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

Related Articles

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%

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%

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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.

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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.

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Mattia Tabacco is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Mattia Tabacco

Mattia Tabacco is head buyer at Élevage Wines, where he specialises in fine-wine selection, producer relationships, collector advisory, and market strategy. Drawing on a broad background spanning gastronomy, hospitality, trading, and fine wine, he applies his extensive international network to identify and introduce some of the most exciting emerging producers to the UK market.

Mattia works closely with Élevage producers on brand development, market positioning, and distribution, while also leading targeted campaigns for mature and rare wines. Over the past five years, he has purchased more than US$100 million worth of fine wine through auctions and the secondary market, establishing himself as a recognised expert in the world’s finest and rarest wines.

He joins Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Sue Tolson is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Sue Tolson

Sue Tolson is a freelance wine writer, judge, educator, consultant, and specialist translator and editor. Originally from England, she is now based in Hungary and focuses on Hungary and other Central and Eastern European countries, as well as Italy. She is one of Vinitaly International’s few Italian Wine Experts, with particular interests in indigenous grape varieties, volcanic wines, and old vines.

Sue has contributed to Vince, Trink, Glug, and Decanter supplements, and writes regularly for WineSofa, the online Central and Eastern European wine magazine, where she serves as Managing Editor, as well as for Wines of Hungary. She judges widely in Hungary and internationally, particularly across the CEE region.

She studied Italian and French at university and also speaks fluent Hungarian and German. Sue holds the DipWSET, is a Weinakademiker, and is a Stage 3 Master of Wine student.

Sue joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Sara Underdown is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Sara Underdown

Sara Underdown is an Australia-based Champagne specialist and wine communicator, recognised as a leading voice on the region internationally. She is the founder of VINE & BUBBLE, a Champagne-focused media, luxury events, and travel platform dedicated to connecting wine lovers with the world of Champagne through education, storytelling, and bespoke experiences.

Sara works closely with Champagne houses, PR agencies, importers, hospitality venues, and luxury brands, delivering education, media, events, and experiential programmes. A Dame Chevalier of L’Ordre des Côteaux de Champagne, she has received multiple international accolades, including recognition from the Vin de Champagne Awards, Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards, IWSC Wine Communicator Awards, 67 Pall Mall Wine Communicator Awards, and the Born Digital Wine Awards. She is also the official Star Wine List Ambassador for the Champagne region and South Australia.

A regular contributor to leading international and domestic drinks publications, Sara launched the VINE & BUBBLE Podcast in 2023 and travels frequently to Champagne, working closely with cellar masters and industry figures to bring the stories behind the region’s finest wines to a global audience.

Sara joins Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Lisa Granik MW is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Lisa Granik MW 

Lisa Granik MW entered the wine trade following an earlier career as a lawyer and law professor.

Having worked in both the importing and distribution channels, she currently advises European wineries, regions, and importers on strategies for the US market. As a specialist in Russian and Soviet studies, she first encountered Georgian wines in Moscow and Tbilisi in the late Soviet period, when it was more enjoyable to savour memories of Burgundy and Bordeaux wines than to partake in the industrial wines then on offer. As Georgian wines improved following the nation’s (re)independence, she saw a need for a definitive book on the region; “The Wines of Georgia” (Classic Wine Library) was published in 2020. A fourth edition of her annual companion volume, “Granik’s Guide to Georgian Wine” arrived in 2025.

She has been a Master of Wine since 2006, winning the Villa Maria Award for her writing on viticulture. Her shorter works have appeared in The New York Times, SommJournal, SevenFifty Daily, The World of Fine Wine and other wine-focused publications. She is based in New York City, where she is also the wine director of Askili Orchard, a restaurant serving elevated Georgian cuisine.

Lisa joins Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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June Rodil MS is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

June Rodil MS

June Rodil MS is ceo and partner of Houston-based Goodnight Hospitality, whose MICHELIN-recognised portfolio includes March Restaurant (one Michelin star), Rosie Cannonball (Bib Gourmand), The Marigold Club (MICHELIN Recommended), and Montrose Cheese & Wine.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Texas, she has played a pivotal role in shaping more than 20 hospitality concepts throughout her career, working closely with James Beard Award winners and Food & Wine Best New Chefs.

June joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Bertrand Lutaud MS is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Bertrand Lutaud MS

Bertrand Lutaud became a Master Sommelier in 2024 and holds dual Australian and French nationality. He is currently wine director for the OE Group in Hong Kong, overseeing all venues across Asia, while being based in Europe.

Previously, he served as head sommelier at Hôtel de Ville in Crissier, working under Philippe Rochat at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant. He also held the position of Sommelier at La Pyramide in Vienne, a two-Michelin-starred institution.

His career began in Australia, where he developed his sommelier expertise in Sydney at Banc Restaurant and Seven Restaurant.

He joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Chris Howard (Dr.) is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Chris Howard 

Chris Howard is an award-winning wine writer, educator and judge based in Paris. He holds a doctorate in anthropology and worked as both an academic and economist at the OECD before returning to wine – a path that began in his native Sonoma County.

His writing appears in World of Fine Wine, Decanter, and JancisRobinson.com. He served as an editorial advisor for the Oxford Companion to Wine 5th edition, and is international editor for The Tasting Panel and The Somm Journal. He has a special interest in oceanic wines, old vines, heritage varietals, and the intersections between wine and art.

An international wine judge, Chris is joining Decanter World Wine Awards judging panels for the first time in 2026.

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Sara Matos is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Sara Matos

Sara Matos is a wine professional, educator and producer with international experience across winemaking, education, and tasting. She holds a postgraduate qualification in Enology and has worked as Manager for Luís Pato Wines, with additional harvest experience at Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley.

A certified WSET wine educator, Sara is also a certified Port and Madeira educator and the founder of The Wine House. She is a scholarship recipient of the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation and a regular taster for Revista de Vinhos.

In addition, Sara is co-founder of the Defio Wine brand and co-organiser of Glu Flu – Wine Festival, reflecting her commitment to both wine production and the promotion of wine culture.

She joins Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Find out more about Sara’s work on her website.

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Anna Lee Iijima is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Anna Lee Iijima 

Anna Lee C. Iijima is a New York and Tokyo based journalist. She writes a monthly wine column for The Chicago Tribune and contributes regularly to Decanter, Bon Appétit, Resy and The Full Pour, among other publications. She was previously a contributing editor and critic for Germany, the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, and New York at Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Anna Lee holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma and studied as a Stage 2 student with the Institute of Masters of Wine. A specialist in sake and shochu, she holds both Certified and Advanced Sake Professional qualifications and frequently writes on Japanese beverages and food culture. Anna Lee joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Vladimer Kublashvili is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Vladimer Kublashvili

Vladimer is a Georgian winemaker whose career was shaped from an early age by the landscapes and traditions of Georgia, the birthplace of wine. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Enology from the Agricultural University of Georgia (2004–2006), with further studies in microbiology at Cranfield University in the UK and winemaking at Hohenheim University in Germany.

Since 2006, he has been part of Khareba Winery, Georgia’s largest wine group, rising to the role of chief winemaker and leading international projects that promote Georgian wine worldwide. He also holds an MBA in Wine Marketing & Sales from INSEEC in France.

With more than 20 years of experience, Vladimer views winemaking as both science and art, combining ancient tradition with modern expertise. He is also active as an international wine judge, evaluating wines at leading competitions around the world.

Vladimer joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

Follow Vladimer on Instagram and see his website here.

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Yuri Shima is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Yuri Shima 

Yuri Shima is a Japanese wine journalist and educator based between the San Francisco Bay Area and Tokyo. She holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma and was a recipient of an IWSC award in 2018. A certified WSET educator and Dame Chevalier of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, her work spans all areas of wine, with a particular focus on Champagne.

In addition to her wine career, Yuri is a licensed attorney, admitted to the New York State Bar. She joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026

Follow Yuri on Instagram and see her website here.

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Sietze Wijma is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Sietze Wijma

Sietze Wijma is a wine educator based in the Netherlands. Through his company, The Art of Tasting, he delivers tasting courses built around a distinctive methodology in which wines are presented with added flavour compounds. This approach helps wine professionals develop confidence in identifying flavours and recognising faults.

The Art of Tasting flavour vials are used by wine educators around the world and have become a widely adopted tool in sensory education. Sietze holds an MSc in Sensory Science, the WSET Diploma, and is an Advanced Cicerone®.

In 2025, he presented a wine faults masterclass to judges at the Decanter World Wine Awards, which was very well received. He joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

Follow Sietze on Instagram.

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Rosana Lisa is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Rosana Lisa

Rosana Lisa is an experienced winemaker and technical director with a career spanning research, production and winery management across Spain. In 2025, she was appointed Technical Director of Ramón Bilbao, where she leads winemaking strategy and technical development.

From 2015 to 2025, Rosana served as R and D Manager for Zamora Company’s wine division, working across multiple wineries on national and regional research projects focused on improving winemaking practices, including oxygen management, ageing vessels, vineyard microbiota, indigenous yeasts, climate change impacts, and energy efficiency.

She previously held technical management roles at Bodegas Palacio de la Vega and Sociedad Cooperativa Cirbonera in D.O. Navarra, overseeing vineyard management, production, ageing, and bottling. She also gained international harvest experience in Australia’s Barossa Valley.

In addition to her technical work, Rosana is a wine tasting trainer and a regular judge at international wine competitions. She joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

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Pietro Russo MW is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Pietro Russo MW

Pietro Russo is an Italian winemaker from Marsala with a strong international background in viticulture, oenology, and wine strategy. He holds a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Conegliano and a Master’s degree from Bordeaux, and has gained extensive hands-on experience through multiple harvests in France, Spain, New Zealand, Piedmont, and Sicily. These experiences have allowed him to work across a wide range of climatic, culturala nd production contexts.

