day is the perfect excuse to put a bottle on ice. Pour a glass, raise a toast to the summer and join the celebration.

DWWA 2026: 10 award-winning Prosecco wines to try

Il Colle 1978, Rive di Rua di Feletto Extra Brut, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Rive, Veneto 2024
Platinum, 97 points
Expressive apple blossom, pear and peach aromas sizzle over the nose and voluminous texture, tamed by steely mineral undertones. Lush lemongrass, thyme and lime notes furnish the infinite perlage and chalky acidity. Long and precise. Alcohol 11%

Bisol 1542, Dry, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto 2025
Gold, 95 points
An absolute treat, demonstrating immaculate depth and precision. Pear, citrus, elderflower and acacia aromas swirl around the nose with a melon succulence glazing the mousse. Alc 11.5%

Borgo Molino, Motivo Millesimato Brut, Prosecco Asolo Superiore, Veneto 2025
Gold, 95 points
Fragrant pot pourri, blossom and baked apple notes decorate the nose and sink into the peachy palate with its fine mousse and subtle mineral aftertaste. Alc 11.5%

Casa Farive, Brut, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto NV
Silver, 92 points
Intense, honeysuckle, green melon, grapefruit pith, orange, sweet dough and almond blossom, well-supported by a bright chalky white fruits finish. Alc 11%

Collalto, Isabella Di Collalto Brut, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Rive, Veneto 2024
Silver, 92 points
Spicy and intense aromas of white flower, crushed herbs, showing some chalkiness, long finish with green fruit notes: really well-made! Alc 12%

Montelvini, Collezione Serenitatis Extra Dry, Prosecco Asolo Superiore, Veneto NV
Silver, 92 points
Vibrantly fresh and fruity with fuzzy peach and Gala apple flavours; lovely purity of the fruit for the price point. Alc 11.5%

Luca Ricci, Brut, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto NV
Silver, 91 points
Bright and vibrant jasmine, sea breeze and white peach; gently frothy and creamy with fresh almond character. Alc 11%

Tenuta Amadio, Brut, Prosecco Asolo Superiore, Veneto 2025
Silver, 91 points
Frothy and fun with loads of pear drop and fuzzy peach flavours. Generous and moreish style with pink grapefruit finish. Alc 11.5%

Tenuta Castaldo, Brut, Prosecco Asolo Superiore, Veneto 2025
Silver, 91 points
Bright notes of green apple and tinned pineapple framed by fresh herbs and grapefruit, lingers with fine bubbles. Alc 11.5%

Vedova, Extra Brut, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto 2025
Silver, 91 points
Candied fleshy peach, melon, honeysuckle, white rose mingle with jasmine, lime peel and white fruit with salty, mineral-chalky finish. Alc 11%

Search all DWWA 2026 results

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With its dark, pointed turrets and gleaming limestone façade Château Pichon Baron is one of the Médoc's quintessential châteaux.

A second growth Pauillac, it is renowned for the sleekness, polish and ageworthiness of its Cabernet Sauvignon-driven wines, produced from 92 hectares of vines planted in the region's famous gravels.

The estate was created in the 17th century when Baron Jacques Pichon de Longueville married Therèse de Rauzan, the daughter of a wealthy and enormously influential wine merchant.

The barons de Longueville owned the property from 1694 to 1933. In 1850 the estate was split with Baron Raoul de Longueville keeping the property known today as Pichon Baron, while his sisters inherited the other half that we know today as Pichon Comtesse.

The estate was bought by insurance group AXA – part of a wider portfolio of estates under the umbrella of AXA Millésimes – in 1987.

Under the group's ownership, the estate has been extensively renovated and remodelled, with state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and cellars.

The core plot at the centre of the estate's vineyards, the 'Butte de Pichon Baron', has been used to make the grand vin since 1694.

The property also produces two 'second labels', Les Tourelles de Pichon Baron and Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, and a white wine.

Pichon Baron vintages

Looking back over the most recent available vintages, we can see that Pichon Baron has averaged a score 97-points from various Decanter critics.

This puts it in the same category as Château Cheval Blanc or Château Haut-Brion.

However, an average case price of £1,038 (per 12x75cl) is a sizeable discount to either of those other estates which clock in at over £4,000 and £3,000 a case on average respectively.

Even better news for fans of polished Pauillac, there are currently four well-scored vintages available for under £1,000.

The most surprising of these is the 2017, which received a score of 98-points during a panel tasting. Not an especially renowned vintage, one judge, Andy Howard MW, called it: 'A classic Pauillac, which is remarkable in the context of 2017 overall.'

The wine has a current market price of £960 per case. According to Liv-ex, it is down from previous highs over the course of 2022-2024 but has seen some positive gains so far this year.

Another vintage that looks good value relative to other peers is the 2020. Like the 2017 it has a score of 98-points and costs under £1,000, with Georgina Hindle calling it: 'Generous, elegant and refined'.

Both vintages look even better value when compared to the 2022, which also has a score of 98-points but currently costs just over £1,200 per case. It's the better-viewed vintage but perhaps buyers have been overlooking other wines of similar quality?

Finally, the 95-point 2021 is really a very delicious wine, especially given the otherwise rather average vintage and the 2024 with 96-points is the cheapest available vintage by far at around £838 per case.

Although they sit under Pichon Baron's score-average their relative affordability makes them tempting potential pick-ups for thirsty buyers, especially given the estate's current track record for producing standout wines even in mediocre vintages.

Château Pichon Baron: Selected tasting notes

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Asda

Gold

95 Asda, Exceptional Mas Miralda Cava Brut, Catalonia, Spain 2023

Hugely aromatic and soulful with boundless lemon peel, fresh herb and almond notes swaddled in glossy mousse and succulent acidity. A tasty joy to behold. (12%) £7.75

95 Asda, Exceptional Pouilly-Fumé, Loire, France 2025

A beguiling interplay of abundant lemongrass and bergamot florals over grassy gooseberries and crushed stones. Steely in structure with green apple acidity and an umami finish. (13%) £17

95 Asda, Exceptional Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Piedmont, Italy 2022

Cheerful and vibrant, comprising red cherries, brambles, violets and aromatic herbs encased in an earthy structure, with sandy tannins, immersive acidity and a supple chocolate length. (14.5%) £8

95 Asda, Exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2023

Pretty red and purple flowers, savoury bay leaf and twinkling cassis fruit collide decisively on the nose and palate with agile tannins and energising acidity. (14%) £7.50

95 Asda, Exceptional Zinfandel, Lodi, California, USA 2024

Gorgeous chocolate-covered cherry, raisin and bergamot aromas flourish over the nose and seep into the deep, sun-drenched core. Gentle spice adds warmth to the long length. (14.5%) £7.50

95 Navigator, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA 2023

Bursting with primary fruit fragrance and subtle wafts of baking spice. Dense and fulsome with plush oak tannins and ripe cherry acidity. Well-defined and long. (14.5%) £18.50

95 Asda, Exceptional Asti, Piedmont, Italy NV

Spilling over with guava, pineapple, passion fruit, yellow apple and pear that fills the exuberant froth and imbues the bright, jagged acidity. Long, honeyed and joyful. (7%) £4.70

96 Asda, Exceptional Noble Riesling, Canterbury, New Zealand 2017

A lingering perfume of manuka honey, saffron, ginger and toffee pudding qualifies the fruit aromas, while the long palate is sustained by cleansing acidity. (8.5%) £10/37.5cl

Booths

Platinum

97 Craggy Range, Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2025

Quivering with fragrant florals, fresh orchard fruits and passion fruit nuance that enrobes the soft succulence of the palate. Expressive and complex with a fine seam of grapefruit acidity that carries the finely-tuned aromas to the finish. (12.5%) £16.75

Gold

95 Trinity Hill, Chardonnay, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2024

Sultry peach, red apple, Amalfi lemon and nutty brioche aromas surround the melted butter texture, chiselled by grapefruit acidity. Whisps of pithy peel unite the finish. (13.5%) £18

95 Wirra Wirra, Church Block Grenache-Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2024

Enticing florals, creamy red and blue fruits and hints of white pepper bring charm and breadth. Darting acidity, fine tannins and ample purity mark the palate. (14.5%) £16.50

95 De Bortoli, Noble One Botrytis Semillon, New South Wales, Australia 2022

A panorama of candied citrus, dried fruits, honeyed nuts and vanilla sweetness that extends to the creamy palate with a kiss of oak on the finish. (10.5%) £20/37.5cl

96 Graham’s, Quinta dos Malvedos Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal 2018

Glowing with confidence and panache. Blackcurrant, bramble and violet-tinged fruits are offset by a savoury backdrop, wrapped in a satin texture and fleshy tannins. Long and linear. (20%) £34

Co-op

Gold

95 Co-op, Irresistible Malbec, Bío Bío Valley, Chile 2024

An unmistakable typicity of violet florals, fresh mint and basil amid raspberry and black plum. Energetic, textured and mouthwatering with a swirling tobacco finish. (13.5%) £9.50

95 Co-op, Irresistible Douro, Douro Valley, Portugal 2024

Attractive blackberry, blueberry and violet aromas seep into the dense, juicy texture and fold into velvet tannins. Scatterings of eucalyptus and mint pervade the length. (12.5%) £9.50

95 El Esteco, Don David Blend of Terroirs Malbec, Calchaquí, Salta, Argentina 2025

Beautifully expressive black plums, cherries and strawberries embellished by smoky spice and floral touches. Graphite tannins add freshness and complexity, with minty notes to end. (14%) £11.50

95 Trapiche, Pure Fairtrade Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2025

Stacked with raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and herbal aromas that extend generously to the juicy palate. Softly structured with folding tannins and seamless acidity. Great value. (13%) £10

Majestic

Platinum

97 Cattier, Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru Brut, Champagne, France NV

Impressive Chardonnay typicity. Well-defined honeyed peach, yellow apple, toasted sourdough and light brioche notes are subtly sewn into the fine, creamy mousse. An enhancing wet-stone freshness guides the razor-sharp acidity and long, saline finish. (12.5%) £57

97 Te Kairanga, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2024

An intriguing savoury intensity, combining dark iodine, graphite and nori seaweed with inflections of violet florals and berry fruits. Bold wood-spice tannins and vivid acidity carry the flavours and build towards the lengthy finish. (14%) £19

Gold

95 Laurent-Perrier, Héritage Brut, Champagne, France NV

Eloquent ripe citrus, apple, apricot and sweet pastry notes glaze the nose and glossy texture. The acidity melts in and funnels through to the outstanding length. (12%) £80

95 Viñalba, Reserve Malbec-Touriga Nacional, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2025

Bustling with coffee bean and vanilla appeal and speckled with berries and cherries, all underlined by gentle, savoury complexity. Lively and bright with polished tannins. (14%) £13.50

Marks & Spencer

Platinum

97 Marks & Spencer, Delacourt Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne, France 2017

A dazzling complexity of peach, apricot, quince and golden apple with lashings of toasted bread and brioche. Broad and muscular, with rippling mousse and racy lime acidity curtailing the grilled nut glow of the finale. (12.5%) £35

97 Marks & Spencer, Collection, Peironte, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2021

Unmistakably Barolo, capturing the essence via cherry, strawberry, sweet herb and balsamic notes that permeate the taut structure and tightly wound, muscular tannins. Cured meat and black pepper energy brings up the rear and lingers resolutely. (14%) £20

Gold

95 Marks & Spencer, Collection, Rosé, Côtes de Provence Cru Sainte Victoire, Provence, France 2025

A symphonic purity of raspberries, strawberries, peaches and cream ripples over the satin texture and juicy melon acidity and gathers at the saline mineral ending. (12.5%) £14 95

Marks & Spencer, Yarri-Karri Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2023

A dense core of black and red cherry with adjacent floral aroma conjoining. Deftly textured, shrouded in serious, gravelly tannins and bright acidity. Long and fulfilling. (14%) £14

Morrisons

Gold

95 Louis Jadot, Couvent des Jacobins Chardonnay, Bourgogne, Burgundy, France 2024

Disarming ripe peach, apple, yellow plum and almond enthroned in vanilla oak, with a buttery texture and precise tangerine acidity flowing to the long, rapturous end. (12.5%) £21

Sainsbury’s

Gold

95 Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Grillo, Sicily, Italy 2025

Alluring white florals and ripe tropical fruits scatter over the nose, meeting cooling mineral tones on the palate. Orange-peel vigour laces the acidity and length. (12.5%) £8.50

Tesco

Platinum

97 Tesco, Finest Black Birch Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Cool, precise and eloquent, emanating a gooseberry, bell pepper, pea shoot and passion fruit perfume entwined with mystifying sea spray minerals. Sumptuous lime acidity and expressive saline elements carry the freshness and character to the lengthy finale. (12.5%) £15.50

Gold

95 Tesco, Finest Grand Cru Brut, Champagne, France 2019

A delicious immediacy of yellow peach, apple, walnut and pastry flavour that binds generously with the salient lime acidity and cushioning fizz. Long and mineral. (12.6%) £32

95 Tesco, Finest Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2021

Capacious red plum, sour cherry and dried floral notes within a finely-tuned structure of smooth tannins; there’s a balsamic edge to the long finish. (13.5%) £11.75

96 Tesco, Finest Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal 2020

Densely flavoured with bramble, black cherry and sweet blackcurrant on a bed of liquorice and caraway. Complex, sumptuous and brooding. (20%) £14.75

95 Tesco, Finest 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal NV

Hugely concentrated and powerful, packed with toffee richness mingled with dried prune, caramel and pecan-nut complexity. Harmonious and smoothly textured. (20%) £14.75

Waitrose

Gold

95 Château de Rochemorin, Blanc, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France 2024

An engaging, fine-knit citrus core layering of tropical fruit salad, white blossom and honeysuckle. Spacious and textural with gentle acidity and a long, bright finish. (12.5%) £24

95 Faustino, I Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja, Spain 2021

Exuberant aromas of macadamia, praline and peach melba combine and seamlessly infuse the broad oak structure, with silty lemon acidity poking through. Exemplary Gran Reserva. (13%) £20

95 Waitrose, No.1 Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2022

Alive with herbaceous energy, exhibiting blue and black fruit, violet florals and a vivacious menthol zing. Fleshy and fluid with smooth tannins and a youthful texture. (14%) £15

The Wine Society

Gold

95 Castelnau, Brut, Champagne, France 2006

Compelling buttered toast and honey, nougat and orchard fruits envelop the plush, rounded texture and melting acidity. Flecks of citrus tickle the finish. (12.5%) £49 95

Famille Bougrier, Première Idylle Brut, Vouvray, Loire, France NV

Brimming with ripe Granny Smith apple, chalky mineral and hazelnut notes that complement the fine, frothy effervescence and waxy texture perfectly. Beautifully crisp and refreshing. (12%) £12.50

95 Bononia Estate, Gomotartzi Dimyat-Vermentino, Danubian Plain, Bulgaria 2024

A delicious tension of green apple, melon and green herbs with bounding citrus-fresh acidity and an engaging salty line. Rounded and long finish. (13.5%) £11.95

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On hearing the term 'prestige cuvée', many seasoned wine lovers instantly think of the crown jewel of a Champagne house – the wine that represents the pinnacle of a producer's winemaking ambition.

Perhaps the most famous example is Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon's prestige cuvée, first released in 1936. Such bottlings are often associated with the finest vineyard sites, exceptional vintages – although some are released as non-vintage wines – and in many cases, collaborations with the worlds of art, fashion and luxury.

As English sparkling wine continues to gain recognition both at home and abroad, a new generation of prestige cuvées – some of England's leading estates and winemaking talents behind them – is on the rise.

Many produced in small quantities and each with a story of its own, these English prestige cuvées naturally command premium prices (mostly £100 and above). But we managed to get hold of five – let's find out exactly what all the fuss is about.

Nyetimber: 1086 and 1086 Rosé

The unquestionable pioneer, Nyetimber was the first English wine estate to embrace Champagne’s prestige cuvée concept, releasing two premium sparkling wines – a white and a rosé – in 2018, priced at £150 and £175 respectively, on a par with premium Champagne.

The estate named the range ‘1086’ after the year the name ‘Nitimbreha’ – believed to mean ‘newly timbered house’ – first appeared in the Domesday Book, William the Conqueror’s great survey of landholdings across much of England and parts of Wales.

The ambition to produce a prestige cuvée came from Nyetimber’s proprietor, Eric Heerema, when he acquired the estate in 2006.

The winemaking team, led by head winemaker Cherie Spriggs, waited until the 2009 vintage – ‘a year that has all of the right stuff’, as Spriggs put it – to begin creating both the estate’s and England’s first prestige cuvée.

The 1086 wines are made from the finest grapes and parcels across Nyetimber’s estate vineyards in West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, with the parcel selection and blend varying according to the vintage.

The estate highlighted extended ageing – seven years on lees as the baseline – as a ‘key marker’ of the 1086 range. The principal criteria for selecting a base wine capable of such a journey are not simply flavour, but ‘structure, balance and mouthfeel’, according to the producer.

The latest releases in the range are the 2014 white and 2016 rosé.

Our review

Chapel Down: Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée

Although not originally positioned as a prestige cuvée, Chapel Down's Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée, released in 2017, also sits comfortably among the pioneers of England's super-premium sparkling wines.

With the 2013 vintage as its first release, Coeur de Cuvée is a 100% Chardonnay sparkling wine sourced from the best parcels of the famed Kit's Coty vineyard – a roughly 40ha (100-acre), steep, south-facing chalk site on the North Downs of Kent.

