The world of sweet and fortified wine can seem one of leather-padded comfort and contentment. It’s true that port, sherry, madeira and classic dessert styles are all about craftsmanship and tradition, of long ageing and slow sipping. So, nothing new to consider here, you may think – but that would be a mistake.

As the results from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) show, these wines have stories to tell that reach back centuries and pull you up to the minute. Some of them may surprise you.

Colheita port: Time in a bottle

It may sound like a riddle, but can you think of a wine that was vinified in the last century but that was only bottled earlier this year? That’s exactly what the venerable Port house Kopke did with its 1957 Colheita, capturing a Best in Show in the process. (Consider: 1957 was the year that the Soviets launched Sputnik.)

Wines are tasted blind, so judges couldn’t have known its history, but the truth was on the palate, exhibiting ‘unrivalled finesse, subtlety and soft-fruited grace’.

Kopke, registered in 1638, is the oldest port house, with a history that spans nearly four centuries. It specialises in aged tawnies and colheitas.

Master blender Carlos Alves says: ‘Kopke’s Tawny colheitas come from single harvests and are aged in wood for periods of no less than ten years, and after which they are bottled according to market requests. These represent unique wines and cannot be reproduced.’ Indeed, drinking them is akin to tasting time itself. These wines are, says Alves, ‘genuine symbols of their time’.

Very old sherry: Oenological treasure

Sherry is a drink with odd nooks and crannies – which is what its admirers revere most about ‘their’ drink. The styles evolve and overlap, and some have a mind of their own, changing from one phase to another without the permission or interfering hand of a winemaker. But even by sherry standards, VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry) is a curious and much-sought-after style – and the Best in Show-winning Bodegas Tradición VORS 30 Years Amontillado is a thriller.

The way it comes about is complex. Technical director and winemaker Miguel Villa explains: ‘The ageing process begins with a biological phase under a veil of flor yeast, which we extend for ten years. The wine then loses the protection of the flor and continues through a long oxidative ageing phase lasting more than 20 years.’ The result, he says, ‘defines the character of Amontillado, preserving the finesse and saline nuances of biological ageing while developing the complexity and depth associated with prolonged oxidative maturation’.

Bodegas Tradición was founded relatively recently by Joaquín Rivero and specialises in mature, traditionally made sherries. ‘Since our foundation in 1998, our mission has been to preserve and promote historic soleras – true oenological treasures.’

Vinsanto: ‘The soul of Santorini’

The island of Santorini may be tiny, but it holds a commanding place in the world of wine – and not just for its lauded dry Assyrtiko wines. Winemaking has been part of this Aegean island’s heritage for centuries, and no wine is more emblematic than its namesake, Vinsanto.

This sweetly complex, wood-aged and age-worthy wine is the forerunner of madeira and northern Italy’s Vin Santo. ‘Vinsanto is one of the most historic wines of Santorini and an essential part of the island’s identity,’ says Matthew Argyros, winemaker and managing director of Estate Argyros, who produced Best in Show-winning Argyros Vinsanto Late Release 2005.

It speaks clearly of its provenance. ‘The wine is made from a traditional blend of Santorini varieties. After harvest, the grapes are laid out under the Aegean sun for 12-14 days, concentrating sugars, flavours and acidity before it is fermented. The wine is then transferred to old oak casks, where it undergoes a long period of maturation. In the case of our Vinsanto Late Release 2005, the wine remained in barrel for 16 years before bottling,’ Argyros explains.

The extended ageing contributes far more than oxidative character. ‘It gradually builds complexity, texture and depth, while allowing the wine to retain remarkable freshness,’ he says.

Oremus: A tale of old and new

Careful selection of botrytised grapes, slow fermentation, lengthy ageing in small Hungarian-oak barrels in a 13th-century cellar… These are just some of the attributes that make Oremus Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2016 a standout.

Making Tokaji is a process that’s centuries old, but Oremus itself was established in 1993 by Spain’s Álvarez family, of Vega Sicilia fame, in a project aimed at revivifying this historic wine from the renowned Tokaj region after the fall of communism. It has grown into a 100-hectare estate, vinifying traditional grape varieties grown on volcanic soils.

‘This is a really special wine’, says winemaker András Bacsó. ‘We are harvesting both berries and bunches at the same time. The botrytised berries are picked one by one, manually. The bunches, which are almost botrytis-free, are pressed to give us a base juice, which starts its fermentation. In the middle of this transformation the berries are mixed with the fermenting juice in a 6 puttonyos ratio, which means we add 6 buckets (‘puttony’) of Aszú berries to one ‘gönci’ (136-litre barrel) of fermenting juice.’ Hence the name ‘6 puttonyos’.

After pressing, the wine continues fermenting for a couple of weeks. It is then aged for two years in small Hungarian oak barrels. After bottling, the wines are cellared for 4-6 years. It’s a ‘quite traditional’ winemaking style, says Bacsó. ‘But in the background, we are following and guiding every process with modern equipment to make sure that the wine evolves in the right direction.’

A wine like this can only be made when the conditions are right. But when they are, the results reward the patience required.

DWWA 2026: Sweet & fortified Best in Show winners

Greece

Estate Argyros, Vinsanto Late Release, Santorini, Aegean Islands 2005

Best in Show, 98 points
In our 2023 edition of DWWA we were lucky enough to try a younger version (the 2015 vintage) of the historic ‘vino santo’ of Santorini; this year we got the chance to scrutinise a much older version, dating from 2005. It is shockingly good: a magnificent tribute to the wine which, during the C13 to C15 heyday of the Venetian empire, became the prototype of seaborne, oxidative and hugely concentrated sweet wines and thus the forerunners not only of Italy’s modern-day ‘vinsanto’ wines, but also (in later fortified guise) of Madeira. It’s a dark walnut in colour, with powerful but impressively harmonious aromas of fig, date, dried apple, tobacco, walnut and honeyed baklava. The palate is deep and once again packed with dried fruits, but the celebrated acidity of Santorini’s Assyrtico sends its electricity through the wine, and it also has a significant tannic presence (perhaps the result of the wine’s very long ageing), which brings further balance too. There is, finally, an island or volcanic saltiness apparent in the wine to set the seal on its sense of place. Alcohol 13%

Hungary

Oremus, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2016

Best in Show, 97 points
Our judges always enjoy discriminating between each year's clutch of Tokaji wines, and this year's cohort was better than ever. Little surprise, then, that it resulted in a third appearance for Tokaji in our Best In Show collection, and the first-ever entry for a 6 puttonyos Aszu (the two previous laureates had been an Edes Szamorodni and a 5 putts Aszu). A major point of Tokaji differentiation is between the creamy, silky seductive-reductive styles and those where some oxidative ageing has brought drama and tang. This wine belongs to the latter group, and our judges relished its notes of cooked lemon and baked apple, of linden tea, of autumn leaves, tobacco and honeyed walnuts. The bright acidity, as always, brings an alertness and vim to the wine, and note how flavoury that acidity is: it's the key to the wine's fruited allusions, very hard to pin down – but endlessly refreshing and enjoyable to drink. Alc 10.5%

Portugal

Cockburn's, Quinta Dos Canais, Single Quinta Vintage, Port 2018

Best in Show, 97 points
The 2018 Douro growing season was not an easy one: it was preceded by almost two years of drought, interrupted by a very wet spring (over 120 mm of rain in March alone), then followed by a fierce summer when temperatures regularly exceeded 35°C and in places hit 45°C. It also followed two widely declared Vintages (2016 and 2017), so many producers chose not to declare 2018 as a full Vintage but produced Quinta Vintage wines instead. Its nascent grandeur, however, is apparent in the fact that a Quinta wine from 2018 has won a place in our Best In Show selection for the second year running. This is a broodingly dark wine, opaque black-purple to the rim, with powerful aromas of blackcurrants, kirsch, violets and rosemary. It's very sweet but fruit-packed over a ground base of cocoa and cherry coulis; the port has prolific fine tannins, very low acidity and some cleansing pure-cocoa bitterness for balance. Serious stuff. Alc 20%

Henriques & Henriques, Boal, 30 Year Old, Madeira NV

Best in Show, 97 points
This is the ninth outstanding Madeira to appear in our Best In Show selection, but only the second Bual and the first wine to appear from the ‘Aged 30 Years’ category. It's a commanding wine, with levels of concentration normally only found in Vintage or Frasqueira wines: our judges were hugely impressed with that concentration and verve, with the complexity brought by its rancio notes, by its beautiful dried-fruit and marmalade flavours, and of course by its sweeping and majestic acidity. Pouring the wine into the glass alone will perfume a room. Once in the glass, you'll find a deep walnut wine with perfumes of fruitcake, caramel, prune and thyme. The palate, which seems barely off-dry thanks to the scouring acidity, triggers a cascade of apple, citrus peel, hessian, lavender, root spice and raisin; the finish lasts at least 30 seconds. This is classical Madeira of grand purity. Alc 20%

Kopke, Colheita, Port 1957

Best in Show, 97 points
We’ve welcomed two Colheita wines to our Best In Show selection before, but never one quite as old as what one of our judges called this ‘swoon-worthy’ 1957 (bottled earlier this year). The Colheita style of vintage-dated tawnies usually delivers more individual and characterful profiles than blended tawnies with an indication of age, though the latter have unrivalled finesse, subtlety and soft-fruited grace. This wine is no exception to the characterful rule, with its aromas of ‘treacle, pickled walnuts, soy sauce and dried mushrooms’ and its palate of ‘immense concentration’, packed with raisin, lemon, lime, cinnamon and dried-herb flavours. Whether you buy it to commemorate a seventieth birthday next year or simply to put the colheita style through its paces, there's a huge amount to enjoy in this near-septuagenarian. Alc 20%

Spain

Bodegas Tradicion, VORS 30 Years, Amontillado, Sherry NV

Best in Show, 98 points
This is the sixth VORS sherry to win a place in our Best In Show selection – though in truth VORS wines are so striking, so complex and so powerfully evocative that, once such a wine is entered, opened, smelled and tasted, it's almost impossible to stop it going straight to the top of our quality pyramid. The term signifies Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum – or, as a plainer English alternative, Very Old Rare Sherry; the youngest wine in the solera must have an average age of 30 years, and many of the component elements will be much older than that. It is as much an apothecary essence as it is wine, with its scents of citrus perfume, wax, gentian and orris root, coriander and fenugreek; a tiny sip will detonate orange and lemon zest, coffee, more root spice, bitter almonds and dried sage (and no doubt much else: everyone will find different allusions) to the four corners of your mouth and on out into the universe beyond. After you've swallowed, those phosphorus bursts of flavour continue to glitter like illuminated jewels in the dark. Remarkable wine. Alc 21%

Lustau, Almacenista Antonio Caballero y Sobrinos, Amontillado, Sherry NV

Best in Show, 97 points
Every judge who tasted this arresting and ultra-pure Amontillado commented on its energy and intensity, its silky purity, its spotless and refreshing cleanliness and its astonishing length and persistence. After that, though, the notes and allusions each judge picked out differed significantly, underlining the resource and wealth which lies waiting inside this bottle. Prunes, chocolate and Darjeeling tea for one; seaweed, savoury notes and umami for another; orange peel and salted caramel for a third. The wine's ‘downy texture’ attracted attention – though so too did its ‘firm grip’. An ‘ever-unfolding journey’ concluded one of our panel judges, summarising the appeal of this long-aged, long-treasured and ceaselessly allusive sherry. Alc 21.5%

Valdespino, Ynocente, Fino, Sherry NV

Best in Show, 97 points
This, only the second Fino to win its way through to our Best In Show selection, is (like the first laureate back in 2017) an older or Pasado style of Fino. You'll see this instantly in its deep golden colour, and smell it, too, in the broad, complex, savoury-coastal tang of its aromas. Yes, there is yeasty flor present, but there is much else too: seaweed and marsh plants, balsam, dried lemon peel, coffee and (according to one judge) ship's varnish. ‘The palate is big, bold and earthy,’ wrote that same judge, ‘with layers of beeswax, yogurt, galangal and nuts. Very very long and very satisfying.’ Don't look to this wine for the chilled crispness and freshness of classic young Fino with ample bready flor; instead prepare for a journey into the warm heartland of the style with this statuesque, resonant and gratifyingly challenging aged example. Alc 15%

The 24 red Best in Show winners were a varied, globe-spanning collection, with established names and emerging talent.

From the Andes and the Alps to an island in the Adriatic, and with classic estates and DOCGs on the rise, the list included wines made from well known grape varieties and newcomers to note. All are ripe for discovery. Here is a taste.

Frankland River: Western Australia, but not as you know it

Located in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, Frankland River can’t be called ‘new’. Its potential for winemaking greatness was spotted a full decade before that of its better-known neighbour Margaret River, and the first contemporary vineyard here was planted in 1967.

The red-wine focus is on Shiraz, and Ferngrove The Orchid Collection, Dragon Shiraz 2023 shows what the variety is capable of here: it’s the first Western Australian wine from outside Margaret River to win a Best in Show.

Like Margaret River, Frankland is a cool-climate region. ‘We have warm days and very cool nights’, explains Ferngrove winemaker Craig Grafton. ‘This allows our grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex full flavours while retaining a fresh natural acidity.’

Something that sets Frankland River apart is its focus on single-vineyard wines – like this one, sourced what Grafton describes as ‘our best Shiraz block, Block 11’ – part of the original planting when the vineyard was established in 1998.

‘Frankland River is quietly establishing itself among the world’s most compelling cool-climate landscapes’, Grafton believes. Here’s why: ‘While climate, elevation and the influence of the Southern and Indian Oceans shape our vineyards, it is the ancient, low-fertility soils that define our wines. These soils naturally limit yields and produce smaller berries with concentrated flavour. The result is wines of purity, balance and structure that express the character of Frankland River.’

Move over, Margaret. Frankland has arrived.

An Adriatic star on the rise

One of the most exciting wines to be awarded a Best in Show this year was from Croatia. Marijan Plaža Plavac 2021 is made from vineyards perched high on a steep slope on the rocky island of Hvar in the Adriatic, off Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. The wine is a personal passion, a family pursuit and a massive success story, all rolled into one.

Owner and winemaker Tonči Marijan is from Hvar. After a long career in the wine and spirits business, he returned home in his forties with a plan. ‘I came back to Pitve, a small village of about 70 people where I was born 58 years ago. My goal was to create a boutique winery that would produce the absolute best that this island can offer, especially from Plavac Mali,’ he says. Four years ago, his younger daughter Franka joined the business, which he describes as ‘one of the happiest moments of my career’.

The vineyards’ slopes can reach inclines of 60 degrees (Marijan describes them as the island’s ‘grand cru’ positions) and the grape variety has a story of its own. ‘Plavac Mali is closely related to Zinfandel, brought to the USA from Dalmatia during the great crisis when phylloxera devastated European and Dalmatian vineyards,’ he says. ‘This crisis forced many people to seek their fortune in the New World – including my own great-grandfather, who was driven by hunger to send three of his daughters to Argentina.’

Marijan believes Plavac Mali has ‘enormous potential for producing world-class wines’. Judges noted the enormous strides that Croatian wine culture has made. It’s a sentiment that Marijan echoes.

Switzerland: Europe’s ‘secret’ fine-wine nation

Valais. If you’re Swiss, you’ll know it. But if the name of Switzerland’s largest wine region doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. Only about 2 per cent of the country’s wine is exported, making Swiss wine one of the world’s best-kept secrets.

This year’s single Swiss Best in Show, Domaines Rouvinet, Coeur de Domaines 2023, is from Valais. Véronique Besson-Rouvinet is CEO responsible for oenology, quality and sustainability for this family enterprise established in 1945.

Enumerating the region’s attributes, she says: ‘Valais is the sunniest, driest region in Switzerland. Sheltered by the Alps, we benefit from the Föhn effect, a warm wind that blows from the end of summer onwards.’ Then there’s the terrain. ‘It is very steep and the slopes face due south. The soils are poor and stony, and [proximity to] the Rhône regulates the temperature.’

Add to that grape varieties little known outside the region. The winning wine is a blend of 40 per cent each Syrah and Cornalin, the remainder Humagne Rouge – the latter two indigenous Swiss grapes, from vines that are 20-35 years old. ‘By studying the terroir, we have identified the variety and cultivation methods best suited to each site,’ Besson-Rouvinet explains. ‘The grapes are set aside for the single-varietal cuvée of each planted variety, but a small proportion is selected for the Coeur de Domaines. These are the finest grapes from the heart of our estates.’

If quality – as well as individuality and rarity value – rate highly on your list, put Swiss wines right at the top.

Barbera takes a bow

In Italy’s Piedmont, Barolo and Barbaresco (both made from the Nebbiolo grape) have long captured all the limelight. Now another ‘B’-grape – Barbera – is having its moment: for the first time this year, a Barbera has been awarded a Best in Show.

Coppo, Pomorosso, Nizza, Piedmont 2022 comes from the relatively young Nizza ‘super-Barbera’ DOCG, a restricted area of Monferrato around the town of Nizza in Asti. Previously a subzone of Barbera d’Asti, it was established with the 2014 vintage and denotes a 100% varietal.

Pomorosso, named after an apple tree that grows near the vineyards, was first made in 1984 and is Coppo’s flagship Barbera. CEO Rossano Savoia says: ‘Our winery was founded in 1892, and we’ve always produced Barbera wines. This variety is part of our DNA. But the ideas and intuitions that led to premium Barbera wines like Pomorosso date back to the 1980s.’ The region-wide project led by producers here to elevate the quality and reputation of the Barbera grape has been decades in the making, and is now bearing fruit.

Savoia believes that the creation of the Nizza DOCG has given producers ‘the opportunity to develop a vision – a project to create an appellation capable of positioning itself at the pinnacle of the Barbera variety. The most important part of this project is having identified and defined the area with the greatest quality potential.’ Of its future Savoia believes, ‘It is true that in the Langhe the future will see Nebbiolo as the protagonist; in Monferrato it will undoubtedly be Barbera’.

Nizza Barbera. If it’s not a designation you already know, make note.

Best in Show: The red wines of 2026

Bergerie Du Capucin, Dame Jeanne, Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This is the third time Pic St Loup has featured in our Best in Show selection out of a total of six Languedoc appearances, underscoring the potential of the pure limestones and ever-changing orientations of this eastern Languedoc zone. ‘The Pic’ is also a little cooler and a little moister than other Languedoc appellations, meaning that it is one of the spots in this vast region where Syrah still feels comfortable and at ease. All of this was evident to our judges as they tasted this “supremely classy wine” with its 70% Syrah component, entirely aged (for an unhurried two years) in concrete. Everyone fell in love with its herbal, floral nose, and applauded the fact that there was no oak to get in the way; the “resolutely pure and unadulterated fruit” on the palate brought great pleasure too – “totally open and pure-hearted” – and the “silky but persistent tannins” were much admired. It’s not a wine you need to wait for, and anyone who might doubt the refreshment potential of a great Languedoc red should take a look at this Pic performance. Alcohol 14%

Capezzana, Trefiano, Carmignano Rosso Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2021
Best in Show, 97 points
Our second Tuscan Best in Show wine this year is, like the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a debutant in dry red-wine form within the Top 50 selection. It’s a wine from the small but deeply historical DOCG of Carmignano, a zone first acclaimed by Cosimo III de’ Medici in the early C18, and revived in 1975 as the first DOC to sanction use of Cabernet Sauvignon in its blend (though Cabernet is limited to just 10 per cent in this wine, with a further 10 per cent of the softening Canaiolo; Sangiovese accounts for the wine’s core). This Riserva from 2021 is dark black-red in colour, with splendidly ripe aromas of dimpled black plums, sage leaf and woodland undergrowth. It’s full and expansive in the mouth with a rich, succulent tannic frame, sweeping yet fruit-saturated acidity and a long and reverberatively savoury finish: one of the most generous of this year’s Top 50 reds, yet without sacrificing the nerve and nuance that seems to be a birthright of fine Tuscan red wines. Alc 14.5%

Château de Marsannay, En Orveaux, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 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%

Château L'Enclos, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
There’s just one Bordeaux in our Best in Show selection this year, but it’s a cracker. It’s actually the fourth Pomerol to feature at this level, and comes from the 2023 vintage – when those prepared to work hard keeping mildew at bay over the summer made beautiful wines in soft and comely style for mid-term drinking. Our judges felt this was a “high class” wine whose style combined the innate generosity of this appellation (the world benchmark for Merlot) with considerable finesse and restraint, perhaps due to its relatively elevated percentage of Cabernet Franc -- and there’s even a dash of Malbec in here, too. It’s an opaque black-red in colour at this stage with cherry and blueberry fruits, shimmering with a classical cedary sheen. The tannins are prominent, tender and savoury, and there is ample fruit-bonded acidity to give the wine lift and grace; the finish is dry and appetising rather than sweet and cloying. Needless to say, it’ll age beautifully over the medium term. Alc 13.5%

Clos du Val, Yettalil, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This is the fourth time a Stag’s Leap District wine has been elevated to Best in Show, and the second time that we’ve seen a Bordeaux blend rather than a wine that would qualify as a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc from this remarkable nested AVA within Napa. Our judges loved it: ‘powerful and persuasive’ said one; others found it ‘long, poised and eloquent’ and a wine of ‘notable finesse’. It’s a saturated and opaque black-red in colour and aromatically articulate as well as intricate: behind the cascade of blackcurrant and blackberry you might find lavender, herbs, black pepper and eucalyptus, while the palate is packed out, beyond its powerful fruits, with graphite, earth, soft leather and liquorice root. The wine is a masterclass in tannin handling: fine suede on the tongue. Its acidity is a quiet undertow, giving the palate ample flow and swirl. This concentrated and authoritative Napa blend perfectly illustrates the virtues of a milder-than-usual vintage for the valley; it will age effortlessly for a decade or two. Alc 14.6%

Condado De Haza, Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2021
Best in Show, 97 points
Ribera del Duero makes it into our Best in Show selection for the third time in a row this year, and the second time as a red wine. This is, in colour terms, the deepest of all our Top 50 reds: midnight black and opaque almost to the rim. Aromatically, it’s an arrow bound for the bullseye, without any exaggeration of oak or flamboyant overripeness of fruit: pure, sumptuous, inviting, sweetly refined and packed with brooding fruits. On the palate, too, it is soft and sensual, tender and teasing, ample yet harmonious – and almost a meal in itself in terms of its breadth and dimensions. There’s plenty of sustaining high-altitude acidity to keep the wine brisk, while the tannins have an energy and an edge to them too – which is just what those ample black fruits need. It lingers on the tongue, and the finish hints at savoury developments to come. If, that is, you can keep your hands off it for now... Alc 14.5%

Coppo, Pomorosso, Nizza, Piedmont, Italy 2022
Best in Show, 97 points
We’ve never welcomed a Barbera to our Best in Show selection before – and pow! Here it is. Fittingly it’s a Nizza wine, this DOCG having come into being in 2014 to showcase a Barbera-only subzone formerly included in DOCG Barbera d’Asti Superiore and centred around the town of Nizza Monferrato. It’s not a shy wine, and it left our judges excited: powerful black fruits with orange and blueberry scents layered into spicy, creamy oak. On the palate it’s rich, deep and heady, with more orange and black fruit partnered with voluptuous tannins from both skins and oak. It has all the athleticism of the variety -- but if you’re one of those who have found Barbera’s acidity to be almost too aggressive and attacking in the past, this wine may reassure; it’s balanced and vivacious here, thanks to the overall richness and wealth of the whole. Alc 15.5%

Dalrymple Vineyards, Single Site Pinot Noir​, Pipers River, Tasmania, Australia 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. Alc 13.5%

Deep Woods, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
No Australian region has been more successful than Margaret River in our Best in Show selection since its inception in 2015: this is the eleventh wine from this coastal region of Western Australia to fight its way into the Top 50, and the fifth Cabernet. All the Margaret River hallmarks of poise, complexity, refinement and balance are evident in what one judge called this “fluid and seamless wine”; drinkers can look forward to “loads of development to come” here. It’s dark black-red in colour, with blackcurrant and blackberry fruits lent fragrance by dried herb complexities. The palate is concentrated, with significant fruit intensity in ‘essence-of-Cabernet’ style. You’ll find the fruit teasing, poised and mouthwatering, yet the wine is gratifyingly reserved and restrained in terms of its expressive articulation. The light drape of tannins adds gastronomic force and aids drinkability and digestibility, while the acids are attractively subdued rather than edgy and sharp. All the classicism of a great Cabernet site is evident in this aesthetically well-judged wine. Alc 14%

Delas Frères, Seigneur De Maugiron, Côte Rotie, Rhône, France 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%

Delas Frères, Les Bessards, Hermitage, Rhône, France 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This grand wine, like its Côte Rôtie peer, marks a welcome debut for Hermitage in our Best in Show collection, and it, too, comes from the attractive though accessible 2023 vintage. No one was in any doubt, from the moment it was tasted, that it was anything other than outstanding; it expresses the essence of what drinkers love about Northern Rhône Syrah from this magnificent and rangy hillside site. It’s an opaque black-red at present and profoundly aromatic, with a charge of lifted smoky-fresh Syrah currants as well as beguiling peony floral freshness, a black-olive tang and some exotic incense spice from fine quality oak (perfectly judged and unobtrusive). On the palate, the wine is quick on its feet and nimbly energetic; the fruits are almost explosive, dripping with curranty freshness as well as alive and alluring with notes of ham stock, smoked bacon and the treasures of the kitchen hearth. It’s complete and almost mesmerising, with poised but relatively restrained tannic support; acidity and fruit, indeed, are the main structural drivers here, but the ripeness and aromatic wealth buried in both ensure that there is both balance and resonance in the glass. Grand wine indeed. Alc 14%

Domaine Evenstad, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Burgundy, France 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%

Domaine Serene, Aspect, Dundee Hills, Oregon, United States 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%

Domaines Rouvinez, Coeur De Domaines, Valais, Switzerland 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This is the fifth time that a Swiss wine has made our Best in Show selection – but (perhaps tellingly: the climate is on the move here too) the first time that wine has been red. All five wines have come from Valais. This is a blend of two typically obscure but significant Swiss specialities, the ancient Alpine varieties Cornalin and Humagne Rouge, blended with a little mountain-loving Syrah. There’s nothing in its dark, opaque black-purple colour that would suggest a cool climate or the struggle for ripeness, and the compelling aromas, too, are amply ripe though fresh, with notes of black fruit and incense spice (some judges found violets, cranberry and bramble). The palate is dense, vital and shimmering; it’s oaked, but the oak serves the fruits and not vice versa. This marks yet another missive from Europe’s ‘secret’ fine-wine nation, and if you’re one of the many non-Swiss yet to discover exactly what this nation can bring to the wine world, do try to track down a bottle. (Even if you have to save up first.) Alc 13.2%

Ferngrove, The Orchid Collection Dragon Shiraz, Frankland River, Western Australia, 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. Alc 14.5%

G.D. Vajra, Luigi Baudana Baudana, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2022
Best in Show, 97 points
This admirable wine (our fourteenth Best in Show Barolo or Barolo Riserva) offers a serene and commanding reading of the warm 2022 vintage, one without any sense of stress or excessive heat. It’s deep though translucent in colour, with soft, sweet aromas of burnished, autumn-warm red fruits infused with floral charm and lent extra complexity by forest and tea-leaf notes. You just know it’s going to be graceful and deft on the palate, and sure enough it is – but it’s also gathered, serious, taut and aromatically complex right until the final notes have faded. Its tannins are splendid: ample, soft but detaining, lending the wine gastronomic seriousness and finesse. Fine vineyard origins are surely in evidence here, as well as impeccable cellar work – and there’s no hurry to drink, though the wine is approachable already. Alc 15%

Georges Duboeuf, Château Des Capitans, Juliénas, Beaujolais, France 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This darkly alluring Beaujolais is the fifth from among the region’s ten crus that we’ve welcomed to our Best in Show selection – and the first Juliénas; we’ve formerly applauded two Morgons, a Moulin-à-Vent and a Fleurie. It’s almost an opaque purple-red in colour, brimming with the perfumed ripeness which the magnificent 2023 vintage promised in this vintage. Among the notes our judges found on the nose were blackberry, blueberry and lavender, while the palate is fruit-saturated too (damsons and cherries join the party), with soft tannins, harmoniously juicy acidity and some ripely bitter notes on the finish to bring cleansing refreshment. Juliénas is considered one of the more muscular and powerful of the crus, and this wine lives up to that reputation -- though without ever toppling over into crassness or excess. Alc 14.5%

Icario, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy 2021
Best in Show, 97 points
Tuscany impressed in this year’s DWWA with two wines winning an outing in our Best In Show selection – and the pair includes this impressive wine, our first ever Top 50 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It’s from the outstanding 2021 vintage, and unquestionably merits comparison with the best wines of Montalcino and of the Chianti Classico zone. A dark, dense black-red, the wine’s aromas are close-knit and brooding, with sour-cherry, wild herb and gentian-root notes. The palate is a surge of energy: iodine, clove, cranberry and more root spice, with svelte, fine-milled tannins and sustained tenor acidity. Just a little bitter-chocolate sweetness creeps in tentatively at the end. Brilliant freshness and style from Southern Tuscany, and this is one of the Top 50 wines this year, which really would be better with a year or two longer in the cellar, such is its density. Alc 14%

Les Coins Perdus Du Midi, Bong Ving, Putaing Cong Grenache-Carignan-Syrah, Maury Sec, Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2025
Best in Show, 97 points
The Maury Sec appellation came into being in 2011, covering the same magnificent Agly Valley sites that have long been used for the dark, sweet and chocolate-friendly fortified wines of the Maury appellation alone. The potential here to make dense and almost shockingly rich dry red wines lent profundity by their mineral charge is enormous, and this is the first wine of this sort that we've seen emerge into the bright sunlight of our Best in Show selection. Our judging panel was hugely impressed: ‘Authentic, traditional terroir-styled wine with great complexity and sense of place’ summarised one. Like our Croatian Plavac Mali, at 15.5% it's not a wine for the faint-hearted and would be best served in the depths of winter, when you need reminding of summer’s solar force. It's dark purple-red in colour, sending a billow of beautiful blackberry fruit up from the glass. The weight in the mouth is splendid, and the wine perfectly illustrates the way in which great tannins can be both flavoury as well as textured. Those blackberry fruits are everywhere, given lift by sappy acidity and without any oak noise to spoil the party; such oak as the wine has had is simply there to tame youthful exuberance, and the longer you spend with the fruit the more you realise that it is packed with herbal and stone complexities, too. A stunning debut for Maury Sec at the highest levels of our competition. Alc 15.5%

Marijan, Plaža Plavac, Hvar, Coastal, Croatia 2021
Best in Show, 97 points
This is only the second Croatian wine ever to make it into our Best in Show selection – and the first, a red-stemmed Refosco, came back in our 2016 competition. Since then, Croatian wine culture has made enormous strides, strides perhaps unmatched by any other European wine nation, so it was gratifying when our judges found this exciting Plavac Mali from the Dalmatian island of Hvar to champion this year. Wines such as this tend to come from heroic viticulture in extreme sites, often on steep slopes of karst limestone facing the glittering Adriatic – so if you’re after fresh, low-alcohol reds, look elsewhere. If you love the lavish, the warm and the exuberant in red wine, though, you’ll find this powerfully opulent wine a revelation: dense blackberry and black cherry fruit with overtones of fig, sage and thyme, lent balance by grandly soft tannins, peppery depths and sustaining though subdued acidity. Perfect to keep us all going through the winter. Alc 16%

Nicosia, Hýbla Biologico, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily, Italy 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
As things stand (though wine evolution never ends) this is a wine from Sicily’s only existing DOCG zone: Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a zone sited in the southeast of the island, circling inland from the town of Vittoria. It’s a blend of Nero d’Avola with the indigenous Frappato, and is crafted in a light, thirst-slaking style, with a backbone of pretty cherry fruit. This wine sees eight months in larger oak, just to calm the Nero d’Avola a little but without losing the joy of the Frappato. It’s a translucent red in colour, and our judges loved its aromatic blend of strawberry and cherry fruits with herbs, pepper and something a little more savoury and salami-like. On the palate it is bright, fresh and dancing, with brisk acidity but not devoid of tannin either: the finishing grip partners well with the wine’s acidity, and brings a little closing seriousness. Unique and unforgettable. Alc 13.5%

Rutini, Single Vineyard Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Our 19th Argentinian Best in Show wine is also the sixth to emerge from Gualltallary, making this high-altitude zone with its limestone soils close to Tupungato (in the vast Uco Valley) certainly the most successful geographical Top 50 performer at the highest levels of our competition. Our judges loved the way this wine “expressed the wild nature of Guallta" and was so fresh yet so complete, with its vibrant, intense blackcurrant and blackberry fruits offset by “an intense chalky and austere palate” which didn’t lean too heavily on its oak treatment. It’s dark purple in colour and, after air, becomes alluringly fresh with both flowers and crushed cocoa husks aromatically apparent. On the palate, the wine is concentrated without being stewy or effortful, packed with high-drama fresh fruits which seethe and cascade across the palate in best mountain style. There are relatively prolific, fine-grained tannins to provide ballast, and the acidity is soft and discreet. Alc 14%

San Pedro, 1865 Selected Vineyards Las Lagunas Carmenère, Colchagua, Chile 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This is our fifteenth Best in Show from Chile, and the fourth Carmenère – giving this ancient variety far more appearances in varietal guise than any Chilean rival (surprisingly, we’re still waiting for the first pure Chilean Cabernet to make the Top 50). It comes from red-wine hotspot Colchagua, and is dark and lustrous in the glass. Our judges considered it a great example of contemporary Chilean Carmenère (this variety, remember, is also widely planted in China, so international comparisons are possible), with floral rose notes to match its fruit and, as one judge put it, “wonderful tension in the palate”. The tannins are discreet, ripe and soft and the wine has poised acidity to carry and freshen the fruit; there are cocoa notes on the long and surprisingly lively finish. Alc 14%

Villa Maria, Ngakirikiri, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand 2021
Best in Show, 97 points
Our fifth Best in Show wine from Hawkes Bay is also our second Gimblett Gravels Bordeaux-style blend to come through at this level, though in this case Cabernet dominates the blend to such an extent that it could legally be sold as a varietal wine. It’s also a fine testament to the quality of the magnificent 2021 vintage in this warm, North Island region. Expect a saturated black-red colour with diagnostic New Zealand pungency of aroma: “rose-buds and mocha” for one taster, and “dark berries, meat, tobacco and boot polish on leather” for another. There’s also a lively plant-sap note which brings added freshness. The palate is dark, dense and meaty yet oozing more sap, too. The tannins are ultra-fine yet taut (leather once again is a good analogy) and the acidity is buoyant; it’s a wine that will hold well, and keep all of its freshness as it does so. Alc 14.5%

Since the late nineteenth century Spain has been producing traditional method sparkling wines, and like Champagne, French Crémants or Italy’s Alta Langa, Franciacorta or Trentodoc, Spanish Cava is produced with this method, remaining on its lees for a minimum of nine months with secondary fermentation in the bottle.

What’s unique, however, is that Cava is often produced with a blend of indigenous white grape varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Several international varieties, including the more common varieties for sparkling wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, can also be used.

Scroll down to see the top 15 Cava wines of DWWA 2026

Cava has established a global reputation for making some of the best value sparkling wines produced by the traditional method. But it’s important to note the quality to be found across Cava’s categories and styles, with top expressions on par with some of the world’s best.

Styles of Cava

There are three main categories of Cava which produce different styles of sparkling wine.

When labelled Cava, the wine must undergo a minimum of nine months of lees aging, providing subtle notes of autolysis (the bready aromas and flavours found in traditional method sparkling wines). These Cavas typically have light apple, citrus and herbal notes with moderate acidity.

Cava Reserva must spend a minimum of 15 months on the lees – three months less than Champagne requires. Here, biscuit autolytic notes are more evident.

Aged a minimum of 30 months on the lees, Cava Gran Reserva wines can show pronounced autolytic characters including smoky and toasty notes. These Cavas can be premium in price but can show outstanding quality for value, especially when compared to traditional method sparkling wine counterparts.

To strengthen Cava’s notoriety as a world-class sparkling wine, estate produced and bottled Cava can qualify for a relatively new category, Cava de Paraje Calificado. These wines must age a minimum of 36 months, showing even more development and integration of flavours.

Quality rising

Cava’s quality continues to be recognised by leading experts at the 2026 DWWA with Catalonia’s celebrated sparkling wines earning eight Golds including a Top Value Gold. The competition also recognised two magnum-format Cavas with Silver medals.

Along with the top accolades, Cava was awarded an additional 46 Silver and 72 Bronze medals.

To celebrate International Cava Day this 12th July, we highlight 15 award-winning wines to celebrate with.