In February 2024, Pietro became Italy’s third Master of Wine. He now works as a strategic and technical consultant for wine companies, supporting projects that integrate vineyard management, winemaking, portfolio development, and brand positioning.

He joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

Follow Pietro on Instagram.

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Cristina Mercuri is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Cristina Mercuri

An acclaimed wine educator & presenter, Cristina is the founder and ceo of Mercuri Wine Club, a consultancy company and innovative wine academy. Through Mercuri Wine Club she delivers wine education and consultancy in wine communication, brand building and marketing for the most prestigious wine brands in Italy. She regularly hosts masterclasses and speaks at leading wine events in Italy and internationally. She is also an international wine judge, consultant for private and promotional events, and a regular contributor to Forbes.

Cristina began her professional career as a lawyer in international law firms before deciding in 2015 to pursue her passion for wine. She achieved the WSET Diploma in 2017 and subsequently embarked on the Master of Wine programme, for which she is now in the final stage. Between 2019 and 2022, she became a Certified Sherry Educator, Cava Educator, Port Educator, and Italian VDP Ambassador. She is currently preparing her research paper as the final requirement of the MW programme.

As an educator, Cristina teaches at all levels, from beginners to WSET Diploma candidates, as well as students of oenology. With a strong focus on sales and marketing, she delivers tailored staff training programmes specialising in sales strategies and marketing tools. Her clients include wine consortia, wineries, distributors, restaurants, and luxury brands, many of which engage her for innovative team-building activities.

In addition to her educational and entrepreneurial ventures, Cristina is among the most-followed wine personalities in Italy on Instagram. She joins the Decanter World Wine Awards judging panel for the first time in 2026.

Follow Cristina on Instagram.

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Yannick Benjamin is a new judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Yannick Benjamin

Yannick has achieved the esteemed title of Sommelier of the Year, as acknowledged by the prestigious Michelin Guide. Yannick, a sommelier based in New York City, is the co-founder of Contento Restaurant in East Harlem and Beaupierre Wines & Spirits in Hell’s Kitchen. Beaupierre, a family business, is led by Hell’s Kitchen natives of French descent. Distinguished from other NYC-based wine shops, Beaupierre upholds family-oriented values and serves as a community hub for inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability.

Yannick is also a co-founder of Wine on Wheels, uniting wine enthusiasts and sommeliers for charitable endeavors. Despite a life-changing car accident in 2003 that left him paralyzed, Yannick pursued his dreams, attending college and becoming a sommelier. His early professional experiences include working at renowned establishments like Le Cirque, Jean-Georges, Felidia, and Atelier at the Ritz Carlton.

Yannick and his partners established Contento with the ethos “accessible for all.” The restaurant exemplifies quality hospitality with an inclusive approach. Yannick has been featured among Wine Enthusiast’s Top 40 under 40 and named Person of the Year by New Mobility Magazine in 2017.

Yannick has served as the resident sommelier on the radio show “On The Town with Michael Riedel” on AM 970 The Answer and appeared on major networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS. In 2015, he was featured in “Uncorked,” a documentary series on Esquire TV.

Jancis Robinson of the Financial Times referred to Yannick as “the new star of New York’s gastronomic firmament,” and The Wine Spectator highlighted his ability to showcase a “kinder, gentler side of the profession.” Yannick’s journey and the success of Wheeling Forward, an organization he supports, have been featured in major publications. In 2021, Yannick was recognized as Sommelier/Wine Director of The Year at the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards.

Follow Yannick on Instagram and see his website here.

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Leona De Pasquale is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Leona De Pasquale is a triple-award winner in 2025, including the prestigious BIH Wine Professional of the Year, sponsored by Decanter.

Based in London, she is a bilingual wine writer and educator. Her cross-cultural background, born in Taiwan and married to an Italian, shapes her distinctive perspective on wine, with particular expertise in Asia, Southern Italy and the rapidly developing English wine scene.

Leona teaches WSET qualifications up to Diploma level and runs Camellia and Vine, where she merges her deep knowledge of wine and tea into innovative education and training. As a seasoned judge at global competitions, including the DWWA, she is committed to elevating wine appreciation with both rigour and curiosity. She is currently completing her second MSc in Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning and to bringing practical, science-based insight into her teaching and judging.

Leona joined for the first time as a judge for the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2023.

Follow Leona on Instagram and see more about her company here.

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Caro Maurer MW has become the first Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) Resident Co-Chair after judging at the competition since 2013 and more recently, as Regional Chair, leading panels for Germany and the South & East Mediterranean.

As the world’s largest and most prestigious wine competition, DWWA has created the Resident Co-Chair role as part of continuous efforts to enhance its famously rigorous judging process, built around world-leading experts. 

‘Every day is different’

With more than 30 years of experience, Maurer brings a wealth of attributes to the new role thanks to her work as an editor, writer and educator. In 2011, she also became the first woman in the German-speaking world to attain the coveted Master of Wine title. 