As the name suggests, the base wine is made from the gently extracted 'heart' (coeur) of the first pressing and is aged in French oak. The current release (£126), from the 2016 vintage, spent seven years on lees.

The Kit's Coty vineyard is also home to DWWA-winning Blanc de Blancs and still wines including Bacchus (one of the most sophisticated expressions of the grape in England) and Chardonnay.

A major player in the English wine scene since the early 2000s, Chapel Down now makes wine, led by head winemaker Josh Donaghay-Spire, from its own vineyards in Kent while also sourcing grapes from Kent, Sussex and Essex.

Our review

Gusbourne: Fifty One Degrees North

The roots of Gusbourne’s late-release bottlings can be traced back to custodian Andrew Weeber, who decided to hold back some of the estate’s 2007 Blanc de Blancs.

The 2007 was eventually released in 2014, and the result encouraged the producer to pursue the idea further. The same year also delivered what the estate describes as a 'textbook' harvest, perfect for building a sparkling wine meant for extended ageing.

After 'eight years of tasting and monitoring behind the scenes', then-head winemaker Charlie Holland oversaw the launch of the estate's prestige cuvée, Fifty One Degrees North, in 2022, named after the latitude of its Kent and Sussex vineyards.

The inaugural release was a 2:1 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with 80 months of ageing on lees.

The following year, after Holland’s departure that summer, the estate – known for specialising in vintage releases – announced the second release of Fifty One Degrees North, from the 2016 vintage (£195).

Produced from a warm, dry growing season, the wine retained a similar blend to its predecessor, combining the ‘richness of fruit’ from Gusbourne's clay and sandstone vineyards in Kent with the bright freshness derived from the chalk and flint soils in West Sussex.

After a further two years of ageing, in autumn last year (2025), a magnum edition (£395) was released in small quantities.

This year, to mark Gusbourne's 20th vintage, the team – now led by winemaker Mary Bridges with Laura Rhys MS continuing as consultant and global ambassador – decided to release around 250 bottles from the estate’s library, including wines dating back more than two decades. Among the highlights were just four bottles of Blanc de Blancs from the inaugural 2006 vintage.

Our review

Langham: Perpetual

This is perhaps one of the most innovative entries in this line-up, created by Langham's talented young winemaker Tommy Grimshaw.

When Grimshaw took over as head winemaker in 2019, he inherited a demi-muid (600L) of the estate's top Chardonnay from the 2017 vintage, and a puncheon (about 500L) of the best fruit from the highly prized 2018 vintage.

Inspired by grower Champagne pioneer Anselme Selosse, Grimshaw decided to start creating a multi-vintage cuvée from Langham's 13.8ha (34-acre) vineyard, with its base wine aged in solera.

With top fruit from 2019 added, the reserve was transferred to a 2,000L Slavonian oak foudre (named 'Judy'), purchased by the estate in 2020. Since then, the Dorset-based producer has kept back barrels of the most expressive Chardonnay grown on its belemnite chalk vineyard from each vintage, building a 'perpetually evolving blend', as the winemaker puts it.

The first Perpetual Blanc de Blancs was bottled in 2020, followed by four years of lees ageing, with just 650 bottles released in June 2025.

This summer, Langham released the second bottling of its prestige cuvée – this time a blend of the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages (as shown on the label), finished with zero dosage and no sulphur.

Priced at £109.95, this is also the first Perpetual release made solely from the 2,000L Slavonian oak foudre, with the ambition to 'express Chardonnay beyond the boundaries of any individual vintage', said the producer.

Our review

Squerryes Estate: Patience

A relative newcomer to the league, Squerryes’s Patience 2014, named after the family ancestor Patience Warde (1629-1696), was just launched in July 2026.

Patience himself was a former Mayor of London and a successful merchant trading British wool for French wine, including Champagne, witnessing the rise of sparkling Champagne in the 17th century.

It was his legacy that eventually led to the purchase of the Kent estate in 1731. Nearly 300 years later, the Warde family still owns the 2,500-acre estate, including 21ha (55 acres) of south-facing vineyards near Westerham, close to the Pilgrims' Way.

The family only truly committed to winegrowing in 2006, two years after eighth-generation owner John Warde, who has a background in agriculture, was approached by a Champagne house searching for English chalk soils – a visit that drew his attention to the estate's potential for sparkling wine.

The estate has since developed a range of single-estate sparkling wines (many of which saw extended lees ageing) on the chalk soils at 140–170m altitude on the North Downs.

In 2013, John's son, ninth-generation owner Henry Warde, joined the estate and soon started preserving older vintages with the support of consultant Laura Evans MW.

More than a decade later, its prestige cuvée, Patience 2014, came to be. Described by the estate as its 'most characterful' and 'most considered' wine to date, it is an almost equal blend of the three Champagne varieties, although Warde believes future releases (with the 2015 and 2017 currently under review) will become increasingly Chardonnay-led.

Among the 3,000 bottles produced, the first tranche of 1,500 bottles are now available at £225 per bottle.

Our reivew

Super-premium English wine: more to come

Beyond these, the list of English prestige cuvée now also includes Sugrue South Downs' sold-out Cuvée Dr Brendan O'Regan (£125 per bottle), Exton Park's Cuvée M. Isaac Blanc de Blancs 'BBB' (£130), and Hattingley Valley's Kings Cuvée (£91).

Meanwhile, top producers are continuing to release highly selective, long-ageing bottlings such as Black Chalk's Eighty Nine Point Six 2020 (magnum, £165), not to mention an increasing number of rare library releases.

Although the concept of prestige cuvée is still relatively new to the English wine scene, and the ranks of this super-premium club remain small, there is little doubt that more are on the horizon.

Are they worth prices that rival the top end of Champagne? The quality and the ambition are certainly there. Whether they’re here to stay, is now up to wine lovers to decide.

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Albariño is lovingly known as 'the wine of the sea' in its birthplace, the rain-lashed Atlantic coast of north-west Iberia. Locals have enjoyed it with seafood dishes for centuries, but Albariño is no longer a well-kept Spanish secret.

This popular grape has emerged as one of the wine world’s great success stories, and it’s now thriving everywhere from Portugal and California to New Zealand and even England.

Why is International Albariño Day on August 1?

The date is a nod to the grape’s spiritual home. Every year, the Galician town of Cambados hosts the Fiesta del Albariño, a week-long festival of tastings, concerts and fireworks that culminates on the first Sunday of August.

This festival now draws crowds of around 150,000 people, but the party has surprisingly humble origins. In 1953, two local growers challenged each other to a friendly contest to decide whose wine from the previous vintage was the best.

Bernardino Quintanilla was a Vigo-based lawyer who tended a small Albariño vineyard that produced just a handful of bottles. His friend, Ernesto Zárate, was a local landowner and a far more experienced winemaker in the Salnés Valley.

Quintanilla, Zárate and seven other growers presented their wines at a dinner in a friend’s garden. The menu was suitably absurd: 28 kilos of lobster, six chickens, piles of crabs, nine bottles of Champagne and 32 litres of local red wine to wash down the Albariño they were supposedly there to judge.

After the blind tasting, the votes were tallied, and neither man won. The victor was José Rodiño, a farmer from the neighbouring town of Carballal, who wasn’t nearly as wealthy as his competitors. A rematch took place the following year, and this time Zárate won, with Quintanilla finishing second.

The rematch became an annual tradition, the tradition became a festival, and the festival helped propel Albariño to worldwide fame. International Albariño Day, which falls during the celebrations, invites the rest of the world to join in.

Monks, myths and the Camino

As with many great grapes, legend long clouded Albariño’s true origins. The romantic version held that medieval monks carried the grape to Galicia from France or Germany along the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. Modern research tells a different story: Albariño is a true native of the Iberian Peninsula, cultivated in the region for centuries – possibly as far back as the 12th century.

Its heartland is Rías Baixas, the Denominación de Origen established in 1988 along Galicia’s fjord-like Atlantic inlets. Here, thick-skinned Albariño grapes shrug off the damp maritime climate, often trained high on granite pergolas to catch the breeze, producing whites of mouth-watering freshness with a signature saline streak.

Scroll down to see 15 award-winning Albariño wines to try

One grape, two names

Cross the Miño river into Portugal and Albariño becomes Alvarinho, a star grape of Vinho Verde. The finest examples come from the Monção and Melgaço sub-regions just over the border, where the style is typically light, aromatic and gently fresh, sometimes with a subtle spritz.

Further afield, the grape’s love of cool, coastal conditions has helped it flourish in various pockets of the world. California’s Central Coast and Oregon’s Willamette Valley produce vibrant, fruit-forward examples, while New Zealand and Australia are turning out zesty, aromatic takes of their own. It has even found an unlikely foothold in England, where the mild maritime climate of Kent echoes the conditions of its Galician homeland.

Wherever it grows, Albariño holds onto its calling cards: bright acidity, perfumed stone fruit and a whisper of sea air. International Albariño Day is the perfect excuse to pour something fresh and delicious.

Spain

Pazo de Señorans, Selección De Añada Albariño, Rías Baixas 2015
Best in Show, 97 points
This is the fifth appearance of a Rias Baixas Albariño in our Best in Show selection, and triumphantly endorses local traditions for long lees ageing followed by bottle age: the wine is now in its eleventh year since the fine 2015 harvest. Our previous winners had been aged for 9, 5, 2 and just 1 year; indeed the popularity of this ‘heroic viticulture’ category means that there is now intense commercial pressure to hurry the wines to market, so classical long-aged alternatives can be hard to find. Pour it into the glass, though, and you'll be amazed: the colour is still pale gold, while the aromas are fresh though complex: expect notes of nectarine, apricot, honeysuckle and citrus zest. The only clue to the wine's age is its mushroomy aromatic back-tones. On the palate, age has brought softness and amplitude but the cut-stone acidity has kept its buoyant freshness; the delicacy and charm remain uncompromised while the stony finesse almost seems to emerge more memorably with time. A masterclass in regional tradition. Alcohol 13%

Bodegas Aquitania, Aquitania Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
Platinum, 97 points
A highly distinctive style, capturing both the white peach and pear fleshiness and incisive limey precision that defines the grape. Warming nutty tones are joined by a lip-smacking saltiness that glides towards the long finale. Alc 13%

Paco & Lola, Prime Albariño, Rías Baixas 2021
Gold, 96 points
Dazzling white peach, nectarine, orange and honeysuckle perfume underscored by a vivid saline sensation. Textured and refreshing with citrus acidity and a long. Alc 13%

Rectoral Do Umia, Alectum Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
Gold, 96 points
Arresting aromas of fresh herbs, crushed shells, lime and tangerine energise the pithy consistency and rounded, pear-imbued structure and fuse with the long, saline finish. Alc 12.5%

Terra De Asorei, Selección Privada Albariño, Rías Baixas 2022
Gold, 96 points
Punchy and peachy, with hints of white tea cutting through the palate. Moreish and sapid with lots of chewy texture and expressive acidity carrying the fruit. Alc 13%

Eidosela, Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
Gold, 95 points
Inviting sea salt and grapefruit pith on the nose, with white peach, plum and citrus peel filling the palate. Salivating and mineral with mouth-watering length. Alc 13%

Granbazán, Etiqueta Verde Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
Gold, 95 points
Distinctive notes of honeyed fruit, candied lemon peel and steely minerals set the tone, emboldened by the weighty structure and pithy acidity. Fluid and rapturous. Alc 13%

Pazos de Lusco, Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
Gold, 95 points
Resplendent aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle and white peach with a haunting mineral drive. Refreshing and saline with a stunning lemon acidity rippling at the end. Alc 13%

Torre Penelas, Blanco Granito, Rías Baixas 2023
Gold, 95 points
High-tone floral aromatics of honeysuckle and peach blossom build the foundations with bounteous peach melba juiciness and tantalising lime zest acidity layered on top. Divine. Alc 12.5%

Celdina, Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
Silver, 93 points
Delicate and focused nose, with varietal notes of citrus fruit, white peach and blossom. Nicely textured, crystalline palate. Alc 12.5%

Mar De Frades, Finca Monteveiga Albariño, Rías Baixas 2021
Silver, 91 points
Some aromas of grapefruit, rhubarb and green apple with saline nuances. Energetic and refreshing, powerful palate with a mineral finish. Alc 12.65%

New Zealand

Tohu, Whenua Matua Albariño, Upper Moutere, Nelson 2025
Gold, 95 points
A frisson of kaffir lime, orange oil and honeyed herbals patrols the nose, while saline mineral characters frame the palate. Gorgeous grapefruit sherbet charges the length. Alc 13.5%

Waimea, Albariño, Waimea Plains, Nelson 2025
Silver, 92 points
Peachy aromatics, a touch of creamy citrus. Characteristic varietal palate with mineral base notes, breezy acidity. Real energy. Alc 13.5%

South Africa

Spier Wine Farm, Villa Blue Albariño, Stellenbosch 2025
Top Value Gold, 95 points
Ripe red apple and mango with flecks of citrus zest. Broad, creamy and concentrated, offset by vibrant acidity and a lingering saline finish. Alc 13.5%

United States

New Clairvaux, St. James Block Albariño, California 2025
Silver 93 points
Fresh green apple and pear nose with white blossom undertones. Refreshing and vibrant with a tingling acidity. Persistent finish. Alc 12.4%

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Few grapes have travelled the world as successfully as Shiraz. Born in France, made famous in Australia and now thriving everywhere from South Africa to California, it’s one of the most widely planted red varieties on the planet – and one of the most versatile, capable of everything from savoury, peppery elegance to rich, velvety power.

Why the fourth Thursday of July?

A Sydney-based wine marketing agency called Mastermind Consulting established International Shiraz Day in 2020. The agency chose the fourth Thursday in July, as it falls in the depths of the Southern Hemisphere winter, when a glass of warming Shiraz feels just right. However, it also neatly coincides with barbecue season north of the equator.

If you’re posting about the event, the official hashtag is #shirazwineday, not #shirazday. The latter belongs to a different celebration entirely, held each May in honour of the Iranian city of Shiraz.

French roots, Persian myths

That Iranian connection is no coincidence. According to popular folklore, the grape originated in the ancient Persian city, before Crusaders or pilgrims brought it to France. It was a nice story, but DNA testing in 1998 finally settled the matter.

Shiraz is in fact a native French grape, the natural offspring of two obscure varieties from south-eastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.

The grape’s spiritual home is the northern Rhône, where it is known as Syrah. It produces the legendary wines of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie – savoury, perfumed reds layered with black pepper, smoked meat, olive and violet alongside the dark fruit. There’s a separate celebration, International Syrah Day, held annually on February 16, to honour the grape.

Two names, one global grape

Shiraz and Syrah are genetically identical, but the two names have come to signal two broad styles. ‘Syrah’ usually points to the restrained, savoury European model, while ‘Shiraz’ – the name adopted when the grape reached Australia in the 1830s – suggests a bolder, riper, fruit-forward wine.

Today the grape flourishes on almost every wine-producing continent. Australia remains its most famous New World home, from the old-vine blockbusters of the Barossa Valley to elegant cool-climate examples from the Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley.

South Africa’s Stellenbosch and Swartland regions produce smoky, spice-laden wines that split the difference between the two styles, while California’s Paso Robles and Washington State lean plush and powerful. Chile and Argentina offer superb value, and even Spain, Italy and New Zealand have carved out their own takes on the grape. Wherever it grows, Shiraz keeps its signature: dark fruit, warmth and that unmistakable crack of black pepper.

International Shiraz Day is the perfect excuse to open something special. Fire up the barbecue, pour a generous glass and join the celebration.