International Cava Day: 15 award-winning wines to try

Asda, Exceptional Mas Miralda Brut 2023
Value Gold, 95 points
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. Alcohol 12%

Bardinet Wines, Palau Gazo Brut NV
Gold, 95 points
Light and frothy, imbued with luscious lemon, fresh herb and wet stone character in a frame of curvaceous acidity. A linden blossom fragrance inures the length. Alc 11.5%

Cavas Hill, Panot Gaudí Brut, Reserva 2020
Value Gold, 95 points
A delightful perfume of chamomile, yellow fruit and butterscotch underscored by a twist of saline. Zesty lemon pith mousse and grapefruit acidity dapple the creamy texture. Alc 11.5%

Conde de Caralt, Brut Nature, Guarda 2024
Gold, 95 points
Well-defined green apple, pear and quince fused with lightly toasted brioche. Energetic and fresh with fine mousse and a zingy eucalyptus buzz at the end. Alc 11.5%

Dominio De La Vega, Cerro Tocón, Reserva 2018
Gold, 95 points
Restrained strawberry and rose petal perfume slinks into the smoke-infused effervescence and brushes against the fulfilling creamy texture. Gushing grapefruit. Alc 12%

Guilera, Centenari Brut Nature, Gran Reserva 2005
Gold, 95 points
Vast swathes of ripe peach, apricot, pineapple and mango simmer over the creamy brioche texture, complete with fine bubbles and red apple acidity. Fabulously moreish. Alc 12%

Jaume Serra, Reserva Brut Nature 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
Evocative dried petal, resin and nut aromas gently soothe the nose; bright. green apple fruit and lemon foam textures lavish the palate. Long, herbal finish. Alc 11.5%

Vallformosa, 150 Brut, Gran Reserva 2020
Gold, 95 points
Engaging floral perfume simmers alongside gooseberry fruit and french toast. Buttery and textured with a stylish smoky mousse and fine, savoury aftertaste which is just phenomenal. Alc 12%

Maria Rigol Ordi, Maria Brut Nature, Gran Reserva 2017
Silver, 94 points
Characterful aromas of fennel, dried herbs, brioche and intense toasty touches. Creamy and smooth, with a crisp acidity. Alc 11.5%

Rabetllat I Vidal, Brut Nature, Gran Reserva, Cava 2021
Silver, 94 points
Restrained character with earthy undertones and delicate aromas of brioche. Showing tension and energy, elegant and stylish palate. Long finish. Alc 12%

Art Laietà, Alto Alella 10 Pujol-Busquets Guillén Brut Nature, Gran Reserva 2014
Silver, 93 points
Savoury character with notes of butterscotch, bread, orange, golden pineapple and lemon balm. Toasty and creamy palate, well layered. Alc 12%

Família Ferrer, Can Sala Brut Nature, Paraje Calificado 2013
Silver, 93 points
Developing nuances of caramelised apple, quince, toasted almonds and butterscotch. Honeyed palate, rich and creamy, with a mineral finish. Alc 12.5%

Marevia, Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Brut, Reserva 2020
Silver, 93 points
Light nuances of delicate brioche and citrus fruit on the nose. Creamy on the palate, very tasty and elegant. Alc 11.5%

Pere Ventura, Clos La Secreta Paraje Calificado Can Bas, Gran Reserva 2017
Silver, 93 points
Delicate aromas of peaches, apricots, brioche and digestive biscuits. Well made and layered, with a crisp acidity and lovely mousse. Alc 12%

Sumarroca, Ecològica Brut Nature, Gran Reserva 2019
Silver, 93 points
Perfumed, with bittersweet lemon, peach skin, Mediterranean herbs and aniseed. Savoury, saline and precise, with a nougat-like richness and long finish. Alc 12%

Search all award-winning Cava wines from DWWA 2026

Related articles

The annual Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) are about much more than awards. They’re about the trends revealed by the results and the stories they tell about people and places – and there was plenty to dig into in the Best in Show white & rosé styles.

Austria on the up

Two Best in Show medals came from Austrian producers, and both were notable for marking DWWA ‘firsts’.

This year marked the first time that an Austrian Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) from any region claimed a Best in Show award, with the excellent example from Domäne Roland Chan, Wösendorf Alte Reben Smaragd Weissburgunder, Wachau, Niederösterreich 2023.

The other ‘first’ came from Birgit Eichinger’s Ried Lamm 1ötw Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederösterreich 2024 – the first-ever Best in Show appearance by a wine from Austria’s Kamptal DAC. This outstanding wine is made by a mother-and daughter team, Birgit and Gloria Eichinger.

Gloria sums up their guiding winemaking principle in three short sentences: 'As little as necessary. As consciously as possible. Out of respect for what is there. We want our origin, the Kamptal, to be evident in every sip. Wines from the Kamptal region impress with their elegance and freshness. They are meant to bring joy and moments of pleasure without ever getting boring.'

This is not a wine that could ever be called boring. Judging the wine blind, tasters noted 'magnificently limpid winemaking with raw materials, which must surely come from a fine site or combination of sites'.

Single-vineyard wines

How right the judges were. The Eichingers have a laser focus on single-vineyards. As Gloria explains: 'We have many historic vineyards with a variety of soils, such as slate, gneiss, loess, sandstone… This results in wines that vary greatly in style, flavour and finesse. That’s what makes our wine-growing region so fascinating.'

The 23-hectare Ried Lamm is 'one of the most important vineyards in the Kamptal', she says, with a long history of winemaking, and planted almost exclusively to Grüner Veltliner. There is plenty of geological complexity and Gloria believes that it’s the interplay of calcareous soils resting on loess and sandstone that give this wine its minerality and body.

The significant role of single vineyards was also evident in an Assyrtiko from Greece – Santo Wines, Kontarades, Santorini, Aegean Islands 2024. It’s a wine that is produced exclusively a single vineyard in the Kontarades area of Megalochori on Santorini, which is home to some of the world’s oldest ungrafted vineyards.

Nikos Vargarios, who, along with Konstantina Argyrou, made this outstanding example, says, 'The vineyard is planted on the island’s distinctive volcanic soils, composed primarily of pumice stone and basaltic rocks. The single-vineyard origin allows the authentic expression of this site and its unique characteristics.' The result, he says, 'a clear reflection of Santorini’s exceptional volcanic terroir'.

Terra cotta

Maturing wine in clay vessels is as old as winemaking itself, but its reemergence in contemporary viticulture continues to make headlines, with qvevri, tinajas and amphorae being put to use in cellars around the world, from the Caucasus to California.

Just one amphora-matured wine was among the 50 Best in Show wines this year – this Greek example from Santorini. 'Clay amphorae are far more than archaeological artefacts,' says Vargarios. 'They represent one of the oldest winemaking vessels in history. We chose amphora ageing because it allows us to express both the vineyard and the grape variety without the flavour influence of oak, while still benefiting from some of the advantages associated with barrel maturation.'

The porous nature of these vessels, says Vargarios, 'enables gentle micro-oxygenation, contributing to complexity and texture while preserving the purity of fruit, the pronounced minerality and the freshness that define Santorini Assyrtiko.'

Chenin Blanc: the chameleon grape

Chenin Blanc is known for its ability to express a range of traits depending on where and how it’s grown, and this chameleon character was borne out by the two contrasting styles: the ‘classic’ from the Loire, Château D’Epiré, Clos De Rochepin, Savennières-Roche aux Moines 2022, and its South African counterpart, Stellenbosch Reserve, Hangbrug Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2025.

Stellenbosch Reserve was started by Jean Engelbrecht (owner of Rust en Vrede Wine Estate) in 2005, explains commercial director Warren Granat-Mulder. 'It was initially a small batch of a single wine made for friends and the odd restaurant. Over the years, the brand has evolved into what you see today – a winery next door to Rust en Vrede, with its own cellar, vineyards, winemaker and tasting room/restaurant.'

Of this wine, he says: 'We are looking to make a wine that is true to the varietal and the profile one would expect from a Stellenbosch Chenin. It should have texture and elegance, hence the short stint in the barrel, however there is a focus of keeping the wine fruit forward, yet fresh and zesty.' Granat-Mulder believes that, in South Africa, Chenin is 'definitely more respected today than it was even ten years ago', and that 'the trend of Chenin’s premiumisation and consumer appeal will continue in the coming years'.

Rosé: the future is bright for Provence

As was the case in 2025, there was just a single rosé Best in Show this year – Château De L'Aumérade, Marie-Christine, Côtes de Provence Cru Classé, Provence, France 2025. And, as last year, it came from Provence.

'We’re always looking out for new rosé stars, including from sources other than Provence,' the judging panel said before concluding, 'Year after year, though, it’s Provence that most impresses'.

Marie-Christine is the signature cuvée of this 300-hectare estate north of Pierrefeu-du-Var, and part of the family-owned Fabre Domains. A rosé specialist, about 90% of the production is dedicated to this style. Part of what sets this wine apart is its terroir: the grapes come from plots designated cru classé by the INAO in 1955 – a relative rarity (just 18 estates in Provence hold this title).

Classics never become classics without good reason, and the team at Aumérade have a few ideas about Provencal rosé’s continued popularity.

'The reason Provence rosés are so popular may well be down to the region’s heritage, which has historically been dedicated to rosé wines. For a long time, Provence was the only region in France to produce dry rosés. The local climate was ideal for the consumption of wines that are light on the palate. The people of Provence were therefore naturally inclined to drink this type of wine.'

It isn’t just people in Provence who are inclined to drink well-made dry rosé, of course, as this award proves, and Provence’s future continues to look rosé.

Find all winners at awards.decanter.com

DWWA 2026: Best in Show whites & rosé winners

Australia

Brokenwood, ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales 2019

Best in Show, 97 points
Our eighth Best In Show Hunter Valley Semillon is every bit as classical as its predecessors. Lovers of the style will know that this isn’t a wine to broach early; indeed in most vintages the more time you can give the wine, the more you’ll be rewarded. The DWWA judges once daringly rewarded a two-year-old with Best In Show, but mostly this accolade has been reserved for wines between six and 13 years old; this year’s nine-year post-harvest storage means that it’s just beginning to sing. Look out for a bright silver-green colour, followed by oily scents of tropical and citrus (lemon and lime) fruits and vegetal notes, too – broad beans, parsley and courgette. On the palate, you’ll find a darting and quicksilver wine with the same aromatic repertoire and a light-textured, acid-freshened palate. Its delicacy and flavour purity keep it moving swiftly and cleanly through the mouth. If you’d like a little more improbable toasty richness to be magicked up out of nowhere … just wait. Alcohol 11.5%

Pewsey Vale, Estate Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia 2025

Best in Show, 97 points
This wine marks another debut appearance in our Best In Show selection – for Eden Valley Riesling, though we’ve featured Eden Valley Shiraz/Syrah here in the past. It’s a young wine and light on its feet (just 11.5%). Riesling here manages, remarkably enough, to deliver full-season fruit complexities at this strength since phenolic ripeness continues, in the High Eden’s skeletal soils, even after sugar ripeness has slowed, including in very warm vintages like that of 2025. It’s an enticingly aromatic wine with a tumble of blossom blowing about an aromatic core of zesty lemon, lime, fresh dessert apple and early season nectarine. On the palate, the wine is bright and tangy with racy apple and rhubarb acidity; it has ample mid-palate wealth and poised texture, then the blossoms come blowing back to lift its brisk, mouth-freshening finish. Its Eden Valley pedigree suggests that this beautifully vinified wine will age well, too. Alc 11.5%

Austria

Birgit Eichinger, Ried Lamm 1ötw Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederösterreich 2024

Best in Show, 97 points
This is the first-ever Best In Show appearance by a wine from Austria’s Kamptal, and the judges who had a chance to assess this wine were impressed by its texture, layering, complexity and what one judge called its “strength of fruit”. Gruner Veltliner is never a forceful or focused aromatic variety, but the soft melding of apple, yellow plum, wild meadow flowers and gentle crème anglaise notes (all hints, nothing spelt out) makes for a winning aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is richly textured and powerful, tumbling and unfolding over the tongue; it retains an orchard fruit profile while at the same time hinting at something a little more exotic and high-summery. The acidity is soft, tender and drips with fruit intensity. Magnificently limpid winemaking with raw materials which must surely come from a fine site or combination of sites. Alc 13%

Domäne Roland Chan, Wösendorf Alte Reben Smaragd Weissburgunder, Wachau, Niederösterreich 2023

Best in Show, 97 points
This is the second appearance of a Wachau wine in our Best In Show selection, and the first for an Austrian Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) wine from any region. It’s bright gold in colour, with rich, warm aromas in which the fruit notes (apple, pear, melon and peach) are sketched out with the discretion and restraint typical for this variety. On the palate, though, the wine is more Wachau than Weissburgunder, and crafted in ripe, Smaragd style. This word literally means ‘emerald’ and refers to the green lizards which frequent the Wachau terrace walls in high summer; it’s used of wines made from the ripest musts, generally given some bottle age. You’ll find all of that in the plush palate profile with its soft, ample textures and long, clean, well-rounded and comforting finish. For all that, it’s a Smaragd of some delicacy, and very amenable to a wide range of food partnerships. Alc 14%

France

Albert Bichot, Hospices De Beaune Cuvée Docteur Peste, Corton Grand Cru, Burgundy 2024

Best in Show, 97 points
The daunting difficulties of the 2024 vintage in Bourgogne have been described in the notes for our Chablis Grand Cru Best In Show wine, and growers in the Côte de Beaune had no easier time of it than did their Chablis confrères. Here, though, is another example of just how successful careful white-wine makers were in picking their way through all the hazards and bringing healthy, balanced fruit back to the wineries. Corton (the first wine we’ve had in Best In Show with this particular iteration of the name, though Charlemagne variants came through in 2018 and 2024) is always one of the most restrained of all Bourgogne’s white Grands Crus, and in some vintages can remain tight-lipped and mute for years. Not here: this wine is already murmuring its stony-savoury charms on the nose, while the palate is mouthfilling and structured, delicately spicy from its barrel-fermentation, vivid with refined grapefruit citrus yet ultimately light on its feet. As with the Chablis Grand Cru, no need to wait … though cellar years will bring further softening. Alc 12.9%

Château De L'Aumérade, Marie-Christine, Côtes de Provence Cru Classé, Provence 2025

Best in Show, 97 points
The battle for rosé supremacy is always closely fought in both DWWA judging week and gold week; we’re always looking out for new rosé stars, including from sources other than Provence. Year after year, though, it’s Provence that most impresses, whether from the low-lying sandy coastal vineyards or the acid-soiled uplands; indeed it often seems as if the natural vocation of varieties like Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah (the trio in play here) in Provence is truly for pink wine rather than red, for reasons that remain mysterious. This wine, from one of the estates classified as crus classés back in 1955, is exemplary: a pretty petal-pink colour, with a honeyed, peach-and-yellow-plum aroma, vivid freshness combined with creamy textures and admirable herbal restraint on the finish. Drinkability, delicacy and restraint are paramount for rosé, and much more important than concentration, impact or acid balance; this wine conveys its subtle fruits in exactly that way, yet there is still an extra dimension here of focus and delivery that marked the wine out from its peers. Alc 13%

Château D'Epiré, Clos De Rochepin, Savennières-Roche aux Moines, Loire 2022

Best in Show, 97 points
This is the second appearance of a Savennières in our Best In Show selection – and it’s a wine that, for one of our tasters, “could be nothing else”. This magnificent site on the north side of the river Loire, with its warmly exposed banks of schist and rhyolite soils, gives dry Loire whites of unique distinction, both aromatically and on the palate. The aromas evoke lanolin, apple, honeysuckle and meadow herbs, and the palate has (as the same taster put it) “weight without weight”: splendid complexities of interwoven fruit, fruit acidity, lees tenderness and subtle, carefully judged oak. It’s dry and long, yet a mist of honey seems to hover tantalisingly over the whole; once you’ve swallowed, the flavours metamorphose on your tongue into something more evocative of soil and stone than of fruit. It’s powerful yet gracious. You might think, in sipping, that its overall tenderness means that it’s best young – but it will last well, too. Alc 13.5%

Château Vitallis, Pouilly, Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru, Burgundy 2024

Best in Show, 97 points
Like Chablis and the Côte d’Or, the Mâconnais had a tough (and sodden) time of it over the course of the 2024 vintage, but it did have an ace up its sleeve: August here was warmer and sunnier than elsewhere in Burgundy (328 hours of sunshine was significantly above its long-term average), and that put the wines of this sub-region on a firmer foundation than elsewhere. In any case, Pouilly-Fuissé usually delivers some of Bourgogne’s ripest white wines every year. This Premier Cru version (only the second Best In Show appearance for a Pouilly-Fuissé) has assurance and wealth to it, indeed even a little appealing baby fat. There are delicious hazels and peach fruits apparent on the aroma, and the flavours are rich, sapid, vinous and structured, with appetising melon and peach generosity. The vintage adds an undertow of vivacious acidity relatively rare in recent years in Pouilly-Fuissé, too, lending the wine additional poise and drinkability. Alc 13%

Domaine Pinson Frères, Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2024

Best in Show, 97 points
It’s a measure of the confusion and chaos brought by climate change that near-catastrophic vintages in weather terms can, in a region like Chablis, deliver wines which often seem more classical today than do those from ‘great’ (i.e. warmer and more generous) vintages. Here’s an example. Nothing was easy in Chablis in 2024, beginning with a colossally wet spring (the town of Chablis flooded twice), continuing with a cool May, June and July, and ending with a largely chilly September. Poor flowering and mildew ravaged yields, as did May hail. And yet, and yet … this Grand Cru Chablis (the fourth we have featured in our Best In Show selection) has an articulacy rare in young Grand Cru wines: look out for apple, blossom, white tea and herbal aromas. There’s more apple and citrus on the palate, and a sense of finesse and layered complexity; its freshness is very classical, yet it doesn’t come at the expense of Grand Cru breadth. Above all, it’s a Grand Cru you won’t have to wait for, though it will see out a decade easily enough. Alc 13%

Jean-Paul Balland, Grande Cuvée, Sancerre, Loire 2023

Best in Show, 97 points
Perhaps surprisingly, this is only the second appearance of a Sancerre wine in our Best In Show selection, and the first since 2017. Welcome back, Sancerre! The vineyards of the Centre Loire had a much more successful 2023 vintage than did their Anjou and Touraine counterparts; indeed August was so dry here that the early September rains were welcomed as a pre-harvest refresher. Our judges loved the smoky-flinty-herbal classicism of this wine’s aromatics: one sniff and you’re there among the Sauvignon vines on the airily exposed limestone vineyards that surround this unforgettable hill town. The wine is both tense and taut, yet at the same time ample and resonant. As with other Best In Show wines from classic white-wine zones this year, the oak has been skilfully employed, bringing complexity and a sense of light and shade to the haunting Loire Sauvignon fruit, qualifying its print of soft spring leaf. Alc 13.5%

Greece

Santo Wines, Kontarades, Santorini, Aegean Islands 2024

Best in Show, 97 points
Our judges love the white, Assyrtico-based wines of Santorini: this year’s brace brings the Cycladic island’s Best In Show total up to eight, while the Santorini mantelpiece boasted no fewer than 11 Regional Trophies under our old 2004-2015 system. This year’s wine comes from the hot, windy, drought-striken 2024 vintage, a year when the island’s total harvest was as low as 750 tonnes. The resilience of Santorini vines (and growers) under these circumstances is remarkable. This is a warmer-than-usual example, and you might find candied lemon skin and Mirabelle plum notes alongside the usual aromatic hints of earth and stone. It is -- of course! -- salty and full on the palate, amply structured, broad and rewarding, with more glycerol and slightly lower acidity than in other vintages. As always, though, the balance comes from deep-rooted vines searching the volcanic ash and tephra soils and seeming to convey their print in flavour, giving this singular wine unique authority and conviction. One sip shows you that this is a world original. Alc 14%

New Zealand

Rapaura Springs, ROHE Sauvignon Blanc, Blind River, Marlborough 2025

Best in Show, 97 points
This is the sixth Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to feature in our Best In Show selection – and of those six, half have carried an Awatere Valley origin, suggesting that this may prove to be one of the finest of Marlborough’s sub-regions. This is a hugely impressive wine. Silver in colour, it has arresting vitality and energy on the nose, but unusual complexity, too: melon, mango, pear, Japanese citrus, resin, thyme and rue were among the notes our judges detected, woven together with great skill and discernment, and with no note dominating or lacking refinement. On the palate it’s excitingly flavoury in all of the ways the aromas sketched out – yet it’s also soft, complex, textured and hauntingly savoury as well as floral and fruity. 2026 was an outstanding DWWA year for New Zealand Sauvignon, and this layered, high-finesse yet at the same time amply drinkable wine had to see off many competitors to win its place in the Top 50. Alc 13%

South Africa

Stellenbosch Reserve, Hangbrug Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2025

Best in Show, 97 points
A number of our judges commented on the impressive differentiation of Chenin Blanc wines according to their regional origin in the 2026 DWWA South Africa cohort: the best of all reasons for making the choice of a particular Best In Show wine difficult. This was the bottle that eventually emerged triumphant, admired on multiple fronts. One was the delivery of varietal character with spotless precision, together with splendid brightness and freshness. Its Stellenbosch classicism brought an assured poise as well as charm … with just enough inner austerity to keep the drinker coming back to the glass. The oaking, finally, was much admired here for not obscuring that primary charm - but filling out the mid-palate, adding texture, and providing a faint flavoury undertow of extra richness. There even seemed to be a little salty intrigue to the palate for some judges, enhancing the sense of authenticity and site. Assured work and an encouraging introduction to the exciting South African white-wine scene. Alc 13.5%

Spain

Pazo 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. Alc 13%

The sparkling-wine story that emerged from this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results unfolded like a good drama. Champagne, awarded two of the four Best in Show awards, played a strong leading role, showing that it remains a benchmark for this style.

An international contingent provided plenty of narrative interest. Italy’s Franciacorta is producing stellar examples and in the UK, there is noteworthy local talent too.

Champagne: setting the benchmark

A careful observer will notice similarities in the two Best in Show winners from Champagne.

Both De Saint-Gall, Orpale Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru and Charles Collin, Cuvée Charles Blanc be Blancs are pure Chardonnays, and both were from the 2012 vintage.

Should that come as a surprise? On the first point, Charles Curtis MW, Regional Chair for Champagne, says, 'De Saint-Gall is based in Avize [in the Côte des Blancs], so it’s no surprise they make good Chardonnay. Charles Collin is interesting since they are in the Côte des Bar, which is Pinot Noir country. However, the soils are largely Kimmeridgian; I have always suspected that there was a lot of potential to the Chardonnays from that part of France, particularly in a not-too-hot vintage such as 2012.'

On the second point, the 2012 vintage in Champagne was what many would call ‘challenging’, with a cold wet spring, April frosts and the odd unexpected hailstorm providing plot twists – although Nature eventually smiled on the region at harvest time. 'From the worst to the best' is how Charles Curtis has described it.

Seek out and savour Champagnes from the 2012 vintage while they last.

English sparkling strikes again

Following last year’s Best in Show from Sussex (Sugrue South Downs The Trouble With Dreams 2009), a wine from Kent waved the Union Jack this year: Balfour, Blanc De Blancs 2018.

Head winemaker and director of wine is Fergus Elias, who may just have winemaking in his blood – his father Owen was head winemaker at Chapel Down until 2010 and is considered one of the founding fathers of contemporary English wine. ‘I am extremely fortunate to be one of relatively few second-generation winemakers in the country’, Fergus says.

'I spent much of my youth working in vineyards, wineries and cellar doors, first at Chapel Down and then, after 2010, in various roles across vineyards and wineries in the South East. That said, it was never my plan to become a winemaker. I wanted to join the RAF as a pilot.' A torn ligament playing rugby put paid to his RAF aspirations, but he initially had no plans to follow in his father’s footsteps: 'My early view of winery work was mostly disgorging, labelling and cleaning drains.'

That changed soon after joining Balfour in 2014. 'Within a few weeks I knew I had found both my career and the place where I wanted to build it.' An MSc in Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College followed, and by 2019 he was head winemaker.

The Blanc des Blancs is made only in the best years, and so far just three vintages have been released: 2010, 2014 and 2018. It is made from 'the very best Chardonnay fruit and only in vintages where we think the wine genuinely deserves to stand on its own.

Balfour 2018 was bottled en magnum and is a brut nature – but, Fergus says, 'I do not think zero dosage or extra brut is automatically a badge of honour unless that is genuinely where the wine works best.'

He describes the Balfour style as 'fruit-driven, clean and pure', adding, 'One thing we are very keen to avoid at Balfour is simply aping Champagne. We are our own category and we should make wines in our own style'.

A first for Franciacorta

For those after a contemporary success story, look no further than Franciacorta from Lombardy. A relatively new star in the sparkling-wine firmament, its official consorzio was founded in 1990. In 1995, a separate DOCG for sparkling wines was created, making Franciacorta Italy’s first DOCG dedicated solely to metodo classico styles.

Franciacorta has claimed seven Platinum DWWA awards in past years, and 2026 marked its first Best in Show with the impressive Freccianera, Satèn Brut 2022.

The Freccianera range is from the family estate of Fratelli Berlucchi – pioneers of this region and style since the early 1960s, and no strangers to DWWA awards in past years. The zesty, textured palate of this 100 per cent Chardonnay is good enough reason to pop the cork; then there’s the texture, which, as the name ‘satèn’ suggests, has a satin-like mouthfeel, achieved through a lower-than-usual pressure of five bars. This slightly softer style makes satèn styles particularly suited to drinking with food (as opposed to having it as an aperitif), recommends Charles Curtis MW.

The majority of Franciacorta is drunk in Italy – just over 12 per cent is exported – although more bottles are finding their way to other European countries and to the UK. Tasting this wine blind, judges noted its wide appeal. For stylish, top-pedigree sparkling wines, Franciacorta is a name to look out for.

Find all winners at awards.decanter.com

DWWA 2026: Best in Show sparkling winners

Balfour, Blanc De Blancs, Kent, England, United Kingdom 2018 (magnum)

Best in Show, 97 points
For the second year in a row, the sparkling wine which most impressed our GB and Ireland panel was one bottled in magnum. In contrast to last year’s Sussex blend, though, the 2026 laureate was a Blanc de Blancs wine from Kent. It was a much younger wine, too – a 2018 rather than a 2009. A youthful style, then, with a seethe of fine-beaded bubbles and incision to the fore in its sensual profile? Absolutely. But remember what a generous summer the UK enjoyed in 2018. The aromas of this pale sparkler sing: poised lemon cream, sourdough and cut stone tease and linger in the glass. While the palate is bracing, mouth-watering and impactful, that splendid season is evident in its length and resonance. The extra-dry style throws the spotlight on the wine's fruit qualities (orchard fruits as well as lemony citrus) and the quality of its acidity (dominant, taut yet unquestionably ripe – as you can see in the wine's latent aromatics). This is an English wine magnum with a long future ahead if well stored. Alcohol 12%

Charles Collin, Cuvée Charles Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne, France 2012

Best in Show, 97 points
Three Champagnes featured in our Best In Show selection last year, one of which was a Blanc de Blancs. This year we have only two – but both are Blanc de Blancs. That in turn means that all four of our sparkling wines in this year's pantheon are Blanc de Blancs – a testament to the enduring appeal of this fine-boned style. (Lovers of blends, don't despair: you'll find much to enjoy in our Platinum selection. PLEASE CHECK.) Both of this year's Best In Show Champagnes, too, are based on the 2012 vintage, and for a little more on that challenge-to-triumph vintage, see the note for this wine's fellow Champagne laureate. Meanwhile, what's in the glass here? A Champagne that combines controlled generosity with remarkable refinement. It's gratifyingly aromatic: peach, quince, brioche, dried lemon and root botanicals all appeared in our judges' notes. On the palate, it's vibrant and multi-faceted, elegant and refreshing. There's a breadth and carriage to the wine which you won't always find in the Blanc de Blanc style, but it's nimble on its feet and stylistically restrained: an alluring and hugely enjoyable combination. Alc 12%

De Saint-Gall, Orpale Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru, Champagne, France 2012

Best in Show, 97 points
The second of this year's Best In Show Champagne laureates is, like the first, a 2012 wine, so it's worth spending a little time considering this vintage. If you'd arrived in Champagne in late July, it was a glum scene: a cold, wet spring had seen yields slashed by April frosts, wild-card hailstorms and chaotic flowering. June and July remained grumpy; disease pressure was intense. A magnificent August then stepped in to save the day, while September was sunny, bright and airy. Nothing could remedy the low yields, but these late-season conditions meant the fruit ripened fully, over the length of a sustained season (time on the vine is critical for Champagne). All of this plays out in this splendid Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs. Pale yellow in colour, with a fine-beaded mousse, the aromas are complex and plant-infused as well as richly fruited, with hints of mocha and toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine has authentic Grand Cru concentration and length with the balance and resonance that comes from perfect ripeness; there’s a hint of fruit-salt and stone on the finish. Enjoy 2012 while you can. Alc 12.5%

Freccianera, Satèn Brut, Franciacorta, Lombardy, Italy 2022

Best in Show, 97 points
One of modern Italy's most impressive success stories is the Franciacorta wines of Lombardy, produced (since 1961) by fastidiously following traditional-method principles from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco grapes grown on gravels and glacial-moraine soils. Wines from Franciacorta have achieved seven Platinum medals in the past in our competition; this year's Best In Show appearance perhaps marks a new high point for these always-impressive wines. It's a Blanc de Blancs, pure-Chardonnay example from the fine, warm 2022 vintage. Silver-green in colour, the aromas are pristine, harmonious and gratifying with tenderly ripe orchard fruit and unobtrusive, subtle light-cream freshness. On the palate, the wine is poised, open-pored, tinglingly zesty yet at the same time impressively textured. The apples and quince apparent on the nose haunt the affable, glowing acidity, and there’s a washed-stone freshness to the finish. Wholly successful and with wide appeal, this makes a great introduction to (and benchmark for) the Franciacorta style. Alc 12.5%

Top medals for English producers at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 show there has never been a better time to dive into the country’s rapidly developing vinous landscape, from vintage fizz to terroir-driven still wines.

Newly released results add a fresh chapter to UK winemakers’ blossoming success story. For the second consecutive year, a magnum of English sparkling featured in the top 50 Best in Show selection, which at DWWA 2026 represents just 0.3% of all wines tasted.

Meanwhile, still wines continue to assert themselves on the global stage. Chardonnay led the way at DWWA 2026, including via a coveted Platinum medal.

Simon Field MW, encouraged wine drinkers to ‘be adventurous’. DWWA’s rigorous judging process, involving many world-leading experts, means buyers can explore with the utmost confidence.

Top awarded English wines at DWWA 2026

Balfour, Blanc de Blancs, Kent, England 2018 (magnum)

Best in Show, 97 points
£120/magnum Balfour Winery
For the second year in a row, the sparkling wine that most impressed our GB & Ireland panel was one bottled in magnum. In contrast to last year’s Sussex blend, though, the 2026 laureate was a blanc de blancs wine from Kent. It was a much younger wine, too – a 2018 rather than last year’s 2009. A youthful style, then, with a see the of fine-beaded bubbles and incision to the fore in its sensual profile? Absolutely. But remember what a generous summer the UK enjoyed in 2018. The aromas of this pale sparkler sing: poised lemon cream, sourdough and cut stone tease and linger in the glass. While the palate is bracing, mouthwatering and impactful, that splendid season is evident in its length and resonance. The extra-dry style throws the spotlight on the wine’s fruit qualities (orchard fruits as well as lemony citrus) and the quality of its acidity (dominant, taut yet unquestionably ripe – as you can detect in the wine’s latent aromatics). This is an English wine magnum with a long future ahead if well stored. Alcohol 12%

Winding Wood, Rosé Brut, Berkshire, England 2022

Platinum, 97 points
£38 (ib)-£42.50 Carte Blanche Wines, Winding Wood Vineyard
Rose garden and strawberry aromatics with red apple notes. A plush, toasted brioche core. Beautifully fresh with a gentle mousse and a long finish. Alc 12%

Tidebrook, Staddle Stone Chardonnay, Sussex, England 2023

Platinum, 97 points
£34-£36 George Hill Grocers, Mousehall, The Whisky Exchange
Lush lemon curd and stone fruit underscored by the cool-climate tension of chalky minerals. Racy acidity ripples through a sheen of creamy oak complexity and garnishes the long finish. Alc 12.5%

Chapel Down, Kit’s Coty Coeur de Cuvée Extra Brut, Kent, England 2016

Gold, 96 points
£120-£130 Chapel Down, Hedonism, The English Wine Collection, The Whisky Exchange
Deliciously evolving aromas of ripe apple, quince, caramel and bread fill out the plump structure and settled mousse, quenched by the tapering, lemon tonic acidity. Alc 12%

Hundred Hills, Hillside No3, Oxfordshire, England 2019

Gold, 96 points
£116.34/magnum Hundred Hills
In magnum. Vivid citrus, biscuit and chalky mineral elegance harmonise with the ample texture and plush, creamy mousse. Very complete, long and sizzling with energy. Alc 12%

Wiston, Blanc de Blancs Brut, South Downs, England 2018

Gold, 96 points
£54-£65 All About Wine, Hedonism, London End Wines, Must & Lees, Wiston Estate

Tropical fruit and floral aromas over frothy, mouthfilling bubbles. Subtle acidity brings the fine-tuning. Savoury, creamy notes gather at the end. Alc 12%

Bluestone, Premier Reserve Brut, England 2018

Gold, 95 points
Bluestone Vineyards
Smouldering smoky matchstick characters pair admirably with a fine veneer of lemon tart, brioche and apricot jam. A plush opulence cushions the pervading acidity. Exceptional. Alc 12%

Hambledon, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Hampshire, England NV

Gold, 95 points
£54-£62 Berry Bros & Rudd, Hambledon Vineyard, The Champagne Co, Vinvm
Exemplary English character: floral, green cow parsley and vanilla cream aromas fold into the exuberant lemon-pith mousse and racy acidity. Very long and compelling. Alc 12%

Hambledon, Classic Cuvée Brut, Hampshire, England NV

Gold, 95 points
£95/magnum Hambledon Vineyard
In magnum. Splendid golden apple, pear and zingy lemon fragrance softly draped over a backdrop of baked caramel biscuit. Poised and stirring, with silky bubbles and mineral length. Alc 12%

Sugrue South Downs, Cuvée Dr Brendan O’Regan Brut, Sussex, England NV

Gold, 95 points
£125-£135 Grape Britannia, Hennings, Indigo Wine
Layers of apple, citrus and floral notes grace the refined effervescence and gentle acidity. A delightful honeyed, bready character unfolds towards the end. Alc 12%

Wiston, Blanc de Noirs Brut, South Downs, England 2018

Gold, 95 points
£58-£68 All about wine, Drinks Direct, Fortnum & Mason, Hedonism, The Wine Engine, Wiston Estate
Dark berry and toffee apple notes weave into the generous texture and bright, elevating acidity. Well crafted and pure. Alc 12%

Coolhurst Vineyards, Lady Elizabeth Rosé, Sussex, England 2018

Gold, 95 points
£45 Coolhurst Vineyards
Attractively composed fresh strawberry, raspberry, cherry and red apple allied with sumptuous brioche and savoury saline charm. Weighty and structured with supple mousse. Alc 12%

Gusbourne, Boot Hill Vineyard Chardonnay, Kent, England 2022

Gold, 95 points
£55 Gusbourne
Assertive aromas of baked apple, pear and creamy oak sit regally over the luxuriant structure and ease gently towards a deceptively long finish. Perfectly expressed Chardonnay. Alc 13%

Harrow & Hope, No10 Reserve Brut, Buckinghamshire, England NV

Silver, 94 points
£33-£35 Abingdon Fine Wine, Grape Britannia, Jeroboams, Laithwaites, The English Wine Collection, The Oxford Wine Co
Toasted hazelnut, walnut and honeysuckle aromas. Concentrated lemon curd and pastry notes. Alc 12%

English Oak, San Gabriel Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay Brut, Dorset, England 2019

Silver, 93 points
£60 English Oak Vineyard
Nougat, fig and spice on the nose. Creamy pear and stewed apple flavours, bright acidity and hints of toffee apple. Alc 12%

Search all DWWA 2026 winners

For decades, Languedoc-Roussillon has been France's viticultural engine room. Stretching from Provence to the Pyrenees, this sultry southern sweep of vineyards produces around a third of the country's wine, much of it historically destined for volume rather than distinction. That reputation has been slow to shift, but the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results suggest it is now shifting – and fast.

France led the medal charts once again at the world's largest wine competition and its prestige regions delivered as expected, with Burgundy alone claiming five Best in Show wines from Premier and Grand Cru sites. But one of the most compelling French stories of the year came from much further south, where Languedoc-Roussillon recorded its best-ever Gold tally, 31 in all, alongside two Best in Show wines and three Platinums.

The signature of Pic Saint-Loup

Stand in a vineyard below Pic Saint-Loup, the jagged tooth of limestone that gives this corner of the Languedoc its name and take a moment to crush a sprig of wild thyme between your fingers. That scent, the resinous tangle of thyme, rosemary and sun-baked stone the French call garrigue, hangs in the air, settles in the soil and the region's winemakers will tell you, finds its way into the wine itself.

One of the Languedoc's top-scoring red wines is Bergerie du Capucin's Dame Jeanne, a Syrah-led 2023 from this very appellation, the cool, high ground tucked against the foothills of the Cévennes.