Two days rarely look the same in Maurer’s action-packed professional life. 

Her regular work includes editing two pages every week on food and wine for General-Anzeiger, a daily newspaper in Bonn, plus writing for Decanter and leading food and wine magazine Der Feinschmecker. 

She also teaches about wine in several locations from Paris to Oslo – including for Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma (Level 4) courses – but also finds time to run masterclasses. ‘Every day is different. I never get bored,’ she said.

Journey into wine: ‘I always moved forward’

There was more of a steady progression than a single, eureka-style moment. That said, Maurer had been working as a correspondent in the US in the late 1980s and remembers encountering Riesling on her return to Germany. ‘I thought, “oh, wine can be that good?”.’

A prior focus on lifestyle writing led her to specialise in food and wine in 1994. ‘It was always easy to write about food but it was never easy for me to write about wine,’ she said.

‘I needed to know more, and digging into wine changes your life; when you get familiar with wine, when you start to understand wine.’ 

She added, ‘It became the major part of my life, next to my husband – let’s say [wine is] the second biggest love in my life.’

After completing a Diploma, Maurer took just four years to navigate the gruelling Master of Wine exams, joining this elite club in 2011 and winning the Quinta do Noval Award for best dissertation – entitled: ‘Erste Lage in Germany – a Classification in Development.’ 

Rather than setting out with a masterplan, she described herself as constantly moving forward. ‘I just went through all the doors which opened.’

Joy of discovery: ‘Just stay open to everything that comes your way’

Despite having achieved so much, Maurer said discovery remains one of the great joys of wine.

‘For me, the most exciting [region] is always the one I don’t know about. So, the next one I go to, and there are still many left for me to discover.’ 

Maurer recently returned from Crete. ‘Right now, I’m full of enthusiasm for Vidiano,’ she said. ‘But maybe in three months I will be in Chile and taste Chilean wines I’ve never tasted before. I’ve never been to Romania, and maybe there’s a lot to discover in Romania. 

‘So, I think, just stay open to everything that comes your way, and try it, taste it and discover it.’

It’s a thrilling time to be a wine drinker, she believes. ‘Right now, the wines being produced in the world are just amazing. You will find great wines everywhere.’

An exciting new role at DWWA 2026

Founded in 2004, DWWA has a long-standing record of showcasing winemakers and regions that deserve more attention on the international stage, alongside top examples of classic styles. Expert judges blind-tasted entries from 57 different countries at DWWA 2025.

Alongside a commitment to blind-tasting and specialist panels, a big part of what makes DWWA such a benchmark of quality is also the weight of importance given to discussion and collaboration between judges. 

Maurer’s Resident Co-Chair role reflects DWWA’s efforts to continually build on these solid foundations. 

Each year, a respected Regional Chair at the competition will step into this newly created role to help provide fresh perspective and insight alongside DWWA’s four established Co-Chairs:  Andrew Jefford, Beth Willard, Michael Hill Smith AM MW and Ronan Sayburn MS.

Maurer said her new position is in many ways an extension of what she already loves about the competition. ‘The wines and the people – these are the most exciting things about the new role,’ she said.

‘DWWA is always the most exciting place to go, because of the wines, for sure, but also you meet [hundreds] of people who are wine experts and who are sharing their expertise.’ 

Having enjoyed this aspect for more than a decade, Maurer will now be doing it on a larger scale. 

‘I love to discuss wine with people,’ she said. ‘At DWWA, everyone knows so much about wine that you can’t put your opinion above others. I think to consider their opinion and to weigh it against my perception of the wines on those different tables will be the most exciting moment [within the new role].’

Advice for wineries, writers and judges

For producers

What would Maurer say to a producer who hasn’t won a DWWA medal? 

‘Nobody loves to hear critique,’ said Maurer. In her own experience, she said it can take some initial time to absorb feedback, before then thinking about it as a ‘possibility to improve’ or do things differently.

For wineries missing out on a medal at DWWA, she advised, ‘I would just take time and think about the critique, think about the result, and use it – that’s the most important thing – use it to improve.’

Aspiring wine writers

What would be her advice to aspiring wine writers? ‘Lately, my advice is don’t do it!’,’ she quipped. More seriously, though, she said it’s important to consider the changing media landscape. 

‘I’m talking as a dinosaur who is still working with paper,’ she said, albeit this includes publications with an online presence. She suggested the future is more about communicating in a general sense, rather than purely writing. 

‘I would say look around at new media. For example, I see my colleague Konstantin Baum MW being very successful on YouTube. I think the future will offer more opportunities and channels which we’re not aware of right now – other ways to communicate about wine.’

That said, she still ‘loves to write’, and the craft isn’t completely finished. 

She praised award-winning DWWA Co-Chair Andrew Jefford as a ‘born writer’, for example. ‘If you are writing like Andrew Jefford, you could possibly still make your way into writing because people like him are appreciated.’