15 award-winning Syrah wines to explore from DWWA 2026

Australia

Ferngrove, The Orchid Collection Dragon Shiraz, Frankland River, Western Australia 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
There's a lot more to Western Australia than just Margaret River, as all those who love Australian wines will know – but, until this year, no other region in this vast state has managed to win its way through to Best In Show. Happily, this outstanding Shiraz from Frankland River, one of the star zones in the vast expanse of Great Southern, has come bustling through this year to stake its claim. Our judges applauded the refinement, delicacy, purity and limpidity of this poised Shiraz midweight: floral perfumes suffusing red-fruit charm dominate the aromas, while the palate is ‘classy, effortless and long’, and sees the fruits modulating towards something just a little bit more savoury, though the full development of these characters will need to wait a year or two longer. It has texture, and acidity is well-judged, balanced and unobtrusive. Poise and refreshment await you. Alcohol 14.5%

Château Tanunda, 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Generous blueberry, black pepper and milk chocolate aromas unravel onto the salivating palate, seamlessly integrating satin tannins and a warming shortbread backbone. Rippling violet florals gather steam ahead of the long, rousing finish. Definitive terroir portrayal. Alc 14.5%

E.J. McDougall, Old Vine Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2024
Platinum, 97 points
A masterstroke of the Rhone-style in an Australian context, emanating dark floral, purple fruit and gun powder aromas. Intoxicating and intense with elegant structure and a quivering pink peppercorn nerve that captures the mood perfectly. Alc 14.5%

Hare's Chase, Vigilance Marananga Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Lashings of plum, blackcurrant and mulberry charm decadently complemented by a splash of soy sauce. Big and bold, furnished with velvety tannins, enriching fleshy texture and commanding pencil-shaving length. Plenty more to give in the future. Alc 14.5%

Katnook Estate, Prodigy Shiraz, Coonawarra, South Australia 2024
Platinum, 97 points
Bountiful blackberry, dark cherry, plum and damson fruit on a backdrop of eucalyptus and floral violet lift. Wonderfully silky smooth with a tangy acid momentum and fine, shapely tannins. Deliciously long, projecting incredible regional character. Alc 14.4%

Monteperle, Vineyard Selection Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2024
Platinum, 97 points
An all-consuming blackberry, liquorice and tar fragrance sizzles implacably around the nose, conjoining with spine-tingling peppery spice on the palate. A contemporary style, with abounding plush juiciness enveloping the core and varnishing the powerful finish. Alc 15.1%

Argentina

Bodega Puna, 2600 Syrah, Cachi, Salta 2025
Gold, 95 points
Pungent blue fruit, violet and black pepper perfume shimmers across the nose, diving into the concentrated palate with its tense acidity and full, distinguished tannins. Alc 13.1%

France

Maison Delas Frères, Seigneur De Maugiron, Côte Rotie, Rhône 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Eleven Best In Show appearances for the Rhône Valley but never a Côte Rôtie… until this year. It's a wine from the 2023 vintage – a very good one in Côte Rôtie, since the deluge of rain that affected other parts of the Northern Rhône in mid-September spared this northernmost appellation almost entirely, and the slow start to the summer accelerated gratifyingly during an August when the terraces genuinely roasted. We don't, as we taste, know the precise vineyard sources for this wine, but in style it seems more Brune than Blonde: dark in colour, with splendidly smoky, tapenade-like aromas (some found undergrowth and stone) rather than pronounced floral lift, while the palate is poised, lively and vivacious but underscored by ample backbone and tension, too. Look out for the salty finish behind the fruits and the attractively forthright tannins. It's both classic and generous and would make a good prospect for ageing – though there's nothing overly forbidding for those who would like to start sooner. Alc 13%

Domaine De Castelnau, L'Etendoir des Fées, IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Sensational tapenade, black pepper and herb aromas lead the charge, colliding diligently with the blackberry juice intensity that flows liberally through to the finish line. Such amazing typicity, the sort of wine to dive right into. Alc 14.5%

Spain

Bodegas Piqueras, Nature Syrah, Almansa 2025
Gold, 95 points
Inspiring, fresh and approachable, combining black cherry and lifted floral aromas that flow continuously across the palate. Textural and fluid with polished tannins and appealing length. Alc 14.5%

United States

Hoquetus Wine Co., Francisca's Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State 2023
Gold, 95 points
Earthy and robust with abundant tapenade, black pepper and dark berry aromas. Chewy oak tannins and meaty texture with a dusting of tobacco to end. Alc 14%

South Africa

Boschendal, Grande Syrah, Stellenbosch 2022
Gold, 95 points
A scrumptious array of beef rib-eye, mocha, dark cherry and prune aromas that swirl around the leathery texture and sleek tannins. Resplendent in charm and poise. Alc 14%

Kasteelberg, Carbonic Syrah, Swartland 2025
Gold, 95 points
Glorious blackberry, violet and rose petal aromatics tempered by a savouring black olive dimension. Crisp and bright with a glossy textural veneer. Evocative high altitude style. Alc 13.9%

New Zealand

Greystone Wines, Vineyard Ferment Syrah, Canterbury 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Wonderfully executed Syrah, spot on for its sense of place and character; black cherry, pomegranate, raspberry and black pepper spice thrives on the nose, tapered by the smart mineral core and effortless fluidity. Exquisitely long. Alc 13.%

Mudbrick Vineyard, Oscar, Waiheke Island, Auckland 2024
Gold, 96 points
Cool-toned dark cherry, blackcurrant and plum amplified by a black peppercorn and herbal elegance. Svelte and luxurious with salivating acidity and taffeta tannins to complete. Alc 14%

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It's unlikely to be a final for the ages. Indeed, the majority of the post-match discussion (even several days later) has been on the antics of the losers, both during and after the game.

La albiceleste, unfortunately, did not cover themselves in much glory, playing an unprepossessing, undignified and cynical game – before lashing out at the opposition after the final whistle.

And while it took Spain 106 minutes to finally find the back of the net, find it they did (twice, some would say) and held their form to be crowned worthy champions.

Congratulations to Spain and also to our regional editor Ines Salpico, who gets office bragging rights for the next four years.

As a reminder, all the way back in early June, we picked 16 teams representing major wine-producing countries and eight of us on the editorial team took two teams each to cover.

Over the course of the tournament, we recommended 77 wines, making wild pairings and links with (at times) the unlikeliest of match-ups.

How do you pair Swiss Syrah with Qatar? Or Uruguayan Dolcetto with Cape Verde? Through a mix of ingenuity, out-of-the-box thinking and good old-fashioned brute force, everyone found a way.

Spain's wine route to the World Cup final

For eight games, Ines drew upon, not only her own intimate knowledge of the country's wines, but the sheer wealth and breadth of tremendous winemaking in Spain today.

This included classics such as CVNE's Imperial Gran Reserva and the new face of Rioja in wines such as Artuke's La Condenada.

Or there was Navarra's under-appreciated rosés, the almost unknown rosés from Txakoli and white wine from Jumilla.

The result is a small snapshot of contemporary Spain in eight wines.

With these wines as your base, throw in some wines from Catalonia, perhaps something from Andalusia and just one more from Galicia and you'd have a rather compelling mixed case to enjoy.

Game 1 (vs Cape Verde): Viña Zorzal, Garnacha Rosado, Navarra

Game 2 (vs Saudi Arabia): CVNE, Imperial Gran Reserva, Rioja

Game 3 (vs Uruguay): Telmo Rodriguez, Gaba Mencía, Valdeorras

Round of 32 (vs Austria): Stratum Wines, El Cerrico, Jumilla

Round of 16 (vs Portugal): Soca-Rel, Escursac, Mallorca

Quarter-final (vs Belgium): Rezabal, Txakoli Rosé, Basque Country

Semi-final (vs France): Francisco Barona, Finca las Dueñas Reserva, Ribera del Duero

Final (vs Argentina): Artuke, La Condenada, Rioja

Spain's World Cup wines

Wines here are listed by colour and by score

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It's the hope that kills you. Every time.

French and English hopes dashed and broken after two confounding, astounding and upending semi-finals.

Flashy France disarmed and despatched by a clinical Spain. Dogged England discouraged and diminished by a no-holds-barred Argentina.

While France and England will face off for the third-place match on Saturday we've decided not to give wine pairings for what is a rather flat and unloved affair.

All the focus, rightfully, is on just two teams – our finalists, and brilliant wine producing nations both.

It's also an all hispanophone final, something that hasn't happened since the very first World Cup final in 1930 when Uruguay played Argentina (and Uruguay won 4-2).

In these circumstances, only the very best will do. Ines and Julie, our last editors standing, have selected two World Cup final-worthy wines from each country.

Whoever you're cheering on come Sunday, make sure you have a glass of something suitably epic to go with it.

¡Vamos!

Ines: Spain

Spain: If you, like me, grew up with the brilliant Asterix comic books you’ll be familiar with the ‘Ils sont fous, ces Romains!’ exclamation and Obelix’s larger-than-life strength.

Well, well, well… seems like it was the Spanish players’ turn to fall into the Getafix's potion and ward off the French invasion.

La Roja unearthed all the precision and effectiveness it needed to neutralise France’s Napoleonic luck.

Unlike other World Cup contenders, it is a team that hasn't relied on blinding star power alone.

Meanwhile, the French were stunned when confronted with the realisation that – excusez-moi – the whole thing ain’t that easy.

Spain now needs to muster even more strength and presence of mind as it prepares to face an archenemy, Argentina, in the final. Popcorn out fellas!

It’s the tender-fleshed Lamine Yamal against veteran Lionel Messi. It’s the former empire against the former colony. Yikes.

Argentina’s grit – perhaps even more so than its technique – is something to be reckoned with.

Spanish players might want to look at Rioja’s own Obelix-like Arturo and Kike de Miguel, the brothers – big in both size and talent – behind Artuke.

Their wines were the highest-scoring at this year’s Rioja Report.

Among them, La Condenada (the condemned) is a show of elegant rusticity from a nearly forgotten, abandoned old vine that shows that excellence needs perseverance and focus and can often be found when and where you least expect it.

Julie: Argentina

Argentina: Can anything stop the reigning champions? Following a dramatic and politically charged semi-final against England, Argentina meets Spain for the final showdown of the tournament.

Surprisingly, for two teams that regularly qualify for the latter stages of the World Cup, they haven’t played each other in a tournament match since 1966.

That was in a group game at Villa Park, when England was the host nation, and Argentina won the match 2-1.

Whether history will repeat itself remains to be seen. If it does, Argentina will become the first back-to-back World Cup winner since fellow South Americans Brazil took the 1958 and 1962 titles.

Previously only Italy had achieved a similar double, winning in 1934 and 1938. The history books are waiting…

The final showdown of the tournament calls for an award-winning wine: step forward Argentina’s Best in Show at Decanter World Wine Awards 2026.

Rutini Wines Single Vineyard Malbec 2023 comes from high-altitude Gualltallary, close to Tupungato in the Uco Valley.

Judges loved the way it ‘expressed the wild nature of Gualltallary’, with an intense palate packed with ‘high-drama fresh fruits which seethe and cascade across the palate in best mountain style’.

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It's the semi-finals. Four teams, two games, one final match to decide it all.

And all four teams that have made it this far are from winemaking nations.

Whatever the results over these final games, the record of a winemaking country always winning the World Cup is guaranteed.

But who will be in that final game? France look like the best team overall. Spain feel like dark horses who could win in a closely-fought slugging match.

England and Argentina both have shown flashes of brilliance but also fraught, rather flawed performances from which they somehow emerge victorious.

And the potential finals are ripe with historic firsts. Will it be a third back-to-back final for France? A rematch against Argentina? A first-time clash against England who would be in their first final in 60 years.

Or maybe a rematch of 2024's Euros final? Spain vs England. Or, even, a first World Cup meeting between Spain and Argentina since (incredibly) 1966.

All to play for – here's what we're pairing with each match...

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Izzy: England

England (vs Argentina): The final four! After a rather nervy win over the Vikings on Saturday, England are through to the semi-finals for only the fourth time since 1966.

They’ll be meeting current title-holders Argentina in Atlanta, where both teams have previously pulled back from a losing position to overcome their rivals (England against DR Congo and Argentina in their dramatic win over Egypt last week).

Argentina have a particular habit of clawing back a win from the jaws of defeat, so England will need to show real grit and persistence to keep Lionel Messi at bay.

In this spirit, let’s continue to plumb the Decanter World Wine Awards for bottles that showcase the best of England winemaking, and try this platinum-winning sparkling rosé from Berkshire.

From a winery established less than 15 years ago – younger than Messi’s World Cup career – this is an extremely impressive wine, which shows the value of hard work and determination in the vineyard (as on the pitch!)

A wine that is delightfully English with rose garden, strawberry and red apple notes, it is described as an ‘allegory of national intent’ – a fitting choice for the team’s toughest match yet.

Rupert: France

France (vs Spain): Two European football and winemaking giants going head-to-head, and on Bastille Day no-less.

For two such famous footballing nations, it’s surprising that France and Spain haven’t clashed more often in major tournaments.

Spain has had the better of the most recent encounters in the Euros – beating France in the quarter-finals in 2012 and semi-finals in 2024 (going on to win those tournaments on both occasions).

The last – and in fact only – World Cup clash between the two was 20 years ago in 2006, the final hurrah of Zidane, Henry, Viera & co, and which France won (before losing in the final).*

In such circumstances it’s time to throw caution to the wind and lavish some money on a special bottle. It should be something ‘very French’ and is there anything more French than old Bordeaux?

Perhaps something from the 2006 vintage in honour of the last time these countries met.

An underrated vintage that, at 20 years old (and like this French team), is still revealing its charms, try snagging something like this Château Cos d’Estournel which continues to boast ‘abundant blackcurrant fruit and subtle hints of pepper, cedar, and smoke’.

*There was also the 5-4 Spanish victory in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in 2025, but, honestly, who remembers/cares about that?

Ines: Spain

Spain (vs France): Would Spain have won its quarter-final duel if Belgium's goalie, Thibaut Courtois, hadn’t left the game injured? We’ll never know.

The road to victory is paved with unfair casualties and (a lot of) luck.

However, luck seems to often fail those who face France… La Roja needs, more than ever, to rely only on itself.

This semi-final calls for consistency, poise, nerve and resilience – the attributes of a good Ribera del Duero, such as the Finca las Dueñas Reserva from charismatic producer Francisco Barona, himself a great source of inspiration for Spanish players.

Barona's passion, work ethic and hands-on knowledge produce some of Ribera’s most exciting modern classics.

A recipe for champions?

Julie: Argentina

Argentina (vs England): A classic football rivalry – Maradona’s hand of God, David Beckham’s red card – when it comes to Argentina vs England in the World Cup heartbreak is just around the corner.

But the two sides haven’t met since Japan in 2002 (which England won) and, incredible, though it may seem, Lionel Messi has never played against England in his career.

Well, that all ends in Atlanta on Wednesday evening with two teams that have both flirted with brilliance and disaster on their tournament journeys so far.

As we’re rekindling an old footballing beef let’s keep it straightforward; a pure expression of high altitude Argentine Malbec.

Catena Zapata’s ‘Malbec Argentino’ is not only about as on-the-nose as it gets name-wise but also a wine that displays all the ‘dynamism, character and typicity’ we've come to expect from the country's wines – and their football team.

Expect, ‘juicy ripe cherry, plum, pink peach, pomegranate’ and possibly some more Messi magic.

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We're getting ever closer to that pivotal final match. Every step from the quarter finals onwards either brings further joy or empty despair.

Though might it be kinder to falter in these final stages and dream of what might have been than lose the last match of all and know you didn't make it?

Well, either way, we still have five wine teams in action from our pool: France, England, Argentina, Spain and Switzerland.

Which of them will we see again in the semi-finals? Hopefully these wine pairings will see you through a weekend of high drama and excitement.

And we recently bid farewell to two more of our original starting wine teams:

Portugal: Hearts broken yet again in a closely-fought match with Iberian neighbours, Spain. The mournful sound of fado is a popular musical genre for a reason. But they gave us some good wines along the way.

USA: No amount of presidential interference could ultimately save the USMNT from a four-goal thumping at the hands (and feet) of Belgium but here's hoping the host nation's wines have been redeemed in the eyes of many.

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Izzy: England

England (vs Norway): Well, Sunday night was an absolute thriller which saw the team Mexican-wave their opponents goodbye to reach the quarter finals.

But now the Vikings are coming! The Vikings are coming!

Yes, rowing their way implacably into the quarter-finals, Saturday now brings a face-off with Norway. It’s like Lindisfarne all over again.

Here's hoping England can summon up the spirit of the Anglo-Saxons’ decisive victory against Hardrada's Norwegians at Stamford Bridge in 1066 (trying to forget that Harold Godwinson's army was then overcome by the Norman-French forces at Hastings soon afterwards!).

With English history in mind, try this fabulous Blanc de Blancs from Hambledon Estate, England’s oldest commercial winery, founded in 1952.

One of two Hambledon wines to win gold at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (it’s medal-winning wines only from here!) it’s floral, creamy and ‘very long and compelling’ – you’ll be enjoying a slice of heritage and a true English success story.

Rupert: France

France (vs Morocco): After taking the outrageous slings and arrows of Paraguay in the last 16, France now face yet another familiar opponent in Morocco.

These two teams faced off in the semi-finals in 2022, where France emerged victorious 2-0. Will history repeat itself or will Morocco claim France like they did Spain in 2022 – and then go for a World Cup rematch against La Roja in this year’s semis?

All for the footballing gods to decide. But we can make a wine recommendation in the meantime.

Like Algeria, Morocco’s national dish is couscous. But, it is traditionally served on Fridays and this is a Thursday night game. Perhaps a tagine then?

A chicken tagine with preserved lemon and fragrant spices on a warm summer evening is calling out for a good glass of rosé.

Find yourself something really excellent from Provence, especially from the high quality appellation of Bandol.

This Mourvedre-driven blend is: ‘Spicy in flavour and texture. Full, richly fruited, with a food-friendly, dry finish.’

France 3 - Morocco 1...

Ines: Spain

Spain (vs Belgium): The Iberian duel offered a great display of good if frustratingly guarded football.

In the end, Spain triumphed with a late goal, earning its quarter-final spot against Belgium.

In different circumstances one would see this as an easy path to the semi-finals; but considering what we’ve already seen in this World Cup – and La Roja’s own tentativeness and hiccups – it’s best not to jump into conclusions.

So how can Spain respond to Belgium’s surprising, unassuming efficacy? We’ll leave it to Luis de la Fuente to strategise on the pitch.

At this end, we counter the salty richness of some good moules-frites – even Belgium’s national dish is somewhat unlikely – with Rezabal’s Txakoli Rosé.

Maybe you didn’t know that the Basque specialty could also be pink? There you have it. Spain needs that element of surprise to win this game.

Mark: Switzerland

Switzerland (vs Argentina): And so, Switzerland have made it through to the proper business end, squeaking through on penalties against Colombia.

They may well be in need of more goalkeeping heroics as the next hurdle to be cleared is reigning champions Argentina in Kansas City and the seemingly evergreen Lionel Messi.

With temperature and stakes both raised, this is an ideal opportunity to channel your inner gaucho with a red meat-laden asado.

Eschew the obvious Malbec selection and instead tap into Switzerland’s wonderful cool-climate reds, such as the 2022 Christophe Abbet, Syrah from the Valais.