For owner Guilhem Viau, the secret is the weather. 'Our northern location, at the foothills of the Cévennes, creates a unique microclimate,' he says, one of cold winters, wide swings between day and night, and far more rain than the parched coast. The result, he explains, is closer to the Northern Rhône than to the Mediterranean: 'fine, elegant tannins and a touch of natural acidity', with the peppery, violet-scented lift that marks the appellation out. The judges agreed, calling it a 'supremely classy wine' of 'resolutely pure and unadulterated fruit'.

Pic Saint-Loup underlined its growing reputation with a Platinum for Château Lancyre's Grande Cuvée 2022. Here it is the surrounding scrubland that leaves its fingerprint, says the estate's owner Régis Valentin, lending the wine 'those characteristic notes of garrigue, thyme, rosemary, menthol, that are the signature of Pic Saint-Loup'.

Beyond a single appellation

What gives the region's year real weight is that the quality extends well beyond Pic Saint-Loup. The second Best in Show went to Les Coins Perdus Du Midi's playfully named Bong Ving Putaing Cong, a Grenache-Carignan-Syrah blend from Maury Sec, the young dry-red appellation created in 2011 on the dramatic Agly Valley sites long associated with Maury's dark, sweet fortified wines. It was a first for the appellation at this level and, at 15.5%, hardly a shy wine, but the judges found more than power, praising its 'great complexity and sense of place' and calling it 'a stunning debut for Maury Sec at the highest levels of our competition'.

Inland, Terrasses du Larzac, one of the Languedoc's most closely watched young appellations, took a Platinum for Mas de la Séranne's Antonin et Louis 2023. For winemaker Amandine Venture, the high, cool plateau does the work:

The third Platinum came from the broad IGP Pays d'Oc, for Domaine de Castelnau's L'Etendoir des Fées 2023, a pure Syrah the judges praised for its 'sensational tapenade, black pepper and herb aromas' and 'amazing typicity'. Between them, the three wines map the region's range, from a named cru against the Cévennes to a rising plateau appellation to a humble regional IGP, all reaching the same rarefied tier.

A dynamic region

For all its reputation as red-blend country, the region's 2026 results tell a broader story.

Down in the Roussillon, the southern half of the region, William Jonquères d'Oriola took a Top Value Gold for his Villa d'Oriola Chardonnay 2025, a white from a family that has made wine at the Château de Corneilla, by his account, 'from father to son since 1485', some 27 generations. He sees a region remaking itself. 'Today the Roussillon is becoming a very dynamic region for whites,' he says. 'For a long time, we were known for fortified wines and reds.' The key, he believes, is the sea: hot days tempered by a cooling Mediterranean wind that 'brings freshness and a beautiful balance'.

That appetite for the new runs right through the region's results. Among the Gold medallists were a steely Roussanne-Marsanne blend from Minervois and a bright, thyme-flecked Vermentino, proof that the south's whites are catching up fast with its reds. Add the region's leading showing in France's orange-wine medals and unexpected successes with Spanish grapes, including an Albariño and even a sparkling Verdejo, and you have the sound of a region with nothing left to prove on volume, and everything to gain by exploring.

Crush that sprig of thyme again. The garrigue has been here all along. What has changed is the wine being made among it, and a region once measured by the litre is now, finally, being measured by the glass.

DWWA 2026: Top-scoring Languedoc-Roussillon wines

Bergerie du Capucin, Dame Jeanne, Pic Saint-Loup 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
This is the third time Pic St Loup has featured in our Best In Show selection out of a total of six Languedoc appearances, underscoring the potential of the pure limestones and ever-changing orientations of this eastern Languedoc zone. 'The Pic' is also a little cooler and a little moister than other Languedoc appellations, meaning that it is one of the spots in this vast region where Syrah still feels comfortable and at ease. All of this was evident to our judges as they tasted this 'supremely classy wine' with its 70% Syrah component, entirely aged (for an unhurried two years) in concrete. Everyone fell in love with its herbal, floral nose, and applauded the fact that there was no oak to get in the way; the 'resolutely pure and unadulterated fruit' on the palate brought great pleasure too, 'totally open and pure-hearted', and the 'silky but persistent tannins' were much admired. It's not a wine you need to wait for, and anyone who might doubt the refreshment potential of a great Languedoc red should take a look at this Pic performance. Alcohol 14%

Les Coins Perdus Du Midi, Bong Ving Putaing Cong Grenache-Carignan-Syrah, Maury Sec 2025
Best in Show, 97 points
The Maury Sec appellation came into being in 2011, covering the same magnificent Agly Valley sites that have long been used for the dark, sweet and chocolate-friendly fortified wines of the Maury appellation alone. The potential here to make dense and almost shockingly rich dry red wines lent profundity by their mineral charge is enormous, and this is the first wine of this sort that we've seen emerge into the bright sunlight of our Best In Show selection. Our judging panel was hugely impressed: 'Authentic, traditional terroir-styled wine with great complexity and sense of place' summarised one. Like our Croatian Plavac Mali, at 15.5% it's not a wine for the faint-hearted and would be best served in the depths of winter, when you need reminding of summer's solar force. It's dark purple-red in colour, sending a billow of beautiful blackberry fruit up from the glass. The weight in the mouth is splendid, and the wine perfectly illustrates the way in which great tannins can be both flavoury as well as textured. Those blackberry fruits are everywhere, given lift by sappy acidity and without any oak noise to spoil the party; such oak as the wine has had is simply there to tame youthful exuberance, and the longer you spend with the fruit the more you realise that it is packed with herbal and stone complexities, too. A stunning debut for Maury Sec at the highest levels of our competition. Alc 15.5%

Domaine de Castelnau, L'Etendoir des Fées, IGP Pays d'Oc 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%

Château Lancyre, Grande Cuvée, Pic Saint-Loup 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Lashings of black forest fruit and aromatic Mediterranean herbs brim under the nose, empowered by a robust structure, complete with pencil-shaving tannins and vibrant acidity. Very long with savoury persistence, carrying a calming persona in tow. Alc 14%

Mas de la Seranne, Antonin et Louis, Terrasses du Larzac 2023
Platinum, 97 points
An enticing tapestry of blackberry, plum, thyme and lavender is sewn effortlessly into the flattering oak structure, sustained by plush texture, velvet tannins and melting acidity. Elegant and composed with a phenomenal garrigue-scented finish. Fabulous. Alc 14.5%

Château Estanilles, Clos du Fou, Faugères 2023
Gold, 96 points
Darkly demure, exhibiting black cherries, violets and wild herbs that gather over the glossy texture and swirl through the pristine acidity. Sweet liquorice varnishes the length. Alc 14.5%

Maison Castel, Séries Limitées chap.vii L'équilibriste, Terrasses du Larzac 2022
Gold, 95 points
Evocative terroir-driven notes of thyme, garrigue, bay leaf and black cherry funnel through the lively mineral vein, clothing the silky tannins and pure acidity. Remarkable. Alc 14.5%

Mas Nicolas, Coingtessence, Faugères 2023
Gold, 95 points
Vivid blueberries, blackcurrants and wild herbs define the nose, whilst woody spice and cured meats furnish the palate. Silky and structured with a delicious length. Alc 14.5%

Domaine de L'Ostal, Grand Vin Blanc, Minervois 2023
Gold, 95 points
Fetching aromas of hazelnut, baked almond and honeyed pear with a soupçon of white flower ardour. Steely and sapid with a savoury Marmite tang to end. Alc 13.5%

Château La Villatade, V, Minervois 2025
Gold, 95 points. Vibrations of fruit salad: peach, nectarine, pear and pineapple with flickers of dried thyme and yellow flowers. Perky and bright with a long, cooling finish. Alc 12.5%

Discover all winners at awards.decanter.com

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Drive through the Kent countryside today and, between the apple and pear orchards, you'll catch sight of something that would have raised eyebrows not so long ago: long rows of vines, combed neatly across the chalk soils. This was cereal and hop country once. Now the region grows some of the most talked-about wines in the world.

The change has been astonishingly quick. In 2005, the UK had fewer than 800 hectares of vines. By 2024, it had more than 4,800 - a rise of over 500% in under two decades. Warmer, longer summers explain part of it. Average temperatures across the main wine regions have risen by roughly 1°C in recent decades, helping grapes ripen where they once struggled.

But the climate is only half the story. Investment has flowed into land and wineries, cellar doors have become weekend destinations, and a new generation of growers has decided England is worth the gamble.

That bet is paying off. At the 23rd edition of the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the world's largest wine competition, the UK's 2026 results show that a new era has dawned for local winemakers.

While bubbles still lead the way, still wines, new counties and even Welsh vineyards are stepping up onto the podium.

Bubbles still set the pace

For the second year running, the UK's sole Best in Show, the rarest accolade the competition awards, went to a sparkling wine in magnum: Balfour's Blanc de Blancs, Kent 2018, a pure Chardonnay that spent years on its lees before release.

For Balfour's Fergus Elias, the secret is the big bottle itself. A magnum ages more slowly, he explains, which 'helps preserve freshness while allowing the wine to build texture, depth and complexity over time'. The reward is a wine that keeps 'the purity and drive of the fruit, but with more breadth, softness and savoury character'. He puts it more plainly, too: 'I bloody love magnums!’

Still wine stirring

Still wine is stirring too. Tidebrook's Staddle Stone Chardonnay, Sussex 2023, became the first English still Chardonnay ever to achieve a Platinum, scoring a remarkable 97 points.

Behind it is an unusual story. Winemaker Christy Jordan's family spent almost four decades running Jordan Wine Estate in South Africa before turning their attention to Sussex.

Reds are joining the conversation, too. A still Pinot Noir from Higham Vineyard earned Suffolk its first red medal DWWA 2026, a small but telling sign that English ambitions now stretch well beyond fizz.

The map is still being drawn

One of the most exciting headlines from this year’s awards is that England's wine country is spilling well past the traditional areas of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire.

Berkshire, a historic county situated west of London, landed its first-ever Platinum for Winding Wood's Rosé Brut 2022. 'What an accolade for West Berkshire,' says owner Christopher Cooke, who farms a boutique plot where, by his own account, he is 'on first-name terms with my vines'. His point is simple, and increasingly true across the country: 'Small can be beautiful.'

Oxfordshire broke new ground as well, claiming its first Gold for Hundred Hills' Hillside No. 3 2019, another magnum. Winemaker Stephen Duckett credits the land itself, those 'thin, nutrient-deficient chalk soils and cool, dry, maritime microclimate', worked by hand with near-obsessive care. Elsewhere, counties from Rutland to Shropshire appeared on the medal roster for the very first time.

Then there is Wales. Burgeoning and built on a handful of passionate micro-producers, but definitely making its mark. White Castle Vineyard in Monmouthshire took a Silver for its Pinot Noir Précoce 2023. 'Wales, so often overlooked, is emerging as a gem in the UK wine industry,' says owner Robb Merchant MBE, 'proving that something truly special can flourish in areas thought to be challenging.'

Sparkling may have built the UK wine reputation. Now, still wine is broadening it. And from the chalk of Berkshire to the hills of Monmouthshire, the message is the same: do not underestimate what can grow here.

DWWA 2026: Top-scoring UK wines

Balfour, Blanc de Blancs, Kent, England 2018 (in magnum)
Best in Show, 97 points
For the second year in a row, the sparkling wine which most impressed our GB and Ireland panel was one bottled in magnum. In contrast to last year’s Sussex blend, though, the 2026 laureate was a Blanc de Blancs wine from Kent. It was a much younger wine, too – a 2018 rather than a 2009. A youthful style, then, with a seethe of fine-beaded bubbles and incision to the fore in its sensual profile? Absolutely. But remember what a generous summer the UK enjoyed in 2018. The aromas of this pale sparkler sing: poised lemon cream, sourdough and cut stone tease and linger in the glass. While the palate is bracing, mouth-watering and impactful, that splendid season is evident in its length and resonance. The extra-dry style throws the spotlight on the wine’s fruit qualities (orchard fruits as well as lemony citrus) and the quality of its acidity (dominant, taut yet unquestionably ripe -- as you can see in the wine’s latent aromatics). This is an English wine magnum with a long future ahead if well stored. Alcohol 12%

Tidebrook, Staddle Stone Chardonnay, Sussex, England 2023
Platinum, 97 points
An exquisite synchronicity of lush lemon curd and succulent stone fruit underscored by the cool climate tension of chalky minerals. Racy acidity ripples through the sheen of creamy oak complexity and garnishes the long finish. Alc 12.5%

Winding Wood, Rosé Brut, Berkshire, England 2022
Platinum,97 points
Ethereal rose garden and subtle strawberry and red apple aromatics weave into the plush toasted brioche core. Beautifully fresh with a gentle yet persuasive mousse and a long, allusive finish. An allegory of national intent. Alc 12%

Chapel Down, Kit's Coty Coeur de Cuvée Extra Brut, Kent, England 2016
Gold, 96 points
Deliciously evolving aromas of ripe apple, quince, caramel and bread fill out the plump structure and settled mousse, quenched by the tapering lemon tonic acidity. Alc 12%

Hundred Hills, Hillside No. 3, Oxfordshire, England 2019 (in magnum)
Gold, 96 points
Sizzling with energy; comprising vivid citrus, biscuit and chalky mineral elegance that harmonises with the ample texture and plush creamy mousse. Very complete and long. Alc 12%

Wiston, Blanc de Blancs Brut, West Sussex, England 2018
Gold, 96 points
Ebullient tropical fruit and floral aromas thrive over the frothy, mouth-filling bubbles with a subtle acidity finely tuning. Savoury, creamy notes gather at the end. Alc 12%

Bluestone, Premier Reserve Brut, England 2018
Gold, 95 points
Smouldering smoky matchstick characters pair admirably with a fine veneer of lemon tart, brioche and apricot jam. A plush opulence cushions the pervading acidity. Exceptional. Alc 12%

Coolhurst Vineyards, Lady Elizabeth, Sussex, England 2018
Gold, 95 points
An attractive composure of fresh strawberries, raspberries, cherries and red apples allied with sumptuous brioche and savoury saline charm. Weighty and structured with supple mousse. Alc 12%

Gusbourne, Boot Hill Vineyard Chardonnay, Kent, England 2022
Gold, 95 points
Assonant aromas of baked apple, pear and creamy oak sit regally over the luxuriant structure and ease gently towards the deceptively long finish. Perfectly expressed Chardonnay. Alc 13%

Hambledon, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Hampshire, England NV
Gold, 95 points
A paradigm of English character: floral, green cow-parsley and vanilla cream aromas fold into the exuberant lemon-pith mousse and racy acidity. Very long and compelling. Alc 12%

Discover all winners at awards.decanter.com

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Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 Platinum medals revealed

Twenty-four countries featured among 196 mouthwatering Platinum medals at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026, showed full results announced this week.

They represent just 1.18% of all wines tasted, but the proportion of Platinum winners has never been higher – reflecting extraordinary quality at DWWA’s 23rd edition.

As the world’s biggest wine competition with a finely-tuned, rigorous judging process underpinned by leading experts, consumers and producers can take huge confidence in DWWA results.

To reach Platinum, all Gold medal winners must be retasted and discussed by senior experts, including DWWA Co-Chairs and Regional Chairs, during an intense second stage of judging.

High quality in 2026 is matched by a golden age of diversity. This year’s Platinum roster runs from benchmark Bordeaux and Oregon Pinot Noir to Ligurian rosé and Chilean País.

Scroll down to see the full list of Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 Platinum medal winners

Topping the leaderboard: The big four

France

France topped the leaderboard with 42 Platinums, nine more than last year, ahead of Italy with 29, Spain with 27 and Australia with 19.

Bordeaux’s 2022 and 2023 vintages featured strongly, as did white Burgundy and Syrah stronghold Côte-Rôtie. Yet, Languedoc scooped three Platinums, including for a Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend in rising-star appellation Pic-St-Loup.

Corsica matched its debut in this tier last year and there was a first Platinum for Savoie in eastern France, via a 100% Altesse white wine. ‘A truly exceptional embodiment of the region,’ said DWWA judges.

Loire Valley enjoyed a standout year, including the only ‘Value Platinum’ at DWWA 2026 (under £15-a-bottle) for Anjou Chenin Blanc: Domaine de la Clartière, Terres de Paillé 2024.

Provence showed it isn't just about rosé, winning four Platinums across reds and whites.

Italy

Italy’s 29 Platinums did feature pink wine, in the shape of Lunae, Mea Rosa 2025 from Liguria with 50% Vermentino Nero and 25% each of Ciliegiolo and Merlot.

Several Platinum-winning, signature Italian reds were from the celebrated 2021 vintage, such as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and UK supermarket Marks & Spencer’s Collection Peironte Barolo.

Northern Italian white wines shone particularly brightly. Eleven Platinums went to either Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (9) or Friuli-Venezia Giulia (2).

Cantina Terlano won several in the former. ‘An inviting almond chiselled palate, furnished with a spritzy lemon zest acidity and a saline bite,’ said judges of the producer’s Vorberg Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige Riserva 2023.

Spain

Spain’s glittering array of top medals at DWWA 2026 included 27 Platinums.

Deliciously well-crafted red Rioja and Ribera del Duero featured alongside ‘gorgeous’, Mencia-fuelled Bierzo and ‘elegant’ Cariñena-Garnacha from Priorat.

Two cellar-worthy reds represented a Platinum debut for Castilla-La-Mancha, including a 100% Petit Verdot with ‘bracing acidity’ and ‘smoky bacon savoury notes’.

Meanwhile, scintillating dry whites ranged from Albariño in coastal Rías Baixas to Bodega Diez Siglos’ ‘1985 Verdejo’, described by judges as a ‘unique and exciting style…reminiscent of a rich Fino’.

Australia

Australia is another perennial top performer at DWWA. Its 19 Platinums in 2026 neatly demonstrate the country’s dynamic, modern winemaking scene.

Coonawarra and Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon sat alongside old-vine Shiraz in McLaren Vale, plus cooler-climate Chardonnays from Adelaide Hills and Victoria; the latter region also saw a debut Platinum for Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir via a ‘unique and world class’ Southern Light Vineyards, Ghostgum Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024.

Huon Hooke, joint Regional Chair for Australia at DWWA 2026, said, ‘Australia is often thought of as a hot country but the quality of 'cool climate' varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine continues to defy the clichés.’

Super sparkling: From Champagne to Tasmania

Champagne reminded the field of its prowess, taking nine of 16 Platinum medals awarded to sparkling wines.

Winners ranged from from Drappier, Brut Nature Non-Vintage (100% Pinot Noir) to UK supermarket Marks & Spencer’s Delacourt Blanc de Blancs Brut 2017, and Saint-Réol, Brut, Grand Cru Ambonnay 2008 in magnum (1.5l) – from a lauded vintage.

They were joined by three Aussie sparklers, including a first Platinum for the Orange sub-region of New South Wales and two for Tasmania, where producer House of Arras continued a strong run of form at DWWA.

Sparkling Platinums also went to Prosecco DOCG in Italy, Los Carneros in California, Hungary and England, where Berkshire county debuted in this medal tier thanks to Winding Wood, Rosé Brut 2022.

Summer whites showcase

DWWA 2026 Platinum winners offered untold riches to anyone seeking delicious white wines for summer (or other times of year).

New Zealand enjoyed a great competition with eight Platinums overall, spanning whites and reds. It included a UK supermarket label: Tesco Finest* Black Birch Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2025. Produced by Villa Maria in Awatere Valley, Marlborough, judges noted its aromas of passion fruit and ‘mystifying sea spray minerals’.

Both of Switzerland’s Platinum medals also went to white wines, including a 100% Petite Arvine with ‘bounteous complexity’. They were joined by Austrian Grüner Veltliners, which helped fuel Austria’s eight Platinums in 2026.

Three Snapshot Trends

Pinot power

Pinot Noir dazzled in many locations, from Chile to New Zealand. It powered two out of five Platinums for the US. Northern California's Anderson Valley showed why it is so highly regarded by those in-the-know, and Oregon’s Dundee Hills showed its class.

On the white side, Pinot Blanc iterations enjoyed a good year. ‘Oozing class and panache,’ said judges of Germany’s sole Platinum medal: Pfalz: Kranz, Ilbesheim Kalmit Weisser Burgunder 2024.

Mendoza terroir magic

Argentina’s eight Platinum medals all went to Mendoza, where terroir-driven wines are a key aspect of DWWA 2026.

A single-vineyard Malbec won Best in Show, but the Platinum list has a fascinating trilogy of single-vineyard Cabernet Franc produced by Gran Enemigo. ‘Fabulously concentrated with shapely tannins, razor sharp acidity and a savoury nerve,’ said judges of the Gualtallary, Tupungato bottling.

Tannat Tango

Malbec isn’t the only grape to thrive in southwest France and South America. DWWA 2026 saw Platinums for a Tannat-led, Madiran red alongside Bodega Garzón, Petit Clos Tannat 2023 in Uruguay, with ‘lavish blackcurrant, blueberry and plum notes on the palate’.

Local heroes

DWWA offers a treasure trail of local takes on international grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon drove two Platinums for China in 2026, for instance, including a debut at this level for Yunnan province.

Chardonnay excelled globally, too, but this year’s competition also featured plenty of local hero varieties. Witness judges’ enthusiasm for a ‘beautiful expression of Prokupac’ from Serbia, or Markus, Pepejuh Plavac Mali 2019, which secured one of five Platinums for Croatia.

In Chile, one of the country’s four Platinums celebrated the ongoing revival of historic variety País. Meanwhile, Georgia’s two Platinums included a 100% Aleksandrouli red with ‘jubilant violet, lilac and crunchy forest fruit’.

It’s unfair to reduce South Africa’s impressive eight Platinums to one wine, but there was notable success for Du Toitskloof, Granite Pinotage 2024, from Swartland.

Old-vine Chenin Blanc from Swartland also made the list. In Stellenbosch, meanwhile, Backsberg’s Patriarch Cabernet Franc scooped a second consecutive Platinum, this time for its 2023 vintage.

Sweet treats

How about a 33-year-old Slovenian Welschsriesling to enjoy with dessert this weekend? ‘Extraordinarily pure for its age,’ said judges of Puklavec Family Wines’ ‘Jeruzalem Ormož Spätlese Edition 2 Welschriesling’ 1993.

While Sauternes and Tuscan Vin Santo saw success, DWWA 2026’s 20 Platinum sweet wines featured many names from central, eastern and southeastern Europe.

Five of Hungary’s eight Platinums were sweet, including Tokaji Aszú ‘5’ and ‘6’ Puttonyos styles. Czech Republic saw its first Platinum since 2020 thanks to a 100% Riesling, and Greece scooped a Platinum via producer Biblia Chora in the foothills of Mount Pangeon.

Austrian sweet wines won four Platinums, with two for Kracher winery; including its Nouvelle Vague ‘Nummer 1’ 2022 red made from 100% Zweigelt.

Across the Atlantic, both of Canada’s Platinum medals at DWWA 2026 went to Icewines produced from Vidal grapes, including Pillitteri Estates Winery, Commendatore Reserve Sparkling Vidal Icewine 2024 from Niagara-on-the-Lake. ‘Superbly sweet and honeyed with a delectable crisp acidity and illuminating lemony pétillance,’ said judges.

Fortified favourites

Morris Wines’ Old Premium Rare Muscat reminded the world why Australia’s Rutherglen is so revered, but Spain and Portugal dominated the fortified Platinums. Bodegas Lustau took all three Platinums awarded to Sherry.

Three Port Platinums included Jáfoste’s 80-year-old White Port. ‘Phenomenally smooth and lustrous with a texture and concentration that must be experienced to be believed,’ said judges.

Portugal also saw success for non-fortified wine, such as a Vinha Vehla-led Grande Reserva red blend.

Full DWWA 2026 Platinum list

DWWA 2026 Platinum Winners

Argentina

• A Corazón Abierto, Gran Corte, Mendoza 2020
• Alta-Yarí, Gran Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2024
• Gran Enemigo, Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, El Cepillo, San Carlos, Mendoza 2022
• Gran Enemigo, Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2022
• Gran Enemigo, Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Los Chacayes, Tunuyán, Mendoza 2022
• La Luz, Gran Callejón Del Crimen Ánfora Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2025
• Luigi Bosca, De Sangre Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2024
• Trapiche, Terroir Series Laborde Cabernet Sauvignon, La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza 2024

Australia

• Brokenwood, Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay, Beechworth, Victoria 2024
• Château Tanunda, 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia 2022
• Dawson James, Pinot Noir, Tasmania 2024
• E.J. McDougall, Old Vine Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, 2024
• Hare's Chase, Vigilance Marananga Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2022
• House of Arras, Grand Vintage Extra Brut, Tasmania 2009
• House of Cards, The Royals Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2024
• Josef Chromy, Finesse Brut, Tasmania 2019
• Katnook Estate, Prodigy Shiraz, Coonawarra, South Australia 2024
• Monteperle, Vineyard Selection Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2024
• Morris Wines, Old Premium Rare Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria NV
• Oakridge, 864 Winery Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley, Victoria 2024
• Peter Lehmann, Masters Wigan Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia 2019
• Printhie, Swift Blanc De Blancs Brut, Orange, New South Wales, Australia 2011
• Sidewood, Mappinga Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2024
• Sidewood, Owen's Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2024
• Southern Light Vineyards, Ghostgum Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 2024
• Suckfizzle, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2023
• Wynns, Wynvale Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia 2024

Austria

• Angerhof Tschida, Schilfwein Muskat Ottonel, Burgenland 2022
• Angerhof Tschida, Trockenbeerenauslese Ried Domkapitel Sämling 88 Neusiedlersee, Burgenland 2021
• Birgit Eichinger, Ried Heiligenstein 1ötw Riesling, Kamptal Niederösterreich 2024
• Esterházy, St. Georgen Blaufränkisch, Leithaberg, Burgenland 2023
• Gritsch, Ried Singerriedel Grüner Veltliner, Wachau, Niederösterreich 2024
• Kracher, Nouvelle Vague Nummer 1 Zweigelt, Burgenland 2022
• Kracher, Nummer 2 Trockenbeerenauslese Welschriesling Zwischen den Seen, Burgenland 2022
• Weingut Müller, Ried Gottschelle Grüner Veltliner, Kremstal, Niederösterreich 2024

Canada

• Peller Estates, Icewine Vidal, Ontario - Niagara Peninsula 2024
• Pillitteri Estates Winery, Commendatore Reserve Sparkling Icewine Vidal, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario - Niagara Peninsula 2024

Chile

• Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Almaule País, Maule 2025
• Baron Philippe De Rothschild, Escudo Rojo Origine Cabernet Sauvignon Maipó Valley, 2024
• Leyda, Origin Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, San Antonio 2024
• Vik, Stonevik, Cachapoal 2025

China (mainland)

• Helanhong Winery, Helan Hong Jiangnan Reserva Red, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2019
• Shangri-La, Holy Land Cabernet Sauvignon, Deqin, Yunnan 2019

Croatia

• Bastiàn, Marchiori Malvazija Istarska, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2023
• Bruno Ferenac, Malvazija, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2024
• Iločki Podrumi, Izborna Berba Prosušenih Bobica Traminac, Hrvatsko Podunavlje, Continental 2023
• Markus, Pepejuh Plavac Mali, Srednja i Južna Dalmacija, Coastal 2019
• Zure, Elysion, Lumbarda, Coastal 2016

Czech Republic

• Vinarstvi Volarik, Ryzlink Rýnský, Mikulovská, Moravia 2021

France

• Bastide De La Ciselette, Bandol, Provence 2023
• Brimoncourt, Régence Brut, Champagne NV
• Cattier, Blanc De Blancs Brut Premier Cru, Champagne NV
• Château Arricau-Bordes, Madiran, Southwest France 2021
• Château Braude Fellonneau, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux 2023
• Château Cavalier, Grand Blanc, Côtes de Provence, Provence 2025
• Château De La Crée, Les Gravières, Santenay 1er Cru, Burgundy 2023
• Chateau De Malleret, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux 2023
• Château de Rauzan, Augey, Bordeaux 2023
• Château De Rochemorin, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux 2023
• Chateau De Sancerre, Cuvee Du Connétable, Sancerre, Loire 2023
• Château Haut-Bergeron, Sauternes, Bordeaux 2023
• Château Lancyre, Grande Cuvée, Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon 2022
• Delas Frères, Domaine Des Grands Chemins, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône 2023
• Domain Gaget, Côte Du Py, Morgon, Beaujolais 2024
• Domaine Carrel & Senger, L'Eternel De Marestel Essentia 194, Roussette de Savoie Cru Marestel, Savoie NV
• Domaine De Castelnau, L'Etendoir des Fées, IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
• Domaine De Huillé, Éternel Chenin Blanc, Anjou, Loire 2022
• Domaine De La Clartière, Terres De Paillé, Anjou, Loire 2024
• Domaine De La Font Des Pères, Bandol, Provence 2020
• Domaine De Saint-Ser, Cuvée Prestige, Côtes de Provence, Provence 2023
• Domaine Kirrenbourg, Gewurztraminer, Grand Cru Schlossberg, Alsace 2021
• Domaine Louis Lequin Et Fils, Bâtard-Montrachet, Burgundy 2020
• Domaine Orenga de Gaffory, Alzetana, Patrimonio, Corsica 2023
• Domaine Pinson Frères, Mont De Milieu, Chablis 1er Cru, Burgundy 2024
• Drappier, Brut Nature, Champagne NV
• Jacquart, Blanc De Blancs Brut, Champagne 2018
• Jean-Marc Brocard, Vau de Vey, Chablis 1er Cru, Burgundy 2024
• Jean-Paul Picard, Le Pré-Long, Menetou-Salon, Loire 2025
• L'Oratoire des Papes, Les Chorégies, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2023
• La Tour Gallus, Gorges, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Gorges, Loire 2019
• Les Vignes De L'Arque, Chant Des Baumes, Duché d'Uzès, Rhône 2023
• Maison Delas Frères, La Landonne, Côte Rotie, Rhône 2023
• Maison Ginestet, Grand Vin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux 2022
• Marks & Spencer, Delacourt Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2017
• Mas De La Seranne, Antonin Et Louis, Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
• Mouton Cadet, Rive Gauche, Bordeaux 2022
• Philippe Gonet, Ter Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV
• Prestige Des Sacres, Cuvée Dynastie Blanc De Blancs Brut, Champagne NV
• Rare, Millésime Brut, Champagne 2012
• Saint Réol, Brut Grand Cru Ambonnay, Champagne 2008
• Vincent Denis, Terres De Soleil Liquoreux, Montlouis-sur-Loire 2023

Georgia

• Tbilvino, Single Vineyard Aleksandrouli Shashiani, Kakheti 2024
• George Kiazo, Qvevri Kisi 2024

Germany

• Kranz, Ilbesheim Kalmit Weisser Burgunder, Grosses Gewächs, Pfalz 2024

Greece

• Biblia Chora, Sole Semillon Gewurztraminer, Pangeon, Macedonia 2019

Hungary

• Antalóczy, Dániel Aszú 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2021
• Balassa Bor, Szamorodni, Tokaj 2022
• Balassa, Villő Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2021
• Béres, Aszú 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2017
• Füleky, Furmint, Tokaj 2024
• Heumann, La Trinità, Villány, Dél-Pannónia 2019
• Juliet Victor, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2019
• Kreinbacher, Classic Brut, Wine of Hungary, Generic NV

Italy

• Amandum, Pinot Bianco, Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021
• Bersano, Cremosina, Nizza, Piedmont 2023
• Bottega, Il Vino Dei Poeti, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany 2020
• Canneto, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2021
• Cantina Terlano, Nova Domus, Alto Adige Terlano Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023
• Cantina Terlano, Rarity, Alto Adige Terlano, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2013
• Cantina Terlano, Terlaner I Primo Grande Cuvée, Alto Adige Terlano, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023
• Cantina Terlano, Vorberg Pinot Bianco, Alto Adige Terlano Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023
• Cantina Tramin, Stoan, Alto Adige / Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2024
• Cantina Valle Isarco, Aristos Kerner, Alto Adige Valle Isarco, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2024
• Capezzana, Riserva, Carmignano Vin Santo, Tuscany 2018
• Cascina Del Colle, Aimè, Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore, Abruzzo 2025
• Castello Del Trebbio, Vigneto Lastricato Terraelectae, Chianti Rùfina Riserva, Tuscany 2021
• Castello di Cacchiano, Millennio Gaiole, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021
• Corte Sermana, Lugana Riserva, Veneto 2021
• Dosio, Fossati, Barolo, Piedmont 2022
• Fattoria La Vialla, Vin Santo del Chianti Riserva, Tuscany 2018
• Girlan, Curlan Chardonnay Riserva, Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2022
• Il Colle 1978, Rive di Rua di Feletto Extra Brut, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Rive, Veneto 2024
• Lunae, Mea Rosa, Liguria di Levante, Liguria 2025
• Marks & Spencer, Collection Peironte, Barolo, Piedmont 2021
• Muzic, Villa De Randis Friulano, Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021
• Padelletti, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Tuscany 2020
• Poggio Il Castellare, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany 2021
• Prackfol, Sandl, Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2020
• Tenimenti Grieco, Passo Alle Tremiti Falanghina, Molise 2025
• Terlano, Quarz Sauvignon, Alto Adige Terlano, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2024
• Vigneti Villabella, Fracastoro, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, Veneto 2015
• Vinory, Serragrilli, Barbaresco Riserva, Piedmont 2020

New Zealand

• Clos Ostler, EOS Pinot Noir, Waitaki Valley 2022
• Craggy Range, Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2025
• Greystone Wines, Erin's Chardonnay, Waipara, Canterbury 2023
• Greystone Wines, Vineyard Ferment Syrah, Canterbury 2023
• Nevis Bluff, The Holdsworth Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2024
• Palliser Estate, Hua Nui Vineyard Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa 2024
• Te Kairanga, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2024
• Villa Maria, Tesco Finest* Black Birch Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Portugal

• Burmester, 20 Year Old Tawny, Port NV
• Casa Manuel Joaquim Caldeira, Quinta Dos Castelares Sublime, Douro 2021
• Jáfoste, 80 Year Old, White, Port NV
• Quinta da Pedra, Eminência Loureiro 2015
• Quinta Da Vacaria, Grande Reserva, Douro 2019
• Vallegre, Vista Alegre, Vintage, Port 2016

Serbia

• Aleksandrovič, Kameničarka Prokupac, Oplenac, Šumadija-Great Morava 2022
• Deurić, La Rem Chardonnay, Fruška Gora, Srem 2023
• Matalj, Kremen Kamen, Negotinska Krajina 2021

Slovenia

• Steras, Refošk, Primorska 2024
• Puklavec Family Wines, Jeruzalem Ormož Spätlese Edition 2 Welschriesling, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje 1993

South Africa

• Backsberg, Patriarch Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch 2023
• Boschendal, Auré, Stellenbosch 2022
• Du Toitskloof, Granite Pinotage, Swartland 2024
• Hartenberg Wine Estate, The Mackenzie, Stellenbosch 2022
• Lothian of Elgin, Chardonnay Elgin 2023
• Nederburg, Heritage Heroes the Anchor Man Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Swartland 2024
• Perdeberg Cellar, The Dry Land Collection Joseph's Legacy Shiraz-Grenache-Mourvèdre, Coastal Region 2024
• Steenberg, Merlot, Constantia, Cape Town 2022

Spain

• Abadia Retuerta, Cuvée Palomar, Castilla y Léon 2022
• Altos R Pigeage, Graciano, Rioja 2022
• Arzuaga, Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2022
• Bodega Diez Siglos, 1985 Verdejo, Vino de España NV
• Bodegas Aquitania, Aquitania Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025
• Bodegas De Alberto, Dorado, Rueda NV
• Bodegas Luzón, Por Tí, Jumilla 2022
• Bodegas Olarra, Nucerro, Gran Reserva, Rioja 2020
• Campillo, 57 Selección Especial, Rioja 2019
• Cellers Unió, Vinyes De Poboleda, Priorat 2025
• Cuatro Pasos, Black Mencía, Bierzo 2021
• Dehesa Del Carrizal, Petit Verdot, Castilla-La Mancha 2023
• El Coto, Coto De Imaz, Gran Reserva, Rioja 2020
• Finca Rodma, Gran Rodma, Ribera del Duero 2022
• Lustau, VORS 30 Years Old, Moscatel, Sherry NV
• Lustau, VORS 30 Years Old, Palo Cortado En Rama, Sherry NV
• Lustau, Vors 30 Years Old, Pedro Ximenez, Sherry NV
• Marqués De Cáceres, Gaudium, Reserva, Rioja 2021
• Mas Doix, Doix Costers de Vinyes Velles, Priorat 2023
• Monteabellón, Finca Matambres, Ribera del Duero 2021
• Montepedroso, Enoteca Verdejo, Rueda 2023
• Pago Finca Élez, Las Teselas De Élez,Castilla-La Mancha 2023
• Tobelos, Tahon, Reserva, Rioja 2019
• Valduero, 6 Años Reserva Premium, Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2019
• Viña Salceda, Entresierras, Rioja 2023
• Viña Salceda, Picopalomares, Rioja 2023
• Virtus, Albillo Mayor, Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2020

Switzerland

• Histoire D'enfer, Réserve Vieilles Vignes Petite Arvine, Sierre, Valais 2023
• St. Jodern Kellerei, Visperterminen Heida, Wallis, Valais 2024

United Kingdom

• Tidebrook, Staddle Stone Chardonnay, Sussex, England 2023
• Winding Wood, Rosé Brut, Berkshire, England 2022

United States

• Alexana, Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon 2023
• AvinoDos, Blanc De Blanc Extra Brut, Los Carneros, California 2022
• Brashley, Hacienda Sequoia Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California 2023
• Clos du Val, Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Yountville, California 2024
• Echolands, Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State 2023

Uruguay

• Bodega Garzón, Petit Clos Tannat, Maldonado 2023

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The charming semi-sparkling wine of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco is considered the ideal wine to pair with local Emilia cuisine, from cured meats like Salame and Prosciutto di Parma to pastas like tortellini and local cheeses.