Aspiring wine judges

There’s no set path when it comes to judging, but Maurer’s advice was to consider: ‘Everybody wants to judge at Decanter, so what makes you stand out?.’

She added, ‘It is a combination of already knowing a lot, having a reputation and then being willing to apply. And then a bit of luck.’

‘You never stop learning’

In general, though, the most valuable lesson in wine is that one can never know everything, Maurer believes. 

‘You never stop learning. Every morning when you wake up there is a new wine, a new great winemaker, a new style. And so the most valuable lesson of my life is that I will learn about wine for the rest of my life.’

Article written by Chris Mercer. Interview with Caro Maurer MW by Loukia Xinari.

Entries for DWWAs 2026 are now open. Find all dates and details at enter.decanter.com and sign up to the DWWA newsletter here to receive all updates and information.

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Agustin Trapero is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Agustin Trapero

Agustin Trapero comes from El Tiemblo, an area of Spain famous for its historic Garnacha vines. As a youngster, he was introduced to his grandfather’s homemade wine. It wasn’t until he moved to the UK in 2001 and began working in restaurants that he found his passion for wine.

Starting from zero, he worked his way up through the ranks in various London eateries and Oxford hotels, eventually landing at the five-star Macdonald Randolph Hotel, where he spent six years. In 2008, he won the California Wines competition held by The UK Academy of Food & Wine and came in first in their New Zealand Winegrowers contest.

In 2009, Agustin became head sommelier at the Andaz, a five-star hotel in the City of London. He went on to complete placements at world-renowned restaurants such as The Fat Duck by Heston Blumenthal and El Celler de Can Roca, both of which have three Michelin stars.

At the end of 2012, he joined Launceston Place in Chelsea and helped to earn the restaurant’s first-ever Michelin star.

Agustin has received numerous accolades for his wine lists, including the Tatler Best Wine List Award and the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

He has also rolled up his sleeves and worked in vineyards in Burgundy at Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret, Ribera del Duero at Bodegas Laveguilla and Chianti Classico at Fattoria Le Corti Principe Corsini.

Agustin has since moved back to Spain, where he managed the beverage programme at the brand-new Four Seasons Madrid.

Nowadays, he advises restaurants and hotels as well as conducting masterclasses and presentations at wine congresses and events. He is also preparing for the Master Sommelier certification.

Follow Agustin on Instagram

For more information about Agustin, take a look at his website.

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Eleftherios Hanialidis MS is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Eleftherios Hanialidis MS

Eleftherios Hanialidis began his career in the hospitality industry in 2001 and has since worked extensively as a head sommelier, as well as a consultant for restaurants, wine bars, and wine retail stores. In August 2023, he achieved the distinction of becoming the first Greek Master Sommelier, having previously earned the A.S.I. Diploma (Gold Pin) in 2018.

Competing for the first time in 2017, he secured 3rd place in the Best Sommelier of Greece competition and was honored with the award for Best First Appearing Sommelier of Greece. In 2020, he won the prestigious title of Best Sommelier of Greece.

Eleftherios is a columnist for Oinoxoos magazine of Kathimerini newspaper and an instructor at Genius in Gastronomy.

Throughout his career, he has served as a judge for several esteemed wine competitions and continuously expands his expertise in wine, sake, spirits, and beer. He joined the DWWA judging panel in 2024.

See more of Elegtherios’ work on his website and follow him on Instagram.

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Matt Smith is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Matt Smith

Matt Smith is the Director of Wines at St. JOHN, overseeing all wine interests for the renowned London restaurant group.

He joined the wine trade in 2002 at Majestic Wine before moving to the Waitrose buying team in 2007. Over six years with the retailer, he sourced wines globally - from Burgundy and the South of France to Australia, New Zealand, and Eastern Europe. In 2011, he was made a Chevalier de Tastevin for his services and commitment to Burgundy wines.

Smith subsequently held senior buying roles at Bibendum Wine followed by Berry Bros. & Rudd, where he developed the Italian fine wine portfolio. In 2021, he joined Naked Wines as Buying Director, shaping their portfolio and commercial strategy. Smith took up his current position at St JOHN at the start of 2026.

Matt Smith started judging for the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2011.

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Amaya Cervera is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Amaya Cervera

Amaya Cervera is a freelance wine writer and journalist based in Madrid. She is the founder and editor of the bilingual (English-Spanish) website, Spanish Wine Lover, and writes mainly about Spanish wine.

She is also a contributor for other international and Spanish publications.

Amaya first joined the Decanter World Wine Awards as a judge in 2022.

Follow Amaya on Instagram and check out more of her work on her website.

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Cat Lomax is a judge at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Cat Lomax

Cat Lomax has held buying and senior trading roles across key wine retailers in the UK market; Laithwaites, Waitrose, Majestic and Marks & Spencer. She is currently working as a wine consultant.

Cat won the Derouet Jameson Award for outstanding academic achievement in her WSET Diploma.