It bagged a Silver medal at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, the judges praising its ‘palate of cassis, plum, damson and a lifted acidity’; perfect for pairing with those inch-thick steaks.

Julie: Argentina

Argentina (vs Switzerland): Argentina had fans on the edge of their seats as they defeated Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 match, staging an astonishing late comeback from 2-0 down by scoring three goals in the final 13 minutes.

Kudos to goalscorers Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández and of course, Lionel Messi. So now the fiery Latinos face off against the Alpine-cool Swiss in Kansas City – the scene of their opening match victory over Algeria.

Think Swiss cuisine and you probably think fondue and raclette, but El Montañista’s Criollas Blancas 2021 from Calingasta Valley in Mendoza will pair perfectly with rösti – delicious deep-fried potato cakes, originally served as breakfast to hungry farmers in Bern.

Fittingly, husband and wife winemakers Pancho Bugallo and Nuria Añó Gargiulo are avid mountaineers (montañistas) and their elegant skin-contact orange wine is textured and gently saline with delicate herbal, apple peel and nectarine flavours.

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With the Round of 32 matches all finished up, we're getting into the dark heart of the knockouts now as teams compete for a place in the quarter-finals and a chance at a dash to the championship game itself.

France and England have both secured their place in the quarters; France with a rough and tumble match against a rather malicious Paraguayan side, and England with a gloriously action-packed match against Mexico in the dreaded Azteca cauldron in the early hours of Monday morning.

In action this week we have a wine nation super-smash as Spain and Portugal go head-to-head, the USA face off against Belgium, Argentina survived a Cape Verde scare to take on Egypt, and Switzerland will take their chances against Colombia.

We've also said goodbye to two more of the winemaking nation teams we've been tracking:

Australia: A spirited performance against Egypt that took them all the way to extra time and the heartbreak of a penalty shootout.

Canada: The first of the host nations to fall. They played a last 16 spirited game against Morocco and were unlucky not to score before the North Africans hammered home three goals late in the match for a slightly unfair final score.

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Ines: Spain & Portugal

Spain vs Portugal: Ok, here we go. Now we get a glimpse of how La Roja can make it to the final.

In its first knock out-stage match, Spain won, decisively and clinically, against a very tame Austria, thus remaining – along with Mexico – the only team yet to concede any goals in this World Cup.

Next up is its Iberian neighbour, and historical rival.

Portugal beat Croatia in a rather painful manner, and more than a few contested referee decisions.

Its over-reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo is starting to show… But we’ve seen Portugal’s back benchers surprise before – in football as in wine!

Just look at this gorgeous oak-fermented and aged Arinto from the very underestimated Tejo region, produced by big-hearted maverick Hugo Mendes. Spain beware.

Spain has its own cats in the hat though. Have you ever tasted Escursac, a quasi-forgotten variety indigenous to Mallorca?

Soca-Rel’s chillable iteration is a good place to start.

It’s time to try it all and make it to the quarter-finals!

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA (vs Belgium): Belgium somehow live to fight another day following their last-minute heroics (or rather drawing a most fortuitous get-out-of-jail-free card) against Senegal.

They’ll have to ramp it up against a US team that has found its groove, and regained its top scorer, Folarin Balogun – after apparent political pressure from the White House.

But let's focus on a wine and food pairing we can all get behind.

Moules-frites is a Belgian national treasure, and when it comes to a wine that can shine alongside glorious, garlic-infused mussels and cut through mayonnaise-dipped frites, the 2024 Flora Abeille, Albariño from Lodi should do the trick.

Available for £15 at Majestic, it garnered an admirable 89 points at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, where the judges remarked: ‘Delicate nose of restrained pear and peaches, slightly creamy and rounded acidity.’

Switzerland (vs Colombia): In the previous round, Switzerland comfortably kept a meek Algeria at arm’s length. Next up is a Latin dance with Colombia.

Vancouver plays host, a city that has become a home from home for the Swiss, so let’s go full bore and dust off the fondue set. Nothing overly complex is necessary, although acidity is a pre-requisite to cut through the wonderfully fatty, unctuous cheeses.

Chasselas is an obvious go-to, although Riesling would prove a fine substitute, as would Räuschling, should you be able to track one down.

Once wildly popular and widely planted, Räuschling – a cross between Gouais and Savagnin – suffered a pronounced fall from grace, and is now only found in German-speaking areas of Switzerland, such as St-Gallen, from where hails the 2023 Weingut Höcklistein, Äfenrain Räuschling.

A Gold medal winner at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, our suitably impressed judges remarked: ‘An untamed spectrum of yellow fruit, mesmerising basil and tarragon fragrance. Lightly textured with a fine seam of acidity perpetuating the long finish.’

Julie: Argentina

Argentina (vs Egypt): Argentina made a clean sweep through Group J with three wins, before edging out Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time during the Round of 32.

Now the reigning champions are heavily favoured to beat Egypt’s Pharaohs in the Round of 16, though with star players Lionel Messi and Mo Salah on the field in Atlanta Stadium, this will very much be a match worth watching.

Whether you’re taking comfort in Egypt's carb-loaded national dish of koshary, with rice, lentils and chick peas, or keeping things simple with a signature Argentine steak, go for the food-friendly Kaiken Disobedience by Francis Mallman 2021, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, created in association with Argentina's star chef.

An easy-drinking, soft and savoury red – with enough structure for the table – it delivers juicy black fruit laced with notes of violets, sage and thyme.

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The Round of 32 matches are now well underway and will blend into the Round of 16 over the weekend.

With France and Canada in action on Saturday we thought we'd bring you our recommendations for their matches now and our pairings for the remaining wine teams (including England, Spain and Portugal) on Monday.

This round has also claimed a few more victims, with some of our wine nations falling by the wayside.

Germany: Despite many exquisite wine recommendations, Germany slump to another relatively early exit, this time against Paraguay. Don't worry Riesling fans, you can always drink some from Alsace while cheering on France.

Croatia: A big wine clash with Portugal eventually saw Croatia succumb after a frenetic second half and a match with goals disallowed left and right. Hopefully readers made some wine discoveries along the way.

Austria: We said their game against Spain was go big or go home for Austria. And, well, they're going home, but hopefully fans at least won in the wine stakes if they opened something suitably magnificent.

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Tina: Canada

Canada (vs Morocco): It’s a ‘home’ game for Team Canada at the Houston Stadium, hopefully packed out with enough visitors from the north to holler on their boys in red.

The other boys in red – with a green star, not a maple leaf – are ranked sixth in the world, and will be overwhelming favourites in this match up, no matter how inspiring the speech (or entertaining a goal celebration) from Canada’s manager Jesse Marsch.

Based on the kits, it looks like a red should be the wine choice, but I’m going for a crisp, herbal Cabernet Franc rosé to cool things down, both in the temperature stakes and the fiery on-field play.

Plus, it would be a great pairing for a classic chicken, green olive and preserved lemon tagine served with fluffy couscous.

The Fourth of July is America’s national day, but it comes only a few days after Canada Day (1 July), so maybe a victory in Houston is cause for united celebration?

Rupert: France

France (vs Paraguay): After a scintillating performance against Sweden, France have become this competition’s hottest team and most talked-about team.

Now they face the surprise vanquishers of Germany – Paraguay – in the city of brotherly love (Philadelphia) in what will be sweltering conditions.

You, of course, may be a connoisseur of Paraguay’s distinct and varied cuisine, but many of us may find it easier to throw together a classic sandwich like the Philly Cheesesteak.

Sliced beef, some onions, cheese, throw it in a hoagie roll; make it fancy or keep it simple, add your own twist on the classic. But what to pair it with?

There’s not a clear answer here but something red and with the kind of silky oomph that Kylian Mbappé puts into one of his strikes from outside the box.

Cabernet Franc from the Loire would work well with its juicy red-black fruit and savoury touch, or perhaps head southwest and match with a more fruit-forward but still meaty Cahors Malbec.

But what about this Mourvedre-driven bottle from Terrasses du Larzac in the Languedoc.

‘Sweet-fruited, concentrated and endlessly fluid,’ wrote reviewer Natalie Earl, sounds rather like this French attack. Allez les bleus!

Izzy: England

England (vs Mexico): The country is feeling extremely grateful for Harry Kane after he rescued England in a much nervier than anticipated knockout match against DR Congo, with the Lions beating the Leopards 2-1 in the end.

The team is now heading to Mexico for the first time in the competition, where they’ll need to adjust quickly to the 2,200m altitude of the Azteca Stadium, a tough task.

England’s certainly not famous for high altitude wines – not many of the country’s vineyards sit above about 100m.

From the best of our low-lying vines, though, come this year’s DWWA winners – try this silver-winning Sauvignon Blanc from Gloucestershire.

Light and zingy, it would make a lovely pairing for fish tacos, and notes of jalapeños feel more than appropriate for a match against Mexico…

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With the group stages finished we're into the real hurly-burly of the World Cup and its knockout stages.

Unlike a few occasions in this much larger competition, from now on every goal, every game – and every wine recommendation – carries the sweet tang of jeopardy.

We've already said goodbye to a few of our 'wine teams', notably:

Uruguay: A rather flat-footed finish for the Uruguayans who exit in round one despite Ines' excellent wine proposals.

Turkey: Izzy tried her best but it was a frustrating experience for the Turks who only won when they were already eliminated.

New Zealand: Great wine country as Natalie endeavoured to show, but a little lacking in the football department. Early doors for the All Whites who'll have to drown their sorrows with Sauvignon Blanc back home.

South Africa: James' fine South African recommendations undoubtedly lifted Bafana Bafana into the knockouts but – without a wine pairing due to the scheduling – they fell at the first hurdle against Tina's wine team, Canada.

However, although we are down a few teams, all of our participants are still in the game with at least one wine team still active and in with a chance.

An uptick in the footballing stakes means a corresponding uptick in skilful wine pairing and selections as well.

In this round of 32 there's everything from Argentine Semillon to a high-class Douro Valley red, and a sweet Swiss wine, we pair earthy Burgundian Pinot Noir with meatballs, and go back to classic German precision and a slightly more unusual Australian red...

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Ines: Spain

Spain (vs Austria): Right, there’s no more room for hesitations and mistakes.

Spain meets Austria at the gates of the knock-out stage – after a narrow win against Uruguay – without the shimmering assurance with which it glowed when it arrived at its base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee in early June.

If La Roja wants to get back on the likely-champion track it needs to step up the game and not underestimate its opponents.

People once underestimated Austrian wines and look at them now, with pride of place on the world’s coolest wine bars and lists. There’s a lesson there for Spanish footballers.

But Spain also knows a thing or two about overlooked, hidden gems and unexpected excellence.

The Spanish team will be fine if they perform as well as Stratum Wines’ El Cerrico, a truly superb white from a region (Jumilla) underestimated by most and unknown by many.

A take of the unassuming Airén that is confident, characterful and technically exact – just what a champion needs to be.

Julie: Argentina & Australia

Argentina (vs Cape Verde): Plucky underdogs Cape Verde have been one of this World Cup’s great stories but their run must surely end against a very strong Argentine side.

Having jogged through the group stages, Messi & co will no doubt stay clinical and efficient in muggy Miami.

Matching the complexity of the brilliant striker’s footwork and staying cool in the process, tuck into one of Argentina’s most underrated assets – its white wines.

The El Enemigo Semillon from the province of Mendoza is ‘another little gem in the Tesco range’, available for under £20 and shows all the same complexity, richness and capacity to age as Lionel himself.

Australia (vs Egypt): The Socceroos’ faintly scattergun performance in the group stages was enough to see them through and now they get to meet Egypt, the group-stage foe of their fellow Antipodeans the Kiwis.

The Pharaohs saw off New Zealand 3-1 in Group G, can Australia provide more of a contest? It’s going to take pace, power, a bit of grit, and maybe something just a little bit unexpected.

Why not, therefore, a bottle of incredibly moreish Australian Montepulciano?

That’s right, not a Shiraz or a Cab or a Grenache but this Italian variety, its fresh fruit ‘tinged with dried rose petal and savoury herbs’ and just ‘a hint of liquorice spice’.

James: Portugal

Portugal (vs Croatia): Portugal and Croatia clash at Toronto Stadium in what will potentially be the most emotionally charged fixture in the first knockout round.

Portugal missed out on the top spot in Group K after only managing a draw against Colombia. Meanwhile, Group L runners up Croatia rallied to defeat Ghana 2-1, dragging themselves up from what was looking like a third-place finish in England's group.

Facing off against each other in this match are superstars Cristiano Ronaldo (41) and Luka Modrić (40), former Real Madrid teammates who will each stop at nothing to see their respective teams make it through to the next round of the World Cup, where they will face either Spain or Austria.

Prats & Symington's 'Chryseia' from Portugal's Douro Valley is a layered and complex wine that mirrors the finessed football you're bound to see on your screens during this fixture.

Deep and gently smoky, it's a perfect match for all sorts of grilled meats and root vegetables.

Natalie: Germany

Germany (vs Paraguay): With their knockout berth already guaranteed, Germany looked a little sleepy and lacklustre in a surprise loss to Ecuador in their last group game.

Time to sharpen up now against another South American opponent, and with a potential clash against France on the cards next, die Mannschaft need to get their heads back in the game.

And what better way than going back to a tried and tested classic? This Mosel Riesling from Fritz Haag delivers timeless German precision, delicately balancing a natural sweetness and rich, tropical fruit flavours with a refreshing acidity.

Deft, assured and impressive, so wie der wein, so wie der fußball.

Tina: Croatia & Canada

Croatia (vs Portugal): Croatia haven’t made it easy for themselves so far, with an opening loss to England and then a lacklustre win against Panama.

But they showed some tenacity and flair in their final game against Ghana, thanks to Man of the Match Petar Sucic and a last-gasp winner from Nikola Vlasic to take them to second in Group L.

This wine nation head-to-head against Portugal requires all that persistence and finesse, and then some.

So for that, let’s go for a Malvazija from Istria. Or how about a Platinum-winning brace from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, if you think that’s what the winning margin might be?

Bastiàn’s 2023 Marchiori is described as ‘thrilling’ and ‘elegant’, but I’m leaning towards Bruno Ferenac’s 2024, which has ‘striking’ acidity and ‘great ageing potential displayed’.

That’s Luka Modrić right there!

Rupert: France & Austria

France (vs Sweden): France cruised past Norway in their final group game, with the Norwegian manager choosing not to put up much of a fight and benching most of his top players.

France get another crack at a Scandinavian opponent in the knockout round though, against Group F’s third-place finisher Sweden. And playing Sweden in New York means only one thing – meatballs (with a chance of football)!

Now, like many wine pairings, it’s the sauce that we’re really trying to match. Italian-style meatballs with their rich tomato sauce require a red wine with matching acidity – a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley would be a solid choice.

However, Swedish meatballs have a cream sauce which really calls for a Pinot Noir.

It’s still a little early to be really pushing the boat out on Burgundy but Denis Carré’s La Perrière from the Hautes Côtes with its ‘hints of earth, spice, and smoke’, and a silky but solid structure sounds like a very good match-up.

Austria (vs Spain): Austria showed they were capable of dishing out goals in the group matches but they struggled against top-class competitors Argentina.

Now they’re up against Spain, who didn’t seem quite as on-pace as many expected pre-tournament.

If Austria can unfurl its goal-scoring potential maybe a shock upset could be on the cards…

And nothing in Austrian wine is more unfurled than the splendidly baroque labels of Emmerich Knoll.

Maybe it's a little too soon to be cracking into a magnificent Smaragd Riesling but this is definitely a winner takes all game from Austria's point of view so it's fitting to go all in on a wine with the requisite 'spice and flair' for the occasion.

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA (vs Bosnia & Herzegovina): The San Francisco Bay Area Stadium boasts a capacity of 68,500, a suitably impressive arena for a raucous atmosphere and a USA team that seems to have discovered a higher gear.

Bosnia-Herzegovina have already gone further than in their previous and only World Cup appearance in making it out of the groups, but they will be up against it.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s cuisine is a glorious mish-mash, although stews feature heavily, so it shouldn’t be too challenging rustling one up in their team’s honour and enjoying the result (Team USA!) with a glass or two of the 2023 Clos du Val Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, full of ‘dark purple fruit and black cherries, seasoned by vanilla and coffee’, and a 90-pointer at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Switzerland (vs Iran): The Swiss keep on truckin’, this time laying their hat at BC Place Vancouver in Canada. Here they face Algeria, the two-time African champions making their fifth World Cup appearance and whose manager, Vladimir Petković, previously coached the Swiss – a delicious twist.

Couscous-accompanied stews run through Algerian cuisine, but the country is also renowned for its honey-soaked pastries.

If you’re angling towards the latter, therefore, consider tapping into Switzerland's wonderful reputation for sweet wines, such as the Jean-René Germanier, Mitis Réserve De Vétroz Amigne, Balavaud 2022 from the Valais.

Recently awarded 95 points at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, and praised for ‘amassing pineapple, mango, passionfruit and papaya on the nose, and binding creamy cardamom and pastry around the delectable palate’.

Izzy: England

England (vs DR Congo): And to the knockouts! England’s first match in this next stage of the competition will be against DR Congo, who have so far put in an impressive performance in their first entry to the World Cup in 52 years, particularly in a 1-1 draw against Portugal.

For a wine to pair with DR Congo’s national dish, hearty tomato stew Moambe chicken, try Mark’s and Spencer’s English Orange wine, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Ortega.