Often frizzante, or lightly sparkling, classic Lambrusco wines are dry or slightly off-dry with floral aromas, bright red fruit characters and refreshing acidity. The wines are light in tannins and have moderate alcohol.

Typically produced using the Charmat (tank) method, a small proportion is also made by the Traditional or Ancestrale methods. The best examples reflect the different varieties and distinct characteristics of the three main Lambrusco grapes including Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Grasparossa.

Scroll down to discover six Lambrusco wines to try from DWWA 2026

A local favourite, the classic Lambrusco wine style, bottled with mushroom corks as opposed to the sweet, mass-produced Lambrusco wines bottled with screw-cap, is deservedly finding its way into international markets.

And catching the attention of the expert judges at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), six Lambrusco wines received Silver and Bronze medals (from 89 to 95 points), worth trying.

A region and wine style well worth exploring, below discover Emilia-Romagna’s top-scoring Lambrusco wines from the 2026 competition to celebrate World Lambrusco Day.

Search all award-winning wines from Emilia-Romagna at awards.decanter.com

World Lambrusco Day: Six award-winning styles to try

Ceci, Otello Ceci 1813 Nero di Lambrusco, Lambrusco dell'Emilia NV

Gold, 95 points
Bustling with strawberry, brambly fruit and leafy florals that infiltrate the elegant mousse and luscious texture. A fine line of orange zest of acidity cuts through. Alcohol 11%

Le Origini, S. Onofrio Brut, Lambrusco di Sorbara 2025

Silver, 93 points
Pretty aromatics of candied redcurrant and cherry; raspberry, orange, wild blackberry and a bright acidity on the palate. Alc 11%

Gualtieri, Il Ligabue, Lambrusco Reggiano NV

Silver, 92 points
Candied cherry, strawberry jam, cranberry sauce and orange zest nose; palate of sour cherry and bright raspberry. Alc 11%

Ceci, Terre Verdiane 1813 Amabile, Lambrusco dell'Emilia NV

Silver, 90 points
Sour cherry and candied redcurrant nose; palate of dark cherry, subtle herb, sweet red fruit and a tangy acidity. Alc 8.5%

Cantina Puianello, Contrada Borgoleto Semisecco, Lambrusco Reggiano 2025

Silver, 90 points
Inviting and aromatic with dark berry fruit and lifted floral notes leading to a palate of juicy bramble and blueberry preserve. Alc 9.5%

Ventiventi, Rouge De Noirs Brut, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce 2021

Bronze, 89 points
Tart red fruit and lifted floral notes on the nose; canned cherry, red berry fruit and crisp acidity on the palate. Alc 12%

See all DWWA 2026 results

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The results of the 23rd edition of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) were announced on Wednesday 17th June and the wine world is talking.

Alongside the highly coveted 50 Best in Show wines, which represent just 0.3% of the wines tasted at the competition, the Co-Chairs have finalised the Top Value Golds List – which this year is the biggest in the competition’s history.

What is a Value wine?

DWWA is renowned for its rigorous judging process, with all wines assessed on a regional basis in carefully organised flights by country, region, colour, grape, style, vintage and price point.

The ‘Value’ title is awarded to every winning wine priced under £15 at the time of judging. In 2026, the exceptional quality of the entry pool saw a Value wine claiming 97-points and a Platinum medal – Domaine De La Clartière, Terres De Paillé, Anjou, Loire, France 2024 – an award unanimously agreed upon by the judging panel. This wine sits outside the Top 35 Value Golds list.

At the final stage of judging, the five Co-Chairs select the Top Value Golds of the competition. The list began with 20 wines in 2024 and has now grown to 35 – a reflection of the remarkable quality on show this year. To receive a Value Gold is no small achievement; to be named among the Top 35 is a genuine milestone for any producer.

DWWA Co-Chair, Beth Willard commented: ‘The Value wines are really important in the competition because they reflect the best of the wines available in major retail, supermarkets and independent retailers where most people shop. They offer great varietal or regional identity at an affordable, everyday price – we really work hard to seek these out when we are judging the flights.’

Quality and value from around the world

Spanning 15 countries, the Top 35 Value Gold wines are a testament to the competition’s global scale and the breadth of quality available at every price point.

Spain topped the charts with eight wines making the list, including traditional method sparkling wines and reds from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Joint Regional Chair for Spain, Ferran Centelles, encourages consumers to explore the category and notes ‘The Value wines really rock in Spain!’.

France followed closely with seven wines, among them Crémant d'Alsace, Chardonnay from Burgundy and rosé from Provence.

Further afield, winners hail from Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia and beyond.

DWWA has firmly established itself as the world's largest wine competition, recognising excellence in winemaking at every price point.

Discover the full list of 35 Top Value Golds below, a proof that great quality doesn't require a big budget. See all winners at awards.decanter.com

Argentina

Sophenia, Altosur Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Smoky aromas infused with black cherries and berries and a peony freshness…Plush tannins and herbal acidity fold into the stony core. Alcohol 13.5%

Australia

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

95 points, Value Gold
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. Alc 14.5%

Austria

Kummer, Zweigelt, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland 2024

95 points, Value Gold
An array of black cherry, damson and dried wildflower notes precede mouthcoating richness. There are supple, ripe tannins and peppy acidity. Long and herbaceous. Alc 12.5%

Laurenz V., Friendly Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederösterreich 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Graceful linden flower, sweet pea and chamomile tea merge with the peachy, orchard-fruit opulence of the palate alongside zesty acidity and white pepper length. Alc 13.5%

Bulgaria

Bononia Estate, Gomotartzi Dimyat-Vermentino, PGI Danube Plain, Northern Region - Danubian Plain 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Appetising raspberries, strawberries and fresh herbs bumble and babble over the softly spoken palate, with delicate tannins, cleansing acidity and a rasping bell pepper finish. Alc 13%

Croatia

Baćac, Malvazija Istarska, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Animated acacia flower, stone fruit and pinewood aromatics draw you into a chalky mineral core, with bright acidity and a citrus crunch on the finish. Alc 13%

France

Cave De Cruet, Roussette de Savoie, Savoie 2025

95 points, Value Gold
White flower, sweet clover and yellow apple aromas encased in a mineral structure with chalky textures and lemon zest acidity. Well-defined and stylish. Alc 12.%

Cellier Des Dauphins, Réserve, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Exuberant blackberry coulis and juicy raspberry aromas with a peppery, espresso note to follow. Scrumptious crunchy acidity and dense tannins embellish. Long and enduring. Alc 14.5%

Dagobert, Prestige Rosé Brut, Crémant d'Alsace, Alsace NV

95 points, Value Gold
Attractive red berry and floral notes lead the charge with a crisp, wet-stone undertow. Racy and elegant, with delicate foam and mesmerising freshness. Alc 12%

La Petite Perrière, Pinot Noir, Vin de France, Loire 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Inviting red cherry and strawberry fruit backed by chalky mineral notes on the palate. Tangerine-peel acidity refreshment gives way to a long, creamy finish. Alc 12.5%

Prosper Maufoux, Chardonnay, Bourgogne, Burgundy 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Aromas of honeydew melon, guava and golden apple. On the palate, the wine has buttery textures, sustained acidity and spiced-citrus length. Alc 12.5%

Romanin, IGP Alpilles, Provence 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Subtle watermelon fragrance with a teasing lick of strawberry, raspberry and red-cherry fruit on the palate, the whole deftly offset by the wine’s silky, drinkable textures. Alc 13%

Villa D'oriola, Chardonnay, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Terroir-driven elegance, with a steely linear structure and expressive textural grip, teased open by orchard fruits and finished with saline succulence. Alc 12.5%

Hungary

Kővilla, Syrah, Villány, Dél-Pannónia 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Spicy blackcurrant, smoky blueberry and damson are lent extra complexity with violet florals and a minty zing. Fulsome and firm, concentrated and impressively long. Alc 15.5%

Italy

Citra, Niro, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Abruzzo 2022

95 points, Value Gold
Complex aromatics, ranging from damsons to toasted oak and iodine-like savoury notes. Plenty of heft and vigour here, energised by racy acidity and a ripe fruit finish. Alc 13.5%

Melini, Tesco finest*, Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany 2021

95 points, Value Gold
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. Alc 13.5 %

New Zealand

Asda, Exceptional Noble Riesling, Canterbury 2017

96 points, Value Gold
A lingering perfume of manuka honey, saffron, ginger and toffee pudding qualifies the fruit aromas, while the long palate is sustained by cleansing acidity. Alc 8.5%

North Macedionia

Marks & Spencer, Found Kratosija, Tikvesh, Povardarje 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Unparalleled fruit definition: crisp red berries infused with billowing florals, bursting with youthful tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Purity with finesse, too. Alc 13%

Portugal

Symington Family Estates, Tesco Finest*, Late Bottled Vintage, Port 2020

96 points, Value Gold
Hugely concentrated and powerful, packed with toffee richness mingled with dried prune, caramel and pecan-nut complexity. Harmonious and smoothly textured.
Alc 20%

Boas Quintas, Morgado de Buceles, Bucelas 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Astonishing drive and energy here, with lime and green-apple notes piled high and beautifully vibrant lemon-peel acidity. The beguiling freshness is still there at the finish. Alc 12.5%

Boas Quintas, Gandarada, Dão 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Striking dark plums and violet florals; undertones of mint, too. Plump and juicy with a core of luminous acidity driving the long finish. Alc 12.5%

Quinta da Raza, Rosé, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Aromas of fresh cranberry, cherry and strawberry meld with pink-grapefruit acidity and a creamy texture. Long and saline with hints of pomegranate to end. Alc 11.5%

Senhora Malandra, Encruzado, Dão 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Citrus, pear and stone-fruit nose with floral elevation and a lick of spice. The oak-infused texture adds substance while precise acidity provides plenty of cut. Textbook. Alc 13%

Symington Family Estates, Tesco Finest*, 10 Year Old Tawny, Port NV

95 points, Value Gold
Hugely concentrated and powerful, packed with toffee richness mingled with dried prune, caramel and pecan-nut complexity. Harmonious and smoothly textured.
Alc 20%

Romania

Concept, Baricată Fetească Neagră Editie Limitata, Cotnari, Moldova 2022
95 points, Value Gold
Sizzling with blue and red fruit pungency and backed by green-tea umami. Structured and polished with classy oak giving breadth and depth. Alc 12%

South Africa

Spier, Villa Blue Albariño, Stellenbosch 2025

95 points, Value Gold
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%

Spain

Bodegas Alceño, Genio Español Roble Monastrell, Jumilla 2024

95 points, Value Gold
Teeming with plum-and-bramble fruit and Mediterranean herbs on the nose, while there’s cocoa warmth on the palate. Crunchy and firm with herbal notes returning on the finish. Alc 14%

Bodegas Señorio De Valdesneros, Cornitero Tempranillo, Arlanza 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Compelling black cherry, sweet spice and coffee tones with a twist of black pepper. Robust and complex red wine supported by rounded tannins and inky-fresh acidity. Alc 14%

Burgo Viejo, Rioja 2025

Ample red cherry and blackberry fruit dappled with flecks of lavender and violet on a background of vanilla oak to soften. Juicy, mouth-watering and long. Alc 13.5%

Celler Masroig, Solà Fred, Montsant 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Snappy blueberry, plum and black cherry fruit with underlying violet florals and garrigue herbs. Soft and fleshy with melting tannins and quiet but supportive acidity. Alc 16.7%

Jaume Serra, Brut Nature, Guarda, Cava 2022

95 points, Value Gold
Evocative dried petal, resin and nut aromas gently soothe the nose; bright. green apple fruit and lemon foam textures lavish the palate. Long, herbal finish. Alc 11.5%

Pata Negra, Tempranillo Roble, Ribera del Duero 2023

95 points, Value Gold
A weave of clove, mocha, cedar wood, dark chocolate and plum bring complexity to this generously structured Ribera, with polished tannins and bright, energising acidity. Alc 13.5%

Sofía Cañizares, Girò, Alicante 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Perfect summer wine! Cranberries, raspberries, red cherries and redcurrants jostle on the nose and palate, framed by light tannins and sweet, blood-orange acidity. Tantalisingly light. Alc 13%

Tierra De Cubas, Celsum Garnacha, Cariñena 2023

95 points, Value Gold
An intense and brightly defined style with ample, bold blue fruit notes and attractive oaky depths. Fine-grained tannins and zippy acidity propel the moreish length. Alc 14%

United States

Angels & Cowboys, Sonoma County, California 2025

95 points, Top Value Gold
Ample sweet melon, peach and cherry blossom verve on the palate. The texture is plump and juicy and there’s a cut-stone freshness to the finish. Alc 12.5%

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The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 Top 50 Best in Show wines have been revealed, following yesterday’s publication of the full competition results.

The selection has been drawn from an initial pool of nearly 17,000 wines, with just 50 ultimately awarded the title Best in Show – the competition’s highest honour and among the most sought-after accolades in the wine world.

Representing only 0.3% of all wines tasted, these exceptional bottles have progressed through a demanding multi-stage judging process to emerge as the definitive standouts of the year. They are wines of remarkable quality, authenticity and character – and, once announced, are often snapped up by collectors, the trade and enthusiasts alike.

Wines that define global winemaking at its highest level

The Top 50 Best in Show selection spans 16 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

Together, they form a compelling portrait of contemporary global wine, ranging from Champagne, Franciacorta and English sparkling wine to Provence rosé, benchmark whites and reds from world-renowned regions like Burgundy, Napa Valley and Barolo to intriguing discoveries from areas such as Switzerland’s Valais, Croatia’s Hvar and Western Australia’s Frankland River.

Sweet and fortified wines also feature strongly, with standout examples including Tokaji Aszú, 98-point Sherry and Greek Vinsanto, a 1957 vintage Port and 30 Year Old Madeira.

Scroll down to see the Top 50 Best in Show wines of Decanter World Wine Awards 2026

How nearly 17,000 entries are narrowed to an exceptional 50

Receiving Best in Show requires success through DWWA’s exacting three-stage judging process.

The first stage sees all wines assessed blind during judging week in London by 245 leading international wine experts, including 63 Masters of Wine and 24 Master Sommeliers. Panels of three to four specialists taste wines organised by country, region, colour, vintage, grape variety and price point, with every Gold medal subsequently re-tasted and approved by at least one Co-Chair.

Only those Gold medals progress to the second phase: Platinum judging.

'During Platinum judging, the wines are all of an extraordinary quality because the regional panels have already done so much work and picked up the best of each category,' explains Co-Chair Beth Willard. 'Here what we’re doing is trying to pick up the best of the best. It’s really exciting because you have wines with amazing regional and varietal definition.'

'It also allows us to tighten up the judging,' adds Michael Hill Smith AM MW. 'There are some wines which are downgraded from Gold. In a way, it’s why the competition works, because it tightens up the results and gives the results more credibility.'

The final stage is reserved for the competition’s Co-Chairs – Andrew Jefford, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Ronan Sayburn MS, Beth Willard and Resident Co-Chair Caro Maurer MW – who blind taste every Platinum medal winner once again. Through debate, consensus and careful deliberation, only 50 wines are elevated to Best in Show.

For producers, reaching this stage represents the pinnacle of international recognition and an extraordinary achievement in one of the world’s most competitive wine arenas.

Results remain strictly confidential until publication, making the unveiling of the Best in Show list one of the defining moments of the competition each year.

The commercial impact can be transformative.

'Winning had a huge impact on direct sales and press coverage – we have never sold so much wine as we did the day results were announced' said DWWA 2025 Best in Show winner Sugrue South Downs. 'Winning DWWA Best in Show is a stamp of approval that has cemented the perception of quality among our already established customers and has introduced new markets to our brand'

Standout wines and stories to seek out

While every Best in Show wine is exceptional, this year’s selection offers plenty of notable firsts, fascinating regional breakthroughs and styles that deserve particular attention.

Austria returns to the Best in Show ranks for the first time since 2023 with two outstanding white wines from Wachau and Kamptal, showcasing Grüner Veltliner and Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc).

'Austria, especially the whites, impressed across the board with a lovely purity and focus; from indigenous to international varieties. Organic and sustainability might be the buzz words right now but no one executed it quite as beautifully, in particular at this price point,' said Regional Chair for Austria and Switzerland, Stefan Neumann MS.

Neighbouring Switzerland celebrates a milestone with its first-ever Best in Show red wine – a blend of Cornalin, Humagne Rouge and Syrah that the judges describe as another compelling statement from Europe’s “secret” fine wine nation.

France dominates the Top 50 with 16 Best in Show wines, while Burgundy stands out as the competition’s most successful individual region, securing five top medals across Chablis Grand Cru, Corton Grand Cru, Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru and Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru. Elsewhere, expect everything from alluring 2012 Blanc de Blancs Champagnes to authentic, traditional and complex 2025 Maury Sec, a first for the Languedoc-Roussillon appellation.

Australia’s winners demonstrate the country’s remarkable diversity, ranging from mature Hunter Valley Semillon and a first Eden Valley Riesling to Tasmanian Pinot Noir, Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and a standout Shiraz from the increasingly celebrated Frankland River.

Sweet wines once again prove unforgettable. Among the competition’s two highest-scoring 98-point wines is a 2005 Vinsanto Late Release from Santorini, Greece, prompting judges to describe it simply as 'shockingly good'. Hungary, meanwhile, claimed a Best in Show first with a 6 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszú displaying dramatic complexity through oxidative ageing.

Fortified wines also stand out, with Portugal’s three Best in Show medals all awarded to Port and Madeira, while Spain’s contingent includes three outstanding Sherries spanning Fino and Amontillado styles.

Croatia received its second-ever appearance in the category thanks to a compelling Plavac Mali from the island of Hvar, while standout classic expressions from South Africa (Chenin Blanc), Argentina (Malbec) and Chile (Carmenère) underline the depth of quality that challenged the Co-Chairs’ final selections.

Italy’s breadth is equally impressive, with several category firsts represented: Piedmont’s inaugural Best in Show Barbera, Franciacorta’s first top accolade, plus debut appearances for Sicily's Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Tuscany's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Alongside them sit commanding examples of Barolo and Carmignano Rosso Riserva that exemplify the country’s extraordinary range.

Wines worth seeking out

Behind every Best in Show medal lies multiple rounds of blind tasting, debate and consensus among some of the world’s foremost wine experts. The result is a collection that captures the very best of contemporary winemaking across regions, styles and price points.

Explore the full Top 50 below and click through each wine for detailed tasting notes, producer information and stockists supplied by entrants.

Whether you’re looking for a future cellar addition, an unexpected regional discovery or simply one of the finest bottles recognised anywhere in the world this year, these are the wines to seek out now.

DWWA Best in Show: The Top 50 wines of 2026

Argentina

• Rutini, Single Vineyard Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2023 – 97 points

Australia

• Brokenwood, ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales 2019 – 97 points
• Dalrymple Vineyards, Single Site Pinot Noir​, Pipers River, Tasmania 2024 – 97 points
• Deep Woods, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2023 – 97 points
• Ferngrove, The Orchid Collection Dragon Shiraz, Frankland River, Western Australia 2023 – 97 points
• Pewsey Vale, Estate Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia 2025 – 97 points

Austria

• Birgit Eichinger, Ried Lamm 1ötw Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederösterreich 2024 – 97 points
• Domäne Roland Chan, Wösendorf Alte Reben Smaragd Weissburgunder, Wachau, Niederösterreich 2023 – 97 points

Chile

• San Pedro, 1865 Selected Vineyards Las Lagunas Carmenère, Colchagua 2023 – 97 points

Croatia

• Marijan, Plaža Plavac, Hvar, Coastal, Croatia, 2021 – 97 points

France

• Albert Bichot, Hospices De Beaune Cuvée Docteur Peste, Corton Grand Cru, Burgundy 2024 – 97 points
• Bergerie Du Capucin, Dame Jeanne, Pic Saint Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2023 – 97 points
• Bong Ving, Putaing Cong Grenache-Carignan-Syrah, Maury Sec, Languedoc-Roussillon 2025 – 97 points
• Charles Collin, Cuvée Charles Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2012 – 97 points
• Château De L'Aumérade, Marie-Christine, Côtes de Provence Cru Classé, Provence 2025 – 97 points
• Château de Marsannay, En Orveaux, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, Burgundy 2023 – 97 points
• Château D'Epiré, Clos De Rochepin, Savennières-Roche aux Moines, Loire 2022 – 97 points
• Château L'Enclos, Pomerol, Bordeaux 2023 – 97 points
• Château Vitallis, Pouilly, Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru, Burgundy 2024 – 97 points
• De Saint-Gall, Orpale Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru, Champagne 2012 – 97 points
• Delas Frères, Seigneur De Maugiron, Côte Rotie, Rhône 2023 – 97 points
• Delas Frères, Les Bessards, Hermitage, Rhône 2023 – 97 points
• Domaine Evenstad, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Burgundy 2023 – 97 points
• Domaine Pinson Frères, Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2024 – 97 points
• Georges Duboeuf, Château Des Capitans, Juliénas, Beaujolais 2023 – 97 points
• Jean-Paul Balland, Grande Cuvée, Sancerre, Loire 2023 – 97 points

Greece

• Estate Argyros, Vinsanto Late Release, Santorini, Aegean Islands 2005 – 98 points
• Santo Wines, Kontarades, Santorini, Aegean Islands 2024 – 97 points

Hungary

• Oremus, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2016 – 97 points

Italy

• Capezzana, Trefiano, Carmignano Rosso Riserva, Tuscany 2021 – 97 points
• Coppo, Pomorosso, Nizza, Piedmont 2022 – 97 points
• Freccianera, Satèn Brut, Franciacorta, Lombardy 2022 – 97 points
• G.D. Vajra, Luigi Baudana Baudana, Barolo, Piedmont 2022 – 97 points
• Icario, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany 2021 – 97 points
• Nicosia, Hýbla Biologico, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily 2023 – 97 points

New Zealand

• Rapaura Springs, Rohe Sauvignon Blanc, Blind River, Marlborough 2025 – 97 points
• Villa Maria, Ngakirikiri, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay 2021 – 97 points

Portugal

• Cockburn's, Quinta Dos Canais, Single Quinta Vintage, Port 2018 – 97 points
• Henriques & Henriques, Boal, 30 Year Old, Madeira NV – 97 points
• Kopke, Colheita, Port 1957 – 97 points

South Africa

• Stellenbosch Reserve, Hangbrug Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2025 – 97 points

Spain

• Bodegas Tradicion, VORS 30 Years, Amontillado, Sherry NV – 98 points
• Condado De Haza, Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2021 – 97 points
• Lustau, Almacenista Antonio Caballero y Sobrinos, Amontillado, Sherry NV – 97 points
• Pazo Señorans, Selección De Añada Albariño, Rías Baixas 2015 – 97 points
• Valdespino, Inocente, Fino, Sherry NV – 97 points

Switzerland

• Domaines Rouvinez, Coeur De Domaines, Valais 2023 – 97 points

United Kingdom

• Balfour, Blanc De Blancs (magnum), Kent, England, United Kingdom 2018 – 97 points

United States

• Clos du Val, Yettalil, Stags Leap District, California 2023 – 97 points
• Domaine Serene, Aspect, Dundee Hills, Oregon 2023 – 97 points

Related Articles

The results of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 have been published today (17 June), revealing a global wine landscape that is more diverse, competitive and exciting than ever before.

As the world's largest wine competition, DWWA offers a unique snapshot of global wine quality. This year, almost 17,000 wines from 58 countries were blind tasted by 245 leading wine experts, including 63 Masters of Wine and 24 Master Sommeliers, travelling from 35 nations to judge.

Its significance, however, extends well beyond scale. Every medal-winning wine has passed through a rigorous multi-stage judging process, with top-scoring wines repeatedly re-tasted and debated by specialist panels before receiving Gold, Platinum or Best in Show recognition.

'The judging process at DWWA is one of the most demanding I've come across,' said DWWA Co-Chair Beth Willard. 'With each wine having to go through several rounds of judging to get to a Gold, Platinum or Best in Show award, it really means that the top-scoring wines are worth seeking out.'

The result is one of the wine world's most trusted guides for both consumers and trade professionals.

'With so many choices available, consumers often look for reassurance when selecting a bottle, and the DWWA medals help simplify the decision,' said DWWA Co-Chair Ronan Sayburn MS. 'The wines are judged blind by leading international experts, ensuring that quality in the glass is always the focus.'

Quick links to Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results

• Search all Best in Show medals
• Search all Platinum medals
• Search all Gold medals
• Search all Silver medals
• Search all Bronze medals

Global wine quality has reached a new high

The headline story of DWWA 2026 is simple: global wine quality continues to rise.

This year's results mark the strongest overall quality performance in the competition's 23-year history, with the proportion of wines awarded Platinum, Gold and Silver medals reaching record levels.

The judges are not awarding more medals because judging standards have changed. Rather, advances in viticulture, winemaking, vineyard management and technical knowledge have raised quality levels across both established and emerging wine regions.

'The nearly 17,000 wines tasted at DWWA 2026 have once again demonstrated that top-quality wine now comes from all corners of the globe,' said Resident Co-Chair Caro Maurer MW. 'Whilst the styles may differ and different terroirs may have left their mark, the standard overall was very high. The wines that were awarded medals truly deserved them.'

Five key trends from DWWA 2026

Beyond the medal counts, DWWA 2026 reveals several clear shifts shaping today's global wine landscape, from regional identity to consumer value.

1. Great wine now comes from more places than ever

One of the strongest messages from DWWA 2026 is the continued expansion of fine wine geography, with medals awarded to wines from 56 countries.

Traditional benchmarks remain important, but outstanding wines are emerging from regions that would once have sat outside the classic fine wine conversation.

Examples include Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha receiving its first-ever Platinum medals and Valdejalón’s first Gold, Savoie, France's first-ever Platinum, Pico in the Azores, Portugal securing its first Gold and Texas in the US making its debut on the Gold list with four medals while Virginia's also showed its strongest performance.

Together, these milestones show how the map of fine wine continues to expand beyond its traditional heartlands.

2. Indigenous varieties are driving some of the most exciting wines in the world

DWWA 2026 was rich in wines produced from local and historic grape varieties, many of which delivered some of the competition's most exciting results.

Plavac Mali from Croatia was awarded a Best in Show, Callet from Mallorca won Gold, Altesse from Savoie a Platinum, Robola from Greece secured a landmark Gold, Kisi from Georgia returned to the Platinum category as did Petite Arvine from Switzerland, Prieto Picudo (Castilla y León) and Albillo Mayor (Ribera del Duero) appeared among Spain's top-scoring wines and Kerner received a first-ever Platinum for the variety in Alto-Adige, Italy.

For wine lovers seeking discovery beyond the international mainstream, the message is encouraging: local varieties are not only surviving, they are thriving.

3. Value has never looked stronger

Another major theme of the 2026 results is the strength of value-focused wines.

Alongside the expansion of the Top Value Gold list, one Value Platinum was awarded to Domaine De La Clartière, Terres De Paillé, Anjou, Loire, France 2024 – an award which the judges unanimously agreed upon due to unprecedented quality, irrespective of the price under £15 a bottle.

Strong value performances came from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Australia, with several supermarket collaborations also appearing among Gold medal winners. Highlights include:

• Asda, Exceptional Noble Riesling, Canterbury, New Zealand 2017
• Boas Quintas, Gandarada, Dão, Portugal 2024
• Cellier Des Dauphins, Réserve, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône, France 2025
• Melini, Tesco finest*, Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2021
• Sophenia, Altosur Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2025
• Spier, Villa Blue Albariño, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2025
• Wirra Wirra, Church Block Grenache-Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2024

As competition intensifies globally, the relationship between quality and price is becoming increasingly favourable for wine drinkers.

4. Sparkling wine's continued evolution

Champagne remains a benchmark, but DWWA 2026 showed how far sparkling wine excellence now extends beyond the region.

Italy’s Franciacorta earned its first-ever Best in Show for Freccianera, Satèn Brut 2022, English sparkling wine secured another Best in Show in magnum format (last year marking a landmark win) while the county of Berkshire received a historic Platinum. Tasmania, Australia collected multiple sparkling Platinums, Brazil won a first-ever Gold for sparkling Moscato, Canada received a Platinum for sparkling Icewine, a third of Slovenia's Golds went to sparkling expressions and Cava delivered a strong set of Gold medals.

The category is becoming increasingly international, with high-quality sparkling wine now emerging from a wider range of regions, climates and production traditions.

5. Orange wines are making their way into the mainstream

Alternative wine styles are now firmly established within the medal-winning landscape.

Argentina received its first-ever Gold medal for an orange wine, Georgia delivered a strong performance in orange wines with two Golds and 15 Silvers, Italy added another Gold-winning orange wine, France's orange category continued to grow and Oxfordshire in England appeared among the medal winners with an orange wine.

The results indicate that styles once considered niche are being recognised for quality, consistency and craftsmanship at an international level.

What this means for wine drinkers

Taken together, these trends point to a wine world that is broader, more diverse and more accessible than ever before.

Traditional fine wine regions remain crucial benchmarks, but DWWA 2026 shows that outstanding bottles are emerging from new places, new varieties and new styles.

For consumers, that means more opportunities to discover exceptional wines across a wider range of regions, grapes and price points than at any previous point in the competition's history.

What follows is a closer look at some of the countries, regions and producers that defined DWWA 2026.

DWWA 2026 regional highlights

France: Benchmark quality and value

France once again led the competition for top-tier results with 254 medals, including 16 Best in Show, 42 Platinum and 196 Golds.

Burgundy delivered one of the defining performances of DWWA 2026, receiving five Best in Show medals – more than any other wine region in the competition. The results represent Burgundy's strongest-ever Best in Show performance, alongside a record 23 Gold medals, reaffirming its position as one of the world's benchmark fine wine regions.

Languedoc-Roussillon also enjoyed a landmark year, achieving its strongest-ever Best in Show performance with two red blends, including a first for Maury Sec. The region added three Platinum and 31 Gold medals – more than double last year’s results and a regional best – highlighting the remarkable breadth of quality emerging from southern France.

Ever a top performer, Champagne was awarded two spots in the Top 50, both Blanc de Blancs from the 2012 vintage, and in the Platinum category, nine wines are worth a look for a variety of styles, price points and formats, including a magnum for Saint Réol, Brut Grand Cru Ambonnay 2008 and supermarket find for Marks & Spencer, Delacourt Blanc de Blancs Brut 2017.

Elsewhere, Savoie celebrated a historic first Platinum medal for Domaine Carrel & Senger’s non-vintage L'eternel De Marestel Essentia 194, Roussette de Savoie Cru Marestel, while Corsica returned to the Platinum category after last year’s first appearance. In the Rhône Valley, producer Delas Frères received both of the region's Best in Show medals for its Cote Rotie and Hermitage reds, underlining the continued strength of France's classic appellations alongside rising regional stars.

Spain: A breakthrough year

Spain delivered one of the most impressive performances of DWWA 2026, collecting 160 top medals — a 52% increase on last year's total and enough to overtake Italy among Europe's traditional wine powerhouses.

The breakthrough year was led by an extraordinary performance from Jerez, responsible for three of Spain's five Best in Show wines and one of only two 98-point wines awarded in the competition. The accolade went to Bodegas Tradición, VORS 30 Years, Amontillado, Sherry NV, highlighting the extraordinary quality and longevity of Spain's fortified wines.

Ribera del Duero continued its ascent with one Best in Show and five Platinum medals, including an aged white wine made from Albillo Mayor. Rioja reinforced its reputation for consistency with eight Platinum and 24 Gold medals, while Castilla-La Mancha entered the Platinum category for the first time with two wines receiving 97 points for Dehesa Del Carrizal, Petit Verdot 2023 and Pago Finca Élez, Las Teselas De Élez 2023.

Several smaller regions also recorded significant milestones. Valdejalón secured its first-ever Gold medal, Mallorca impressed with Gold-winning wines from the indigenous Callet grape and alongside a Platinum, Castilla y León showcased the potential of Prieto Picudo with two Gold medal winners.

Italy: Diversity rewarded

Italy's results once again demonstrated why it remains one of the world's most diverse wine-producing nations. The country was awarded 144 top medals, comprising six Best in Show, 29 Platinum and 109 Golds, 17 of these Value wines.

Among the most significant achievements was Piedmont's first-ever Best in Show for a Barbera from Nizza to Coppo, Pomorosso 2022, a milestone that reflects the growing recognition of styles beyond the region's Nebbiolo stronghold. Tuscany received two Best in Show and six Platinum medals for traditional styles, while Sicily continued its rise with the first-ever Best in Show for a Cerasuolo di Vittoria – only the second Sicilian red wine to receive the accolade.

Lombardy also celebrated a breakthrough year as Franciacorta earned its first Best in Show medal, bringing the region back into the competition's Top 50 list for the first time in eight years.

The standout regional story came from Trentino-Alto Adige, which received nine Platinum medals – more than any other Italian region. Four were awarded to renowned cooperative Cantina Terlano, while the small, alpine sub-region Valle Isarco secured a first-ever Platinum for Cantina Valle Isarco, Aristos Kerner 2024. The results underline the region's growing reputation as one of Europe's leading sources of distinctive, high-quality mountain wines.

Elsewhere, Molise achieved its first Platinum medal, and by style, Liguria and Abruzzo also joined the category with firsts for a Ligurian rosé and Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore. Many more producers across Veneto, Campania, Emilia-Romagna and Puglia demonstrated the remarkable stylistic diversity that continues to define modern Italian wine.

Portugal and England continue to rise

Portugal continued to strengthen its reputation as one of the world's most exciting wine-producing nations, combining regional identity, indigenous varieties and exceptional value.

Alongside strong performances from established regions including Douro, Dão, Bairrada and Alentejo, Transmontano in the far northeast and Pico, an island in the Azores, secured first-ever Gold medals. With three Best in Show, six Platinum and 57 Gold medals, the country also features prominently among the Top Value Gold selection, reinforcing its reputation for delivering outstanding quality-to-price ratios.

‘What stood out most this year was the growing precision and restraint across many Portuguese regions. There seems to be an increasing confidence in freshness, texture and site expression rather than extraction or weight’ commented Beatriz Machado, Regional Chair for Portugal.

‘There is an authenticity and diversity in the country’s wines that remains difficult to replicate elsewhere, especially when combined with the quality currently being achieved.’

England maintained its remarkable upward trajectory, adding another Best in Show for a sparkling magnum, after last year's landmark win, to Balfour, Blanc De Blancs, Kent 2018 alongside more large format Golds from Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

The nation also celebrated several firsts. Berkshire secured its first Platinum medal for Winding Wood, Rosé Brut 2022, while Sussex, recognised for top-quality sparkling, joined the Platinum category with a still wine for the first time to Tidebrook, Staddle Stone Chardonnay 2023.

Revealing the current state of wine quality in England and Wales, Regional Chair Simon Field MW noted, ‘It’s extremely exciting as it is on the up; the sparklers are every bit as good as most Champagnes and the still wines, once an after-thought, are genuinely interesting and thoughtfully made.'

More Europe highlights: Germany, Croatia, Greece and Georgia

Some of the most compelling stories of DWWA 2026 came from countries whose winemaking traditions stretch back centuries.

Germany enjoyed one of its strongest DWWA performances in recent years, almost doubling its tally of top medals from seven in 2025 to 13 in 2026, comprising one Platinum and 12 Golds. The Platinum award went to Pfalz for Kranz, Ilbesheim Kalmit Weisser Burgunder, Grosses Gewächs 2024, highlighting the growing international recognition of Germany's top Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) wines.

The results also showcased impressive regional diversity. Wines from Ahr, Mosel and Württemberg returned to the Gold list after at least half a decade, and notably, a third of Germany's Gold medals were awarded to red wines, underlining the increasing strength and breadth of the country's premium wine production beyond its traditional white wine reputation.

Austria is of note too, with two outstanding white wines to seek out of its Best in Show wins alongside quadrupling its Platinum count, which includes a sweet red wine from Zweigelt. In the Gold category, look out for these two exemplary Top Value wines: Kummer, Zweigelt, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland 2024 and Laurenz V., Friendly Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederösterreich 2024.

Croatia achieved one of the competition's standout moments, receiving its first Best in Show medal in a decade, alongside five Platinum and 34 Golds, up from one Platinum and 14 Golds last year. The results highlight a growing recognition of the country's indigenous grape varieties from Plavac Mali and Malvazija Istarska to Pošip, Traminac and Teran.