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Devon Lochhead is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Devon Lochhead

Devon’s enthusiasm for wine began at 19, working evenings as a wine advisor in South Africa while at university.

After graduating, he moved to Hong Kong, immersing himself in the city’s buzzing wine culture. He joined Kedington wines in 2014, where he worked, studied and learned more about the industry.

Thereafter, he moved to Black Sheep Restaurants group and worked his way up to Head Sommelier.

Devon currently works for DGB Pty Ltd as the Regional Director for Asia and promotes a number of esteemed South African wineries across the region.

He passed the WSET Diploma in 2018, is a Certified WSET Wine Educator and a Stage 2 Master of Wine student.

Devon is also a regular judge for Decanter World Wine Awards, Asia Wine Challenge, Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia and China Wine and Spirits Awards.

Follow Devon on Instagram.

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Julie Buckley is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Julie Buckley

Julie Buckley discovered a passion for wine whilst working in hospitality in Hong Kong in the late 90’s. She developed this further by returning to the UK to study for the WSET Diploma and a scholarship at the Champagne Academy.

She has worked extensively in PR and buying roles in both the specialist and grocery retail sector. Her recent roles have focused on developing own & tertiary brand propositions where she has worked directly with winemakers and producers across the globe.

Julie is currently the chief operating officer at Winetraders UK Ltd. 

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Fiona Hayes is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA)

Fiona Hayes

Having studied languages at Manchester University, Fiona Hayes first worked in the wine trade at Berkmann Wine Cellars, in their York office.

Fiona moved to London after a year and became a buying assistant for Wine Importer Fields, Morris & Verdin, having fallen in love with working with wine and wanting to be closer to the various tastings and events taking place in the capital.

After a number of years, Fiona became an agency buyer for FMV and for five years was a buyer for their parent company Berry Brothers & Rudd, responsible for buying Rhône, USA, Austria, Germany, Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence and South West France.

She now works for The Wine Society as a buyer, and is currently studying on the Master of Wine programme.

She has also co-founded a wine subscription and consultancy business Grape & Nectar.

Fiona joined DWWA for the first time as a judge in 2019.

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Anne Jones is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Anne Jones

Anne is an experienced wine professional with her own consultancy specialising in sustainability, but also covering brand, marketing and commercial strategy.

Having joined the wine and spirits buying team at Waitrose in 2008 she has extensive tasting experience within retail and also as a judge and independent consultant. With a particular focus on the UK wine scene with clients including WineGB and a selection of English wine producers, and she also works for the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation.

Anne joined the DWWA judging panel in 2024.

Find out more about Anne’s consultancy company on her website and follow Anne on Instagram.

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Joseph Arthur is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Joseph Arthur

Joseph Arthur has worked in almost every sector of the trade; from making wine in Bordeaux and England whilst completing his BSc in Viticulture and Oenology, to selling fine wine to London’s most prestigious restaurants.

He moved into buying, working at Bibendum, Ocado and now Marks & Spencer where he is senior buyer. He looks after wines sourced from Australasia, Iberia, France and the USA, specialising in Italy and the Americas. Joseph travels regularly to all these countries, sourcing and blending exclusive wines for M&S.

He was a judge for the first time at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2021.

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James Davis MW is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

James Davis MW

James Davis MW is the wine director at Chestnut, and was formerly the general manager at Bolney Wine Estate (Part of Freixenet Copestick & Henkell). He is currently a doctoral student in wine business.

For nearly 4 years, James was commercial and retail director for Adnams, based on the beautiful Suffolk coast in Southwold.

He worked for Tesco supermarkets for 7 years, latterly heading up their wine buying team, and it was there that he became fascinated by wine.

Davis has also worked for brewer and retailer Greene King, where he became a Master of Wine in 2013.

He enjoys teaching about wine, whether through the MW Institute, or at Dijon Business School where he occasionally lectures.

He first joined the DWWA as a judge in 2019.

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Beth Pearce MW is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Beth Pearce MW

Beth is an experienced wine buyer and Master of Wine, and is currently the Head of Buying at Flint Wines.

Beth grew up on the coast in Hampshire, between Portsmouth and Southampton. She has a history and politics degree from Sussex University. She joined Majestic in 2010, working up from store to the head office as Buyer (Bordeaux, US, Australia, NZ, Rhone, Southern France). Beth then joined Lay & Wheeler where she worked for three years, most recently as Buying Director. After passing the WSET Diploma, Beth was awarded the Derouet Jameson scholarship to start the MW, which she passed on the first attempt in 2020. Today, Beth lives by the beach in Southsea in Portsmouth with her family.

Follow Beth on Instagram and see more about her work here.

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Marcelo Pino is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Marcelo Pino

As a Chilean sommelier, Marcelo has been dedicated to wine and gastronomy for many years. Twice chosen as the best sommelier in Chile (2011 to 2017), second best in America in 2015, and number twenty-four in the world in 2016.