Fermented on skins in a mixture of stainless steel, oak and amphora, this wine has the acidity to cut through the richness of the stew, but with Vermouth-like notes to complement its peanut butter and spicy flavours.

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It's game three of the group stages which means it's crunch time for a number of teams.

For many of our wine teams, a place in the next round is already assured. For a few more this game will decide a) if they get to progress and b) in what position. With third place qualifications being allowed this time, it's all to play for for a hopeful few.

And, sadly, for a couple of our teams it's already looking like an early exit and back home to try again in four years' time.

But, whether you're able to watch your team's final match in comfortable ease or on tenterhooks or with thwarted ambitions, we hope we can offer a few wine choices to match, with this week's pairings including a sparkling Canadian icewine, a pairing of Zweigelt and couscous, a crisp Vinho Verde and a trans-Atlantic battle of Mencías.

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Ines: Spain & Uruguay

Spain vs Uruguay: Well, things are definitely not going according to plan for Spain. La Roja was stunned by a surprisingly effective Cape Verde and their overnight-star goalkeeper Vozinha.

The European champions went into the game thinking it would be an easy win but the first-time-qualified Cape Verdians bravely held them to a draw.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, gave Spain enough space to show its true colours.

Meanwhile, Uruguay has been irregularly regular with two draws but very different performances, leaving fans at once hopeful and concerned.

It’s safe to say that both need to focus and chill out! As they prepare to face each other, it’s not a bad idea if they pick up a chillable bottle of red and find some invigorating, chiseled energy.

Maybe a battle of Mencías? Telmo Rodriguez’s Gaba Mencía has a good match (all puns intended) in Marichal’s Creatura – the same grape, the same ocean, two very different ways of interpreting both.

Classicism vs creativity; precision vs. mischief. Signs of things to happen on the field?

Julie: Argentina & Australia

Argentina (vs Jordan): With six points under its belt after defeating Austria and Algeria, Argentina has already qualified for the final 32, ahead of its final Group J match against Jordan.

What’s more, Lionel Messi is now the top goalscorer in the 2026 competition and became the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer as his double against Austria took his count to a phenomenal 18 goals.

So whatever the outcome of the Jordan match, it's cause for celebration with a bottle from one of Argentina’s leading sparkling producers, Cruzat.

Finca La Dama NV is a single-vineyard cuveé from Vista Flores in Uco, with chalky minerality and precise acidity giving complexity and finesse.

Australia (vs Paraguay): The Socceroos are currently sitting second in Group D, as their initial 2-0 victory against Turkey was countered with a 2-0 defeat to the United States.

So now it's everything to play for, as a win or a draw in their final group match against Paraguay in San Francisco would take them through to the knockout stages.

Fans attending the match may well be fuelling up on one of the city’s famous Mission-style burritos.

Pair it with Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2021 from the Adelaide Hills, packed with plum and black cherry fruit framed by savoury black olives and smoked charcuterie; well balanced with a fresh and lively finish.

James: Portugal & South Africa

Portugal (vs Colombia): Miami Stadium is expected to turn into a sea of yellow for this blockbuster match against Colombia.

It’s likely to be a fiery face off full of energy and emotion.

Pick up a bottle of Cozs’ ‘Pop Branco’ white and settle down with bowls of salty snacks to comfort you as you sit on the edge of your seat.

South Africa (vs South Korea): Will underdogs South Africa be able to absorb the Korean pressure and make it out of the group stage?

Sit down and enjoy the clash with Riebeek Cellars’ ‘A Fistful of Shiraz’, a delicious pairing for Korean fried chicken with a soy and garlic glaze thanks to its precise and crunchy dark fruits.

Natalie: Germany & New Zealand

Germany (vs Ecuador): Germany arrive in New Jersey on Thursday 25 June after putting nine goals past Curaçao and Ivory Coast combined.

Ecuador, meanwhile, have zero goals to their name so far this tournament.

Nagelmann’s team should complete this stage with minimum fuss, as they cruise into the next round.

Pour something equally unfussy and joyful with this thirst quenching Rheinhessen Riesling from Waitrose :

New Zealand (vs Ivory Coast): New Zealand may be a more established wine region than Belgium, but it's the opposite when it comes to football.

New Zealand are going to need more than their reputation for great Sauvignon Blanc to see them through their next match and salvage any chance of staying in the competition.

Maybe they can try with something a bit more left field, like this rosé made from Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

Tina: Croatia & Canada

Croatia (vs Ghana): These two nations face each other in Philadelphia for the last match of their Group L campaigns.

And it promises to be a juicy affair if the vibrancy of their young stars (Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, aged 20, and 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic of Croatia) show what they are made of.

Whether they do or they don’t, you’ll still get all the youthful exuberance and bold, juicy character in this Teran from Istria which, like these young stars, is impressive now but has a long future ahead.

Canada (vs Switzerland): The final game for these two Group B nations again plays out at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

With Canada one of the joint hosts, and playing before a home crowd, I’m banking for a win (ok, I’ll settle for a draw) to advance them to the final 32.

To manifest success, I’m going with winners from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.

For a local Okanagan Valley white, I’d go for this 96-point Chardonnay Gold from Cedar Creek but to toast a sparkling performance and sweet victory, it has to be this Platinum-winning Vidal Blanc Icewine.

Rupert: France & Austria

France (vs Norway): The last time France faced the vikings it led to the creation of Normandy.

And France’s back four are going to have to form an impenetrable shieldwall against Norway’s line-breaking striker Erling Haaland in this deciding clash for control of the group.

Like their forebears, Norway’s team no doubt powered by copious amounts of fårikål – mutton and cabbage stew.

A hearty dish, it calls for an equally hearty wine to suit a meaty game, so why not grab a bottle of something from Bordeaux’s right bank – like this 100% Merlot from Lussac St-Emilion with notes of sweet blackberry jam, cedar and smoky spice.

Austria (vs Algeria): Has anyone ever paired Austrian wine with couscous before?

Maybe now’s the time to start in this Group J decider.

Algeria’s emblematic dish of rice with a stew of spiced vegetables and meat normally calls for a good fruity red and I reckon Austria’s Zweigelt is an ideal choice.

Try something like this from Burgenland with its soft, ripe cherry, plum and blackcurrant fruit and a twist of peppery spice.

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA (vs Turkey): Turkish cuisine is a melange of influences from around the world. In this weather you may well be breaking out the barbie, and laying on a few kebabs would be a fine idea.

A lighter Zinfandel would be dextrous enough to cope with the style of kebab that you prefer, and the wildly unconventional’ Arnot Roberts, Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel from Lodi with its ‘fresh red and blue fruits’ would suit just fine

Switzerland (vs Canada): The pair are joint top of their group and almost dead certs to progress to the next round, so this might turn into a glorified friendly.

Perhaps take a similar approach to your wine pick, something that possesses an easy personality.

Chasselas is arguably Switzerland’s signature white grape and is renowned for its light body and low alcohol.

A recent standout example from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards is the 90-pt Domaine Du Feuillerage, Perroy Chasselas.

Just 11.8% alcohol, and praised for its ‘inviting nose of yellow apple, pear and orchard fruit; juicy apple and a crisp acidity on the vibrant palate’.

Izzy: England & Turkey

England (vs Panama): Despite putting in a rather pedestrian performance in their goalless draw against Ghana, England shouldn’t need to worry too much going into their final first-round match, their spot in the knockouts all but guaranteed.

For a refreshing, easy-drinking sparkling rosé that will go down well in the heat (and the UK has been hotter than Panama recently!) try The Grange’s Pink Brut.

‘Feather-light’ and bursting with red berries, it rated highly in a recent panel tasting and will make a delightful accompaniment to the match on Saturday.

Turkey (vs USA): Turkey’s final first round match will be against hosts USA in Los Angeles’ Inglewood Stadium, but they're only playing for pride at this point with two losses putting them out of the competition.

For a wine that punches above its weight in value and which would certainly impress your hosts, try this refined and smoky Oküzgözü.

The winery, Doluca, celebrates its centenary this year – let’s hope it can find something else to celebrate other than the Turkish team's performance.

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Our wine-producing countries got off to a mixed start to this World Cup.

South Africa lost 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico (and taking two red cards into the bargain), while Canada and Switzerland only managed score-draws in their games.

But the USA and Australia rallied to solid wins and Germany absolutely thumped poor Curaçao at the weekend (Natalie's choice of dry Riesling obviously the perfect pick).

Hopefully anyone taking our wine recommendations wasn't disappointed with the results; either on the pitch or in the glass.

There are two more wine-country head-to-heads this week as the Socceroos take on the USA, and Argentina and Austria clash in an epic dance-off for control of Group J.

There are Cabernet Sauvignons galore, sweet Croatian Muscats, Pinot Noir from Essex and a Bordeaux blend from Turkey's coast among our recommendations for the second round of group stage matches.

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Ines: Spain & Uruguay

Spain (vs Saudi Arabia): Next up on Spain’s path to possible World Cup glory is Saudi Arabia, a country that has been – with the not-so-soft power of its petrodollars – desperately trying to attract Spanish talent to its new yet lavish league, where certain players such as Ronaldo are already padding their retirement funds.

It’s only fitting that Spain comes out in all its own opulent glory for this match.

Never a better time to splurge on an iconic bottle such as CVNE’s Imperial Gran Reserva.

Uruguay (vs Cape Verde): In a true Atlantic battle, Uruguay is next up against Cape Verde.

Likely an easy win for the South American country but… it’s football, nothing is a given. Best to relax and get into the flow of the game – very much as surfers become one with the ocean.

For inspiration make space in the fridge for Alma Surfer Dolcetto from Pablo Fallabrino (an avid surfer himself), a light, zesty and vibrant take on the Italian variety that is just the thing to keep the mind clear and body fresh.

Julie: Argentina & Australia

Argentina (vs Austria): The reigning world champions travel to Dallas to play Austria in their second match of the opening round – and it’s a perfect excuse for a battle of the signature white grapes of both countries.

While Austria is famous for its mineral Grüner Veltliner, Argentina flies the flag for aromatic Torrontes.

And the queen of Torrontes is winemaker Susana Balbo. Try her Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontés 2024 from Uco Valley, saline and mineral, with juicy citrus intensity and floral notes, ripe melon and pear.

Australia (vs USA): The Socceroos take on one of the host nations USA in their second match of the championships. So what better excuse for a New World Cabernet head-to-head against Napa Cab?

Take a punt on the excellent 2022 vintage Cabernets from Margaret River in Western Australia, whose wines are worthy contenders on a global stage.

Try the Moss Wood Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, one of the three top scorers in our latest Margaret River vintage report (97pts) – juicy and structured, fluid and effortless, it’s an energetic Cabernet packed with youthful exuberance.

James: Portugal & South Africa

Portugal (vs Uzbekistan): Will Portugal’s flowing, attacking style be able to overcome the disciplined defence of underdogs Uzbekistan, coached by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro?

Polished and supple with anchovy, briny black olives and juicy plum, Quinta de Chocapalha’s Castelão is sure to charm.

Its herbal side makes it a great match for smoked ribs served with homemade rosemary fries.

South Africa (vs Czech Republic): After a bruising defeat to Mexico in the opener, South Africa tackle the Czech Republic in Atlanta for their second game.

Mullineux’s ‘Kloof Street Swartland Rouge’ is a fantastic value blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault.

Vibrant and sweet fruited, it’s a great pairing for barbecued meats and vegetables accompanied by a summery salad.

Natalie: Germany & New Zealand

Germany (vs Ivory Coast): The vibrant cuisine of Ivory Coast features dishes such as kedjenou, a spicy, concentrated chicken and vegetable stew.

German wines could be a successful match for this flavoursome dish. One option could be a Riesling with some residual sugar, like this Auslese, where its dried mandarin and honey characters would chime with the stew’s spicing.

Or opt for a fruit-forward Spatburgunder like this great value version from Albert Glas.

New Zealand (vs Egypt): New Zealand will be playing Egypt in their second match.

The Pharaohs will be captained by the legendary Mohamed Salah – can the 34-year old maintain the same ‘youthful lift and energy’ that this beautiful Kiwi Pinot Noir shows?

Tina: Croatia & Canada

Croatia (vs Panama): Panama hosts Croatia in Toronto in this round of the group stage, and it looks set to be a one-sided affair.

Even with their ‘mature’ squad (four key players are aged over 30) Croatia always seems to showcase their best at the big tournaments.

So if we’re looking for maturity and top performances, this sweet Muscat is the ideal pick.

It scored 97-points at a Decanter Wines of the Year tasting and is seemingly eternal, with a drinking window to 2080 (hopefully they won't make Modric play that long)!

Canada (vs Qatar): The Reds of Canada play The Maroons of Qatar in Vancouver this round, so that provides some strong symbolism as to the colour wine you need to have in your glass when watching this duel.

So how about this weirdly wonderful yet appropriate duet of reds from a winery in Naramata in the Okanagan Valley, which co-ferments local Pinot Noir with Syrah from Washington's Horse Heaven Hills.

Rupert: France & Austria

France (vs Iraq): Dominated by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Iraq’s national dish is masgouf *– or grilled carp. But, like their team against these Middle Eastern minnows, France’s versatile wine choice is more than a match for this particular fishy dish.

Muscadet or Alsatian Pinot Blanc are an excellent match for carp’s light and delicate flavour but the grilled aspect might overpower these lighter wines.

A good white Burgundy with more body and some subtle oak would therefore be a good match. Something from the Maconnais such as a Pouilly-Fuissé or St-Véran have the requisite finesse and oomph for the occasion.

*As it happens, a fan of masgouf was former French president Jacques Chirac, who ate it with Saddam Hussein in the 1970s. History does not relate what wine might have flowed at that particular dinner.

Austria (vs Argentina): Fiery Argentine Tango meets Austria’s elegant waltz this week on the pitch in Dallas.

Austrian reds can’t quite match those of Argentina for sheer power and ripe polish, but they can for elegance and charm.

A Blaufränkisch from the famous Leithaberg hills would keep any Malbec on its toes.

Try this from Heinrich which our expert tasting panel recently described as: ‘Layered, mature. Super-refined, graceful tannins backed by vibrant freshness.’

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA (vs Australia): It's a clash of New World winemaking titans this week with USA against Australia.

Let’s keep it solid at the back (palate), firm through the middle and flashy upfront; so it has to be Napa Cabernet.

Realm Cellars, The Bard from Calistoga is a suitably swish offering. Fine, rich, opulent and neatly oaked, with layers of dark berry, graphite and truffle, all framed within ultra-fine tannins.

There are worse ways to potentially drown your sorrows.

Switzerland (vs Bosnia-Herzegovina): Swiss fans will be aiming to stay cool and collected in glitzy LA against a potential banana-skin Bosnian side.

Often underestimated, the Swiss have made it out of the group stages in each of the last three World Cups, but a surprise draw with Qatar means they need a win.

Channel your inner, crampon-wearing, Alpine alter ego and break out the fondue alongside a bottle of Weinbau Thomas Studach, Malanser Chardonnay.

It’s juicy, displaying ripe orchard fruit balanced by crystalline acidity and gentle salinity.

Its cool, lingering finish reflects a style shaped by a distinct mountain register. Perfect.

Izzy: England & Turkey

England (vs Ghana): Next up for England will be a far-from-easy match against Ghana, where several members of England’s squad will be up against their own Manchester City teammate in star attacker Antoine Semenyo.

If you’re thinking of enjoying some Ghanaian cuisine for the match, why not fufu and spicy tomato stew with a bright, fruity Pinot Noir?

This vibrant and refreshing wine from the Crouch Valley should pair well with light but spicy soup Nkrakra, and can be enjoyed lightly chilled.

Turkey (vs Paraguay): Turkey’s next match will be against fellow outsiders Paraguay; based on the teams’ recent form it looks as though Turkey should take the three points but they’ll still need to bring something special to be sure of it.

One thing that certainly sets Turkey apart from landlocked Paraguay is its stunning coastline – also where a lot of its most impressive wines are made.

The team should channel some of the energy of this ‘light on its feet’ Bordeaux blend from Izmir on the Aegean Coast to secure victory.

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The third Sunday of June might be Father’s Day but the third Friday is a special date for wine lovers: International Drink Chenin Blanc Day. Since the first edition of the Chenin Congress, the Fédération Viticole Anjou Saumur, has further extended celebrations for the whole third week of June under the hashtag #FandeChenin.

Time to celebrate the Loire native, South African pioneer variety in all its characterful diversity. And a great pretext to explore the many styles and producers that have earned it worldwide fame.

Indigenous to the Loire, rooted in South Africa

Chenin Blanc is indigenous to the Loire, where it has been grown for centuries, possibly more than a millennium. The French Renaissance polymath, and Touraine native, François Rabelais (1494–1553) mentions the variety, both as Chenin and its common Loire synonym Pineau, in his writings. Other local synonyms were Anjou, Plant d’Anjou, Gros Pineau, Pineau d’Anjou and Pineau de la Loire. The variety’s enduring name has its most likely origin in the monastery of Montchenin, from where it was propagated across the Touraine region, to then return to its birthplace in Anjou under its new name.

However, although Chenin Blanc has its historical origin in the Loire, where its most classical and diverse expressions hail from, it found a second spiritual home in South Africa, the country where some of the variety’s oldest plants, dry-farmed bush vines, can be found.

Further afield, Chenin Blanc can also be found in California’s Central Valley (although mostly for the production of cheap wines from high-yielding vineyards), Australia, New Zealand and throughout South America.