Greece continued its impressive recent momentum, with sweet wines having a moment in the spotlight, including the nation’s sole Platinum from Macedonia and one of its two Best in Show accolades to Estate Argyros, Vinsanto Late Release, Santorini, Aegean Islands 2005 – also one of the competition’s two 98-point wines. Robola from Kefalonia secured a landmark Gold medal alongside strong performances from the country's expanding range of indigenous varieties. Santo Wines, the largest cooperative on Santorini island, is a producer of particular note, winning a Best in Show and three Gold medals.

Georgia, widely regarded as the birthplace of wine, reinforced its reputation for authenticity and originality. Kisi returned to the Platinum category after a six year hiatus and a red wine produced from the indigenous and historic variety Alexsandrouli made a first appearance on the list, while Georgian orange wines delivered one of the strongest performances of any country in the style.

Together, the findings show the growing global appeal of wines rooted in local traditions, distinctive grape varieties and strong regional identities.

New World momentum

New World producers once again demonstrated both quality and innovation across a broad range of styles.

Australia delivered one of the competition's strongest performances, collecting five Best in Show, 19 Platinum and 61 Gold medals. The Best in Show winners alone showcased the country's remarkable breadth with New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia all represented.

Western Australia’s Frankland River achieved a landmark breakthrough with a first-ever Best in Show to Ferngrove, The Orchid Collection Dragon Shiraz 2023, while Orange in New South Wales entered the Platinum ranks with Printhie's Swift Blanc de Blancs Brut 2011. Victoria's Mornington Peninsula also celebrated a debut Platinum for Southern Light Vineyards' Ghostgum Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024.

Established names continued to reinforce Australia's reputation for consistency. Tasmania's House of Arras and Victoria's Morris once again featured among the top winners, the latter extending a run of Platinum medals dating back to 2020.

New Zealand recorded one of the year's most notable improvements, doubling its Best in Show medals and increasing its Platinum tally from one to eight. Canterbury entered the Platinum category for the first time with Greystone's Vineyard Ferment Syrah 2023 and Erin's Chardonnay 2023, and Waitaki Valley too for Clos Ostler's EOS Pinot Noir 2022.

Recognising and embracing its greatest strengths, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah feature proudly.

South Africa built on its strong 2025 performance, adding 27 more top-tier medals across Gold, Platinum and Best in Show categories. Stellenbosch and Swartland remained key drivers of success, but the results also reflected the country's growing diversity, with varieties ranging from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to Albariño, Riesling and Petit Verdot attracting top scores.

Taken together, the results underline the growing depth of quality across the Southern Hemisphere, where regional identity, innovation and consistency are increasingly combining to challenge traditional benchmarks.

The Americas broaden the conversation

As entries continue to grow from the United States, DWWA results are increasingly reflecting the country's diversity of styles and regions.

California and Oregon delivered at the highest level, with serial winners Clos du Val (Napa Valley) and Domaine Serene (Willamette Valley) securing Best in Show medals. Beyond these established benchmarks, the Platinum and Gold results reveal growing strength across a much broader wine landscape.

Among the standout performers, California earned a second-ever Platinum for sparkling wine for Avinodos' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2022 from Los Carneros, while Washington State's Echolands repeated its 2025 Platinum success for the same wine, but new vintage, for its Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2023 from Walla Walla Valley.

The most significant story, however, came from emerging US regions. Texas secured its first-ever Gold medals – four in total – spanning varieties including Sousão, Tannat and Tempranillo, while Virginia collected five Golds, with Cabernet Franc proving particularly successful. In Pennsylvania, Benigna’s Creek’s Chambourcin 2024 secured Gold for the third year running.

Canada reinforced its reputation for world-class sweet wines with two Platinum medals to Vidal-based Icewines from Ontario's Niagara Peninsula. Chardonnay features prominently in the Gold selection, while five of the nation’s 13 Golds exemplify growing diversity of reds with Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir included.

Elsewhere, Argentina combined premium and value success while securing the country's first-ever Gold medal for an orange wine.

Chile impressed with premium reds, including two of its four Platinum-winning wines from Baron Philippe de Rothschild, while Brazil recorded its strongest-ever performance in the Gold and Silver categories, including a historic first Gold medal for Vale do São Patrício.

Paz Levinson, Regional Chair for Argentina & Rest of South America (excluding Chile) noted, 'It was great to see many more wines from Brazil coming to compete. The quality was very good with a diversity of grapes and styles. For Argentina the wines showed beautifully! The quality of entry level Uco Valley Malbec impressed me so much! The purity of fruit, the concentration and the quality was great.'

Emerging wine regions to watch

Perhaps the clearest sign of DWWA 2026's increasingly global outlook came from a series of breakthrough performances beyond the traditional centres of fine wine.

China continued its rise through a landmark Platinum medal from Yunnan and first-ever Gold to wine from Inner Mongolia. Japan also received a first Gold for the region Hiroshima, Chugoku.

Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary and Romania all recorded noteworthy successes that reflect the growing depth of quality across Central and Eastern Europe.

In Serbia, three Platinums came through – an achievement last seen in 2020. Bosnia and Herzegovina had its best-ever Gold performance and Hungary received a Platinum for the first time to a red wine produced from Cabernet Franc, alongside a Gold-awarded sparkling magnum to Kreinbacher, Prestige Brut Magnum 2019.

Elsewhere, Czech Republic and Uruguay each received a Platinum, an accolade last awarded to the nations in 2020. Slovenia also joined the category with two wines – one to a 1993 sweet Welschriesling and the other a first-ever win for red Istrski Refošk (Refosco). Mexico won a first Gold for Baja California.

A more diverse wine world than ever before

The results of DWWA 2026 confirm a trend that has been building for many years: great wine is no longer defined solely by reputation, geography or tradition.

The world's classic regions continue to set global benchmarks, but they now share the stage with an increasingly diverse cast of producers from emerging regions, lesser-known appellations and indigenous grape varieties.

Summarising the year's judging, Regional Chair Wojciech Bońkowski MW put it simply: 'Best edition ever.'

For consumers, the implications are profound. Never before has there been such breadth of quality available across so many styles, varieties, regions and price points.

As DWWA completes its 23rd year, the 2026 results reveal a wine world that is broader, more competitive and more exciting than at any point in the competition's history. From benchmark regions to emerging territories, from iconic grape varieties to indigenous local favourites, excellence is no longer concentrated in a handful of places.

For wine lovers, that means one thing – there has never been a better time to explore.

Search all Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results

With special thanks to DWWA official sponsor Riedel for supplying glassware for the 2026 competition.

Related articles

DWWA quiz: 10 questions to test your knowledge

Move over Fifa World Cup, the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 is here to bring you a glittering array of superb wines from across the globe to seek out.

To mark the release of full DWWA 2026 results on 17 June, we've compiled a short multiple-choice quiz on the world's biggest wine competition.

From its rigorous judging process underpinned by leading experts to medal tiers, 'firsts' and sustainability, the 10-question quiz below offers a window into the DWWA universe, which welcomed nearly 17,000 entries for its 2026 edition.

Take our DWWA quiz

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

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Against the backdrop of New York City’s iconic skyline, more than 600 fine wine enthusiasts joined 52 renowned producers at Decanter’s flagship Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) making this the most successful edition of the event to date.

Held on the 60th floor of Manhatta in Manhattan’s Financial District, the event brought together wine lovers and industry leaders for a rare opportunity to taste some of the world’s most iconic wines.

Set against a breathtaking setting, this year’s DWWA Winners’ Bar showcased 28 top-scoring wines, highlighting the very pinnacle of global winemaking.

The selection featured wines awarded 95 points and above, including Gold, Platinum and Best in Show winners from the 2025 competition. The line-up showcased the breadth of today’s fine wine landscape, from established classics in Italy, France and Spain to outstanding examples of their style from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and beyond.

Four out of the 50 Best in Show winners from Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 were featured at the Winners’ Bar and were amongst the guests' favourites. The line-up included the 97-point Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV, Clos du Val, Cabernet Franc, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2022 and Italians Diego Morra, Del Comune di Verduno, Barolo 2021 and Donnafugata, Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria 2023.

More highlights included five Platinum medal winners, each scoring 97 points from Spain, France and South Africa and US presenting.

The event also included a fantastic lunch option with a pairing sponsored by Eola Amity Hills and Château Sideraut, an excellent opportunity for the guests to continue to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that embedded the event.

The Encounter also featured three sold-out masterclasses led by Salon & Delamotte Champagne, leading Super Tuscan producers and Napa Valley pioneer Heitz Cellar, offering guests a deeper insight into some of the wine world’s most celebrated names.

The celebrations continued into the evening with an intimate VIP reception for producers and invited guests that enjoyed Champagne from Laurent-Perrier alongside canapés, charcuterie, artisan cheeses and dark chocolate truffles, providing a fitting finale to the day.

See below for the full list of DWWA 2025 top-scoring wines sampled at the DWWA Winner’s bar on the day:

Sparkling 

• Terre del Cima, Extra Dry, Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto, Italy 2023
  Gold, 95 points
• No.1 Family Estate, Cuvée Methode Traditionelle, Marlborough, New Zealand NV
  Gold, 95 points
• Barons De Rothschild, Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV
  Gold, 95 points

White

• Adegas Valmiñor, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain 2024
  Platinum, 97 points
• Eudald Massana Noya, Avi Ton Organic Xarel·lo, Penedès, Spain 2021
  Gold, 95 points
• Rohe, Sauvignon Blanc, Rapaura, Marlborough, New Zealand 2024
  Gold, 96 points
• Sother, Château De Malessert 1er Grand Cru Chasselas, La Côte, Vaud, Switzerland 2022
  Gold, 95 points
• Early Mountain, Petit Manseng, Virginia, United States 2022
  Gold, 95 points
• Castelfeder, Family Reserve Kreuzweg Chardonnay, Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2021
  Gold, 95 points
• Ambar Estate, Lustral Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, Oregon, United States 2022
  Gold, 95 points
• Vignaioli Contra' Soarda, Vignasilan, Breganze, Veneto, Italy 2017
  Gold, 95 points

Red

• Khachen Wines, Areni, Vayots Dzor, Armenia 2023
  Gold, 95 points
• Bodegas Y Viñedos Verum, Ilusioverum Cdvin Garnacha, Rioja, Spain 2022
  Gold, 95 points
• Bodegas y Viñedos Luis Saenz, Ana Sáenz, Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2022
  Gold, 95 points
• Alvarez-Alfaro, Selección De Familia, Rioja, Spain 2020
  Platinum, 97 points
• Domaine Sarrabelle, In Vinum, Gaillac, Southwest France, France 2019
  Platinum, 97 points
• Hasher Family, Batrachella Pinotage, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa 2022
  Platinum, 97 points
• Château Romanin, Le Coeur, Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France 2019
  Gold, 97 points
• Clos du Val, Cabernet Franc, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2022
  Best in Show, 97 points
• Echolands Winery, Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State, United States 2022
  Platinum, 97 points
• Diego Morra, Del Comune Di Verduno, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2021
  Best in Show, 97 points
• Watermill, Hallowed Stones Syrah, Oregon, United States 2021
  Gold, 95 points
• Samā Cellars, Bhūmi Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State, United States 2022
  Gold, 95 points
• Ernie Els, Proprietor's Blend, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022
  Gold, 96 points
• Avinodos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2019
  Gold, 95 points

Sweet and fortified 

• Donnafugata, Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy 2023
  Gold, 97 points
• Tenuta Roletto, Passito, Erbaluce di Caluso, Piedmont, Italy 2013
  Gold, 95 points
• Curatolo Arini 1875, 10 Years Old, Marsala Superiore Riserva, Sicily, Italy NV
  Gold, 96 points

Related articles

Verdejo has cemented its status as Spain’s most popular white wine after winning legions of admirers. Wine lovers enjoy its zesty acidity, citrus flavours and distinctive herbal notes. It makes an ideal aperitif, but Verdejo also pairs beautifully with a wide array of foods, from salad and seafood to guacamole and Asian dishes.

Most Verdejo is produced in Rueda, which is located in the heart of Spain’s Castilla y León region. In 2012, the Designation of Origin (DO) Rueda reported 11.3% annual sales growth, driven by the soaring popularity of Verdejo.

However, 85% of sales were made within Spain, while only 15% went to export markets. That inspired the DO Rueda to create World Verdejo Day in 2013.

The rise of World Verdejo Day

World Verdejo Day started out as a small celebration in a handful of US cities, but it expanded rapidly in the ensuing years. By 2018, it had become a global event, with promotional activities across the US, Mexico, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and beyond. The event takes place on the second Friday of June each year.

Exports have also increased at a brisk pace. In 2025, DO Rueda exported 17,481,944 bottles, with Verdejo accounting for 88% of sales. The UK has developed a particular fondness for Verdejo, with sales exceeding 1.3 million bottles in 2025 alone.

A millennium in the making

Verdejo has been grown in Castilla y León for more than 1,000 years. For most of that time, it was used to make oxidative, sherry-style wines. The grape was almost wiped out by the phylloxera epidemic in the early 20th century, and for decades afterwards it was used for producing simple, often forgettable whites.

Verdejo was then reborn in the 1970s, when celebrated Rioja producers identified Rueda as the ideal place to make serious white wine in Spain. The DO Rueda was established in 1980, and the grape has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Today, Rueda still accounts for the vast majority of Verdejo plantings. The grape thrives in the region’s stony soils and high-altitude vineyards, which are often 700 to 900 metres above sea level. Those altitudes produce dramatic day-night temperature swings that preserve acidity and aromatic intensity.

However, Verdejo has now started to expand out of its Spanish heartland. Pioneering producers in Argentina, Australia, the US and further afield are starting to produce high-quality Verdejo, pointing to a bright future for this popular grape. The second Friday in June is the perfect time to celebrate its rise by enjoying a glass of Verdejo with friends.

Scroll down to see award-winning Spanish Verdejo wines from DWWA 2025

DWWA 2025: Award-winning Spanish Verdejo wines

Fortified

De Alberto Gutiérrez, De Alberto Palido, Rueda NV
Gold, 95 points
A beguiling austerity of smoky saline and iodine aroma that fuses with the mouth-watering limpidity of braised celery and fennel seed that enhances the creamy texture. Alcohol 15%

Still whites

Bodegas Rodríguez Y Sanzo, Palo Norte Verdejo, Rueda 2020
Gold, 95 points
Intricately laced with dried chamomile, dried herbs and mace on the nose, with a flourish of delectable lemon peel acidity and a long nutty finish. Alc 13.5%

Cuatro Rayas, Vendimia Nocturna Verdejo, Rueda 2024
Silver, 94 points
The nose has a character of ripe peaches, lemon oil, chamomile, lemongrass and lilac flowers. Chalky on the palate. Alc 13.5%

Viñas Murillo, Chapirete Seleccion Verdejo, Rueda 2024
Silver, 94 points
Beautiful nose, displaying delicate aromas of orange blossom, lemon zest and marmalade. Tangy and bright, with a delicate saline character. Alc 13.5%

Marqués De Riscal, Finca Montico Organic Verdejo, Rueda 2023
Silver, 94 points
Lovely bright floral notes with nuances of tobacco leaf, tarragon, ripe peaches, guava and dragon fruit. Harmonious, with a long finish. Alc 12.8%

Valdecuevas, Cuvèe Verdejo, Rueda 2023
Silver, 94 points
Limey nose with floral tones of lilac, violets and honeydew melon. Rounded acidity, very refreshing, with a pithy finish. Alc 13.5%

Bodegas Campo Eliseo, Rueda 2022
Silver, 93 points
Nutty nuances with hints of vanilla, smoke and peaches. Citrusy on the palate, with a very long and fresh finish. Alc 13.5%

Javier Ruiz, Verdejo, Rueda 2024
Silver, 92 points
Subtle and perfumed, with apples, passion fruit, roses and a touch of pickles on the nose. Vibrant acidity, great mouthfeel. Alc 13.5%

Bodega Cuatro Rayas, Amador Diez Verdejo, Rueda 2020
Silver, 92 points
The nose shows aromas of mulberry, mistletoe, white fruits and dried herbs. Elegant on the palate, very well made. Alc 13.3%

Bodegas R&G, Parcela 23, Rueda 2022
Silver, 92 points
Lifted aromas of flowers, ripe fruits and some saline edge on the nose. Textural palate, with a long pithy finish. Alc 13%

Pedro Escudero, Bestia Parda, Castilla y Léon 2020
Silver, 92 points
Complex aromas of custard cream, lime, lemon and green tea leaf with some toasty and floral undertones. Succulent and creamy. Alc 13%

Finca Tresolmos, Classic Verdejo, Rueda 2024
Silver, 91 points
Restrained on the nose, showing fresh and pure aromas of lemon and fennel. Creamy texture and pleasant acidity. Really appealing. Alc 13%

Coming soon: Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results

Related articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Know your DWWA medals

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

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

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

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

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

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

Judging: From Co-Chairs to new faces in 2026

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

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

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

There were also several new Regional Chairs at DWWA 2026:

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

Sustainability in action

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related articles

US winemakers demonstrated their strength in depth at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) in 2025, with a host of top medals for delicious styles produced in a wide range of growing areas.

California led the way with 143 medals, including two coveted Best in Show accolades (below) – for Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon wines respectively.

While the Golden State’s winemakers again demonstrated their prowess – nearly 50 years after the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting – DWWA 2025 also saw strong performances across the US.

Washington state and Oregon increased their total medal hauls year-on-year, led by mouth-watering Platinum and Gold winners.

Other states continued their rise to prominence, too. Virginia followed a first-ever Gold medal at DWWA 2024 with another Gold in 2025, for a Petit Manseng white wine (see opposite).

DWWA’s rigorous judging process, underpinned by leading experts, helps ensure wine lovers can explore the dynamic US wine landscape with confidence.

Best in Show

Clos du Val, Estate Cabernet Franc, Stags Leap District, California 2022

Best in Show, 97 points
US$130 closduval.com
Here’s the second pure Cabernet Franc wine in this year’s Top 50 Best in Show. The lesson is the same from both: this variety can enchant and inspire, but only if its tendency to dryness in warmer climates is seen off, and its fruit qualities express both ample ripeness while retaining poised and perfumed flesh. This Napa example is a show-stopper: opaque black in colour, with a carnival of scent in which spice, flowers and damsons mingle with carefully schooled abandon. On the palate, the wine has splendid depth and width, just as its Cabernet Sauvignon offspring so often does in Napa; the difference is a lightness of touch here, an aerial grace, and a lithe ease of line to the tannins; the acidity remains tenderly supportive. Rarely does a wine from Stag’s Leap leap so gracefully; the result is memorably drinkable. Alcohol 15%

Kenwood, Six Ridges Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California 2021

Best in Show, 97 points
US$17-$25 Widely available
We’re thrilled to see a wine from Alexander Valley join the nine California red-wine peers that have already featured in our Best in Show selection. This distinctive zone clearly offers Cabernet of significantly different style to Napa: amply fleshed, yes, but with a savoury, mountain wildness to that flesh, and with a different acid emphasis. The blend here, with its seasoning of Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, surely also plays a role in lending this wine its intriguing complexities. It’s black-red in colour, with open, affably fruity aromas lent depth by a dry-forest warmth; on the palate the wine has both breadth and depth as well as a compelling inner sweetness. The acidity is low but soft, while plump tannins with that distinctive savoury nuance bring the wine resolution and balance. Alc 14.5%

California

Cupere, Faces, Sonoma Coast 2022

Platinum, 97 points
US$65 Grand Cru Custom Crush
Rich, ripe aromas of yellow pear and apple, charry oak. Gorgeously creamy, sleek, oozing panache and charm. Utterly delicious, with bright acidity, a finely tuned texture and a candied citrus finish that lasts and lasts. Alc 13.2%

Maple & Ash, Chardonnay, Central Valley 2023

Gold, 95 points
@mapleashwines
Full of white nectarine, apricot, yellow apple and pear fruits with flinty inflections. Ample creamy oak, counterbalancing limey acidity and a cleansing, mineral finish. Alc 13.5%

Exprimere, Mia Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills 2022

Gold, 95 points
US$74 exprimere.wine
Sparky red berry fruit with a sweet overlay of cherry vanilla aromatics. Robust and expressive, with glossy tannins and focused acidity. Finishes long and savoury. Alc 14.2%

New Clairvaux Vineyard, Petite Sirah, Tehama County 2022

Gold, 95 points
newclairvauxvineyard.com
Captivating, inky blue fruit, sweet tobacco and violet are joined on the palate by wonderful chocolate oak flavours. Structured and full, with fine-grained tannins and brisk acidity. Alc 14.1%

Washington state

Echolands, Blue Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley 2022

Platinum, 97 points
US$50-$60 Elliott Bay Distributing Co, Medium Plus
Black cherry, berry and plum with an earthy, herbaceous tone. Appetising, with lustrous tannins, juicy acidity and a smoky finish. Alc 13.8%

L’Ecole No41, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2022

Gold, 95 points
US$35-$54 Widely available
A sophisticated display of blackcurrant, cedar and graphite fragrance, with an array of sleek tannins, a silky texture and delectable spicy lift on the finish. Alc 14.5%

Samā Cellars, Bhūmi Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2022

Gold, 95 points
US$62 samacellars.com
Ample plum, blackberry and raspberry with herbaceous and violet nuances, coupled with tobacco notes, vibrant acidity and fine tannins. Textured and meaty, long and harmonious. Alc 13.6%

Spring Valley Vineyard, Uriah Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley 2022

Gold, 95 points
US$65 springvalleyvineyard.com, Total Wine & More
Plush blackberry, violet and notes of graphite and tobacco flow liberally across the nose and palate, encased in a refined tannic structure. Long and savoury. Alc 14.5%

Oregon

Domaine Serene, Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2022

Platinum, 97 points
US$60-$85 Widely available
Crunchy red cherry and raspberry fruit with generous, sweet, oaky spice that unfurls and weaves around the supple tannins and texture. Bristling acidity and a lengthy finish. Alc 13.8%

Ambar Estate, Lustral Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2022

Gold, 95 points
US$230/magnum ambarestate.com
Distinctive custard apple, ripe pear and peach fruit is joined by a dusting of creamy hazelnut oak. Smooth acidity and luxuriously lasting length. Alc 13%

Watermill, Hallowed Stones Syrah, Rocks District, Walla Walla Valley 2021

Gold, 95 points
US$50-$55 Medium Plus, watermillwinery.com
Violet florals, ripe blueberry and plum engage seamlessly with a smoked meat and black olive core. Generous and open. A peppery finish. Alc 13.9%

Virginia

Early Mountain, Petit Manseng 2022

Gold, 95 points
earlymountain.com
Richly flavoured and gastronomically textured. Honeyed ripe apple, fresh peach and perfumed herbal notes enlivened by zingy acidity and a bright mineral finish. Fabulous. Alc 13.9%

Search all DWWA 2025 winners

Standout success for China and Japan at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 showcases rich opportunities for discovery in both countries.

Two Chinese red wines from different regions won coveted Best in Show medals, marking China’s first appearance in DWWA’s Top 50 list since 2011. In a strong year for Asia, DWWA 2025 also saw eye-catching Gold medals for Chinese white wines and several top medals for Japan.

‘The 2025 results testify to significant leaps in quality in winemaking in both mainland China and Japan,’ said Dr Edward Ragg MW, judge at DWWA 2025 and Regional Chair for Asia at DWWA 2026 and co-founder of Dragon Phoenix.

‘Japan’s refinement of the Koshu variety is also compelling, with wines showing great purity of fruit, with or without lees influence.’ He noted the rise of ‘vibrant perfumed reds’, too.

DWWA’s rigorous judging process, underpinned by leading experts, offers a perfect route into these dynamic winemaking scenes.

See a selection of top DWWA 2025 medal winners below.

Best in Show

Changyu, Noble Dragon N188, Yantai, Shandong, China (mainland) 2022

Best in Show, 97 points
changyu.com.cn
This successful blend of 75% Cabernet Gernischt (Carmenère) and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is from the very particular coastal environment of the Shandong peninsula in eastern China. It confirms that China is capable of making not just fruity red wines (which many locations in the wine world do well), but structured reds in which rich tannins provide the bone structure that gives beguiling fruit flesh an inner seriousness of purpose. This is dark and searching, with plum-blackberry fruits. Depth and textural finesse on the palate are supported by tannins that play a key role in lending the fruit its dignity and gastronomic force. Alcohol 13.5%

Dongfang Yuxing, Geruihong Yeguangbei, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2022

Best in Show, 97 points
Though China is a relative newcomer to the world of wine, in many other respects its civilisation pre-dates that of Mediterranean Europe – and the Chinese made mixed alcoholic beverages even earlier than the Georgians made wine. This Ningxia wine is a cunning blend that few in Europe would have thought of: Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% of freshening Dornfelder and 6% of Cabernet Gernischt (Carmenère). It works well. Fresh and alluring scents of blackcurrant and wild plum, then a seductive plunge of fruit and spice, settling on something more akin to dark chocolate but – and this is key – with the authority and detaining discipline only carefully extracted tannins can bring. It’s a revelation. Alc 15.6%

China (mainland)

Ningxia

Li’s Estate, Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East 2022

Platinum, 97 points
wineningxia.com
Aromas of blackberry compote and prunes, with touches of cedar, black pepper spice and herbs. Enveloping tannins and a lick of warming tar to finish. Alc 15.5%

Domaine Pu Shang, Marselan, Helan Mountain East 2022

Gold, 96 points
Waves of damson and blueberry fruit, earthy balsamic tones and an intoxicating violet fragrance. Bold and structured, with broad tannins and herbaceous acidity. Alc 15.5%

MountainWave Vinery, Mountain Wave Malbec, Helan Mountain East 2021

Gold, 96 points
Hugely concentrated damson florals, black cherry and plum with a bewitching clove and vanilla aspect. Stylish and plush, with silky tannins and a lofty, lingering acidity. Superb. Alc 14%

Dongfang Yuxing, Geruihong Marselan, Helan Mountain East 2024

Value Gold, 95 points
Deep and inky, cassis and peppery spice flowing from nose onto the palate. Juicy structure and silky tannins. A wine that shows both ageing potential and youthful appeal. Alc 13.2%

Pernod Ricard Ningxia, Helan Mountain Xiao Feng Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East 2020

Gold, 95 points
helanmountain.com
Morello cherry, blackcurrant and plum, framed by tightly packed tannins, elevating acidity and violet, enhanced by spicy toast characters from the oak. Alc 14.8%

Shandong

Mystic Island, Yihu Qiushan Reserve Chardonnay, Penglai 2022

Gold, 96 points
mysticwinery.hk
Floral charm of jasmine, white blossom and honeysuckle aromas leads into a mouthwatering lemony freshness, flowing with a wonderful smoky mineral quality. Alc 13%

Longting, Sea Breeze Reserve Chardonnay, Penglai 2020

Gold, 95 points
longtingvineyard.com
Beguiling white blossom, melon and peach perfumes brought together by invigorating citrus peel acidity and a mineral undertow, with an intriguing bitter almond twist at the end. Alc 12.5%

Japan

Chubu

Chateraise Belle Foret, Katsunuma Koshu, Yamanashi 2023

Gold, 95 points
koshuvalley.com
Layers of white peach, pear, cherry blossom and lemon zest with a stony mineral infusion. Crunchy and crisp with a playful minty green tea finish. Alc 12%

Shirayuri Winery, L’Orient Vigne de Nakagawa Koshu, Yamanashi 2024

Gold, 95 points
koshuvalley.com
Rose petal and lily scents, green apple and lime bring a sense of brightness and vitality. Lifted texture and a vibrant bite of acidity. Fresh and sustained. Alc 12%

Hokkaido

Grande Polaire, Zweigeltrebe, Yoichi 2022

Platinum, 97 points
sapporobeer.jp
Cherry, plum, prune and violet with a vibrant, minty undercurrent. Plush, velvety texture. Intense and engaging, with spicy interludes. Nicely rounded through to the finish. Alc 12.5%

Niki Hills, Chardonnay, Niki 2023

Gold, 96 points
Sublime yellow plum, pineapple and fresh flower aromas shot through with a subtle vein of vanilla oak. A crushed rock mineral character on the palate and a zesty finish. Alc 13%

Kyushu

Tsuno Wine, Makiuchi Private Reserve Koshu, Miyazaki 2024

Gold, 95 points
Pink-tinged and impeccably flavoured with rose petal florals, peach and pear fruits, and a sumptuous bite of almond nuttiness. Glowing with crisp apple acidity. Vivacious and pure. Alc 11%

DWWA 2026 results announced 17 June 2026.

Discover more at awards.decanter.com

Related articles

Chardonnay is firmly established as the world’s most popular white wine, but it faced an existential crisis in the 2000s.

First, wine lovers started to revolt against the heavily oaked, buttery, high-alcohol Chardonnay that was coming out of Australia and California. The ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) backlash gathered pace, and many drinkers switched to Italian Pinot Grigio or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Then came the 2008 financial crisis, which ravaged the global economy. Wine consumption fell sharply, leaving Chardonnay producers facing an uncertain future.

That’s when Rick Bakas, a social media pioneer within the wine trade, created International Chardonnay Day. The idea was to boost sales and to push back against the ABC trend.

Why is International Chardonnay Day in May?

Bakas chose to host the annual celebration on the Thursday before Memorial Day, which is the unofficial start of the American summer. It’s a public holiday in the US, so International Chardonnay Day coincides with a long weekend, which often features outdoor parties.

The event proved remarkably successful. It paved the way for #CabernetDay later that year, and the format has been widely copied ever since.

Scroll down to discover 15 top-scoring Chardonnays

Chardonnay's spiritual home

Chardonnay is now back in fashion, and it’s easily the world’s bestselling white wine. A new generation of producers in Australia, California and South Africa has embraced restraint, creating leaner wines that display greater elegance and balance.

Yet Burgundy remains Chardonnay’s spiritual home. The grape takes its name from a tiny village in the Mâconnais region of southern Burgundy, where it originated.

Burgundy produces everything from the lean, steely whites of Chablis to the rich wines of the Côte de Beaune, including Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. These are widely regarded as the world’s finest white wines, but some New World producers give their Burgundian counterparts a run for their money.

Chardonnay is also one of the three grapes permitted in Champagne, along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It’s the only grape used in Blanc de Blancs Champagne, producing some of the most elegant sparkling wines in the world.

Whether you prefer a bold, oaky white from California, a crisp glass of Chablis or a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, International Chardonnay Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate this iconic grape.

Must-try Chardonnays: 15 top international picks from DWWA 2025

Argentina

Bemberg Estate Wines, El Tomillo Estate La Linterna, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Exhibiting striking Gualtallary character with luminous pear, apple and lime fruit which cascades bounteously over a flinty, wet stone mineral core. Alert and intense with a fine bead of succulent acidity and a very long, stylish finish. Alcohol 13.5%

Australia

Wirra Wirra, The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2024
Best in Show, 97 points
Adelaide Hills Chardonnay has made five appearances in our Best in Show selection, one more than Western Australia’s Margaret River has notched up; these are clearly landmark regions not just in national but also global terms for Chardonnay-lovers. The struck-match note so prized in Australia is apparent here – but subtly so; look out for a sweetly leafy charm, too, and a soft creaminess from finely judged barrel-fermentation. It hasn’t had long in bottle yet, so its aromatic harmony and seamlessness was another factor in seducing our panels. You could call it mouthfilling in terms of texture and flavour expression but relatively delicate and light on its feet, by contrast, in terms of weight and alcohol charge. These vineyards are indeed ‘up in the Hills’, remember, where ripeness is neither assured nor rapid. The wine’s grain and finesse reflect a full season on the vine – and its producer’s careful harvesting and handling techniques. Alc 12.5%

Brokenwood, Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay, Beechworth, Victoria 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Extraordinary layers of salted lime curd, peanut brittle and green apples brim under the nose and weave into the fresh, buttery texture. Pristine and focused with rippling herbs and flinty notes that glide towards the finish line. Alc 12.5%

Deep Woods Estate, Reserve Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2023
Platinum, 97 points
The epitome of style and finesse, tremoring with white blossom, lemon sherbet, red apple and gently toasted oak and chiselled by a flinty mineral backbone and zesty seam of bright acidity. Very long and precise. Alc 13%

France

Jean-Marc Brocard, Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Our third outing for a Chablis Grand Cru in our Best in Show selection, but it’s the first for a vintage in the 2020s, and the first for a Bougros, too (our previous picks have come from Valmur and Les Clos). The Co-Chairs remarked on the relative generosity of style of this 2023 example, but that’s almost a truism for the Grands Crus today; what marked this wine out from its peers was the fact that the beloved ‘sour’ note to the fruit (praised by Hugh Johnson fifty years ago) is still clearly apparent here, as is the textural depth and interest that marks out all the best Chablis, whether from Premier or Grand Cru sites. A classic, then – but also a welcoming Grand Cru Chablis, one with a wide smile. It has as much deliciousness as it does finesse, and this is a vintage best enjoyed before too long rather than stowed away for your children. Alc 13%

Château De La Crée, Les Gravières, Santenay 1er Cru, Burgundy 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Heavenly butterscotch on toast amplified by a swell of delectable ripe stone fruit and graceful white flowers. Generous and structured with a supple texture and nourishing acidity which flows through to the long, savoury finish. Alc 13%

Domaine Prieur-Brunet, La Maladière, Santenay 1er Cru, Burgundy 2022
Platinum, 97 points
A luxurious array of plump stone fruit, juicy pear and a scattering of salt flakes diffuses over the plush vanilla oak core and radiates through the delightful lime peel acidity. Brimming with charisma and fervour. Alc 13%

Boyer Martenot, En L'ormeau, Meursault, Burgundy 2022
Gold 96, points
Distinguished layers of cedar, hazelnut and white plum flesh lavish the palate and melt into the ethereal freshness of acidity. Savoury and moreish on the finish. Alc 13%

Domaine Du Chardonnay, Paradis, Chablis, Burgundy 2021
Gold, 96 points
Glowing with ripe lemon fruit with an underscore of briny purity which sails across the vivid vein of acidity and onto the mouth-filling, creamy yoghurt texture. Alc 12.5%

Maison Champy, Pernand Vergelesses En Caradeux, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru, Burgundy 2022
Gold, 96 points
Gorgeous melon and peach, honey and toast aromas with a decadence of crushed stones and lemon peel to enliven. Rich and generous with a crunchy green apple acidity. Alc 13.5%

Anne De Joyeuse, Very Chardonnay, IGP Haute Vallée de l'Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon 2024
Gold, 95 points
Scrumptious notes of peach, pear and candied lemon bond with the vanilla pastry creaminess that unfolds over the palate. Long and splendid with a verbena finish. Alc 13%

Italy

Cantina Kurtatsch, Freienfeld Chardonnay, Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Spectacular nutmeg, vanilla and Crème Brûlée characters pervaded with flashes of zesty citrus peel and fresh cut grass. Honeyed and rich on the palate with an intense mineral backbone and lithe acidity. Oozing poise and charisma. Alc 14%

South Africa

De Grendel, Op Die Berg Chardonnay Ceres Plateau 2024
Gold, 96 points
Vibrant crushed rocks, flint and chalk pierce through fresh citrus, apple and apricot flavours, with a nervy acidity and appetising texture to lift the finish. Alc 13.5%

Thamnus Wines, Chardonnay, Overberg 2022
Gold, 96 points
A banquet of sumptuous fruit: mangoes, melons, peaches, nectarines and citrus ripple over the mouth-wateringly juicy texture, invigorated by a flinty, mineral grip. Seamless and effortless. Alc 13.5%

United States

Cupere, Faces, Sonoma Coast, California 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Stand-out charry oak, rich ripe yellow pear and apple fruit bedeck this gorgeously creamy, sleek Chardonnay which oozes panache and charm. Utterly delicious with its youthful bright acidity, finely-tuned texture and candied citrus finish which lasts and lasts. Alc 13.2%

Search all DWWA 2025 results

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During the first two weeks of May, London was host to some of the world's most insightful wine conversations and evaluative tastings.

The 23rd edition of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) has drawn to a close, and with 245 judges from 36 nations evaluating nearly 17,000 wines, the 2026 edition of DWWA is marked by exceptional quality of entries.

During the first week of judging (4–8 May), all wine entries were organised into flights by country, region, colour, grape variety, style, vintage and price point, and evaluated by over 240 judges coming from around the world.

The regional panels awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, with high Silvers (94 points) and Golds (95-96 points) retasted and signed off by the Co-Chairs. This rigorous judging process ensures every wine is assessed against its peers, by experts with deep knowledge and understanding of the region.

Alongside judging, highlights from the first week also included the annual judges' party hosted at Vagabond Urban Winery, as well as an exclusive masterclass in partnership with Coravin preservation and by-the-glass system, led by Coravin's inventor and founder, Greg Lambrecht.

The first week ended with over 1,200 Golds, which were brought to the table again to be re-examined for Platinum and later on for Best in Show.

During Platinum judging (11-13 May), wines can also be downgraded from Gold if they don't reach the Gold quality level. The judging concludes with a final stage (14-15 May) whereby the Co-Chairs re-taste all Platinum medals to determine the 50 Best in Show wines of the competition, as well as the 30 Top Value Golds.

To celebrate two successful weeks of judging and ahead of the 2026 results announcement on 17 June, scroll down to relive the energy from DWWA's 23rd edition.

Subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to receive first access to results news, regional highlights and expert analysis.

One of the five judging rooms. Across the first week of judging 231 panels evaluated nearly 17,000 wines.