He received his Advanced Sommelier certificate by the Court of Master Sommeliers of London in 2019. During Marcelo’s preparation for different sommelier competitions, he spent 6 months working at Terravina with Gerard Basset in 2012.

Marcelo has participated in many blind tasting competitions around the world. He is currently the owner of a restaurant in Pichilemu called La Parrilla de Pino, as well as a wine consultant for different hotels and restaurants in Chile.

Marcelo is passionate about traveling through the world of wine, gastronomy and surfing.

Follow Marcelo on Instagram and see his website here.

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Beverly Tabbron MW is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Beverly Tabbron MW

Beverly Tabbron MW graduated from Kings College London in 1979 with a BA joint honours degree in German and Latin.

Since passing her MW in 1996, Beverly has been responsible for purchasing at Hallgarten & Novum, and with particular emphasis on their French portfolio since 2014.

She is also responsible for training and education within the company, leading a team of two trainers.

Beverly Tabbron MW was first a judge at the DWWA in 2012.

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Maria Jose Huertas Vega is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Maria Jose Huertas Vega

Maria Jose Huertas Vega is currently head sommelier at NH Hotels, Spain.

She is also a wine critic with a monthly column for the Spanish newspaper “La Vanguardia” and was previously a sommelier at the 2 Michelin star Paco Roncero Restaurant, Madrid.

She has won numerous sommelier awards including; the 2003 National Prize in Gastronomy as a sommelier (Spain), the 2003 Metrópoli Award of El Mundo as sommelier of the year, the 2004 Madrid Fusion Prize as best sommelier in Madrid, the 2005 International Academy of Gastronomy Prize as best sommelier, the 2017 Wine Challenger Prize for Best Wine List at La Terraza del Casino and the 2017 Young European Restaurateurs Career Prize.

Follow Maria on Instagram and X: @mjhuertasvega

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Dawn Davies MW is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Dawn Davies MW

Dawn Davies MW is the buying director at Speciality Drinks, after spending nine years working for Selfridges as the company’s Wine and Spirit Buyer.

She previously worked as Head Sommelier, and then Restaurant Manager, at The Ledbury restaurant in Notting Hill, and as Sommelier at the Square Restaurant in Mayfair, both in London. Before that, she was Head Sommelier at Boxwood Café (Gordon Ramsay) and Zuma.

Dawn was first a DWWA judge in 2008.

Follow Dawn on Instagram.

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Matthew Horsley is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Matthew Horsley

Matthew Horsley is a buyer at The Wine Society, having worked for them for over 11 years.

After graduating university with a degree in Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, Matthew joined The Wine Society as a Christmas temp before joining the Tastings and Events Team where he spent three and a half years. He joined the Buying Department in 2017 and now buys the wines of England, South Africa, Greece and Hungary for The Society.

He passed his WSET Diploma in 2016 and is now a Master of Wine Stage 3 student.

Matthew was a judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards for the first time in 2021.

Outside of work, he is often found walking his cocker spaniel, Bilbo, to the pub and back.

Follow Matthew on Instagram.

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Andres Ituarte is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Andres Ituarte

Born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, Andres Ituarte has been working in the food and beverage industry since he was 19.

Originally starting out in the kitchen, he soon realised that wine was his true vocation. After googling ‘sommelier’, and finding out that there was a job where you could get paid to drink wine, he immediately signed up for wine classes through the International Sommelier Guild.

Since then, Ituarte has worked in almost every facet of the wine world. In 2009, he became a certified sommelier and just 1 year later he moved to London to “make it on the big stage”. Ituarte worked as head sommelier at Coq d’Argent in the City of London and then moved to be being group head sommelier for Tamarind Collection. Now he is head sommelier at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair.

Follow Andres on Instagram.

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Laure Patry is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Laure Patry

Laure Patry began her career in North Yorkshire and Bath as part of her initial UK placements following sommelier school before moving to London in 2003. She worked eight years for Gordon Ramsay Holdings, including almost two years as Assistant Head Sommelier at Claridges, and a further six years as Head Sommelier at Maze where she gained the respect of Jason Artherton.

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Laure then joined Jason Artherton in 2011 to open Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social as Head Sommelier. After 2 years, she became Executive Head Sommelier having been part of the opening teams in their outlets in Asia, the Middle East and New York and worked across the global group of restaurants.

Laure is currently the UK manager for Wine Source.

Follow Laure on Instagram.

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Andrea Eby is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Andrea Eby

Andrea Eby is the Italian programs director at the Wine Scholar Guild. Andrea is a stage two Masters of Wine student with over a decade of experiences in the wine trade as a wine buyer, in retail sales, and as a drinks educator at one of Canada’s top wine stores. In 2020 she founded Vinsanity Consulting and Vinsanity School of Wine in Winnipeg, Canada.

Andrea runs wine education classes in Winnipeg and has worked as an assessor at WSET’s Educator Training Programme. She is a sommelier instructor with the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS/ACSP) and a member of the CAPS National Education Committee. She imports Italian wines and consults for Italian wineries looking for help to navigate the complex Canadian market.