Classical versatility

Chenin Blanc shares important characteristics with Chardonnay and Riesling; it has the former’s capacity to respond to different winemaking approaches without losing its character, and the latter’s ability to express minute terroir variations and produce wines across a range of styles. With both, it shares the medium to high acid and the adaptability to different growing conditions, expressed through an aromatic spectrum that ranges from stern minerality to ripe orchard fruit. As such, although perhaps not as highly regarded as those other two historical counterparts, Chenin Blanc can rightly be placed among the wine canon’s must-know classical varieties. Its long history and the quality and diversity of the wines it produces certainly justify it!

The fact that it is a vigorous and fertile grape (although vigour is greatly impacted by soil type) made it a favourite of growers in high production areas such as the Californian and Chilean Central Valleys. But it is on poor challenging terroirs – like Loire’s Savennières schist slopes – where yields are naturally kept in check, that Chenin thrives. In cooler climates, allowed to hang on the vine long, its susceptibility to noble rot produces some of the world’s most elegant and balanced sweet wines.

Scroll down to discover 15 top-scoring Chenin Blancs

The latter is the case in the middle of the Loire valley, where Chenin Blanc dominates (further inland Sauvignon Blanc is the main variety, and Melon de Bourgogne reigns supreme as the river meets the Atlantic) and it produces wines across an excitingly diverse range of styles; from traditional method sparkling to age-worthy botrytised sweets, by way of mineral-driven whites that could not speak more of terroir.

In South Africa, where one in every five vines is a Chenin Blanc (or Steen, as it is known locally) plant, the variety was, for a long time, material for less than interesting cheap plonk. In the last decade of the 20th century, however, a renewed interest in the country’s unique stock of old vines – which prompted the creation of the Certified Heritage Vineyards programme – along with a burgeoning community of young, quality-minded producers, has elevated it to national treasure. Names like Ken Forrester, AA Badenhorst, David & Nadia, Eben Sadie and Mick and Jeanine Craven, are producing world-leading examples, focusing on the quality of fruit from historial bush-trained plots and experimenting with skin-maceration and fermentation/ageing in different vessels.

DWWA 2025: Award- winning Chenin Blanc wines

Sparkling

France

Bouvet Ladubay, Ogmius Brut, Saumur, Loire 2015
Platinum, 97 points
A cascade of crushed rocks and seashells shower over the zesty citrus and green apple fruit with a compelling savoury complexity spilling out. Delightful lemon acidity infuses the soothing creamy mousse and decadent mineral length. Alcohol 12.5%

Monmousseau, Cuvée Ciselée Brut, Crémant de Loire NV
Gold, 95 points
Jubilant aromas of green apple, freshly picked white flowers and pastry with a fine mineral backbone, energetic mousse and pristine saline conveyance on the finish. Alc 12%

Ackerman, Bulle Royale Brut, Saumur, Loire NV
Gold, 95 points
A harmony of greengage, green apple and pear drop entices and entangles with the creamy effervescence. Beautifully concentrated and mouth-filling with an attractive grapey finish. Alc 12.1%

Still White

France

Aubert, L'eveil des Sens, Vouvray, Loire 2023
Gold, 96 points
A delightful interplay of succulent tropical fruits, honeyed florals and bright minerals with a mouth-filling texture, poised acidity and ravishing fruit culmination at the end. Alc 13.5%

Domaine Des Fontaines, Confidence De Novembre, Bonnezeaux, Loire 2022
Gold, 95 points
Laden with lemon curd, custard, marmalade and Tarte Tatin opulence which oozes over the voluptuous palate and is lifted by the saline crunch of acidity. Stunning. Alc 11.9%

South Africa

Simonsig, Langbult Steen Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2024
Gold, 96 points
Glorious honeysuckle florals and blossom aromas combine beautifully with juicy melon and white stone fruit whilst enhancing the crisp sherbet acidity and long, elevating finish. Alc 13%

Donkiesbaai, Steen, Piekenierskloof, Citrusdal Mountain 2024
Gold, 95 points
Typical old vine Citrusdal Mountain character unleashing honeyed melons, apples and peach cordial onto the superb waxy texture and lime zest acidity, with a long fennel finish. Alc 13.5%

Endura, Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl 2023
Gold, 95 points
Deeply golden and clingy with intense peach, yellow apple and orange fruit interspersed with spiced ginger crumbs. Generous and entrancing with a long, herby finish. Alc 14%

Ken Forrester Wines, The FMC, Stellenbosch 2024
Gold, 95 points
An scrumptious glassful of apple compote and honeysuckle with a delectable twist of mineral brine and grapefruit acidity to invigorate, finishing up with a quenching tug of quince. Alc 13%

Bellingham, The Founder's Series Freda, Coastal Region 2021
Gold, 95 points
Smacked with oyster shell and gun flint charm over rippling lime curd layers of creamy texture. Generous and bold with a savoury tension on the finish. Alc 13.5%

Survivor, Reserve Chenin Blanc, Swartland 2022
Gold, 95 points
Bold toasted brioche, baked peach and custard aromas welcome and entice with a seamless freshness that runs through the palate to the long chalky finish. Alc 13.5%

Spier, 21 Gables Chenin Blanc, Cape Town 2022
Gold, 95 points
Steely, cedary and sophisticated on the nose, giving way to a lush buttered brioche and lime marmalade complexity on the palate, finishing with crisp juicy apples. Alc 14.5%

Nederburg, Heritage Heroes the Anchor Man Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024
Gold, 95 points
A delightful perfume of citrus blossom, peach skin and pineapple layers nicely over the profoundly concentrated palate, offset by a fresh acidity and stylish mineral streak. Alc 13.5%

Cederberg, Nieuwoudt Five Generations Chenin Blanc, Cederberg 2023Silver, 94 points
94 Silver
Pink Lady apple and greengage overlay peach blossom and lemongrass, leading to zippy acidity, gentle oak influence and mineral-tinged length. Alc 13.5%

Chile

Longaví, Cementerio, Maule 2023
Gold, 95 points
Boundless Chenin typicity: honeyed spiced apples, stone fruits and florals which overlap with the earthy, savoury complexity and an ethereal acidity that persists to the finish. Alc 13.5%

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The World Cup is here!

Like many others, here at Decanter we've felt the touch of a little touch of football-fever at the return of this ultimate sporting event.

And, like many of you too no doubt, we've created a pool to make watching the tournament a little more exciting.

But we've added a wine twist.

A great many of the teams at the World Cup are wine producers and, in fact, a wine-producing country (to at least some degree) has lifted every trophy since the event began in 1930 – Uruguay, Italy, (West) Germany, Argentina, Brazil, England, France and Spain.

With that in mind, we decided to split the 16 biggest wine-producing nations between the eight of us, with each match of the competition bringing you a wine recommendation for each of our teams based on criteria such as their opponent, or their playing style, where they're playing etc.

Just like any pool, you're in until your team(s) out. And we'll see if a winemaking nation can lift the prize again in the USA...

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Who's who?

A quick overview of our pool members and who they will be covering.

Ines Salpico: Our Regional Editor for Spain, Portugal and South America has come up trumps with two teams in her realm of expertise: strong favourites Spain and mercurial Uruguay.

Julie Sheppard: Our Australia, New Zealand and South Africa Editor, likewise pulled one of her regular countries, Australia, but she also drew the reigning champions – Argentina! Lots of steaks and bold reds incoming.

James Button: There was no likelihood of our Italy Editor drawing Italy because they, umm, didn't qualify (again). Nonetheless, he has plenty to recommend in these group stages with Portugal and South Africa.

Natalie Earl: Our France Editor is likewise beyond her usual remit with plucky football underdogs New Zealand but also die Mannschaft itself, Germany. A lot of fine white wines and sumptuous Pinot Noirs in store from both, but it's the Germans you'll be hearing about longest.

Tina Gellie: A rush of pride for our Content Director Tina, who drew her native Canada in their home World Cup, however, she'll be banking on the more formidable Croatia if she wants to be making recommendations in the later stages.

Rupert Millar: A fine draw for Premium's Assistant Editor with a bullish Austria but also the crème de la crème of big name wine teams – France. Rupert's got a veritable chocolate box of recommendations to draw from.

Mark O'Halleron: The good ol' USA goes to Premium sub-editor, Mark. Our expansive US coverage means he has plenty of wines to choose from but will the US mens' team give him the opportunity to draw upon it deep into the competition? Or will cool-headed Switzerland be the longer-term banker?

Izzy Porter: And there it is – England! You'll need the wine recommendations to cope with the stress. Will there be corks popping at the end? Our Special Projects Assistant also drew Turkey, which will give her a chance to brush up on her Öküzgözü and Boğazkere in their group stages head-to-head with Australia.

Ines: Spain & Uruguay

Spain: Spain arrives at this year’s competition as reigning European champions and with the vivid memory of their 2010 World Cup win.

Will Luis de la Fuente, Lamine Yamal (2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up) and Nico Williams work their magic again?

La Roja will likely breeze through their first match against Cape Verde so the players might want to remain focused yet relaxed on their first week across the pond.

Viña Zorzal’s pink Garnacha is the very definition of laidback focus and will be a good option to keep Spanish players and supporters both refreshed and nurtured.

Uruguay: Uruguay has had a bumpy ride in the lead up to this World Cup…

Internal fighting and a lack of scoring have them land on North American soil with uncertainty and trepidation.

Still, like a good Tannat, the team has a fleshy, vibrant core in midfield trio Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Grab a bottle of Pisano’s Progreso Tannat Reserve, enjoy its fragrant, easy-drinking style and trust that the Uruguayan team delivers the same lively, enjoyable finish in its first match against Saudi Arabia.

Julie: Argentina & Australia

Argentina: For their opening match against Algeria, the reigning world champions Argentina will travel to Kansas City, home of the slow-smoked barbecue, burnt ends and beefy KC strip.

If you’re planning to cheer on the great Lionel Messi with a similarly meaty feast, you’d better reach for a bottle of Argentina’s signature grape Malbec, which pairs perfectly with steaks and char-grilled meats.

Try the rich and structured Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva 2024 from Mendoza, packed with vibrant black cherry and dark plummy fruit, plus dark chocolatey tannins. A wine fit for champions…

Australia: Vines were first planted in Australia in 1788, but the country doesn’t boast such a long World Cup history.

Playing Turkey in Round One won’t be an easy match; Turkey reached the semi-finals in 2002, taking third place, and the current squad includes Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler.

So Australia needs to stay on its feet. What better than a light and lively Grenache from McLaren Vale?

Try Gary’s Vineyard Grenache 2023, a detailed and dancing wine, with Negroni-like herbal and dried orange peel aromas. It’s made by Mark Bulman, the first person ever to win the famous Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for a Grenache – let’s hope some of his winner’s luck rubs off…

James: Portugal & South Africa

Portugal: Portugal take on DRC (no, not that DRC!) in their first match. Will Cristiano, in his record sixth World Cup, fire on all cylinders?

The drum-beating Congolese fans will be doing all they can to push their team forward.

Niepoort’s ‘Redoma Reserva Branco’ will capture all the energy of the 72,000-capacity stadium in Houston, with its flinty, floral and waxy character, vivid acidity and an assertive backbone that helps it match with a variety of snacks while you watch.

Great value for the quality, too.

South Africa: South Africa travel to Mexico City for the first clash of the 2026 World Cup, against the co-hosts.

What better way to kick off than with Blank Bottle’s ‘Confessions of a White Glove Chaser’, a delicious Cab Franc-Cab Sauv blend from Stellenbosch which comes in at under £20.

Enjoy with homemade fajitas to really get into the spirit of things!

Natalie: Germany & New Zealand

Germany: World Cup champions in 2014, Germany will be laser focused on joining Italy and Brazil with an elite fifth tournament victory – and with a team based around the world-class Bayern Munich club, they’re in for a fighting chance.

But will manager Julian Nagelsmann, known for being rather explosive on the sidelines, keep his cool under the Texan sun?

Perhaps he’ll need a refreshing glass of this bone-dry Riesling to cool down. They’re playing the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao.

Popular with diving enthusiasts – will they be diving for saves in their first match? – it’s famous for its Blue Bay and Blue Curaçao drink. Let’s hope there’s no Blue Nun in sight.

New Zealand: What better way to cheer on New Zealand’s football team – the All Whites – than with a pungent and instantly recognisable Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

This Wairau Cove Reserve doesn’t hold back, and neither should the All Whites, giving a sucker punch of green and tropical fruit (no punches thrown in the match though, boys).

It’s hugely aromatic and in your face, just the kind of attitude the All Whites will need against the string of strong players in the Iranian team.

Tina: Croatia & Canada

Croatia: Luka Modrić, Croatia’s football GOAT, and now aged 40, will lead his team out for their first game of this year’s World Cup in Dallas, Texas, to face England, captained by Harry Kane.

In their nine duels to date, England narrowly lead by five wins to three, so it could be a nervous watch.

For an equally nervy white wine, with high acidity and focused fruit, try examples from the Pošip grape variety, which mainly comes from the region of Dalmatia.

Stina’s minerally 2024 Pošip, from the limestone soils of Korčula island, has all the vibrant citrusy notes to keep you laser focused on the match.

Like the England team nickname, Damatia’s coat of arms also boasts three lions, so which one will prevail?

Canada: Co-host Canada has its first home game of the 2026 World Cup in Toronto, the country’s largest city, and home to a sizeable population with Bosnian ancestry – apt given their opponents.

So this should be a lively match, befitting of a lively wine. And what better than a deliciously vibrant Gamay from the Niagara Peninsula, an hour down the coast from the stadium.

Malivoire’s 2024 Gamay from the Wismer-Foxcroft vineyard on Twenty Mile Bench has crunchy acidity and succulent cherry-cranberry flavours.

It’s a perfect bottle for either your bacon sandwich (made from famous Canadian peameal bacon) or a flatbread filled with ćevapi, a grilled minced meat sausage that is Bosnia’s national dish.

Rupert: France & Austria

France: The top-ranked team in the world going into this World Cup, France have a spicy first game against one of Africa’s best teams – Senegal.

Les bleus will need to keep their cool in the increasingly sultry New York heat against a country known for both sizzling footwork and cuisine.

Mbappé & co should take inspiration from the Loire Valley’s Chenin Blancs, effortlessly taut, complex and an ideal match with a variety of hot and spicy dishes.

Look to Saumur for something more easy-going or Savennières for a wine with real drive.

Austria: The Austrians will be looking to make a strong first impression in their first game against low-ranked debutants Jordan.

Their manager prefers an attacking style but there’s (probably) no need for anything too fancy at this stage. Just keep it nice and clean and uncomplicated.

ÖFB followers should kick back and ease themselves into the competition with a classic Grüner Veltliner.

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA: The co-host’s run up to the World Cup has been underwhelming. Paraguay, back on the big stage for the first time since 2010, represent the first hurdle.

They might not be anyone's favourites for the tournament but Paraguay aren't to be underestimated either.

Perhaps the US is best served matching Paraguayan pride with a grape that the US has arguably made its own – Zinfandel.

Ridge’s iteration, Geyserville, from Sonoma County, is a stunning example, one that pairs velvety power with a dash of elegance and flair, something that the US may well need to draw upon; and matched with an asado? Sounds like the perfect draw.

Switzerland: A very diplomatic match-up between this historic neutral and Qatar, a modern-day political mediator.

In that respect, you might want to keep things restrained and medium-bodied.

But this is the World Cup! So instead try the more gutsy Cayas Syrah du Valais Réserve from Domaine Jean-René Germanier.

It delivers rich red and dark berry fruit, framed with oak and shot through with a cool Alpine seam. A wine that will prove a fine partner to your favourite Middle Eastern dishes during the game.

Izzy: England & Turkey

England: England’s World Cup campaign is getting started in Texas on Wednesday, and what better way to kick off any summer fun than with bubbles?

Although there’s no guarantee of celebration in what will likely be a tough match for England against a strong Croatian side, if you’re looking for a wine that will be sure not to disappoint, Gusbourne’s Blanc de Blancs 2020 is a fabulous choice.

Layers of bright citrus, white fruits and brioche and buttery notes are beautifully focused – let’s just hope our boys can show equal precision on the pitch…

Turkey: It’s the first time Turkey has qualified for the World Cup since 2002, so the players will be looking to put in a strong first performance in their opening match against the Aussies on Sunday.

If you’re looking for an equally full-bodied but rather off-the-beaten-track alternative to a Barossa Shiraz, consider a wine made with Turkey’s native Boğazkere - especially an older vintage like this one, where the tannins have softened.

With black cherry and peppery aromas, like a mature Nebbiolo, this will stand up just as well as Shiraz to barbecued meats – why not pair with lamb koftas to kick off the fun?

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A visit to the Opus One website reveals the slogan: ‘Two families. One Vision’.

Which somewhat reminds one of the opening lyrics to Queen’s 1986 hit, It’s a kind of Magic:

‘One dream, one soul

‘One prize, one goal

‘One golden glance of what should be

‘It's a kind of magic’

Joking aside, Opus One was very much a pioneer in its fusion of classic Bordeaux and upstart Napa Valley winemaking heritage.

Born of a collaboration between Baron Philip de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, it was meant to harness the potential of the ‘New World’ with the know-how of the ‘Old’.

Furthermore, it was based around not just the Bordeaux blend but also the idea of the Bordeaux estate, a winery surrounded by its own vines in a single appellation/American Viticultural Area (AVA).

This was unlike a common model used in Napa Valley, both then and now, of buying grapes from across multiple sites/AVAs.