New Regional Chair for the Loire, Matt Wilkin MS discussing with Victoria Daskal and Daniele Arcangeli.

Nearly 17,000 entries were checked, categorised and bagged ready for tasting.

The panels discuss each wine before a medal is awarded. Rhône panel from left to right: Matt Walls (Regional Chair), Bertrand Lutaud MS and Alexandre Freguin.

Co-Chair Ronan Sayburn MS gives a welcome speech on the first day of judging.

DWWA Co-Chair Andrew Jefford re-tasting and discussing a wine with joint Regional Chair for Spain Almudena Alberca MW.

Judges Eugene Mlynczyk MW (left) and Yannick Benjamin (right) tasting on the US panel.

Wines are judged on a regional basis in carefully organised flights by country, region, colour, grape, style, vintage and price point.

Caro Maurer MW is the Resident Co-Chair for 2026, bringing dynamic perspectives into the leadership team.

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

Co-Chairs Beth Willard and Andrew Jefford.

Decanter hosted an exclusive masterclass for judges during judging week, covering Coravin's three preservation and wine by-the-glass systems, led by charismatic inventor and founder, Greg Lambrecht.

This year sees the largest-ever cohort of women judges at the competition: 106 out of the 245 judges.

Co-Chair Michael Hill Smith AM MW evaluating a wine at the Portugal panel.

Over 1,200 Gold medals were awarded during the first week of judging and re-tasted at Platinum week.

This year, over 80 'runners' worked at the competition, contributing to its smooth running.

Some of the DWWA team, who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth execution of the competition.

Regional Chairs Justin Knock MW and Amanda Barnes MW during Platinum week at the Decanter's offices.

Over 240 trade professionals gathered at Vagabond Urban Winery for the annual DWWA Judges' Party.

We provide high-quality glassware through our official sponsor Riedel, ensuring the best possible tasting experience for our judges.

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) first week of judging has been officially concluded, with 245 experts coming from all over the globe assessing over 16,700 wines from 57 different countries.

Celebrating in style the party was held at Vagabond Urban Winery in London, where top-winning wines from DWWA 2025 were poured via enomatic machines for guests to enjoy.

Opening the soirée, managing director of Events & Decanter, Jonny Sullens, reflected on the event's sustainability focus, including the recycling of leftover wines through a specialised glass-crushing machine and the introduction of reusable blind tasting bottle bags.

A special gathering full of excitement with a perfect atmosphere for new connections and delightful conversations. Including some delicious canapés, paired with a curated selection of Vagabond still wines, oysters and fresh cheeses from Curd & Cure.

Champagne Bollinger brought sparkle to the celebration, joined by an array of cocktails such as Wilfred’s non-alcoholic Spritz mixed with Double Dutch tonic and soda, as well as refreshing Renais Gin & Tonics.

Find out the results from the world largest and most influential judging competition this 17 of June on Decanter.com

Sign up to the DWWA newsletter to receive results news, regional highlights and expert analysis.

Scroll down to see the highlights of the night.

Judges arriving to Vagabond Urban Winery in London.

From left to right: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW, DWWA Co-Chairs Michael Hill Smith AM MW and Beth Willard enjoying a glass of fizz kindly provided by Champagne Bollinger.

Guests enjoyed delicious Wilfred’s non-alcoholic Spritz & Double Dutch Tonic.

Champagne Bollinger kindly sponsored the sparkling wine served throughout the event.

DWWA judges raising a glass (L-R): Will Hill, Sietze Wijma, Chris Martin MW and Eugene Mlynczyk MW.

Judges enjoyed a carefully curated selection of DWWA 2025 top winners sampled from the enomatic machines from Vagabond Urban Winery.

Jonny Sullens, managing director for Events & Decanter, delivered the opening speech to guests.

Glasses of Champagne Bollinger held high as guests prepared for the opening speech.

Guests enjoyed Gin & Tonics carefully prepared with Renais Gin mixed with Double Dutch Tonic.

From left to right: Decanter's Regional Editor Julie Shepard, DWWA judge Malu Lambert and Regional Chair for Southern Italy, Jason Millar.

A celebratory toast: Spanish DWWA judge Teresa Cedenilla and fellow judges enjoying a glass of Champagne Bollinger.

Savouring the sparkle: Ronan Sayburn MS enjoying a glass with DWWA official sponsor Riedel.

In festive spirit (L-R): DWWA judges Susan R. Lin MW and Lisa Granik MW and Decanter's Regional Editor Sylvia Wu.

DWWA judge Eddie McDougall (left) and Resident Co-Chair Caro Maurer MW (right), having a good time.

The party offered a great chance for DWWA judges and guests to reconnect and network with the world's leading wine professionals.

Nearly 17,000 wines from 57 countries were assessed during the first week of judging at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026. This week, the competition enters its final stages, as every Gold medal-winning wine is reassessed by a selection of DWWA’s senior judging panels to determine Platinum and Best in Show.

While the first stage of DWWA is defined by scale, Platinum week is defined by calibration. Wines awarded Gold medals during regional judging return to the tasting table for blind assessment by cross-regional panels made up of Co-Chairs and Regional Chairs.

Some wines will be elevated to Platinum. Others may be downgraded following further scrutiny and discussion – a process that judges say is central to the competition’s credibility and consistency.

How Platinum week works

The Platinum judging process forms a key part of DWWA’s multi-stage assessments, designed to ensure consistency and rigour throughout the competition.

After initial regional blind tastings determine Bronze, Silver and Gold medal winners (or no award), all Gold medals are retasted during Platinum week by mixed panels of lead judges drawn from different regions and specialisms. The aim is not simply to reward power or style, but to identify wines showing the strongest sense of balance, typicity, precision and overall quality within a global context.

Ronan Sayburn MS said: ‘There’s still a process of sorting, there’s still a process of looking for the very very best, and that is elevating from Gold to Platinum. Some wines we feel don’t actually reach Gold, so maybe move down a little – but we’re doing up to Platinum and then to Best in Show.’

From there, Platinum medal winners progress to Best in Show deliberations, where DWWA’s Co-Chairs select the top 50 wines of the competition through repeated blind tastings and collective discussion.

The judging methodology remains central to DWWA’s global reputation, combining blind tasting, regional expertise and collaborative panel debate to evaluate wines across style, origin and price point.

Cross-regional scrutiny

This year’s Platinum and Best in Show judging brings together an internationally recognised group of tasters, including Co-Chairs Andrew Jefford, Beth Willard, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Ronan Sayburn MS and Caro Maurer MW, who joined DWWA this year as Resident Co-Chair.

They are joined by Regional Chairs including Amanda Barnes MW, James Tidwell MS, Andy Howard MW, Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, Matthew Stubbs MW, Justin Knock MW, Dr Caroline Gilby MW, Stefan Neumann MS, Michaela Morris, Paz Levinson and Dominique Vrigneau.

For Beth Willard, the structure of Platinum week is what makes it particularly compelling.

Emerging trends and standout flights

One of the defining features of Platinum week is the opportunity for judges to taste across regions and categories, offering insight into both global benchmarks and emerging stylistic trends.

James Tidwell MS noted the breadth of wines already performing strongly during this year’s judging. ‘We have such a broad overview of the entire competition, and we get to see, really, what happened in the entire competition.’

Early highlights have included Chardonnay flights spanning both Old and New World regions, with Amanda Barnes MW pointing to standout wines from Japan, Serbia and England alongside more established growing areas.

‘It is really nice to see diverse regions producing beautiful quality Chardonnays as well,’ she said.

Paz Levinson also highlighted strong performances from Alto Adige whites, Bordeaux Left Bank wines and Rioja, noting both quality and value across several categories.

‘We had easily three Platinum and Best in Show [candidates] in this category,’ she said of Rioja. ‘The quality was there.’

For Dr Caroline Gilby MW, Platinum week offers judges the opportunity to focus exclusively on wines already identified as exceptional. ‘We’re tasting what should all be good, and just making sure that we pick the highlights that really shine,’ she said. ‘They’re genuinely exciting wines.’

Narrowing the field

Following Platinum judging, the competition’s Co-Chairs undertake the final Best in Show deliberations – a process that narrows around roughly 200 Platinum medal winners down to just 50 wines.

The final selection remains one of the most debated and rigorous stages of DWWA, requiring consensus across styles, regions and price points, and often involving repeated tastings before the Best in Show wines are confirmed.

This is also when the Co-Chairs re-taste all Value Golds to confirm a top selection, last year encompassing 30 Top Value Golds, all under £15 a bottle.

For Caro Maurer MW, the week captures both the challenge and enjoyment of judging at the highest level. ‘With the best tasters on the table, such a unanimous decision – I really enjoy it.’

Results on the horizon

DWWA 2026 results, including Platinum and Best in Show winners, will be announced on 17 June on Decanter.com.

Readers can subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to receive the results, regional highlights and expert analysis as soon as they are published.

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Moscato emerged as the drink of choice for hip-hop royalty in the 2000s. Lil’ Kim got the ball rolling when she mentioned the semi-sparkling wine in her 2006 hit Lighters Up, and Drake was soon waxing lyrical about pairing Moscato with lobster.

Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar captured the zeitgeist when they collaborated on Moscato in 2011. Lamar, who went on to win a Pulitzer Prize, delivers this immortal line on the track: 'When things get hard to swallow, we need a bottle of Moscato, puts me in the mood for your lovin’ – ya love it.'

Sales exceeded $300 million in the US that year, while sales in Canada doubled.

Californian winery Gallo Family Vineyards decided to capitalise on the trend, so it created Moscato Day in 2012. The company chose 9 May as a fixed annual date, giving fans – including hip-hop superstars – a chance to savour a glass of Moscato each year.

An ancient grape with modern appeal

The Muscat family of grapes has thrived in the Mediterranean for thousands of years.

Its roots may stretch back to Ancient Greece, where it was likely known as Anathelicon Moschaton. Historians have speculated that the Ancient Romans, Persians and Egyptians all enjoyed wines made from Muscat too.

The family contains more than 200 varieties, but the most prized for winemaking is Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains – the grape behind Italy’s beloved Moscato d’Asti. The grape found its spiritual home in Piedmont, in north-west Italy.

That region is renowned for making world-class red wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, but it also created Moscato d’Asti. This gently sparkling wine offers a delicate sweetness and low levels of alcohol (typically around 5% to 6% abv). That makes it a perfect wine for newcomers, but it’s also a popular palate cleanser for experienced drinkers.

Scroll down to discover 10 awarded wines from DWWA 2025

Yet Moscato’s reputation as a simple sweet wine doesn’t tell the full story.

Producers in California make sweet, approachable wines, but the Muscat family yields a remarkable range of styles: bone-dry, aromatic whites in Alsace, fortified wines in southern France and Australia, vibrant Asti Spumante and much more.

There are even red and rosé Moscatos for anyone seeking something a little different.

Whatever your preference, in the immortal words of Drake, 9 May is the time for 'a celebration, clap, clap, bravo, lobster and shrimp and a glass of Moscato.'

Award-winning wines from DWWA 2025

Australia

Gralyn Estate, Museum Rare Muscat, Margaret River, Western Australia NV
Platinum, 97 points
Intoxicating molasses, sticky date pudding, treacle, coffee and chocolate flavour smoulders and slides over the unctuous palate, punctuated by a soothing orange peel acidity to freshen and a grilled nut, leathery note to juxtapose. Amazing. Alcohol 18.5%

Croatia

Benvenuti, San Salvatore Muškat, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2021
Platinum, 97 points
A thrilling array of apricot, orange marmalade, mango and chestnut honey fragrance seeps into the harmonious palate, resplendent in its sweet, yet delicate concentration. Utterly absorbing with a beguiling freshness from the vibrant acidity. Wonderfully persistent. Alc 12.5%

Greece

Uwc Samos, Nectar, Samos, Aegean Islands 2018
Platinum, 97 points
An embarrassment of riches: dried raisins, figs, apricots and marzipan float over the unctuously rich palate, resplendent in its viscous glory. The heady power is tapered by an oozing preserved lemon acidity. Long and finessed. Alc 14.%

Samos Wines, Anthemis, Samos, Aegean Islands 2019
Silver, 94 points
Stylish with complex aromas of cocoa, liquorice, muscovado sugar in sweet spices background alongside shitake mushroom, fig and dates; long-lasting Alc 15%

Italy

Siddùra, Nùali Moscato, Moscato di Sardegna, Sardinia 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Flamboyant and exotic aromas of dried tropical fruits, vanilla, honeyed peaches and roasted almonds. So wonderfully fragrant and enjoyable with a cheeky prickle of effervescence and zippy acidity in the mouth. Lively, expressive and long. Alc 13%

Ca' De Lion, Moscato, Canelli, Piedmont 2024
Silver, 93 points
Pretty nose of fresh citrus, brioche and rose petal; white stone fruit, mandarin and melon on the palate. Alc 6%

Dogliotti 1870, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont 2024
Silver, 92 points
Inviting, with a nose of fresh chamomile, peeled tangerine and floral notes; palate of stone fruit and sherbet. Alc 5.5%

South Africa

Groot Constantia Estate, Grand Constance, Constantia, Cape Town 2020
Platinum, 97 points
Multitudinous layers of apricot, orange marmalade, elderflower and tulip fragrance pursue the radiant honeyed sweetness with a smooth, emulsifying texture and a quenching watermelon acidity that tingles and energises. Statuesque with glorious tea leaf finish. Alc 12%

Alvi's Drift, Nectarinia Muscat Blanc À Petits Grains, Worcester 2017
Gold 95, Points
Grandiose and genteel with copious sultana, date, syrupy mandarin and orange flower water perfume permeating the luscious viscosity, with a honeyed hazelnut warmth to end. Alc 15.5%

Spain

Jorge Ordóñez, Nº2 Victoria, Sierras de Málaga 2024
Gold 95, Points
Festooned with orange blossom and orange peel perfume that unfurls over the succulent honeycomb palate. A tapering freshness from the grapey acidity glides towards the end. Alc 11%

See all DWWA 2025 award-winning wines

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This year, a new trade format arrived in London with Wines Experience, an innovative structure promoting commercial conversations for Italian food and wine.

As part of the programme Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) hosted a masterclass on 26 April showcasing the potential of Northern Italy’s white wines, marking a significant milestone at the 2025 competition.

Led by DWWA Senior judge and award-winning sommelier Vincenzo Arnese, the full-capacity masterclass featured six wines scoring 95+ points.

From steep slopes, to lake and coastal influences, and mineral soils, the selection of white wines showcased the diversity of Northern Italy through a vast range of terroirs, grape varieties and styles.

A focus on terroir, tradition and innovation

Beginning with an overview of Decanter World Wine Awards’ rigorous judging process, the 2025 edition marked the competition’s 22nd year, more than 17,000 wines from 57 countries were assessed by 248 experts, including 71 Masters of Wine and 23 Master Sommeliers.

Arnese highlighted that Italy has long been celebrated for its outstanding red wines, while a new narrative is emerging for its white grape varieties, defined by freshness, architectural structure and remarkable ageing potential. These are wines redefining the global perception of Italian wines.

Scroll down to discover the six masterclass wines with tasting notes

Italy ranks among the top three most-awarded countries by medal count. During the masterclass, Arnese presented figures underscoring the rising performance of Italian whites: in 2025, Italy secured 65 Gold medals, of which 39 were awarded to white wines and 25 to reds. Notably, whites accounted for 60% of Northern Italy’s Gold medals, highlighting a decisive shift in the country’s qualitative landscape.

The tasting opened with a 97-point Platinum medal winner from Collio, Muzic Valeris Friulano, Friuli Venezia Giulia 2023 – a benchmark expression of indigenous varietal character. It was noted that Platinum and Best in Show represent the elite tier of the competition: all entries scoring 97 points and above are re-tasted a minimum of four times; Best in Show stands as the ultimate accolade, awarded to just 50 wines.

The tasting continued with three 95-point Gold medallists, each having successfully passed a rigorous second judging stage: Podere Selva Capuzza Menasasso Lugana Riserva 2020 from Lombardy, Zýmē di Celestino Gaspari From Black to White 2022 from Veneto and Cantine Volpi Derthona La Zerba Timorasso Colli Tortonesi 2023 from Piedmont.

The masterclass concluded with two leading 96-point Gold expressions from Valle d'Aosta and Alto Adige, underscoring the exceptional quality emerging from Italy’s alpine viticultural landscapes with:

• Les Crêtes, Cuvée Bois Chardonnay, Valle d'Aosta 2022
• Cantina Terlano, Rarity, Alto Adige Terlano 2012

DWWA 2026 judging commences this week, with results set to be announced on 17 June. Another compelling year awaits, and anticipation is already building for the wines that will define this year’s winners.

See below to discover the line-up of 95-97-point wines which were presented on the day (in tasting order).

The six masterclass wines

Muzic, Valeris Friulano, Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2023

Platinum, 97 points
100% Tocai Friulano

Outstanding splendour, evoking fennel and tarragon herbs, jasmine florals and ripe red apple fruit, all of which carry through to the refined palate. Salivating and vibrant with a velvety texture, finely-beaded acidity and visceral gravelly length. Alcohol 13.5%

Podere Selva Capuzza, Menasasso, Lugana Riserva, Lombardy, Italy 2020

Gold, 95 points
100% Turbiana

Dashing golden fruits, sweet vanilla and fresh thyme on the nose with an exquisite mineral purity coming to the fore and an unfurling creaminess to conclude. Alc 13.5%

Zýmē di Celestino Gaspari, From Black to White, Veneto 2022

Gold, 95 points
60% Rondinella Bianca, 15% Goldtraminer, 15% Kerner, 10% Incrocio Manzoni

A lovely original style with alluring ripe apple and pear aromas and contrasting stony mineral undertones. Zesty and vibrant with a long pink grapefruit finish. Alc 13%

Cantine Volpi, Derthona La Zerba Timorasso, Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont 2023

Gold, 95 points
100% Timorasso

Intense buttered toast and juicy, salted lime notes over an overt acid backbone which sears over the mouth-wateringly viscous palate. Full of life and promise. Alc 14%

Les Crêtes, Cuvée Bois Chardonnay, Valle d'Aosta 2022

Gold, 96 points
100% Chardonnay

Keen floral, tropical fruit and buttered toast aromas soak into the voluptuous palate and lap cheerfully against the juicy texture and lingering salted citrus finish. Alc 14.5%

Cantina Terlano, Rarity, Alto Adige Terlano 2012

Gold, 96 points
100% Pinot Blanc

Astonishingly youthful for its age; flourishing with lemon curd, turmeric and ginger spice and acacia honey nuance; resplendent in its plush, poised charm. True perfection. Alc 14%

Search all DWWA 2025 winners

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London becomes the focal point of the global wine trade this week as judging begins for the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026, marked by a series of notable shifts in both leadership and approach.

From the appointment of a new Resident Co-Chair to the competition’s largest-ever cohort of women judges and expanded sustainability initiatives, this year’s judging reflects how the wider wine world continues to evolve.

Against this backdrop, more than 16,700 wines from 57 countries are now under review, assessed by 246 judges drawn from 36 nations. As ever, the scale is significant – but in 2026, it is the combination of expertise, diversity and innovation that defines the competition as much as its size.

Judging takes place over two weeks: the first week (4–8 May) focuses on Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, followed by Platinum and Best in Show deliberations from 11–15 May.

As always, wines are assessed blind, with regional panels led by some of the most respected palates in the business.

New leadership and global expertise

A key development for 2026 is the appointment of Caro Maurer MW as DWWA’s new Resident Co-Chair, joining an experienced leadership team and bringing further international perspective to the competition.

Her arrival coincides with a number of new Regional Chair appointments, including Dr Edward Ragg MW (Asia), Beatriz Machado (Portugal), Matthew Wilkin MS (Loire), Jason Millar (Southern Italy), Alessandra Piubello (Veneto), Regine Lee MW (Germany, acting), and James Davis MW (South & Eastern Mediterranean, acting).

In addition, a distinguished new selection of Regional Chairs will join in Platinum judging week, including Amanda Barnes MW, Michaela Morris, Paz Levinson and Dominique Vrigneau – reinforcing the competition’s commitment to regional expertise at the highest level.

Meet the new judges for 2026

The 2026 competition welcomes 36 new judges from across the global wine community, spanning key markets and a wide range of professional expertise:

• Alisha Blackwell-Calvert (United States)
• Andrew Johnson (United Kingdom)
• Anna Lee Iijima (United States)
• Anna Spooner (France)
• Arnica Rowan (Canada)
• Bertrand Lutaud MS (France)
• Brianne Cohen (United States)
• Dion Wai (United Kingdom)
• Dr Chris Howard (France)
• Christy Frank (United States)
• Clara Rubin (United Kingdom)
• Cristina Mercuri MW (Italy)
• Evan Goldstein MS (United States)
• Jadranka Klarikj Kimovska (North Macedonia)
• Jitka Auermullerova (United Kingdom)
• Jonathan Wright (United Kingdom)
• June Rodil MS (United States)
• Karoline Reinhold (Estonia)
• Lisa Granik MW (United States)
• Maria Boumpa (United Kingdom)
• Mattia Tabacco (United Kingdom)
• Melody Wong (United Kingdom)
• Philipp Reinstaller (United Kingdom)
• Raffaele Mosca (Italy)
• Rob Mack (Australia)
• Rosana Lisa (Spain)
• Sabra Lewis (United States)
• Sara Matos (Portugal)
• Sara Underdown (Australia)
• Sietze Wijma (Netherlands)
• Sophie Thorpe (United Kingdom)
• Sue Tolson (Hungary)
• Teresa Cedenilla (Spain)
• Vladimer Kublashvili (Georgia)
• Yannick Benjamin (United States)
• Yuri Shima (United States)

Their additions reflect DWWA’s ongoing commitment to combining established authority with new voices, ensuring the judging process remains both rigorous and representative of today’s global wine landscape.

Why DWWA matters

For producers, a DWWA medal remains one of the most powerful endorsements in the global wine trade, offering both commercial advantage and international visibility.

For consumers, the awards provide a reliable benchmark of quality across a vast range of styles, regions and price points.

At a time when wine drinkers are seeking authenticity, value and sustainability, the role of rigorous, expert-led competitions has arguably never been more important. DWWA’s unique judging model – combining regional specialism with collaborative panel discussion – continues to set it apart, ensuring consistency and credibility in its results.

Innovation in judging and service

This year introduces a new dimension to judging methodology through collaboration with Coravin, with founder Greg Lambrecht leading a dedicated masterclass for judges. The session explores how by-the-glass technology can support quality, consistency and premium wine service in today’s hospitality landscape.

A comparative blind tasting of Coravin-accessed wines alongside freshly opened bottles – using DWWA 2025 medal winners – will allow judges to assess performance firsthand, prompting discussion around service, ageing potential and the practical realities of modern wine programmes.

Coravin will also be incorporated into Platinum and Best in Show judging on a trial basis. The initiative is being explored with a view to reducing the number of sample bottles required at entry stage in future editions, offering potential benefits for both producers and the competition’s broader sustainability objectives.

Sustainability in focus

Sustainability remains a growing priority for DWWA, with new initiatives introduced for 2026. More than 20,000 single-use plastic bags previously used for blind tastings have been replaced with reusable cotton alternatives, while more than 1,000 cardboard boxes are reused annually, cutting waste significantly.

During judging week, leftover wine – expected to exceed 10,000 litres – is collected and processed through anaerobic digestion, converting waste into clean energy.

Additionally, approximately 16,000 corks will be gathered and repurposed for mulch production, contributing to circular economy efforts.

These measures build on recognition received in 2025, when DWWA was shortlisted for Excellence in Waste Management and The Green Transformation by Green Awards UK, underscoring the competition’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

A global community

Beyond the tasting rooms, judging week also serves as a key moment of connection for the international wine community. This year’s judges’ celebration will take place at Vagabond Urban Winery in London, marking 23 years of DWWA and honouring long-standing contributors through the Legacy Awards.

Two new recipients – Andrew Shaw and Dawn Davies MW – join a group of more than 50 judges recognised for 15 years or more of service, reflecting the continuity and institutional knowledge that underpin the competition’s authority.

When to expect the results

The DWWA 2026 results will be announced on 17 June on Decanter.com, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the year’s top-performing wines across all categories and regions.

Readers can subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to be among the first to access the results as they are published, along with expert analysis, highlights and regional breakdowns.

Looking ahead

As judging progresses this week, early indications point to a broad and increasingly diverse field, shaped not only by the range of entries but by the evolving composition of the judging panel itself.

For the trade, the results will offer a timely snapshot of quality benchmarks in a market navigating rising costs, shifting consumption patterns and a growing emphasis on sustainability.

For consumers, they remain a trusted guide to discovering wines across styles, regions and price points.

With innovations including the trial use of Coravin technology during top-tier judging – with a view to reducing sample requirements in future editions – alongside expanded environmental initiatives and new voices joining the panel, DWWA 2026 reflects a competition adapting in step with the global industry it seeks to represent.

Further updates will be published on Decanter.com as judging continues, with additional behind-the-scenes coverage shared via Decanter Awards’ social channels.

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Daniele Arcangeli is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA)

Daniele Arcangeli

Daniele Arcangeli is an award-winning Italian sommelier and wine buyer with over 20 years’ experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hospitality across Europe and the UK. He is currently the head sommelier and wine buyer at Ekstedt at The Yard in London, leading the wine programme and pairing strategy.

His career spans leading roles at top venues including The River Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay, Angler (1 Michelin Star), 67 Pall Mall, and The Fat Duck (3 Michelin Stars), alongside positions at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe. He is known for his technical expertise, refined service, and leadership in high-level beverage programmes.

Arcangeli was named Best Sommelier of Italy (2015) and Tuscany (2012), represented Italy at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition, and holds the ASI Diploma Gold, with further certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and AIS. He is currently completing the WSET Diploma and serves as a judge at major wine competitions internationally.

Follow Daniele on Instagram.

See more judges for the 2026 DWWA.

As London eases into longer days and the first real warmth of spring, Daylesford Organic Farmshop on Pimlico Road makes for a fitting backdrop to celebrate the world of wine.

Situated in the heart of Belgravia, the shop is immediately recognisable for its beautiful marble interior and abundant floral displays. Under one roof, one can explore a bakery, greengrocer, dairy, delicatessen and butcher on the ground floor, with a spacious restaurant and homeware shop above.

It was here that Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) together with Château Léoube, hosted a private press dinner ahead of judging, with the evening led by Master Sommelier and Regional Chair for Austria & Switzerland, Stefan Neumann.

Guests were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine from Léoube, the Provence winery and DWWA winner owned by Daylesford, accompanied by a hummus platter and canapés of freshly made puff pastry with confit onion and anchovy.

Léoube's winemaker, Romain Ott, who had flown in from the South of France especially for the occasion, spoke about the estate, its approach to organic viticulture and the vineyards' unique coastal position that enjoy gentle sea breezes and shelter from the inland mountains.

Neumann then addressed the guests, speaking about how the diversity and expertise of DWWA's judging panel makes it the world's most influential wine competition. Discussing the rigorous judging process, he explained how wines are carefully organised in flights and tasted multiple times before they receive a medal.

Highlighting some of 2025's most notable results, he introduced a Platinum winner from Ruggeri Estate, using it as a springboard to explain how label indications such as 'Cartizze' can help consumers navigate quality within Prosecco.

Neumann also shared some of the new initiatives shaping this year's competition, including the introduction of the Resident Co-Chair position, now held by Caro Maurer MW.

This year's judging panel is also the most gender-diverse in the competition's history, with 106 female judges among the 244 attending.

The evening rounded off with an intimate sit-down dinner, with dishes built around Daylesford's farm-fresh, seasonal produce – the farmshop has held B-Corp certification since 2023, reflecting its commitment to organic farming and sustainable practices. Each course was elevated by top DWWA 2025 winners from across the globe.

The full menu and wine pairings from the evening are below.

Ruggeri, Brut, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto, Italy 2023

Platinum, 97 points
Exuberant lemon blossom, ripe pear and apple aromas glisten over the creamy mousse which ripples elegantly through the palate. A fine tension of acidity adds to the charm and culminates in a lush tropical fruit finale. Alcohol 11.5%

Velenosi, Rêve, Offida Pecorino, Le Marche, Italy 2023

Gold, 95 points
Teeming with yellow plums, nectarines and green citrus which mingle with just a hint of vanilla. Focused and bright with crystalline acidity and refined length. Alc 13.5%

Paired with scallop ceviche, Leoube Mediterranean gin, grapefruit, spring herbs

Léoube, Secret De Léoube, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France 2024

Platinum, 97 points
Full of class and elegance: bashful peach, cranberry and wild strawberry characters gently shroud the nose and palate, embracing the lush Mediterranean core of thyme and pine. Billowing and long with a refined mineral ending. Alc 14%

Paired with stuffed saddle of Kerry hill lamb, Azur olive oil pomme puree, asparagus, wild garlic

Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi, Vin Liastos, Monemvasia-Malvasia, Peloponnese, Greece 2012

Best in Show, 97 points
Here’s both a new story and an old one. Monemvasia in the Peloponnese was the original source of what the medieval world knew as ‘Malvasias Oenos’ – the sweet Malvasia straw wine beloved and traded over 500 years by the merchants of La Serenissima, the seafaring Venetian Republic. In recent times, almost all of it has been produced on the Cycladic island of Paros – but not this wine, whose source is vineyards close to the original walled town of Monemvasia. The Monemvasia grape variety (not a member, recent DNA analysis suggests, of the large Malvasia family) is here blended with 15 per cent of Assyrtico, 15 per cent of Kydonitsa and 10 per cent of Asprouda to make this oxidative though unfortified sweet wine (187 g/l sugar). It’s a dark walnut in colour, with softly smoky-sweet scents and rich fig-and-raisin flavours: a luxurious modern taste of a medieval Mediterranean treat. Alc 13.5%

Paired with Leoube honey & ginger parfait lemon sponge, rhubarb jam

Don't miss DWWA 2026 results to discover this year's standout English wines. Subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to be the first to hear when they are announced on 17 June.

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French scientist Paul Truel created Marselan by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon with Grenache in a lab back in 1961. His goal was to create the perfect grape for the Languedoc region, marrying the structure of Cabernet with Grenache’s heat resistance.

Marselan succeeded in the Languedoc’s warm climate, but it really flourished on the other side of the world in China. It’s now one of China’s flagship varieties, and it’s also thriving in all sorts of other countries – Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, Israel, Turkey and even Serbia.

On April 27 each year, the grape’s devotees gather to celebrate World Marselan Day. There are tastings and events across China, Europe and the Americas, helping wine lovers discover this burgeoning grape variety.

Why April 27?

To celebrate this variety and Professor Truel’s greatest accomplishment in the wine world, among other creations like Caladoc – a crossing of Grenache and Malbec, and Chasan – a Chardonnay and Listan hybrid, World Marselan Day is celebrated on his birthday, 27th April.

Marselan found a natural home in the hot, dry Languedoc-Roussillon region. However, the small grapes led to low yields, so it wasn’t immediately popular with local winemakers.

The Languedoc was known as Europe’s “wine lake” during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, with overproduction issues lingering until around 2010. In an era when quantity mattered more than quality, growers weren’t interested, and Marselan languished for decades.

Everything changed when the grape arrived in China in 2001, planted at the Sino-French Demonstration Vineyard in Hebei province.

Marselan thrived in China’s diverse wine regions, from Ningxia’s arid, high-altitude desert and the vast Xinjiang region to the humid coastal vineyards of Shandong. The grape adapted to conditions that challenge many European varieties, and its naturally thick skin provided excellent disease resistance.

Scroll down to discover 10 award-winning Marselan wines from around the world

A global grape in the making

Today, China has emerged as the grape’s global champion. It grows more Marselan than any other country, with hundreds of hectares under vine. Many experts now view Marselan as the grape that could give Chinese wine a distinct identity on the world stage.

However, it’s also thriving around the world. More than 20 countries produce Marselan, and it’s also enjoying a resurgence in its homeland.

Producers in the Languedoc are increasingly focusing on quality over quantity, and many are championing Marselan. In 2021, it was also approved as a blending grape in Bordeaux, which suggests that Marselan can maintain its upward curve in the future.

Brazil

Casa Valduga, Terroir Exclusivo, Serra do Sudeste 2020
Silver, 91 points
Meaty character on the nose, with notes of juicy black fruit, cigar box and smoke. Smooth and luxurious. Elegant style. Alcohol 14%

Jolimont, Querências do Sul, Campanha 2022
Silver, 90 points
Rather sumptuous style, developing red fruit and meaty aromas with oaky nuances. Dense and solid on the palate. Smooth texture. Alc 14%

China

Domaine Pushang, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Gold, 96 points
Dive deep into the waves of damson and blueberry fruit, earthy balsamic tones and intoxicating violet fragrance; bold and structured with broad tannins and herbaceous acidity. Alc 15.5%

Dongfang Yuxing Winery, Geruihong, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Look out for a deep cassis and peppery spice inkiness, carried across the nose and on into the palate by the wine’s juicy structure and silky tannins. A wine with ageing potential as well as youthful appeal. Alc 13.2%

Éclat Winery, Yanqi, Xinjiang 2023
Silver, 94 points
Some floral nuances of roses with touches of pepper, smoke and aromas of dark and red cherries. Smooth rounded tannins. Alc 13.6%

Chateau Copower Jade, Fei Tswei Reserve, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2020
Silver, 92 points
Savoury and leathery nose with aromas of minty black cherries and plums. Well integrated tannins, elegant and stylish. Velvety mouthfeel. Alc 14.5%

Silk Road Vineyards, Bird's Nest, Yili, Xinjiang 2023
Silver, 90 points
Elegant aromas of raspberries, elderflower, smoke and hints of vanilla. Harmonious, with a lovely texture and ripe tannins. Alc 13.5%

Yinong Winery, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2023
Silver, 90 points
Generous nose showing aromas of Morello cherry, damson, blueberry, violets and touches of earthy notes. Delicate and harmonious palate, ripe tannins. Alc 14.2%

Israel

Artisanal, Creation, Jerusalem Hills, Judean Hills 2020
Silver, 90 points
Vibrant fennel notes and black fruit alongside liquorice, woody herbs and dried tomato complexity dancing with firm and ripe tannins. Alc 13.5%

Serbia

Virtus, Mlava, Šumadija-Great Morava 2020
Silver, 91 points
Spiced plum, with clove and Christmas spices on the nose. Well structured, with plenty of freshness on the palate. Alc 14.5%

See all DWWA 2025 award-winning wines

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Ten Platinum-awarded (97 points and above) wines from last year’s World Wine Awards were selected by the Master of Wine and poured for a full-house during Vinitaly, one of the world’s largest wine trade fairs.

Of Belisario’s ‘Cambrugiano’ Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva 2021, Cherutti-Kowal noted that Verdicchio is ‘one of Italy’s great grapes…reflective of its terroir’, while Siddùra’s ‘Maia’ Vermentino di Gallura 2023 showcased ‘a special place for Vermentino’.

Moving on to the reds, the Schiava grape indigenous to Trentino-Alto Adige has found a new audience in recent years thanks to its lighter take on red wine.

Described by Cherutti-Kowal as ‘a fascinating grape’ related to other grapes in the region and believed to be a parent of Lagrein, the Schiava of Pfannenstielhof’s ‘Der Pfannenstiel’ 2019 draws its character from grapes grown in the UGA of Santa Maddalena/ St Magdalener: ‘We’re seeing more skin contact, more richness, more ageing’, she notes.

From Tuscany to Piedmont

Good quality Montepulciano can age for quite a long time,’ announces Cherutti-Kowal as she guides the room to the next wine. Zaccagnini’s ‘Tralcetto’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2020 undergoes a longer-than-average maceration, with ageing in oak for around 18 months. This late-ripening variety needs the heat of the south, but is capable of producing reasonable levels of acidity when grown at altitude.

Nebbiolo was first mentioned in records from the 13th century. Related to both Freisa and Vespolina, it’s capable of good structure. ‘Maceration – Nebbiolo needs that’, states Cherutti-Kowal, noting that Broccardo’s Barolo Bricco San Pietro 2021 comes from an MGA which emphasises structure and acidity.

Italy's noble reds

Sangiovese is the most widely grown red wine variety in Italy. ‘DNA has it related to Ciliegiolo and – believe it or not – Campania and the south,’ says Cherutti-Kowal, citing two of its relatives, Nerello Mascalese and Frappato. Tasting Capanna’s Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019, she states, ‘that seamlessness of acidity; that is Sangiovese.

The beauty of Aglianico, even in the south, is that it has quite high acidity,’ adds Cherutti-Kowal, pointing out that this helps with the longevity and freshness of the wines. Donnachiara’s Taurasi Riserva 2020 is an excellent example of this ancient variety.

The best of Veneto

Cantina Sabaini’s Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2015 is the first vintage of this wine, which has undergone long ageing in used barriques.

It’s made from a collection of varieties indigenous to Veneto, including Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta. Cherutti-Kowal invited winemaker, Alberto Sabaini, who was present during the masterclass, to speak about the wine, which he described as a ‘special project’ of the family.

‘Glera is a grape that’s been known about since the 1600s,’ announced Cherutti-Kowal as she introduced Ruggeri's Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze 2023.