Andrea has judged at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, International Wine Challenge and Vinitaly 5 Star Wines. She joined the Decanter World Wine Awards as a judge in 2022.

Look at more of Andrea’s work on her website and follow her on Instagram

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Andrea Briccarello is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Andrea Briccarello

Andrea Briccarello is a senior business development manager at Jascots Wine Merchants. He was previously a brand manager for Bisol Prosecco. Andrea’s other roles have included wine buyer for Galvin’s restaurants and a group sommelier and wine buyer for Corrigan’s Mayfair, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, and Lindsay House. He has also worked at Michelin-starred Umu.

In 2009 he was named Sommelier of the Year by Taste of London, and he was the winner of the Wines of Roussillon Dessert Trophy in 2010.

Andrea was first a DWWA judge in 2010.

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Alexandra Mawson is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Alexandra Mawson

Alexandra Mawson, with more than 16 years in the wine industry spanning the UK and Australia, has worked for independents and grocers.

She has been buying for Waitrose since 2015 and currently looks after their Champagne and Sparkling wines category, and is responsible for its range and commercial delivery. Mawson previously worked in Sydney, Australia for Cellarmasters & Langtons.

Mawson is also a Champagne academician, Dame Chevalier of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagnes and has featured in the Top 100 most influential in Drinks Retailing for the last 3 years. A WSET Diploma graduate (2009), she has been a Decanter World Wine Awards judge since 2019.

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Demetri Walters MW is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Demetri Walters MW

Demetri Walters MW is a wine educator and presenter with many years of experience selling wine, providing product training, running wine schools, and hosting corporate & private wine tasting events to groups of all sizes, all over the world.

Now an independent wine consultant, Demetri held both retail and trade-orientated positions for more than 18 years with the prestigious Berry Bros. & Rudd. His approach to presenting wine is amusing, accessible and entertaining. He is an expert at leading wine tasting events, conducting private wine tuition, providing specialist presentations at third party wine fairs and Master of Wine educational seminars, and is a seasoned international wine judge. Demetri also offers wine trade training, WSET education and wine list advice to restaurants, venues and airlines. His remit is international and involves teaching wine students, private clients, on-trade customers (pub & restaurant teams, sommeliers and corporate wholesale customers) and distributors all over the world, including in Britain & Ireland, Continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Demetri was made a master of wine in 2013, his thesis for which brought him back to his formative interest in Cypriot wine. He is a co-founder of the Hellenic wine sourcing businesses – Orpheus wine. Demetri is a feature writer for various prominent industry publications, a consultant voice for numerous wine regions, particularly those of Cyprus, Greece, and the Eastern Mediterranean, and is a regular speaker on sweet and fortified wines. He is the UK’s first Madeira Brand Ambassador, consulting for Blandy’s.

Demetri was first a judge at the DWWA in 2015.

For more information on Demetri’s work, take a look at his website.

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Igor Luković is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA)

Igor Luković

Igor Luković is a wine critic, writer, journalist and a certified sommelier from Serbia, who has worked in the wine business since 2003.

He is Editor in Chief at “Vino & Fino” magazine and associate of many other wine media. He is one of the founders of the Wine Identity initiative, which manages wine events in Serbia and the surrounding countries. For many years, he has been President of the Sommelier Association of Vojvodina and CEO of the Serbian Sommelier Association.

Igor is actively engaged in wine education, trainings, consulting and event management, and has a vast experience as a wine judge at many respectable international competitions.

He started in the wine industry as owner and Editor of “Gurman” and “Gastro Svet” magazines, and later he became General Manager of “Vinodrom”, company for importing and distribution of wine.

He judged at the DWWA for the first time in 2019.

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Christine Parkinson is a judge at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

Christine Parkinson

Christine Parkinson started her career in the kitchen, moving into management after three years as head chef. Eventually she followed her passion for wine, and in 2001 created the first wine list for Hakkasan. She held the position of group head of wine, with restaurants worldwide including the Michelin-starred Hakkasan and Yauatcha, as well as Sake No Hana, Herringbone and Ling Ling.

Parkinson has been called “one of the most creative wine buyers in the UK” by Jancis Robinson, and has won awards including ‘Taste On-Trade Influencer’, ‘Imbibe Restaurant Personality of the Year, and ‘IWC Sake Contributor of the year’. Her wine lists have also won many awards, including ‘World of Fine Wine’, ‘Wine Spectator’ and ‘Imbibe / Louis Roederer Wine List of the Year ‘ and in 2016 she led Hakkasan Group to the WSET Educator of the Year global award.

Having left Hakkasan in 2019, she is co-founder of specialist no and low alcohol consultancy, Brimful Drinks. She is the drinks specialist and director of ChrisWineSake. She is also known as the voice behind podcast The Alcohol-free Sommelier.

Christine Parkinson first judged at the DWWA in 2006.

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