The pair had begun discussing the project in the early 1970s after a meeting in Hawaii. The first wine, the 1979 vintage, was released in 1984 and a dedicated winery in Oakville was opened in 1991.

The wine was priced high right from the start, and quickly became a marker of the swelling tide of ‘icon’ and ‘cult’ wines beginning to emerge from various corners of North and South America in this period.

With its French connections, however, Opus One was one of the rare few to have widespread distribution beyond the US.

As such, it remains one of the Napa Valley labels most non-American fine wine enthusiasts will know best.

Secondary market overview

Looking back over the winery’s last 10 releases, it’s worth pointing out the glaring omission of the 2020 vintage.

This is not an error! After the devastating forest fires in the region in 2020, Opus One decided not to release any wines from that vintage due to smoke taint issues.

The winery’s output in terms of both scores and prices remain incredibly consistent. A case of 12 bottles costs just under £3,000 on average, with an average score from Decanter of 97-points.

This compares favourably with some of the leading Bordeaux estates that have been examined so far.

The average score is the same as Château Cheval Blanc and Château Haut-Brion, and it’s considerably cheaper on average than all of the First Growths and Cheval Blanc.

Fine wine marketplace Liv-ex includes Opus One in its ‘California 50’ index. Like so many other indices, it is far from the peak it attained in 2022.

However, among all the other wines in the index (Harlan, Screaming Eagle, Ridge Monte Bello and Dominus), it is the vintages of Opus One that have seen the most gains over the past year.

Opus One vintages

For any buyer looking to add Opus One to their collection, an obvious starting point would be the 2022 vintage.

A solid 97-points from two Decanter critics – Georgie Hindle and Jonathan Cristaldi – it is also the cheapest vintage currently available, with a Market Price of £2,590 (12x75) according to Liv-ex.

Two older vintages may also be of interest. The trio of 2018, 2019 and 2021 yielded three vintages Decanter rated 98-points across the board.

However, the 2018 is currently available at a discount of around £100 per dozen versus the other two, a neat little discount for a wine called ‘striking, elegant and precise’ by Hindle.

Curious buyers may want to not hang around. The wine recently gained 4.2% month-on-month according to Liv-ex. Maybe others have spotted the gap too?

It feels odd to say that there’s a 2013 vintage rated 100-points. But while that particular vintage was rather less than legendary in Bordeaux, it was one of the all-time greats in Napa.

Opus One’s 2013 is striking enough to have earned it a triple-digit score from Jane Anson.

At a tasting in 2019 when she described it thus: ‘Dark deep rosemary spice and black olive paste deepens the flavours through the mid-palate and you just have to hang on as this goes spiralling through, drawing the flavours out to a lengthy finish.’

And at £3,050 per dozen, it does not command a serious premium over other available vintages either.

The 2012 vintage was equally famous and, of the two, is currently the more expensive (though its Decanter score is only 97-points).

Like the 2018 though, the 2013 gained 4.2% MoM according to Liv-ex, meaning it may be a vintage drawing attention again.

And finally, it will be interesting to see the price of Opus One 2023 when it's released through La Place de Bordeaux this autumn.

Rated 98-points by Jonathan Cristaldi in his recent review of the vintage, a price equal to or even below that of the 2022 would surely make it an attractive proposition?

Opus One: Selected tasting notes

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Barolo’s best value in 2022 is found among its blends.

Whether a region-wide or a village blend (as opposed to the single-MGA and even single-vineyard bottlings), these so-called ‘classic’ Barolos represent a sweet spot for the vintage.

The majority of wines in 2022 are round in shape with harmonising acidity and well managed tannins, and less complexity than in the best years.

This more approachable style works to the advantage of those after well priced Barolo, with a number of well performing wines to highlight below.

Barolo 2022's top value picks

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A venerable St-Emilion property, Château Cheval Blanc has long been considered one of the leading estates in Bordeaux.

This was recognised as far back as 1955, when it and Château Ausone were the two estates recognised as Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ in the inaugural St-Emilion classification.

However, in 2021 both Cheval Blanc and Ausone excused themselves from the 2022 classification citing issues with the judging criteria; which had been a major bone of contention in 2012.

Both relinquished the top classification they had held for 66 years but it’s doubtful it has harmed either property’s standing in the eyes of collectors. Both properties are now classified as ‘St-Emilion Grand Cru’.

In recent years Cheval Blanc has deftly navigated the turbulent waters of en primeur, emerging as one of the more consistent sellers in a dwindling market.

It has fully committed itself to ‘l’agroécologie’, implementing numerous environmentally-friendly practices at the estate, such as encouraging a polyculture, practicing agroforestry and ending ploughing to reduce soil compaction.

Secondary market overview

Over its last 10 vintages, Cheval Blanc has an average Liv-ex Market Price of £4,243 (per 12x75cl) and an average score from Decanter of 97-points.

In this regard its averages compare quite favourably with the first growths of the Left Bank – which we looked at last year.

It is a key component of the Right Bank 500 index compiled by fine wine marketplace Liv-ex and its component wines have largely seen positive performances since the start of the year.

However, the fine wine secondary market as a whole has been in a severe downturn in recent years and many prices have softened from the heights they achieved in the frenzy of the lockdown-driven bull run of 2020-2022.

The index as a whole has taken a step back since it hit its peak in January 2023, declining by 30.8% to September 2025. It has rallied a little since then but is still 29.4% below where it was at its highest point.

Recent analysis published in Decanter, suggests the possibility of a limited market recovery in 2026. There were signs of stability in the second half of 2025 and prices have stabilised in many areas.

However, the recent US-Israeli military action in the Gulf, may yet send another spasm of uncertainty through a bruised market.

Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz will have severe repercussions in oil markets, and that volatility usually spreads to stock markets and therefore assets.

Both the UK and US stock markets were in flux this week as oil prices spiked – though the jump was not as severe as it was after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A conflict with no foreseeable endpoint may put the brakes on even limited market recovery, but does potentially gift slow-to-act collectors an extended chance to keep scouring the secondary market for potential buying opportunities.

Cheval Blanc vintages

Looking at our chart above, we can see that there are two older vintages that weigh heavily on Cheval Blanc’s books: 2015 and 2016.

Both renowned vintages, they are priced well above the estate’s 10-year average: with a Liv-ex Market Price of £6,385 and £5,900 per case respectively.

However, although they are well reviewed wines, they are not the top-scorers according to Decanter.

Those honours go to the 2019 and 2023, which Bordeaux Editor, Georgie Hindle, both rated 99-points; the 2023 most recently at her in-bottle tasting of that vintage.

Both are currently available at considerable discounts to either the 2015 or 2016.

The 2019 was extremely well-priced on release and has gained 7.8% in value over the last five years according to Liv-ex. It currently has a Market Price of £4,850 according to Liv-ex, which is the third-highest, though still 20-30% less than the 2015 and 2016.

Therefore, the 2023 – at £3,779 per dozen – represents the best value by far, with a discount of 68% on the market price of the 2015 (97-points).

Another vintage of interest is the 2020. It has 98-points from Hindle – the same as the 2016 and 2022 vintages – but is currently available for £3,680 for a 12-bottle case, 60% less than the 2016.

According to Liv-ex, its price has also slipped -1.6% since the start of the year, which only helps to highlight the value it currently offers versus its peers.

Finally, for collectors perhaps merely seeking to get a foot in the door, the 2021 vintage presents a possible opportunity.

Rated 96-points – so just below the 10-year score average – its current case price of £2,835 is 50% below Cheval’s average price. The 2021 has also declined -5.5% in value year-to-date according to Liv-ex’s figures.

Château Cheval Blanc: Selected tasting notes

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Greater positivity pervaded the secondary market in late 2025, following a prolonged downturn.

Several variables have the potential to influence 2026 (see box, below), but stability was the watchword in January, rather than predictions of a fresh bullrun.

‘I don’t think prices will fall in the next year, but I struggle to see them going up meaningfully,’ said Geraint Carter, of international merchant Bordeaux Index and the LiveTrade online trading platform.

There may be exceptions, such as ‘pockets of demand’ pushing prices higher on wines with limited availability, he said. Pricing in some segments looked fragile, notably mid-tier Burgundy, he added.

Will Hargrove, head of fine wine at UK merchant Corney & Barrow, said: ‘I think it should be a year in which the market continues to improve. But I certainly don’t see it doing that in a dramatic or explosive sort of way.’

Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade, said that it expected the market to ‘bump along the bottom throughout 2026’.

It described this as an opportunity for new collectors to buy and drink fine wine, which would help with ‘building up sustainable long-term demand’.

Two questions

Carter highlighted Bordeaux wines from the 2009 vintage and before as one particular buying opportunity. ‘Prices look favourable [and] these wines are ready to drink, so they are supported by a consumption market.’

Sophia Gilmour, market analyst at Liv-ex, said: ‘As the possibility of broad market recovery becomes more of a reality, potential buyers should be asking themselves two questions – where have sellers been willing to capitulate, and which wines may provide the highest nominal gains?’

Gilmour added: ‘In terms of capitulation, 2021 Bordeaux [wines] have seen their prices slashed, generally below ex-chȃteau release prices.’

For buyers willing to incur higher risk, Gilmour said legendary producers such as Rayas (Rhône), Jacques Selosse or Salon (Champagne) and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Burgundy) will be of interest.

Prices for these fell sharply in the recent market downturn – after rising rapidly – and there could be more interesting offers, particularly if merchants need to raise capital.

The Bordeaux Index view

Fine wine & spirits specialist Bordeaux Index kindly sponsors this section of Decanter, and provides its view on the market here every issue. It can be found at bordeauxindex.com

The shape of 2026: The good, the bad and the uncertain

There are several reasons for cautious optimism in our corner of the wine market.

Some wines now look decisively oversold; Bordeaux 2021 is a case in point, as is Lafite, with price reductions re-engaging long-sidelined buyers.

Absolute value also seems to matter more. Super Seconds from solid vintages trading around £60-£70 will appeal to many, particularly when compared with village Burgundy from unproven producers at similar prices.

And categories such as pre-2009 claret, classic Rhône and Super Tuscans with a little age continue to enjoy consumption-driven support.

It’s also worth remembering that consumers typically moderate rather than disappear.

Asia has clearly been in a moderating phase, but there are signs of a gradual re-emergence of demand. But significant headwinds remain.

Investment overhang from the 2000-2020 bull market is still being worked through, with the most heavily speculated regions enduring the deepest corrections.

Finally, structural challenges loom large. An expanding universe of fine wines increases competition, benefiting drinkers but likely diluting returns.

Add climate change, declining consumption and more fragile luxury narratives, and it’s clear some headwinds will persist.

The year ahead feels finely poised. Opportunities will emerge, but a return to dramatic growth still feels some way off.

Latest Power 100 ranking released

St-Emilion powerhouse Château Cheval Blanc, cult Rhône producer Château Rayas and Super Tuscan standard-bearer Sassicaia have been highlighted in a new ranking of fine wine brands.

Cheval Blanc topped the latest Power 100 ranking by Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade, with Sassicaia producer Tenuta San Guido in second place.

Based on trading data in the year to 30 September 2025, the ranking offers extra insight into pockets of relative stability in a challenging market.

‘[Cheval Blanc] has not been immune to the downturn of the market,’ said Liv-ex, but a consistent approach to release pricing has helped to build its ‘strong reputation for quality and value’.

Spain’s Vega Sicilia came 16th, after heading the previous Power 100 ranking. While prices remained stable on average, it was particularly affected by US buyer caution in the face of import tariff uncertainty.

Vaunted Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer Rayas was fifth in the new Power 100 ranking, up 49 places on the 2024 edition. Prices rose 2.7% on average, ‘backed by substantial trade’.

The late Emmanuel Reynaud (pictured abvove), owner of Château Rayas in Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rayas wines have long been sought after by in-the-know collectors.

Geraint Carter, of merchant Bordeaux Index and online trading platform LiveTrade, said prices went ‘through the roof’ in the most recent market bull run before dropping sharply – by around 30% – and then rebounding in 2025 to some extent.

In November, inspirational Rayas owner and winemaker Emmanuel Reynaud passed away, prompting widespread tributes, including from Decanter’s Rhône correspondent Matt Walls.

Think of Bordeaux and an exclusive selection premium wines is likely to spring to mind – first growths, en primeur offerings and world-famous châteaux don’t tend to scream ‘value’.

Likewise in Burgundy, you’re unlikely to treat the grands crus of Romanée-Conti, Corton and Montrachet as casual purchases for mid-week quaffing.

But as with most wine regions, you can still find value-for-money bottles and enjoy something truly special without breaking the bank.

To back up this claim, we’ve pulled together a number of wines from across Burgundy and Bordeaux, all on the shelf at under £30 per bottle* – and some below £20.

There’s something for everyone here; sparkling, white, red and sweet, and several offerings from well-known areas including St-Julien, St-Estèphe, Beaujolais, Chablis and Sauternes.

Alongside individual producers, our selection also showcases some great-value supermarket own-brand labels.

*The Sauternes listed is available in half bottle format

Best value Burgundy and Bordeaux: 14 top picks

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Light up your dinner table with zingy fizzes and sophisticated Chardonnay and Pinot made closer to home. Here is a shopping list curated from our favourite English and Welsh wines tasted recently.

Our highlights

From a Panel Tasting on vintage sparkling wines, a regional profile of Hampshire and an East Anglia vineyard guide, to a discovery feature on Welsh wines – last year we have taken you on a journey around the United Kingdom to unearth the best bottles the nation has to offer. And here’s a listing of the top scorers:

Vintage English sparkling wine panel tasting

• Chapel Down, Kit’s Coty Coeur de Cuvée Extra Brut 2016 – 97pts
• Gusbourne Estate, 51 Degrees North Brut 2016 – 95pts
• Leonardslee Wine Estate, Reserve Brut 2021 – 95pts
• Wiston Estate, Blanc de Noirs Brut 2018 – 95pts
• Louis Pommery England, Blanc de Blancs Brut 2020 – 95pts
• Bee Tree by Sugrue, Pinot Meunier Rosé Brut 2019

Hampshire regional profile

• Hambledon Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs NV – 95pts
• Hattingley Valley, Kings Cuvée 2017 – 95pts

The surprise finds from Wales

• White Castle Vineyard, Sparkling White 2022 – 93pts
• Velfrey Vineyard, Vintage Sparkling Wine 2022 – 92pts
• Ancre Hill Estates, Chardonnay 2023 – 92pts

It’s also worth mentioning that wines from the UK had a fantastic yield at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. ‘The Trouble With Dreams’ 2009 from Sugrue South Downs was among the ‘Best in Shows’ – the top accolade of the world’s largest wine competition, followed by Platinum winners, Bluestone‘s Blanc De Noirs Brut 2019 and Digby Fine English‘s Rosé Brut 2018.

Below we’ve added more recommendations fresh from recent trade tastings. For reliable gifting options, opt for Nyetimber‘s top cuvée, the 1086, as well as Langham Wine Estate‘s Blanc de Noir 2019. But for a more affordable, crowd-pleasing fizz, Flint Vineyard‘s Charmat Rosé is an absolute delight.

The beautiful still wines from Crouch Valley of Essex are also worth a special mention. Try ‘The Cut’ 2023 from The Heretics for a sophisticated and elegant Chardonnay. The layered Pinot Noirs from Danbury Ridge and Missing Gate Vineyard won’t dissappoint either.

The rise of English still wines

In 2025, WineGB reported a 3% increase in the sale of wines from the UK compared to 2023, despite a challenging market ( WineGB 2025 industry report). Still wines achieved 10% growth in volume year-on-year, outpacing sparkling wines.

By 2024, Britain had 4,841 ha under vine, with 3,763 ha in active production, alongside a total of 1,100 registered vineyards and 238 wineries. The two leading wine-producing regions were Kent, with 1,239 ha, and West Sussex, with 671 ha.

A total of 10.7 million bottles of wine were produced in Great Britain in 2024 – around half of the record 21.6 million bottles produced in 2023 – due to challenging climatic conditions during the vintage. Still wines accounted for 31% of production, up from 21% in 2023.

Chardonnay (1,498 ha), Pinot Noir (1,370 ha) and Pinot Meunier (411 ha) remained the most widely planted grape varieties. Meanwhile, cool-climate grapes such as Bacchus (334 ha), Seyval Blanc (123 ha) and Solaris (117 ha) are increasingly valued for their ability to produce high-quality still wines.

Best English wines to try this spring

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Growth of English and Welsh still wine sales outpaces sparkling

Expert’s choice: Ageing English fizz

From a ‘pull-out-all-the-stops’ platter to leftover Cheddar melted into a comforting toastie, cheese is a festive mainstay that pairs beautifully with various wine categories.

When it comes to pairing sparkling wine and cheese – as with most food and wine matching – there are no hard and fast rules, with individual taste being the most important factor. But sparkling is one of the easiest – and most decadent – wine categories for cheese.

When considering any wine and food match, grape variety and style of course play a part, but the added bonus with sparkling wine is that the bubbles cut a cleanliness through the fat in cheese, creating a pleasing mouthfeel and texture.

And you really don’t have to spend a fortune on that perfect sparkler, as demonstrated by the great value to be found in our selection below.

Cheese and sparkling wine: Where to start

When it comes to pairing sparkling wine and cheese, there are various approaches you may want to take as a starting point.

A useful aspect to consider is balancing the respective weight and intensity of the cheese with the sparkling wine. A tangy mozzarella light in flavour would be a great pairing for a fresh and easy-drinking wine, so as not to overpower the delicate flavour of the cheese.