Found in two distinct typologies, it’s the Glera Tondo version that’s most often used for the production of Prosecco Superiore in the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Made rather unusually (for a Cartizze) in a Brut style with just 8g/l of residual sugar, she explains that ‘you get what I call the purity of the terroir of Cartizze’.

Sangiovese reimagined

The final wine, Torre a Cona’s ‘Fonti e Lecceta’ Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice 2016, is another Sangiovese, but ‘Sangiovese in a very different expression’, explains Cherutti-Kowal.

Made with dried grapes aged for five years in small barrels known as caratelli, it’s a wine full of dried citrus peel and nutty notes. ‘What do you think of this one?’ asked Cherutti-Kowal, and the reply was a murmur of approval and even a thumbs up from one of the guests!

See below to discover the 97-point wines tasted from the DWWA judges at the 2025 competition (in tasting order).

Cantine Belisario, Cambrugiano, Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva, Le Marche 2021

Platinum, 97 points

Exemplary aromas of honeyed nuts, lemon, lime and fennel with a supreme drive of freshness and purity which ebbs and flows alongside the stylish mineral structure and and zingy nettle acidity. Very long and accomplished. Alc 13.5%

Siddùra, Maìa, Vermentino di Gallura Superiore, Sardinia 2023

Platinum, 97 points

Beguiling granitic austerity meets sumptuous yellow stone fruit with a sultry citrus backing. Richly textured from the enhancing layers of creamy oak which melt into the salivating beam of acidity that surges towards the finish. Alc 13.5%

Pfannenstielhof, Der Pfannenstiel Classico, Santa Maddalena, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2019

Platinum, 97 points

An exceptional rose petal, wild flower and black tea fragrance encased in a wonderful sandalwood structure with an enticing red liquorice acidity and rounded, supple tannins. Flamboyant and long with a mocha, coffee bean finish. Alc 14%

Zaccagnini, Tralcetto, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva, Abruzzo 2020

Platinum, 97 points

Ardent black cherries, raspberries, violets and rose petals complemented by swirls of dark chocolate and dried blueberries are underpinned by fine-grained tannins and a bright acidity. Layers of complexity unfold on the long, luxurious finish. Alc 14 %

Broccardo, Bricco San Pietro, Barolo, Piedmont 2021

Platinum, 97 points

Multiple layers of black and red cherries, plums, roses and violets in a backdrop of toast and tar. The tannins are confident yet mellow, the acidity lifted and grippy and the finish is long and empowering. Alc 14.5%

Capanna, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Tuscany 2019

Platinum, 97 points

Glossy ripe red plums interweave delicately with floral, herbal and spicy tobacco notes. Gloriously concentrated and statuesque on the palate with a rippling texture, thriving tannins and an acidity perfectly in tune. In fine fettle. Alc 15%

Donnachiara, Taurasi Riserva, Campania 2020

Platinum, 97 points

The epitome of modern Taurasi displaying pristine notes of dark cherry fruit, vanilla and coffee. Polished and compact with a finely-tuned texture and lush, velvety tannins kept in check by a refreshing acidity. Plenty of ageing potential! Alc 13.5%

Cantina Sabaini, Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva, Veneto 2015

Platinum, 97 points

Spell-binding swathes of ripe red and black cherries, raspberries and plums encircle the deliciously complex palate. Velvety and smooth with flourish of sweet vanilla spice and dark chocolate that funnels towards the unwavering finish line. Alc 16.5%

Ruggeri, Brut, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto 2023

Platinum, 97 points

Exuberant lemon blossom, ripe pear and apple aromas glisten over the creamy mousse which ripples elegantly through the palate. A fine tension of acidity adds to the charm and culminates in a lush tropical fruit finale. Alc 11.5%

Torre a Cona, Fonti E Lecceta, Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice, Tuscany 2016

Platinum, 97 points

Glitzy flashes of orange pulp, dried apricot, peach and mango shimmer over the blissfully sweet palate with an undercurrent of nutty almonds and dark chocolate inhabiting the sumptuous texture. Beaming with citrus zest on the finish. Alc 14%

Search all DWWA 2025 winners

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The last Friday in April gives wine lovers a golden opportunity to enjoy the lush, perfumed aromas of Viognier.

International Viognier Day started out as a low-key celebration in 2021, but it has grown in popularity with each passing year. It offers fans a chance to enjoy a glass with friends and family, but it’s also a great time to reflect on Viognier’s remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction.

Who created International Viognier Day?

Australian producer Yalumba introduced International Viognier Day in 2021. There wasn’t a specific reason for choosing the last Friday in April, but it’s a pretty quiet time in the calendar.

The last Friday in April is also National Hairball Day in the United States and Día de la Chupina – a day where students play truant – in Argentina, but that’s about it.

Yalumba is famous for planting the first Viognier in South Australia’s Eden Valley back in 1980. At the time, plantings outside France were almost non-existent. Yalumba created International Viognier Day to help wine lovers to discover this aromatic white wine.

Back from the brink

Viognier originated in the northern Rhône Valley in France. It’s the sole grape permitted in the prestigious Condrieu appellation. Viognier has been cultivated in the region since the Roman times, but it had all but disappeared by the 1960s.

Phylloxera, two World Wars and the lure of easier-to-grow alternatives all played their part in pushing Viognier to the brink of extinction. At one point, global plantings had been reduced to less than 15 hectares, almost entirely confined to Condrieu.

Just a small group of dedicated producers – led by Georges Vernay – kept the flame alive. Yet Viognier then began a remarkable resurgence in the 1980s. Pioneering growers in Australia, California and the southern Rhône planted new vines, and today the variety covers more than 16,000 hectares worldwide.

Producers are now making high-quality Viognier in Brazil, California, Canada, Chile, China, Colorado, Greece, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and Virginia, capping the grape’s remarkable recovery.

An aromatic charmer

Viognier often delivers heady aromas of apricot, peach and honeysuckle, with a rich texture that sets it apart from crisper whites. The grape is naturally low in acidity, giving it a rounded, generous mouthfeel.

It’s not easy to make great Viognier – pick the grapes too early and the aromatics fall flat; pick too late and it can become heavy and overblown. However, when it’s done well, Viognier is a beautiful, luscious, elegant wine.

Award-winning wines from DWWA 2025

Brazil

Quinta do Canário, Elegance 2023
Silver, 92 points
Perfumed aromas of violets, peaches and white spices, some toasty undertones. Nicely textured, dense and concentrated. Long finish. Alcohol 13.5%

Canada

Road 13, Select Harvest, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia 2023
Silver, 90 points
Aromatic nose with peach, daisy, chamomile. Varietal palate, rich with phenolics and slick in texture. Lovely acid definition. Alc 12.8%

Chile

Tabali, Pedregoso Gran Reserva, Limarí Valley 2023
Silver, 90 points
Bright stone fruit aromas with touches of floral and coastal nuances. Interesting and enjoyable touch of bitterness, tense texture. Alc 13.5%

China

Chateau Mihope, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Silver, 90 points
Aromatic nose, showing notes of roses, grapes, apple skin, white peach, nectarine and bees wax. Soft texture, fresh and flinty. Alc 14%

France

Roland Grangier, Les Combéluz, Condrieu, Rhône 2023
Gold, 96 points
Sublime juicy apricot, yellow peach and candied pear aromas seep over the gorgeous oily texture which is braced by the racy acidity and salty, mineral backbone. Alc 14%

Domaine Verzier, Authentic, Condrieu, Rhône 2024
Gold, 95 points
Labyrinthine flavours of apricot, Mirabelle plum, lychee and mango paste entwine with jasmine and sweet rose florals. Delightfully viscous with a gentle grip of acidity. Textbook. Alc 14%

Domaine de Métifiot, IGP Alpilles, Provence 2023
Silver, 94 points
Elegant nose of subtle peach and apricot, sweet spice, nougat and a hint of ginger on the palate. Alc 13%

Domaine Saint Ferréol, Vin de France, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Silver, 94 points
Elegant aromas, very aromatic touches of lychee, golden kiwi, acacia, apricot and yellow apple. Oily texture, with a subtle salinity. Alc 13%

Greece

Domaine Skouras, Eclectique Viognier, Peloponnese 2023
Silver, 93 points
Rich with sweet oak spices, vanilla, popcorn, cream and toast alongside tropical pineapple and mango linger with creamy finish. Alc 13%

India

Sula Vineyards, Dindori Reserve, Nashik, Maharashtra 2024
Silver, 90 points
Floral nose with aromas of peaches, apricot, rose petals, honey and peaches. Inviting on the palate, refreshing and zesty. Alc 13%

Mexico

Casa de Quesada, Indómito, Aguascalientes 2022
Silver, 90 points
Musky nose of apricot and peach, then to a palate of musky rose, plush stone fruit and a lifted acidity.
Alc 13.4%

New Zealand

Brave Roots, Marlborough 2024
Silver, 90 points
Elderflower, apricot and guava aromatics give way to an elegant, juicy, textured palate. A well-made, fresh style. Alc 14%

Portugal

Adega de Borba, Senses, Alentejano 2024
Silver, 91 points
Pretty nose of honeysuckle, orange blossom and white pepper spice, then to a silky palate of apricot kernel and spice. Alc 12.5%

South Africa

Babylonstoren, Viognier, Simonsberg-Paarl, Paarl 2024
Silver, 92 points
Honeysuckle and white blossom perfume meld with nectarine, mandarin and dried apple rings, lifted by lemony acidity and rounded lees texture. Alc 14%

United States

Holy Cross Abbey, Colorado 2023
Silver, 90 points
Pretty nose of violet and orange blossom; pear, stone fruit and a touch of spice on the palate. Alc 14%

See all DWWA 2025 award-winning Viognier wines

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Alejandro Iglesias is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Alejandro Iglesias

Alejandro Iglesias was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into a family for whom food and wine has always been important. In 2004, he gave up his career as a financial consultant to study at the Escuela Argentina de Sommeliers, or Sommelier School of Argentina in English.

Since then, he has worked as a wine writer for various media outlets in Argentina and overseas, including Decanter.

As a wine educator, he teaches classes in Argentina, Uruguay, Panama and Costa Rica.

He was appointed executive sommelier for Club Bonvivir, the largest wine club in Argentina in 2010, and later was head sommlier there.

In 2013, he co-founded vinomanos.com, the first Argentine wine app, with whom he publishes the Informe Malbec, the most comprehensive annual report on Argentine Malbec in the world.

Alejandro Iglesias joined the DWWA judging panel in 2018.

Follow Alejandro on Instagram

See more judges for the 2026 DWWA.

On April 17, wine lovers will raise a glass of full-bodied red in honour of Malbec’s remarkable rise to prominence. This popular grape was in danger of fading into obscurity in France, but it crossed the globe and reinvented itself as Argentina’s flagship variety. Malbec is now flourishing around the world, from California to China, while it continues to go from strength to strength in its Mendoza heartland.

Why April 17?

On April 17, 1853, President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento of Argentina hatched a plan to modernise the country’s wine industry. He hired French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget, who brought a series of European vine cuttings across the Andes. Pouget experimented with a bunch of French varieties, but it was Malbec that thrived in Argentina’s diverse terroirs.

In 2011, Wines of Argentina launched World Malbec Day to celebrate the anniversary of the grape’s reinvention. It’s a popular event in Argentina, but Malbec World Day has spread around the world, with a busy schedule of tastings and events.

From French châteaux to the Andean foothills

Malbec originated in the French region of Cahors in around 150 AD. It proved popular with Europe’s elites in the Middle Ages, especially with Eleanor of Aquitaine. However, the grape – known locally as Côt – faded in the ensuing centuries. A devastating frost in 1956 then wiped out around three-quarters of France’s Malbec vineyards.

On the other side of the world, Malbec was beginning to shine. In Mendoza’s sun-drenched, high-altitude vineyards, the grape found conditions it could only dream of in France: dry air, intense sunshine, dramatic day-to-night temperature swings and virtually no rot.

Malbec responded by producing deeply coloured wines with velvety tannins, ripe dark berry flavours and its signature floral lift. Today, Argentina is home to around 85% of the world’s Malbec plantings, and the variety’s expressions range from the rich, concentrated reds of Maipú’s older vines to the elegant, mineral-driven wines emerging from the cooler, higher reaches of the Uco Valley and Salta’s vertiginous vineyards.

Scroll down to discover top-scoring Malbec wines from DWWA 2025

A versatile variety

Malbec’s appeal lies in its versatility. The grape delivers approachable, fruit-forward wines at everyday price points, but it can also produce age-worthy wines that perfectly express the local terroir, rivalling the world’s finest reds. It takes beautifully to oak, developing notes of chocolate, vanilla and tobacco, and it also works well in blends.

Beyond Argentina, it continues to thrive in Cahors – where it is enjoying a renaissance – and Malbec is also gaining ground in Chile, Australia and Californian regions like Napa and Paso Robles. They’re even making high-quality Malbec in China’s Ningxia region.

This April 17, whether you opt for a bold Mendoza classic or a brooding Côt from Cahors, pull the cork and raise a glass to one of wine’s great reinventions. Few grapes have travelled so far and come back with such a good story to tell.

Argentina

Durigutti Family Winemakers, Proyecto Las Compuertas 5 Suelos, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2024
Platinum, 97 points
Multitudes of cherries, blackberries, plums and blueberries entangled in a lavish sage and lavender fragrance. Silky smooth and finely textured with svelte tannins whilst retaining a vigour and verve which flows unswervingly to the finish line. Alcohol 13%

Etchart, Single Vineyard, Cafayate, Salta 2024
Platinum, 97 points
Archetypal high-altitude Malbec exuding all the classic hallmarks: plums, blackberries and cherries underpinned by a lively herbal core. Snappy and energising, a spicy balsamic character saunters over the palate and conjoins with a stony mineral note to end. Alc 14%

Finca Flichman, Microterroir Gravel & Stone, Tupungato, Mendoza 2021
Platinum, 97 points
Incomparable splendour and sophistication emanates with layer upon layer of violets, blueberries, liquorice and dark chocolate which infuse with the rapturous tannins and bracing beam of acidity. Ample and mouth-filling with a refined mineral length. Alc 14%

Domaine Bousquet, Finca Lalande Organic, Tupungato, Mendoza 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Brilliant blackberry and sweet cherry fruit with rippling graphite and savoury spice notes. Ripe tannin, zesty acidity and a very long finish maintain the bright focus to the last. Alc 14%

Finca Sophenia, E's Vino, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Rippling with succulent blueberry fruit and violet, floral perfume with an energising palate of plump fleshy tannins and zingy acidity, concluding with a balsamic twist. Alc 14%

Huichaira, Cielo Arriba, Jujuy 2022
Gold, 95 points
The epitome of a wine from incredibly high altitudes; layers of blackcurrant, sweet spicy herbs and florals are enmeshed in satin texture and tannins with breath-taking acidity to boot. Alc 14%

Majestic, Zuccardi Definition, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
Tenacious ripe blackberries, blueberries and cherries rumble over the savoury spice and smoky oak core. Firm and powerful with bold, grippy tannins and a peppery finale. Alc 14.5%

Marks & Spencer, Collection Susana, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Splendid blue fruit and violet perfume interweaves nicely with the plush tannins and densely structured palate, with a bite of mineral fresh acidity to finish. Alc 14%

Santa Julia, Family Reserve, Mendoza 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Abundant red and blue fruits with hints of violet and mint. Richly structured with chalky tannins, cocoa notes to fill out the fruit and vivacious acidity: generous Mendoza classicism. Alc 13.5%

Viñalba, Mendoza 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
A buoyant parade of damsons, plums and cherries with a fresh herbal energy kept in check by the soothing acidity and softening tannins. Charm personified. Alc 13.5%

Chile

Viña Undurraga, Red Field Blend, Maule 2022
Gold, 95 points
Aromatic blackberry, violet petals and pink peppercorn notes provide interest and intrigue with a mouth-watering juiciness driving through the palate. Soothing, smooth and reassuringly long. Alc 14.5%

China

Mountain Wave, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2021
Gold, 96 points
Hugely concentrated damson florals, black cherries and plums with a bewitching clove and vanilla aspect. Stylish and plush with silky tannins and a lofty, lingering acidity. Superb! Alc 14%

France

Château de Haute-Serre, Grand, Cahors, Southwest France 2023
Platinum, 97 points
A spine-tingling drive of energy and allure: sweet damsons, red berries and fragrant spices permeate the impeccably structured palate, complete with sleek tannins and an inviting acidity. Attractive and beautifully fresh with a moreish finish. Alc 14%

Clos Triguedina, Cahors, Southwest France 2021
Gold, 95 points
Towering with intense black fruit, black pepper and sweet oak spice which unfolds over the velvety structure and confident tannins displaying great typicity and charisma. Alc 13%

United States

Clos du Val, Stags Leap District, California 2022
Gold, 95 points
A powerhouse of crushed blackberries, plums and blueberry vanilla compote with a slick smoky cedarwood persistence. Structured and bold with decisive tannins and a lively finish. Alc 15%

Search all DWWA 2025 results

Related articles

A record-breaking performance for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2025 has further enhanced the country’s reputation for producing stellar white wines in many different growing regions.

South African winemakers are no strangers to success at the world’s largest wine competition, but 45 Gold medals at DWWA 2025 is a new high. Results also showcased a fascinating white wine scene going from strength to strength in the country.

DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa Fiona McDonald highlighted several Golds for Chenin Blanc, in particular.

'It’s a genuine delight to see how focused the wines are while retaining a sense of style and personality – much like their respective makers!’ she said.

South African Chardonnay was again a strong performer at DWWA 2025. Top medallists demonstrated stylistic nuance alongside core characteristics of elegance and balance. McDonald emphasised a trend for restraint in terms of oak use and ripeness.

‘It’s also cheering to see Sauvignon Blanc and white blends nudge their way into the limelight,’ added McDonald.

Explore a selection of Gold medal winners below, underpinned by DWWA’s rigorous judging process involving leading experts.

Explore the full results from DWWA 2025 at awards.decanter.com

Cape Coast

Quoin Rock, Chardonnay 2022

Gold, 95 points

quoinrock.co.za/

Rhubarb crumble, vanilla custard and lemon curd on toast draws you in, with nectarine acidity and a crushed stone mineral note to end. Alcohol 13%

Cape Town

Durbanville Hills, The Tangram, Durbanville 2023

Gold, 96 points

durbanvillehills.co.za

Buoyant leafy herbs and green tree fruits on a softly structured palate. Smoky oak and vibrant white peach meld nicely with the bright acidity. Alc 14%

Spier, 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2022

Gold, 95 points

£27 Vinvm

Steely, cedary and sophisticated on the nose, giving way to lush buttered brioche and lime marmalade complexity on the palate, finishing with crisp juicy apples. Alc 14.5%

Ceres Plateau

De Grendel, Op Die Berg Chardonnay 2024

Gold, 96 points

US$32-$35 All Star, Empire Wine, Tribeca Wine Merchants, Wine.com

Vibrant aromas of crushed flint and chalk cut through fresh citrus, apple and apricot flavours, with nervy acidity and an appetising texture to lift the finish. Alc 13.5%

Citrusdal Mountain

Donkiesbaai, Steen, Piekenierskloof 2024

Gold, 95 points

£26.95-£30 Dunell’s, Frontier Fine Wines

Old vine Citrusdal Mountain character offering plenty of honeyed melon, apple and peach cordial. Superb waxy texture and lime zest acidity, with a long fennel finish. Alc 13.5%

Coastal Region

Bellingham, The Founders Series Freda 2021

Gold, 95 points

bellinghamwines.com

Charming oyster shell and gun flint notes adorn layers of lime curd and a creamy texture. Generous and bold, with savoury tension to the finish. Alc 13.5%

Elgin

Kershaw, Clonal Selection Chardonnay 2021

Gold, 95 points

£45-£54 Great Wines Direct , Hallgarten Wines, Strictly Wine, Southafricanwines.co.uk, The Savanna, Vinvm, Winoship

Lemon tart, lime leaf and white blossom nuances crown a chalky texture, with vanilla oak, marmalade succulence and striking acidity. Alc 13.5%

Paul Cluver, Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Gold, 95 points

£17 Frontier Fine Wines

Green grass, leafy herbs and citrus play to the crowd, with a persistent buzz of freshness and a central purity that lingers long. Alc 13.5%

Franschhoek

Backsberg, Smuggled Vines Chardonnay 2024

Value Gold, 95 points

US$27 The Wine Concierge

Lily of the valley perfume fringes the melon, apricot and peach fruit aromas. Cohesive and energetic, with tangy lemon acidity and crushed stone elegance. Alc 13.5%

Overberg

Thamnus, Chardonnay 2022

Gold, 96 points

£44-£48 Hedonism, Museum Wines, Swig

A banquet of sumptuous fruit aromas: mango, melon, peach, nectarine and citrus. A juicily mouthwatering texture, invigorated by a flinty mineral grip. Seamless. Alc 13.5%

Paarl

Perdeberg, Endura Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Paardeberg 2023

Gold, 95 points

perdeberg.co.za

Intense peach, yellow apple and orange fruit interspersed with spiced ginger crumbs. Golden and clingy, generous and entrancing with a long, herby finish. Alc 14%

Stellenbosch

Simonsig, Langbult Steen Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024

Gold, 96 points

£19.50 Lekker Wine

Blossom and honeysuckle floral aromas combine beautifully with juicy melon and white stone fruit, lifted by crisp sherbet acidity. A long, elevating finish. Alc 13%

Ken Forrester, The FMC Chenin Blanc 2024

Gold, 95 points

£44-£60 Widely available via UK agent Enotria

A scrumptious glass of apple compote and honeysuckle with a briny mineral twist, grapefruit acidity to invigorate and a quenching tug of quince to finish. Alc 13%

Rustenberg, Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2024

Gold, 95 points

£13.90-£16 JN Wine, Moura, Vinvm

A depth of pure lemon, white peach and yellow apple fruit, impressive mineral structure and quenching acidity. Captivating. Alc 13.5%

Swartland

Nederburg, Heritage Heroes the Anchor Man Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024

Gold, 95 points

nederburg.com

Delightful citrus blossom, peach skin and pineapple perfumes layer nicely in a profoundly concentrated palate, offset by fresh acidity and a stylish mineral streak. Alc 13.5%

DWWA 2026 results announced 17 June 2026.

Discover more at awards.decanter.com

ProWein 2026 is driving forward its strategic development as an international trade fair for wine and spirits in a targeted manner. This March 3,400 exhibitors from 63 countries presented their products at the Düsseldorf event.

ProWein 2026 served as a platform for commercial relationships and decisions among 31,000 professionals from 105 countries. A special focus this year was on buyers from crucial import markets such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the USA.

The Decanter team was out in force, with a 48sqm stand dedicated to wine collection, tastings and discussions. Producers exhibiting at the fair were able to hand-deliver their wines for Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 directly at the stand. The drop-off service offered an easy and secure shipping solution for participants, ensuring their wines arrive at the warehouse on time and ready for judging in May.

Visitors also had the chance to taste a curated selection of top winners from the 2025 competition. The lineup featured Gold, Platinum and Best in Show winners from Croatia, France, Greece, Portugal and Spain – offering a compelling snapshot of some of the finest wines recognised by the judges last year.

The tasting proved a popular draw, giving trade professionals a direct encounter with wines that have already earned the mark of approval from DWWA's world-class judging panels. For producers, it was a powerful reminder of the visibility and credibility that a DWWA award can bring on the international stage.

Wine cards accompanied each wine, giving trade visitors instant access to contact details, pricing and market availability – the essential information needed to turn a tasting into a commercial conversation.

Attendees could also discover our digital subscription, Decanter Premium, along with grab copies of the latest February and March issues of our magazine and the DWWA supplement showcasing last year’s competition winners.

'We cannot be complacent about ProWein’s development over recent years – our aspiration is to consistently develop the trade fair further. This is why we are clearly honing ProWein’s relevance for the trade and decision-makers. With Frank Schindler we have had a director on board since October 2025 who knows the industry and drives this development with a clear focus,' says Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating Officer at Messe Düsseldorf.

Discover below the DWWA 2025 awarded wines showcased in Düsseldorf at the world’s largest wine trade fair.

Catch us at ProWein next year from 7-9 March 2027.

Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi, Vin Liastos, Monemvasia-Malvasia, Peloponnese, Greece 2012

Best in Show, 97 points

Here’s both a new story and an old one. Monemvasia in the Peloponnese was the original source of what the medieval world knew as ‘Malvasias Oenos’ – the sweet Malvasia straw wine beloved and traded over 500 years by the merchants of La Serenissima, the seafaring Venetian Republic. In recent times, almost all of it has been produced on the Cycladic island of Paros – but not this wine, whose source is vineyards close to the original walled town of Monemvasia. The Monemvasia grape variety (not a member, recent DNA analysis suggests, of the large Malvasia family) is here blended with 15 per cent of Assyrtico, 15 per cent of Kydonitsa and 10 per cent of Asprouda to make this oxidative though unfortified sweet wine (187 g/l sugar). It’s a dark walnut in colour, with softly smoky-sweet scents and rich fig-and-raisin flavours: a luxurious modern taste of a medieval Mediterranean treat. Alcohol 13.5%

Alvarez-Alfaro, Seleccion De Familia, Rioja, Spain 2020

Platinum, 97 points

Exemplary aromas of ripe black cherry jam and kirsch ebb and flow over the luxurious vanilla oak core and swaddle the rounded, juicy acidity. Velvety and harmonious with a lick of black pepper to end. Alc 14%

Kopke, White, Port, Portugal 2002

Platinum, 97 points

The testimony of this wine lies in its honeyed, grapey, sherbety sweetness, offset by an emerging freshness and savoury spice element that cascades across the nose and palate. Phenomenally long with an impressive candied fruit finish. Alc 20%

Barton & Guestier, Chateau Magnol, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2022

Gold, 96 points

Compelling ripe cassis, plum and violet fragrance cloaked in a carefully constructed oak frame with succulent acidity, tightly knitted tannins and a long mocha finish. Alc 13.5%

Kozlovic, Santa Lucia Malvazija, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal, Croatia 2018

Gold, 96 points

Wonderfully developed notes of bergamot, apricot, hazelnut and yellow plum with a lush lanolin texture, preserved lemon acidity and a zip of pepper on the finish. Alc 13.5%

Search all DWWA 2025 results

A one-of-a-kind venue with vineyard views

Located in West Sussex's Madehurst, a hamlet just four miles from Arundel, The Pig South Downs is nestled within the South Downs National Park. The Georgian house, dating back to the 1770s, is defined by high ceilings and abundant natural light, most strikingly in its greenhouse restaurant which overlooks the hotel’s own vineyard, Alpaca Block.

Planted in 2020 by founder Robin Hutson, the two-hectare site is south-west facing, with chalk and clay soils layered with silt, ideal for drainage in England’s unpredictable climate. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier dominate plantings, alongside small parcels of experimental Gamay, with regenerative practices such as sheep grazing already in place.

Early wines from Alpaca Block, including a Chardonnay and rosé, were produced for exclusive on-site consumption. With Dermot Sugrue now overseeing the vineyard and fruit, a new chapter is underway – one that promises even greater precision and ambition.

Dermot Sugrue and England’s top-awarded wines

Few names carry as much weight in English sparkling wine as Dermot Sugrue. With an impressive track record spanning estates such as Wiston Estate and Nyetimber, Sugrue’s influence on the category is profound.

A producer in focus: Sugrue South Downs

At Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, his own label, Sugrue South Downs, secured a Best in Show medal, while wines he has crafted or consulted on also ranked among the highest scorers, including:

• Digby Fine English Rosé Brut 2018 (Platinum, 97 points)
• Ashling Park Estate Blanc de Blancs Brut 2014 (Gold, 95 points)

Tasted at The Pig, Sugrue’s range showcased both breadth and intent, from Alpaca Block wines poured among the vines, to the multi-vintage The Trouble With Dreams and Crouch Valley Pinot Noir 2022, which sold out within hours of release.

Looking ahead, Sugrue has also described the 2025 growing season as a potential ‘unicorn vintage’ – a rare alignment of conditions that could produce wines of exceptional balance, ripeness and ageing potential. It’s a vintage that trade and consumers alike may want to watch closely upon release.

Local benchmarks: Sussex producers in focus

Digby Fine English: Blending with intent

Just a short distance from the hotel, Digby Fine English continues to define a modern, blending-led approach to English sparkling wine. Its Platinum-winning Rosé Brut 2018 impressed with its depth of colour and structure, a style Sugrue has long championed over the trend for paler expressions.

Initially sourcing fruit from across the South East, Digby now also owns vineyards in Kent and the South Downs near Petersfield, combining flexibility with increasing estate expression.

Ashling Park Estate: Estate-grown expression

Around 20 minutes away, Ashling Park Estate offers a contrasting, estate-driven philosophy. Its five-hectare Sussex vineyard supplies all fruit, complemented by lodges, a restaurant, tasting experiences and a gin school.

The Gold-awarded Blanc de Blancs Brut 2014, originally produced under Sugrue’s consultancy, impressed with persistent texture and a long, lingering finish. Today, winemaker Marcus Rayer is guiding the estate forward.

Together, these producers highlight the stylistic range now emerging from Sussex, from blending-led sparkling wines to estate-driven expressions rooted firmly in place.

A magnum moment for England

English sparkling wine reached a milestone at DWWA 2025 with the expansion of its magnum category beyond Champagne.

Sugrue South Downs The Trouble With Dreams 2009 took Best in Show, the first ever in this category. Its backstory is now part of English wine folklore: a lost 2008 harvest at Storrington Priory inspired the name, and the 2009 vintage became the label’s first release. Produced exclusively in magnum (just 600 bottles), it exemplifies Sugrue’s belief that large formats are ideal for ageing and complexity.

The wine sold out almost immediately after DWWA results were announced, though one or two bottles may still be available at The Pig South Downs.

Local produce, world-class wines

True to The Pig South Downs’ ethos, the menu champions ingredients sourced within a 25-mile radius, grounding the experience firmly in its Sussex surroundings. The wine list mirrors this approach, with a dedicated 'From Our Soil' section highlighting English wines at deliberately accessible mark-ups to encourage exploration.

For this tasting, however, the lens widened. Paired with the hotel’s three-course Winter Gatherings menu, a curated selection of DWWA 2025 winners offered a snapshot of global excellence:

• Weingut Birgit Eichinger, Ried Heiligenstein 1ÖTW Riesling, Kamptal 2023 (Gold, 96 points)
• Wirra Wirra, The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills 2024 (Best in Show, 97 points)
• Castello di Meleto, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2020 (Platinum, 97 points)
• Béres, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2017 (Platinum, 97 points)

The contrast between local and international wines underscored England’s growing confidence and its place in a global fine wine conversation.

A destination, and a direction, for English wine

At just 48 miles from London, The Pig South Downs offers more than a countryside escape. It’s a gateway to one of the UK’s most dynamic wine regions.

With wines from England consistently performing at the highest level at Decanter World Wine Awards, English wine is no longer an emerging curiosity, but a category with depth, diversity and world-class credentials.

From vineyard to glass, and from local producers to international benchmarks, West Sussex, and the wider South Downs, are proving fertile ground not just for vines, but for ambition.

For those looking to explore the next chapter of English wine, there may be no better place to start.

Don't miss Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 results to discover this year's standout English wines. Subscribe to the DWWA newsletter to be the first to hear when they are announced on 17 June.

Related articles

Italy is a treasure trove of cellarworthy wines that often provide great value for their high quality, and a host of top medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 showcased gems to seek out in several regions.

In northern Italy, Piedmont is a melting pot of wine styles, not to mention its gastronomic delights, and winemakers’ skill with the Nebbiolo grape variety in the Barolo region’s patchwork quilt of vineyards delivers wonderful wines that display characteristics ranging from red berry fruit to rose, black tea and truffle.

Strong recent vintages only enhance the picture. Italy’s best-known styles can combine superb, ageworthy wines with compelling relative value, too, from Barolo to the Sangiovese strongholds of Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico in Tuscany.

Discover 14 top awarded Italian DWWA winners worth having in your cellar

This also applies to Amarone della Valpolicella in the Veneto region, which is known for long-lived styles that combine intensity with harmony.

Meanwhile, Italy’s fine wine dynamism is evident in several regions, such as modern takes on Aglianico-powered Taurasi – sometimes dubbed the ‘Barolo of the south’ – and on the Tuscan coast, thanks to producers’ prowess with ‘Bordeaux’ grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc.

All collectors should explore Italy’s rich vinous landscape, and DWWA’s rigorous judging process, overseen by leading experts, is the ideal treasure map.

Explore the full results from DWWA 2025 at awards.decanter.com

Best in Show

Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno, Cannubi Riserva, Barolo, Piedmont 2019

Best in Show, 97 points

£66.95 Uncorked, US$60-$65 Rye Brook, The Cellar d’Or, Wine Exchange

Are the extra ageing stipulations for the Riserva categories of classic Italian reds such as Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino truly necessary? It can often seem as if younger versions have the edge on older, ‘grander’ wines, since they show brighter fruit structures. This 2019 Riserva shows the benefits of extra age. It’s pale, now, with some gentle bricking; the aromas are refined, packed with red fruits, autumnal warmth and oak-copse charm, as if the wine was evoking the landscape in which it came into being. It’s still quite grandly structured and has further development ahead; look behind those succulent if ample tannins, though, and you’ll find beautifully articulated fruit supported by deft redcurrant acidity. Grand Barolo from this outstanding vintage. Alcohol 14.5%

Tenuta Meraviglia, Maestro di Cava, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2020

Best in Show, 97 points

£89.99 92 Or More

The adventure of Cabernet Franc in Bolgheri is an exciting one, since this is one of relatively few zones around the world where this much-courted variety not only flourishes and gives wine with greater poise than Cabernet Sauvignon and more freshness and lift than Merlot, but more importantly retains flesh and succulence as it does so. This opaque, black-red wine from 2020 tells the vintage story well: brisk and alluring on the nose, with soft leather poise behind the svelte fruits; then intense, deep and long on the palate, with mellow tannins, watchful acidity and ample inner energy. It’s a luxurious glassful of red, but it contrives to be fresh and appetising, too. This formerly despised and mosquito-ridden coastal zone of Tuscany continues to surprise. Alc 14%

Campania

Donnachiara, Taurasi Riserva 2020

Platinum, 97 points

£55 Alivini

Pristine dark cherry fruit, vanilla and coffee notes. Polished and compact, with a finely tuned texture and lush, velvety tannins kept in check by refreshing acidity. Plenty of ageing potential. Alc 13.5%

Piedmont

Casa E di Mirafiore, Lazzarito, Barolo 2021

Platinum, 97 points

£75 Bancroft

Immediate and engaging, with intense purity setting the tone: lively red cherry and raspberry fill nose and palate. A stately structure and finely etched tannins. Bears the distinct hallmarks of the 2021 vintage. Alc 15%

Fontanafredda, Vigna La Rosa, Barolo 2021

Gold, 95 points

£92 The Great Wine Co

Appetising red forest berry, black tea and mint blossom aromas pervade the nose and palate, sustained by a unifying acidity and finely tuned tannins. Long and tactile. Alc 14.5%

Luigi Baudana, Cerretta, Barolo 2021

Gold, 95 points

£88.99 Berry Bros & Rudd

Powerful yet well-honed notes of black and red cherry, black tea and eucalyptus surround the smoky tannins and streamlined acidity. Long, savoury and spicy. Alc 14%

Paolo Manzone, Riserva, Barolo 2019

Gold, 95 points

£70.50 Amathus Drinks

Charming red floral and violet aromas lead to a solid core of succulent red and black fruit that coats the palate, along with herbal tannins and lipsmacking acidity. Alc 14.5%

Scarpa, Tettimorra, Barolo 2020

Gold, 95 points

£61 Lloyd’s Wines

Evocative floral and forest berry characters punctuated by a savoury truffle note. Firm and mineral, with chewy tannins and bracing acidity. Svelte and delicious. Alc 14.5%

Tuscany

Capanna, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019

Platinum, 97 points

£126.70 Friarwood

Glossy ripe red plum interweaved with floral, herbal and spicy tobacco notes. Gloriously concentrated and statuesque on the palate with a rippling texture, fine tannins and acidity perfectly in tune. In fine fettle. Alc 15%

Mastrojanni, Vigna Schiena d’Asino, Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Platinum, 97 points

£148 Lay & Wheeler

Enticing notes of blueberry, black cherry and cassis meet the charred oak backbone on the palate and meld around the firm, fine structure. All rounded off by a white pepper finish. Alc 14.5%

Terre del Marchesato, Maurizio Fuselli, Toscana 2022

Platinum, 97 points

terredelmarchesato.com

Heady violets, blackberry and mint chocolate. A bewitching density of structure and tannins. Smoky and complex with cleansing acidity tapering to a tingle of dried herbs on the finish. Alc 14.5%

Banfi, Poggio alle Mura, Brunello di Montalcino 2020

Gold, 96 points

£59.20 Millésima

Luxurious smoky vanilla, espresso and earthy clove aromas swell over an opulent frame of peppery, mouthcoating tannins and ripe cherry acidity. Intensely long and elegant. Alc 15%

Poggiotondo, Vigna delle Conchiglie, Chianti Riserva 2021

Gold, 96 points

£54.99 Hedonism, The Fine Wine Co, Vinvm

Lavender and rosemary aromas enlivened by a juicy red berry succulence. Firm and smooth with a long chocolate, vanilla finish. Alc 14%

Veneto

Monte Tondo, Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2017

Gold, 95 points

£59-£71.50 Astrum Wine Cellars, Bowland Forest Vintners, Hackney Essentials, North & South, Phoenix Wines, Sociovino

Crammed with ripe Morello cherry, plum and raspberry. Mouthcoating and rich, with striking acidity. Alc 16.5%

See all DWWA 2025 winners

DWWA success: a proven track record

Standing out from the crowd has never been more important for wineries in today’s super competitive market and the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) has a proven track record of providing producers with the platform for success.