The same wine would be lost on an aged Comté, with a stronger, nutty taste, as the cheese calls out for a weightier companion, perhaps a Champagne or other traditional-method sparkler with extended lees ageing to give autolytic notes of brioche and toast.

Sweet and salty

Just as sweeter styles of still wine can work well with blue cheese, so too do off-dry or demi-sec sparklers. The ever-appealing mixture of sweetness and acidity from the wine is a great match for the tangy saltiness of the cheese.

To impress your guests with a point of difference, consider pairing a sparkling sake with blue cheese. Sake has lower acidity than wine, but an abundance of umami flavour which works to enhance the similar characteristics in blue cheese. A great example is Lachamte’s Sparkling Junmai Hideyoshi, which has a hint of sweetness underpinning its savoury depth and salty, earthy characteristics.

Taking a regional approach

The old adage ‘what grows together, goes together’ could offer some great inspiration in terms of pairing sparkling wine and cheese from the same regions.

A Chenin-dominant Crémant de Loire would make a lovely complement to a tangy local crottin – the acidity of the Chenin cutting through the cheese and creating a clean and smooth mouthfeel. Chassaux et Fils’ Specially Selected offering would be a solid place to start. You could take the flavour profile one step further and source a herb-crusted goat cheese to accompany Domaine des Grandes Espérance’s Barbule Extra Brut – a Crémant which ‘deserves food, ideally with the same subtle herbal nuances,’ according to Decanter contributor Anne Krebiehl MW.

Langres Fermier, a cow’s milk cheese with a distinctive orange rind and ‘fontaine’ dip in the centre, comes from Champagne-Ardenne. ‘Given the region it comes from, Champagne would be the perfect match, especially if you’ve splashed a little Champagne on the cheese,’ says Patricia Michelson, founder of London cheese store La Fromagerie.

Moving over to Italy, how about an Ubriaco al Prosecco, a cow’s milk cheese from Veneto which is soaked in Prosecco must for a number of months, hence the name ‘ubriaco’, meaning ‘drunk’. The prolonged contact with the grape must gives the cheese a fruity characteristic, making it a great pairing with the obvious partner, a chilled glass of Prosecco, such as Asda’s Exceptional expression.

Or you could stay closer to home with a creamy, salty mature Cheddar. Perfect with a glass or two of English sparkling, such as Morrisons The Best offering, aged for six years on the lees giving it savoury pastry notes.

A matter of character

You could even start with a specific sparkling wine and then choose your cheese accordingly.

I recently popped open a bottle of Sugrue South Downs’ Rosé Ex Machina – a delight as an aperitif but which really came into its own with a pop of saltiness and umami in the form of a mushroom and parmesan canapé.

Take inspiration from our wine recommendations below – including our tasters’ thoughts on specific sparkling wine and cheese pairings. However you decide to match, the most important thing is to enjoy the process of discovery.

Cheese and sparkling wine: 10 to try

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• Making a comeback: Great-value Chardonnay worth your attention this Christmas

The ABC movement – Anything But Chardonnay – is, thankfully, old news.

As consumers have recognised Chardonnay’s versatility and finesse, we’ve come full circle, and shunning it has become as unfashionable, predictable and eye-roll worthy as the wine was previously esteemed.

From crisp and refreshing to buttery and rounded (yes, that’s completely fine too), we’ve picked out a selection of Chardonnays available in the UK, priced at £25 and under per bottle (with one exception).

Our choices span Old World classics in the form of Chablis and other Burgundy, New World offerings from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and even an exciting discovery from Poland.

With an array of styles, you could even use our list of great-value Chardonnay as inspiration for your festive celebrations.

Leckford Estate’s Blanc de Blancs – our outlier in the £25-and-under price cap, although still great value at £35 a bottle – would make an ideal party aperitif to serve with canapés. Another crowd-pleasing sparkling option comes in the form of Aldi’s Specially Selected Crémant du Jura – a steal at just £10.99.

Those in the market for a refreshing bottle to pair with a seafood starter are well catered for here, with great Chablis options including Chassaux et Fils’ Specially Selected 1er Cru 2023, or Laurent Delaunay’s Les Grappillages 2023.

Looking for something with a bit more punch? How about Domaine Masse’s Pierre Ponnelle Montagny 1er Cru 2023 to go with turkey, or Asda’s Exceptional White Burgundy 2023 with roast pork.

And for something opulent and full-bodied, opt for Pegasus Bay’s Waipara Valley 2020 offering.

If you’re after something new to impress, try Kamil Barczentewicz’s Chardonnay Béton 2023 – a lovely rounded style from South East Poland which would also make a great gift for that wine lover friend who’s tried it all.

Great-value Chardonnay for Christmas: 15 bottles to try

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National Chianti Day was originally conceived by importer, Santa Margherita USA – which represents Chianti Classico estates Santa Margherita and Lamole di Lamole – and aims to highlight the qualities of the famed area in Tuscany.

It’s an area of rolling hills, cypress, chestnut and oak trees, olive groves, villas, stone castles and – of course – wineries aplenty.

Below, we have highlighted some delicious Chianti recommendations, and not a fiasco (the traditional round bottle in a straw basket) in sight! You’ll find some picks from the established names of Frescobaldi and Barone Ricasoli as well as some UK supermarket recommendations.

Chianti & Chianti Classico: What’s the difference?

It’s easy to look past the differences between Chianti and Chianti Classico, but these Sangiovese-based wines actually belong to two distinct DOCGs (similar to the AOC system in France).

While Chianti DOCG constitutes a vast 15,500 hectares of vines, Chianti Classico DOCG is concentrated on the original, hilly zone situated halfway between Florence and Siena and totals 6,800ha of vineyard.

Chianti Classico was a subzone of Chianti from its inception in 1967 until 1996, when it was granted its own separate DOCG. The vineyards here are typically at higher altitudes than those of Chianti DOCG.

Chianti: What’s in the blend?

Chianti DOCG wines must be a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, but Chianti Classico DOCG wines demand a minimum of 80%. Both DOCGs permit the use of local and international varieties: Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Malvasia Nera, Mammolo, Pugnitello, and also major international varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Chianti DOCG permits a maximum of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc, and a maximum of 10% of white varieties Malvasia and Trebbiano. Chianti Classico DOCG is no longer permitted to include white varieties in the blend.

Ageing requirements

Chianti DOCG wines can be sold from 1 March in the year after vintage, often suitable for drinking young.

Chianti Classico DOCG wines increase minimum ageing to around 12 months, being sold from 1 October in the year after vintage. This can give the wines greater complexity and cohesion, and helps to round off the raw edges of youth.

Classification hierarchy

Chianti DOCG has three classifications: Chianti, Chianti Superiore and Chianti Riserva. It also has seven sub-zones (such as Rùfina and Colli Fiorentini) which each have their own, stricter requirements including lower yields, longer ageing and higher alcohol.

Chianti Classico DOCG also has three classifications: Chianti Classico (known as ‘annata’), Chianti Classico Riserva and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.

Changes were recently made to the Gran Selezione regulations including increasing the minimum required Sangiovese content from 80% to 90%, and introducing 11 sub-zones.

Decanter’s picks for National Chianti Day:

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Pinot Noir inspires more devotion – and more heartbreak – than any other grape on the planet. It’s fiendishly difficult to grow and endlessly sensitive to its surroundings, but if winemakers manage to tame it, they’re rewarded with some of the most elegant and sought-after wines in the world.

Why is Pinot Noir Day on 18 August?

Unlike some wine celebrations, Pinot Noir Day has no official founder. Even the calendar keepers who track these occasions admit its origins are unclear. Like many food and drink days, it most likely began as an American social media campaign before being adopted by wine lovers worldwide.

However, the date has stuck, and it works well. Late August straddles summer and autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, making it the perfect time to enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir.

This red wine is light enough to shine on warm evenings, but its savoury notes also hint at the upcoming autumn season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. If you're joining in online, the hashtag is #NationalPinotNoirDay.

The heartbreak grape

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s oldest grape varieties, grown in Burgundy for more than a thousand years and possibly since the Roman era. Its name comes from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’ – a nod to its tight, pinecone-shaped bunches of dark berries.

Burgundy’s medieval monks did more than anyone to unlock Pinot’s secrets. Over centuries of patient observation, the Cistercians mapped their vineyards plot by plot, noticing that wines from neighbouring parcels could taste strikingly different.

This laid the foundations for the idea of terroir, which still governs fine wine today. Their walled vineyards, or clos, remain among Burgundy’s most hallowed sites. Today the region’s finest wines, led by the fabled Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, rank among the most expensive ever sold.

So why the heartbreak? Pinot Noir can be a vine grower’s nightmare. It’s thin-skinned, early-budding and vulnerable to frost, rot and disease, so it demands a cool climate and constant attention. Get it wrong and the wine is thin and dull. Get it right, though, and it can be sensational.

One grape, many guises

Pinot Noir is a shapeshifter. Centuries of mutation have produced Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, white-skinned siblings that share its DNA. Pinot Noir is also one of wine’s great progenitors, serving as a genetic parent of both Chardonnay and Gamay.

It even leads a double life in the sparkling wine world. Pinot Noir is one of Champagne’s three main grape varieties, lending body, structure and longevity to many of the region’s best sparkling wines.

As a red wine, its character shifts from one region to the next. Cool, marginal climates produce pale, perfumed, elegant wines showcasing red fruit and delicate spice, while warmer corners of the world yield plusher, darker and more opulent wines.

That sense of terroir – the way Pinot broadcasts precisely where it was grown – is what gives the grape such a devout following.

Scroll down to see 15 award-winning Pinot Noirs from the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026

Pinot Noir around the world

For centuries Burgundy had no serious rival, but the map has now been redrawn.

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has forged a reputation for producing stunning Pinot. The grape also excels in pockets of California, from the fog-cooled vineyards of the Sonoma Coast to Santa Barbara County.

The latter was immortalised by the 2004 film Sideways, whose Pinot-obsessed protagonist helped trigger a surge in American Pinot Noir sales, while denting poor old Merlot’s reputation in the process.

New Zealand’s Central Otago, the world's southernmost wine region, produces vivid, fruit-drenched examples. Germany – where the grape is called Spätburgunder – has quietly become one of the largest Pinot Noir producers on the planet.

Chile, Tasmania and Australia’s Yarra Valley also make highly rated Pinot, while in England the grape now underpins the country’s award-winning sparkling wines.

Wherever it grows, Pinot Noir keeps its calling cards: bright red fruit, silky tannins and a haunting perfume that no other grape can match.

Pinot Noir Day is the perfect excuse to open a bottle you’ve been saving, or discover why this famously demanding grape inspires such enduring devotion.

DWWA 2026: See award-winning Pinot Noir wines

Australia

Dalrymple Vineyards, Single Site Pinot Noir​, Pipers River, Tasmania 2024
Best in Show, 97 points
Tasmania's fifth appearance in our Best In Show selection is also its third Pinot Noir in as many years; two additional whites (a Riesling and a Chardonnay) were featured back in the 2017 and 2019 DWWA editions respectively. This wine is relatively deep in colour, with ample soft red fruit aromatic sweetness (cherries and strawberries); there are rose-petal floral notes, too, as well as cedar and graphite notes from fine-coopered oak. The 2024 vintage was mild and settled, with a generous ripening window, and the harmony and limpidity of flavour that comes from a season of that sort are much in evidence here. The Tasmanian difference, perhaps, is evident in a tightening towards the end of the palate as some sour cherry acidity creeps in to bring the flavour sweep towards a focused finish. A Pinot of style and verve. Alcohol 13.5%

Dawson James, Pinot Noir, Tasmania 2024
Platinum, 97 points
An enchanting alchemy of cranberry, goji berry and sweet cherry fruit with a cursory liquorice appeal. Gossamer texture and tactile, pithy tannins shape the palate with a delightfully energising pomegranate acidity and superb vibrant length. Alc 13.5%

Southern Light Vineyards, Ghostgum Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 2024
Platinum, 97 points
A garrulous indulgence of rosehip, hibiscus and spicy herbs filigreed with stewed rhubarb and sweet berries. Very ripe and densely concentrated, powered by a fine seam of oak and polished creamy texture. Unique and world class. Alc 13%

Chile

Leyda, Origin Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, San Antonio 2024
Platinum, 97 points
A serious Pinot Noir, offering pure red cherry and floral perfume coupled with an austere mineral backbone. An unnerving tension from the crisp acidity and coastal freshness drives through the pliable tannins. Lengthy and adroit. Alc 13.5%

France

Château de Marsannay, En Orveaux, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, Burgundy 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This is the second Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru we've found for our Best In Show selection. The previous wine (a Malconsorts '19, featured in DWWA 2021) came from the Nuits-St Georges end of this lustrous village, whereas this wine – En Orveaux – hails from the combe of the same name, up above the Château du Clos du Vougeot at the village's northern end. Despite lying at the village boundary edge, it's endowed with all of the plush fruit brushed out with velvety tannins you hope for from this part of the Côte de Nuits. Those fruits are pure, sweet-toned and inviting: black cherry and raspberry, freshened by a little redcurrant. The wine's tannins are sweetly gratifying and work well with curranty acidity to build structure, profile and allure. It's accessible and unforbidding now, but our judges felt it would reward extended cellaring too. Alc 13.7%

Domaine Evenstad, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Burgundy 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
It's been a great year for Bourgogne in this year's DWWA, with five wines in the Best In Show selection; this, the first ever Clos de Vougeot in the Top 50, crowned the region's achievement. The fact that the 50.6 ha of this vineyard is shared by over 80 proprietors swings a spotlight onto the exact position of the holdings of each, from powerful and age-worthy wines coming from vines high up around the historic Château to gentler wines made from low-lying vineyards next to the D974. Our judges, of course, knew nothing about the exact locational origin of the contributory vines as they tasted – but all were impressed by the wine's powerful and complex aromatics (the red and black fruits one might expect, but also brine, heather and rosemary). Its ‘tension and mineral richness’ as well as its length, elegance and sappy finish, too, lived up to the expectations provoked by this historic name. It's a Grand Cru of significant energy, yet its soft, giving tannins and juicy acidity will make it approachable very soon. Alc 14%

Chateau De Sancerre, Cuvee Du Connétable, Sancerre, Loire 2023
Platinum, 97 points
A bright, modern style, depicting tremendous power and concentration whilst retaining a steadfast typicity. Fragrant dark berries, leaves and bramble fruits devour graphite tannins and meaty texture, held to account by sustaining acidity. Built to last. Alc 14.5%

Domaine d'Ardhuy, Les Renardes, Corton Grand Cru, Burgundy 2023
Gold, 96 points
Exuberant baked cherry pie and blackberry coulis on a bed of shaved pencils. Extremely plush and bold with voluptuous tannins and a violet scented finish. Alc 14%

United States

Domaine Serene, Aspect, Dundee Hills, Oregon 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Every one of our past three Oregon Best In Show entrants (in the 2016, 2020 and 2023 editions of DWWA) has been a Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills. So too is the fourth, from our competition this year. Two of our judges spotted the ‘textbook Dundee Hills aromatics of cherry cola and sassafras’ (in the words of one; the second judge also found diagnostic cherry cola) – though these aromas might also be described as alluring dark fruits which meld with intricate, fragrant oak in a nose of inviting fine-wine finesse. The palate is supple, pleated and finely gathered, and the strawberry and other berry fruits have a cured-tobacco softness and sandalwood allure. There's impressive craftsmanship on show here – but outstanding fruit qualities, too; this is a concentrated wine that will continue to evolve and open with time. Alc 14.2%

Alexana, Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Delicate red flower, rosehip and raspberry fragrance sprawls across the nose and encircles the elegant charred oak frame. Stylish, well-defined cherry and plum fruit emulsifies the juicy acidity and pliant tannins and embraces the smoky finish. Alc 13.3%

Brashley, Hacienda Sequoia Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California 2023
Platinum, 97 points
A glorious bouquet of red plums, cherries and strawberries along with fresh pine needles and wood spice. Velvety and sleek with refined tannins, crunchy acidity and alluring length. Sophisticated Pinot Noir with a European accent. Alc 13.7%

New Zealand

Clos Ostler, EOS Pinot Noir, Waitaki Valley 2022
Platinum, 97 points
A cool climate spectacular, with wonderful soaring herbs, green olives, bay leaves, cherries and raspberries welcoming the palate. Decisive structure, shapely tannins and crisp acidity tie everything together, bringing the flavours to life. Long and savoury. Alc 14%

Nevis Bluff, The Holdsworth Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2024
Platinum, 97 points
Immaculately defined dark red berries, hibiscus and rose petals shrouded in vanilla and clove oak. Broad-shouldered with finely-hewn tannins, bright acidity and a wild thyme abundance that parades towards the long, charismatic finish. Stand out. Alc 14%

Palliser Estate, Hua Nui Vineyard Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2024
Platinum, 97 points
A candescent purity of dark plums, berries and violets meets vibrant liquorice pastille energy and glides over the glossy structure. Open-knit with shiny acidity and a super satisfying finish; a beautiful picture with a strong frame. Alc 13.5%

Te Kairanga, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2024
Platinum, 97 points
An intriguing savoury intensity, combining dark iodine, graphite and nori seaweed with inflections of violet florals and berry fruits. Bold wood spice tannins and vivid acidity carry the flavours and build towards the lengthy finish. Alc 14%

Search all DWWA 2026 results

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