As the world’s largest wine competition, DWWA represents a hallmark of excellence.

For more than 20 years, its rigorous judging process involving leading experts has showcased fantastic wines from both iconic and lesser-known producers, at all price-points and from every corner of the vinous universe.

As the deadline for DWWA 2026 entries on 17 March draws near, family-owned winery Paris-Simoneau spoke to Decanter about the impact of its own success at last year’s competition.

Loire Valley-based Paris-Simoneau won three medals at DWWA 2025, including one of just 30 Value Golds (95pts) for its Réserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from the Touraine appellation. This is a coveted list of Gold medallists under £15-a-bottle.

Co-owner Carine Simoneau said the producer’s international outlook prompted its decision to enter DWWA, citing Decanter’s ‘big influence’ in key export markets, such as the UK and US.

'We sold everything...'

Success quickly translated into tangible market opportunities. Simoneau said the winery saw a flurry of new sales enquiries for its Gold medal-winning Touraine Sauvignon Blanc.

Many of those came from the US, despite the uncertainty surrounding additional import tariffs on European wines at the time.

‘We had plenty of new customers,’ she said. ‘We sold everything – all our Sauvignon Blanc [2024] – in the three months after the competition results.’

Guarantee of quality

Simoneau also described how a DWWA score of 95 points made prospective buyers sit up and take notice.

‘We have a lot of medals in France but Decanter, when you export, is different. People say, “ah 95 points, it must be beautiful”. It gives a guarantee [of quality].’

DWWA judges praised Paris-Simoneau’s Réserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024 as ‘long and abiding’, enjoying its ‘generous ripe citrus peel and crunchy green apple fruit coupled with grassy nettle characters’.

Value for money

For many wineries, finding funds for marketing campaigns can be a challenge, particularly amid rising costs, climate-related hazards and difficult macroeconomic conditions.

Yet, plenty of people continue to enjoy great wine and so it’s hugely important to find ways to connect with key buyers, as well as consumers.

Simoneau said her experience of DWWA success offered strong benefits in this regard. ‘It makes a big difference because we are a small winery, we don’t have the budget to do marketing.’

An award also gives prospective buyers the sense of finding ‘a little jewel’ that might otherwise have lain undiscovered, she added.

DWWA still represents a financial commitment, but Simoneau described it as an important investment based on the potential rewards on offer.

Other Touraine wineries enjoyed success at DWWA 2025, too, and Simoneau said that this helps to raise the profile of the whole area. ‘We don’t have a big appellation in Touraine,’ she said. ‘So it’s good because it shines a light on us.’

Recognition and benchmarking

DWWA’s expert judges take equal delight in unearthing gems in lesser-known vineyard regions and finding under-the-radar excellence in established growing areas.

For producers of all styles, therefore, the competition represents an opportunity to benchmark wines. All entries are blind-tasted by expert panels involving leading critics, journalists and buyers.

A medal, from Best in Show to Bronze, is a significant vote of confidence for a producer’s whole team, and for all the unseen work that goes into managing vineyards and caring for wines in the cellar.

Simoneau said, ‘It’s recognition for all of the workers in the vines. It’s very important for all of the staff.’

Achieving a top medal in the 2024 vintage was also a particularly good feeling after a tricky growing season. ‘We never expected to have 95pts because it was so difficult with the mildew and everything.’

The Paris-Simoneau estate has attained level three – the highest tier – in France’s Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification system. Simoneau explained how the wider property also includes forest, clover and cereal crops, and how looking after the soil is a big part of the producer’s ethos.

Alongside Sauvignon Blanc, grape varieties planted include Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, while the wine range spans sparkling, reds and rosé, as well as whites.

Simoneau also described how she and her brother-in-law, Sébastien Paris, had no direct winemaking experience when they took on the family estate, having built successful careers in engineering at Bombardier and as a restaurant chef respectively.

‘At the beginning it was a big challenge,’ she said. Earning praise from a competition like DWWA is, therefore, a major milestone. ‘It’s like passing an exam and you have a big qualification.’

Key dates for DWWA 2026

• 17 March: Entry, payment and direct delivery deadline
• 4 – 15 May: DWWA judging period
• 17 June: DWWA results announced on Decanter.com
• 5 August: DWWA 2026 magazine on sale

Related articles

Results for Chinese wines at the DWWA continue to establish its reputation as a quality-led wine producing country.

At the 2025 competition, China has a strong year, receiving 181 medals. With two Best in Show, one Platinum and 10 Gold medals, China’s wine-producing reputation is continuing to go from strength to strength.

Two red wines from Ningxia and Shandong respectively have been awarded the top accolade, Best in Show, at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) – marking a historic milestone for Chinese wine at the world’s biggest wine competition.

This is the first time Chinese wines achieved the Best in Show since its introduction in 2016, replacing the former top award, ‘International Trophy’. These two wines are also the only entries from Asia to reach the top 50 this year.

Scroll down to see award-winning Chinese wines from DWWA 2025

From Rkatsiteli or China’s ‘signature grape’, Marselan to Cabernet Sauvignon entries included a diverse array of styles, including sparkling and sweet wines.

To ring in the Chinese New Year on 17 February and highlight some producers to keep your eye on, we’ve selected 15 award-winning wines from the 2025 competition to try, each awarded 94+ points.

Whether familiar with Chinese wines or looking for where to start, discover benchmark examples of the quality wines China is becoming known for.

Chinese New Year: 15 award-winning wines to try

Best in Show

Changyu, Noble Dragon N188, Yantai, Shandong 2022

Best in Show, 97 points

Our second Chinese wine in this year’s Best in Show selection comes not from the inland, fiercely continental climate of Ningxia, but from the very different coastal environment of the Shandong Peninsula; it’s also a successful blend of 75% Cabernet Gernischt (Carmenère) with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Despite very different growing conditions, the lesson is the same: China is capable of making not just fruity red wines (which many locations in the wine world do well), but structured red wines in which rich tannins provide the bone structure which gives beguiling fruit flesh an inner seriousness of purpose. This dark red-black wine is dark and searching, with plum-blackberry fruits. On the palate, those fruits show both depth and textural finesse, and the supporting tannins play a key role once again in lending that fruit its dignity and gastronomic force. These two wines constitute a remarkable debut for China in our Top 50. Alcohol 13.5%

Dongfang Yuxing Winery, Geruihong Yeguangbei, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022

Best in Show, 97 points

China is a relative newcomer to the world of wine, though in other respects its civilisation pre-dates that of Mediterranean Europe (and the Chinese made mixed alcoholic beverages even earlier than the Georgians wines). Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised, then, both at the speed at which its wine creators are learning, and the level of their accomplishments. Both were on show this year with not one but two Best in Show wines. This wine from Helan Mountain in Ningxia is a cunning blend which few in Europe would have thought of: Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% of freshening Dornfelder and 6% of Cabernet Gernischt (Carmenère). It works well. The wine is a dark, opaque black-purple with fresh and alluring scents of blackcurrant and wild plum. The palate offers a seductive plunge of fruit and spice, settling on something more akin to dark chocolate but – and this is key – with the authority and detaining discipline only carefully extracted tannins can bring. It’s a revelation. Alc 15.6%

Sparkling

Devo Winery, MV03 Brut Nature, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia NV

Gold, 95 points

Captivating red apple, lemon peel and stone fruits persist over a bedrock of biscuits and toasted brioche and swirl across the delicate mousse. Long and impressive. Alc 12.5%

White

Mystic Island Winery, Yihu Qiushan Reserve Chardonnay, Penglai, Shandong 2022

Gold, 96 points

Dizzy with floral charm: jasmine, white blossom and honeysuckle aromas lead to a mouth-watering lemony freshness and wonderful smoky mineral quality which flows towards the finish. Alc 13%

Longting Vineyard, Reserve Sea Breeze Chardonnay, Penglai, Shandong 2022

Gold, 95 points

Beguiling white blossom, melon and peach perfume prevails over the invigorating citrus peel acidity and mineral undertow, with an intriguing bitter almond twist at the end. Alc 12.5%

Chateau Summer Land, Bo Series Malvasia, Wuwei, Gansu 2023

Silver, 94 points

Lovely nuances of lemon peel freshness with nettle and yellow peach aromas, hints of guavas and dry herbs. Silky texture. Alc 14.5%

Helanhong Winery, Helan Hong Jiangnan Reserva White, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022

Silver, 94 points

Water chestnuts and melons with plenty of vanilla and buttery sweetness mixed with nectarines. Juicy, fresh and attractive. Stony finish. Alc 14.5%

Tinnyu Winery, Mono Chard, Yunnan 2023

Silver, 94 points

Toasty nuances, with notes of clove and vanilla, hints of smoke and flint, lemon and red apple. Racy acidity. Alc 14%

Red

Li’s Estate, Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022

Platinum, 97 points

A tantalising complexity of blackberry fruit compote and succulent prunes garnished with cedar and black pepper spice and hints of green herbs. Rousing and rich with immersive tannins and a lick of warming tar on the finish. Alc 15.5%

Domaine Pushang, Marselan, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022

Gold, 96 points

Dive deep into the waves of damson and blueberry fruit, earthy balsamic tones and intoxicating violet fragrance; bold and structured with broad tannins and herbaceous acidity. Alc 15.5%

MountainWave Vinery, Malbec, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2021

Gold, 96 points

Hugely concentrated damson florals, black cherries and plums with a bewitching clove and vanilla aspect. Stylish and plush with silky tannins and a lofty, lingering acidity. Superb! Alc 14%

Pernod Ricard Ningxia, Helan Mountain Xiao Feng Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2020

Gold, 95 points

Charismatic Morello cherry, blackcurrant and plum notes are framed by the tightly-packed violet tannins and elevating acidity, and fortified by the spicy toast characters from the oak. Alc 14.8%

Sweet

Hanxiang Liquor, Nabaifu Reserva Icewine Vidal, Huanren, Liaoning 2018

Gold 95 points

Luscious apricot, mango, pear and honeyed acacia sing across the exquisitely sweet palate which is enlivened by the satiating acidity and fascinating savoury twist at the end. Alc 11%

Sanhe, Cailonglin Jinding Icewine Vidal, Huanren, Liaoning 2020

Gold, 95 points

An explosion of apricots, peaches, mangoes and raisins coat the palate and are enriched by a vivid orange peel acidity to mystify and delight. Utterly delicious! Alc 12%

Tonghua Winery, Tonghua Glory Yasay Oak Aged Icewine Vidal, Tonghua, Jilin 2022

Silver, 94 points

The nose is pure and fruity with complex orange blossom, honey, ripe mango and pineapple. Intense on the palate, long and charming. Alc 11.5%

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The catch-all wine appreciation day, Global Drink Wine Day is held annually on 18 February.

Familiar favourites like Champagne, Riesling or Pinot Noir might spring to mind as your celebratory wine of choice – and there are many top examples to choose from when searching Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results – but to narrow down the selection, we have put together a list of some of the competition’s highest-scoring wines from classic regions and grape varieties, as well as some perhaps less familiar styles to discover.

Tasted and rated by our expert judges at DWWA 2025, here you can explore a selection of 97-point sparkling, white, rosé, red, sweet and fortified wines from across the globe well worth seeking out.

Global Drink Wine Day: 15 wines to discover

Sparkling

Bluestone, Blanc de Noirs Brut, Wiltshire, United Kingdom 2019

Platinum, 97 points

Myriad apricot, peach, cherry skin and floral aromas bask in the soft, broad texture and supple mousse. Focused and vibrant with a tapering acidity and a tingling black tea element to close. Long and rewarding. Alcohol 12%

Can Sala, Vinyes de Can Sala Brut Nature, Cava, Spain 2015

Platinum, 97 points

An unrivalled opulence of ripe mango, peach and nectarine enveloped in freshly baked bread crust and toasted almonds. The impeccable harmony of structure and acidity, topped-off by the striking pin cushion mousse captivates and endures. Alc 12.5%

Deutz, Amour de Deutz Brut, Champagne, France 2014

Platinum, 97 points

A delicious interplay of honeyed toast, ripened fruit and smoky savoury notes with a soothing, creamy mousse and svelte acidity. Exuding charisma and typicity with a thrilling swirl of oyster shell minerals at the end. Alc 12%

White

Wirra Wirra, The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia 2024

Best in Show, 97 points

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay has made five appearances in our Best in Show selection, one more than Western Australia’s Margaret River has notched up; these are clearly landmark regions not just in national but also global terms for Chardonnay-lovers. The struck-match note so prized in Australia is apparent here — but subtly so; look out for a sweetly leafy charm, too, and a soft creaminess from finely judged barrel-fermentation. It hasn’t had long in bottle yet, so its aromatic harmony and seamlessness was another factor in seducing our panels. You could call it mouthfilling in terms of texture and flavour expression but relatively delicate and light on its feet, by contrast, in terms of weight and alcohol charge. These vineyards are indeed ‘up in the Hills’, remember, where ripeness is neither assured nor rapid. The wine’s grain and finesse reflect a full season on the vine – and its producer’s careful harvesting and handling techniques. Alc 12.5%

Cantine Belisario, Cambrugiano, Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva, Le Marche, Italy 2021

Platinum, 97 points

Exemplary aromas of honeyed nuts, lemon, lime and fennel with a supreme drive of freshness and purity which ebbs and flows alongside the stylish mineral structure and zingy nettle acidity. Very long and accomplished. Alc 13.5%

Weingut von Winning, Pechstein Riesling, Grosses Gewächs, Pfalz, Germany 2023

Platinum, 97 points

Alive with white flower and rose petal fragrance. On the palate savoury white pepper accents the perfectly ripe lemon and stone fruit with a poise of graceful acidity that cuts through the lustrous Crème Brûlée texture. Alc 13%

Orange

Vinakoper, Capris Orange Rumeni Muškat, Slovenska Istra, Primorska, Slovenia 2015

Best in Show, 97 points

Every year our orange wine categories attract more entries, and there is always significant clamour from judges to be allowed to scrutinise them. The wine world is beginning to realise just how much this, the sixth genre of wine, has to offer. The orange wine that has stepped up to the bright lights of our Best in Show selection this year is made from Yellow Muscat (a notably yellow-skinned variant of Muscat à Petits Grains Blancs). Muscats in general take well to this treatment, since time on skins can provide complex variations to the usual ‘grapy’ aromas and flavours. This Istrian example is in fact relatively light for an orange wine: deep gold with faint coppery glints. It has commanding aromas in which classic Muscat sweetness meets something darker and earthier, with orange-and-peach fruit behind; on the palate, the wine is fully dry but with an amplitude and wealth rare in ‘normal’ dry Muscat. Its precision and freshness are irreproachable. Alc 13.5%

Rosé

Léoube, Secret de Léoube, Côtes de Provence, France 2024

Platinum, 97 points

Full of class and elegance: bashful peach, cranberry and wild strawberry characters gently shroud the nose and palate, embracing the lush Mediterranean core of thyme and pine. Billowing and long with a refined mineral ending. Alc 14%

Red

Craggy Range, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2024

Best in Show, 97 points

Of the six Pinot Noirs from New Zealand to feature in our Top 50 selections since 2018, this is the third to come from Wairarapa’s Martinborough (the other three, unsurprisingly, have been Central Otago wines). This is an uncompromisingly dark wine that plays to New Zealand’s strengths in terms of purity and vivacity of fruit: raspberry, cherry and plum come streaming from the glass, and the fine meshing of fruit and oak in this wine adds to its lustre and appeal. In the mouth, the wine is both long and broad but not in any way clumsy, and the fruit flavours (raspberry to the fore again) are hypnotic. Svelte tannins are barely palpable, so there’s no textural barrier to entry. Alc 13.5%

Rutini, Single Vineyard Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 2021

Best in Show, 97 points

Our second Gualtallary red this year is a pure Malbec from the cool 2021 vintage. It, too, is a very dark black-purple in colour, with disarmingly pure blackcurrant, black cherry and blackberry fruits just smoothed but not dominated by oak. That oak, by contrast, is barely visible on the palate at all, so dominant and head-turning is the fruit: a slalom run in which the sweet cherries and berries of the aroma are joined by slightly sourer, wilder fruits like elder and sloe. As that nuance suggests, the acidity is ample, ripe and supportive, working with the fine-milled tannins to keep the fruit well-trimmed and enduring. It’s four years old at present and still an infant, so much lies ahead: this would make a grand dinner-time bottle at any point over the next ten years. Alc 14%

Backsberg, Patriarch Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022

Platinum, 97 points

Divine black plums and forest berries parade across the nose and palate offsetting the compelling savoury capsicum complexity. Refined and densely populated with velvet tannins, shapely texture and a subtle cedar wood elegance. Long and composed. Alc 14%

Mahsarto d’Midin, The 8, South-East Anatolia, Turkey 2023

Platinum, 97 points

Burnished with sumptuous dark berry fruit and vibrant floral notes, full of zeal and verve. The palate is bedecked with a dark chocolate and coffee oak structure with tannins sidling up subtly. Lots to offer. Alc 14%

Fortified & Sweet

Graham’s, Quinta Dos Malvedos, Single Quinta Vintage, Port 2018

Best in Show, 97 points

The 2018 vintage for Port was a challenging but finally rewarding one: it came on the back of a long drought sequence throughout 2017, and the summer of 2018 saw heat spikes of up to 45⁰C in the Douro. It could have been a disaster – had it not been for a very wet spring. That wet spring meant that many of the region’s greatest vineyards could call on water reserves to sustain them in summer. The result was grandiose … in places; hence ideal for Single Quinta Vintage declarations. That was what our judges sensed when they came to this magnificent wine. It’s midnight black in colour, with a powerful weave of blackcurrant, mulberry, menthol, resin and cistus aromas. On the palate it’s generous, broad and thick-textured, with more black fruit lent complexity by the dried herbs, by malt, by dark chocolate; the tannins are softly chunky, intimately meshed with the fruit; the spirit integration is seamless. No hurry to drink, needless to say – but this fine Quinta port is inspiring just now. Alc 20%

Donnafugata, Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy 2023

Best in Show, 97 points

Strange to say, no Passito di Pantelleria has yet featured in our Best in Show selection, so we’re delighted to rectify the omission this year with this 2023 wine. It’s made, of course, with Muscat of Alexandria grapes (locally called Zibibbo) which are laid out on mats in the sun after harvest to dessicate and dry for about four weeks. The wine is a rich golden sunset orange. Oranges, too, set the tone for its astonishing, perfume-like aromas: once smelled, never forgotten. On the palate it is thick, liquorous and unctuous, though still bright with that intense orange fruit. In some sweet wines, sheer intensity of sugar substitutes for complexity. Not here. It’s almost as if the force of Pantelleria’s near-African sunlight has engraved the wine with layers and lessons of its own. Alc 14.5%

Reif Estate Winery, Grand Reserve Icewine Vidal, Ontario – Niagara Peninsula, Canada 2023

Platinum, 97 points

An explosion of vibrant florals underscored by wave upon wave of grilled pineapple, passionfruit, dried orange and fleshy apricot riches. Full and voluptuous with a waxy, lanolin texture and tantalising acidity. Complexity wins the day. Alc 10.5%

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Every year on 16 February we celebrate Syrah – a black grape variety which produces some of the darkest, punchiest and most age-worthy wines. Also known as Shiraz it originates from the Rhône region in France, but has become a true international varietal, flourishing in vineyards around the world.

To its roots, in the northern Rhône’s appellations like Côte Rôtie and Hermitage, Syrah produces complex, full-bodied wines bursting with red and black fruits, violets, pepper and savoury meatiness.

In the south to appellations including famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Syrah is most often blended, adding colour, tannin, spice and complexity to these traditional GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) blends. South again to neighbouring Languedoc-Roussillon, varietal and blended Syrah wines are worth exploring for a riper style.

Scroll down to discover 15 top-scoring Shyrah wines from DWWA 2025

Its international appeal, global reputation and adaptability across diverse climates is underscored further by top Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 results with awarded wines from Brazil, Chile and South Africa.

If you’re drawn to the chocolatey, jammy, peppery richness of a Shyrah, the examples below are sure to impress.

To celebrate International Syrah Day, we highlight 15 awarded wines from DWWA which are well worth seeking out. Discover more award-winning wines at awards.decanter.com →

15 Syrah wines to explore

Best in Show

Château La Borie, Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse, Rhône, France 2023

Best in Show, 97 points

Côtes du Rhône-Villages + village name red wines have only won three placings down the years in our Best in Show picks – and this is the second time that Suze-La-Rousse has featured. (Plan de Dieu was the third.) Does that indicate some terroir distinction that may eventually find Suze-la-Rousse winning cru status, as seven of its peers have done over the last half century? Let’s see. What’s for sure is that this Syrah varietal wine (there’s just a dash of Grenache) is an outstanding find: dense black-red in colour, with magnificently lifted, bacon-sizzling aromas that wouldn’t look out of place after a hot summer in Cornas. The additional aromatic note of orange blossom and peel, though, suggests southern origins. It’s grandiose on the palate: mouth-filling and exuberant, lavish and rich, with shovefuls of sweet, tender fruit to enjoy – very definitely a southerner here. Look out for those orange fragrances cascading gratifyingly through the palate, too. Alcohol 14%

Brazil

Maria Maria, Isabela 2023

Gold, 96 points

Myriad strawberries, cherries, cloves and aniseed with an intrigue of leather and charcuterie. Astonishingly fresh and alert with a sweet spicy persistence at the end. Alc 14.6%

Chile

Cono Sur, Single Vineyard Nº25 La Palma, San Antonio 2021

Gold, 95 points

Smouldering black pepper, dark forest fruit and an awesome charcuterie character enhances the voluminous structure. Mouth-watering and meaty with a generous smokiness at the end. Alc 14.5%

Viña Casa Solís, Reserva La Piqueta, Colchagua 2024

Gold, 95 points

Keen florals and juicy blue plums with a charge of peppery spice enveloping the wonderfully approachable structure and lively tannins. Full of potential and excitement. Alc 13.5%

Croatia

Hvar Hills Winery, Srednja i Južna Dalmacija, Coastal 2022

Gold, 95 points

Capacious damson, blueberry and blackcurrant fruit enveloped in a plush velvet structure, pencil shaving tannins and vibrant lift of pepper. Ambitious and immersive with a long finish. Alc 14.5%

France

Château Maris, Les Amandiers, Minervois La Livinière, Languedoc-Roussillon 2019

Gold, 95 points

Awesome bilberry, blueberry and lavender notes punctuate the fine cedarwood texture and supple tannins, with a smoky clove element that funnels towards the lengthy ending. Alc 14.5%

Delas, Les Bessards, Hermitage, Rhône 2022

Gold, 95 points

Wow! A multi-layered magnetism of black pepper, plum and rose petal with a lure of mineral power leading to the dense, concentrated palate. Long and complex. Alc 14%

Domaine de Boisseyt, Les Garipelées, Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2023

Gold, 95 points

Alluring youthful notes of blueberry, raspberry and lilac; full-bodied and smooth with clear cut tannins, a precise juicy acidity and long savoury finish. Fantastic potential. Alc 13.5%

Les Vignobles Foncalieu, Via Nostrum, Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon 2021

Value Gold, 95 points

Smoothly textured and polished emphasising the ornate black fruit and garrigue herb profile that parades over the strident tannins and acidity. Full of charm and distinction. Alc 14%

Roland Grangier, Côte Granits, Saint-Joseph 2023

Gold, 95 points

Impeccably defined Mediterranean character, exhibiting blackcurrant, violet petal and smoky bacon aromas which punctuate the silky texture, svelte tannins and refreshing acidity on the finish. Alc 13%

New Zealand

Church Road, 1 Single Vineyard Redstone, Bridge Pa, Hawke’s Bay 2021

Gold, 95 points

Indulgent blackberry and mulberry jam with pink peppercorn and sun dried kalamata olive inflections. Bright and poised with a sheen of plush tannin and a delicate acid line. Alc 13.5%

South Africa

Kleinood, Tamboerskloof, Stellenbosch 2021

Gold, 95 points

An attractive marriage between sweet fruit and savoury: espresso coffee and spicy meat greets succulent rhubarb and damsons over a creamy texture with a lush chocolate finish. Alc 13.5%

Spain

Vinicolas Reunidas, Sot Neral, Costers del Segre 2024

Value Gold, 95 points

Overspilling with youthful energy! Floral notes combine with blueberries, black cherries and black pepper, all of which melt into the sweet tannins, tender acidity and fleshy fruit grip. Alc 14%

United States

Samā Cellars, Bhūmi Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State 2022

Gold, 95 points

Abounding plums, blackberries and raspberries with herbaceous and violet nuances coupled with vibrant acidity and finely-tuned tobacco tannins. Textured and meaty with a long, harmonious finish. Alc 13.6%

Watermill, Hallowed Stones, Oregon 2021

Gold, 95 points

Spilling over with violet florals, ripe blueberries and plums which engage seamlessly with the smoked meat and black olive core. Generous and open with a peppery finish. Alc 13.9%

Search all DWWA 2025 results 

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It’s the Gironde river, where the Garonne and Dordogne meet, that splits the region in half to create its key Right Bank and Left Bank zones. And the third major zone, in between the rivers, is known as Entre-deux-Mers.

With its climate influenced by the Atlantic ocean and its soils rich in gravel, the Left Bank is known for producing wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. With iconic appellations including Margaux, Pauillac and Haut-Médoc, the Left Bank is widely celebrated for wines that can age gracefully for decades.

Discover 14 top-scoring Bordeaux reds from DWWA 2025

On the Right Bank, Merlot finds its finest expressions in places such as Pomerol and St-Emilion. Characterised by smooth tannins, full body and a mix of red and black fruit flavours, these wines are complex yet beautifully balanced.

At Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, the world-famous region impressed the judges, with wines receiving top medals. Two Best in Show accolades were awarded to wines from the outstanding 2022 vintage, underlining its exceptional quality.

Explore the full results from DWWA 2025 at awards.decanter.com

Best in Show

Château de Rochemorin, Pessac-Léognan 2022

97 Best in Show

£20.50-£26.95 (ib) Cru, Vin Cognito

Blend of 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

This opaque black-red wine is packed with the tender-sweet black fruits and sweet floral seduction typical of the 2022 vintage; secondary complexities lie ahead. On the palate, it is soft, tender and ample, with Merlot turning on the charm. The Petit Verdot brings a little pepper and spice, and even the Cabernet in this wine is affable and unforbidding, lending grandeur and resolve to the Merlot’s charm. This is not a Pessac-Léognan that will demand extensive cellar ageing; its soft textures, balance and charm make it an ideal choice for the first decade following the vintage. Alcohol 14%

Château La Croix Younan, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

97 Best in Show

vignoblesyounan.com

One of the biggest treats of the two days in which the DWWA Co-Chairs met to look at our best Platinum medals this year was the chance to sit down with an entire flight of 2022 reds from Bordeaux – a magnificent vintage of untramelled generosity with a long life ahead. This St-Emilion wine, its 70% Merlot balanced by Cabernet Sauvignon, has bright, fresh scents with ample black fruits to the fore. The palate is generous and soft-textured yet shapely and long, with softly cedary complexities shading the dark plum fruits. This will be a 2022 to enjoy relatively soon, though the constitution of the vintage will ensure it holds well as it modulates towards a gentle and open-pored old age. Alc 13.5%

Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

Château de Haut-Coulon 2023

96 Gold

US$25 Fruit of the Vine

A panorama of ripe blackberry, plum, cherry and violet with earthy, fine-grained tannins and a backdrop of clove and cedar. Generous, ample and long. Alc 14.2%

Haut-Médoc

Barton & Guestier, Château Magnol, Cru Bourgeois 2022

96 Gold

£25 Kingsland Drinks

Ripe cassis, plum and violet fragrances cloaked in a carefully constructed oak frame with succulent acidity, tight-knit tannins and a long mocha finish. Compelling. Alc 13.5%

Château de Malleret, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2022

96 Gold

chateau-malleret.fr

An invigorating core of cassis, damson and Morello cherry melts into the fine toast and vanilla warmth, in harmony with the vital acidity. Long and gravelly. Alc 13.5%

Lalande-de-Pomerol

Château Grand Ormeau 2022

96 Gold

chateaugrandormeau.com

A lovely melange of raspberry and cassis fruit embracing a linear structure and finely crafted tannins. The embodiment of elegance and grace, deceptively long and gratifying. Alc 14.5%

Margaux

Château Haut Breton Larigaudière, Le Créateur Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

95 Gold

chateauhautbretonlarigaudiere.com

Lavish oak overlays cassis fruit and graphite intensity with impeccably fine-tuned tannins and vivacious acidity. One for the long haul but delicious now. Alc 13.8%

Pauillac

Château Haut de la Bécade 2022

97 Platinum

larosepauillac.com

Glossy black cherry and blueberry with a voluptuous smoky quality from lashings of new French oak. The fine pencil-shaving tannins are already starting to melt away, revealing a rewarding freshness. Alc 14%

Pessac-Léognan

Château Brown, Le Colombier de Brown 2022

97 Platinum

£25.50 Hennings

Distinctive cassis, black cherry and graphite flow over the fabulous structure, framed by finely etched tannins and tense saline acidity. Beautifully constructed, with a lingering mocha note at the end. A tour de force. Alc 14%

St-Emilion

Château Coudert, Grand Cru 2022

97 Platinum

vignobles-carles.fr

Irresistible aromas of ripe plum, blueberry and liquorice are woven into an intricate mineral core. Full of power and potential, with muscular tannins, strident acidity and a savoury oak finish. Long and sustaining. Alc 15.5%

Château Tour de Yon, Grand Cru 2022

97 Platinum

passionsaintemilion.com

A marriage of New World-style hedonism with classic Old World structure. Lavish, black cherry and blueberry, polished savoury oak that’s tightly woven into the frame. Sensational, with time on its side. Alc 14%

Château Fonplégade, Grand Cru Classé 2022

96 Gold

£31 (ib)-£60 Cru, House of Townend, Ideal Wine Co, Selection Sommelier, Waud Handford

Taut and youthful, showing toasted cedar, vanilla and cinnamon layered with notes of dark berries and mint. Structured and complete, with a black-olive finish. Alc 15%

Château Le Loup, Grand Cru 2022

96 Gold

passionsaintemilion.com

Raspberry, cherry, cassis and cocoa aromas in abundance with a smooth, rounded generosity on the palate and mineral edges to the tannins. Long and nuanced. Alc 14.5%

Château Tour Baladoz, Grand Cru Classé 2023

96 Gold

£51 Private Cellar

Elegantly built with dark damson and hedgerow fruit layered over a cleansing crushed-stone character. Filigree structure of silky tannins and keen acidity. Alc 13.9%

DWWA 2026 entries are open until 17 March 2026. Learn more at enter.decanter.com

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The leading event for quality Spanish wine held from 2-4 February in the heart of Barcelona, brought together more than 1,300 exhibitors, 90 DOs and nearly 1,000 national and international buyers, offering a platform for valuable conversations and business opportunities. 

This year, Barcelona Wine Week paid tribute to the finest family wine dynasties. As part of the programme, Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) hosted a masterclass showcasing families that defined excellence at the 2025 competition. Led by DWWA Co-Chair and Spanish expert Beth Willard and moderated by Decanter‘s Regional Chair for Spain, South America & Portugal, Ines Salpico, the masterclass featured eight wines scoring 95+ points. 

From traditional-method sparkling to aromatic whites, robust reds and fortified wines, Willard presented a curated flight of DWWA 2025 Gold, Platinum and Best in Show award winners from across Spain.

Discover the eight wines showcased at the masterclass below

Willard began by explaining the rigorous judging process to attendees before diving into the wines. In 2025 nearly 17,000 wines from 57 countries were evaluated by 248 judges. Wines are grouped into carefully curated flights and judged against their peers. 

Following the first tasting, Gold winners (95-96 points) are grouped by category and re-tasted blind in a second round of judging. The very best are elevated to Platinum (97+ points) and re-tasted a final time by the Co-Chairs, who then select the 50 Best in Show wines. 

Spain once again had a strong year in 2025, ranking among the top three countries by number of medals. At the masterclass, Willard presented two of the competition’s 50 Best in Show – Vall Llach, Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada 2023 from Priorat, and Del Duque V.O.R.S, Amontillado from González Byass. 

The line-up also included a Value Gold wine (under £15 at the time of judging), underlying how quality is recognised at every price point. 

DWWA is committed to celebrating excellence in winemaking while reflecting real-world market conditions. In addition to the added exposure gained by producers who were featured in the masterclass, all exhibitors were able to hand deliver their wine entries for DWWA 2026 at the Decanter stand, providing a convenient and cost-effective shipping method.

See below to discover the line-up of 95-97-point wines which were presented on the day (in tasting order).

The eight masterclass wines

Alta Alella, Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ Brut Nature, Cava 2007

Gold, 95 points

60% Pansà Blanca, 40% Chardonnay

Gorgeous roasted hazelnuts, almonds, baked bread and biscuits set the tone with a permeating lemon and lime freshness besetting the mousse and a crunchy mineral finish. Alcohol 12%

Cherubino Valsangiacomo, deSantJaume Malvasia, Valencia 2024

Value Gold, 95 points

85% Malvasia, 15% Merseguera

Tantalising pear, apple, apricot and peach aromas underscored by tingling notes of grapefruit, lemon and lime. Bright and crisp with a linear structure and lengthy herbal finish. Alc 12.5%

Bodegas Alvear, Tres Miradas Paraje De Riofrío Alto 3er Año, Montilla-Moriles 2021

Platinum, 97 points

100% Pedro Ximenez

A formidable style, enchanting the nose with fennel, dried almond and herb characters and imbedding the palate with a mineral structure and an intriguing textural grip. Quenching, salivating and saline with swathes of toasted nuts on the finish. Alc 13.5%

Bodegas Valdemar, Conde Finca Alto Cantabria Viñedo Singular, Rioja 2023

Gold, 95 points

100% Viura

White peach, apricot and grapefruit aromas tumble over the glossy sheen of oak that cushions the embracing acidity. Creamy and plush with a piquant finish. Alc 13%

Bodegas Rodríguez Y Sanzo, Palo Norte Verdejo, Rueda 2020

Gold, 95 points

100% Verdejo

Intricately laced with dried chamomile, dried herbs and mace on the nose, with a flourish of delectable lemon peel acidity and a long nutty finish. Alc 13.5%

Bodegas Y Viñedos Verum, Ilusioverum Cdvin Garnacha, Rioja 2022

Gold, 95 points

100% Garnacha

Bedecked with redcurrants, red cherries and raspberries with a sizzling lick of black pepper. Softly structured with supple, plummy acidity and a boundless, spicy length. Alc 14.5%

Vall Llach, Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada, Priorat 2023

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Carignan

Priorat has been almost as successful in our Best in Show pantheon as Barolo – this concrete-aged Carinyena is the region’s sixth laureate. This purity and finesse of this wine makes a convincing case for Carinyena as the pre-eminent variety for Priorat – and, contrariwise, for Priorat as the world’s greatest location for Carignan. It’s also a plaudit for concrete ageing, whether in egg or otherwise. The wine is a dark black-red in colour, and the aromas are less fruity than most; it’s one of those wines which seems to smell as much of a landscape as of fruit. It’s only two years old, yet the ageing has been so successfully managed that it has the seamlessness and harmony of a much older wine. On the palate, it is refined, graceful and shawl-like, full of lingering dark-fruit intensity but counterbalanced by the wine’s unstrenuous cashmere tannin and insinuating, palate-lapping acidity: extraordinary finesse for a variety often regarded as workmanlike elsewhere. Alc 15.5%

González Byass, Del Duque V.O.R.S, Amontillado, Sherry NV

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Palomino

Like the other Amontillado in this year’s Best in Show, this VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry) Amontillado is formidable. It’s slightly deeper in colour: a deep orange amber. Its aromas, too, are fuller and weightier than its peer, reminding the fortunate drinker of antique furniture and generously endowed college libraries – as well as the scents of dry places in high summer, with their warm stones, path-trodden, sun-dried figs and tough, scruffy herbs. On the palate, it is a little less savagely pure, aerial and vaporising, with more depth and bottom to it; it has dark corners and recesses of flavour, whereas its sibling was all light and air. Technically, in fact, it has a few grams of residual sugar, though you won’t notice those as the wine’s sheer power of flavour and acid cut more than offset any sweetness. A remarkable drink; a wine-world reference. Alc 21.5%

Search all DWWA 2025 winners 

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• Spain’s hidden depths: Exploring regional strengths beyond Rioja and Ribera

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Mattia Tabacco

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Sara joins Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

Follow Sara on Instagram and see her website here.

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