More than 130 world-class producers, over 1,000 wines and an exceptional programme of exclusive tastings await as Decanter Fine Wine Encounter London returns to The Landmark London from 6-7 November 2026.

From benchmark classics to exciting new discoveries, the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter brings together the people, places and wines shaping the world of fine wine today. It's a chance to taste across regions and styles, speak directly with leading producers and enjoy an unrivalled programme of tastings in one elegant setting.

The full line-up of producers and wines will be available on both Friday and Saturday, giving guests complete flexibility to attend either day.

For those wanting to immerse themselves in everything the Encounter has to offer, a two-day ticket provides the opportunity to taste at your own pace, revisit standout wines and spend more time with the winemakers behind them.

Book tickets to Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2026 here

Where the world of fine wine comes together

At the heart of Decanter Fine Wine Encounter is the Grand Tasting – an unrivalled opportunity to explore the world's leading wine regions through the bottles and the people behind them.

More than 120 producers from 16 countries will pour a carefully curated selection of their wines, from benchmark classics to exciting new discoveries. Alongside renowned estates from France, Italy and Spain, visitors can explore wines from further afield, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, Hungary, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and beyond.

The 2026 producer line-up includes highlights such as Henri Giraud, Château Beychevelle, Carpineto, Muga, House of Arras, Clos Apalta and Royal Tokaji, with many more prestigious names set to welcome guests across both days.

Grand Tasting ticket holders will also enjoy access to the Decanter World Wine Awards Winners' Table, where a hand-picked selection of 95-point-and-above medal winners from the 2026 competition will be available to taste side by side, offering a chance to discover outstanding wines that are often difficult to find in one place.

The full Grand Tasting line-up will be available on both Friday (3pm-9pm) and Saturday (11am-5.30pm), with single-day and two-day tickets available.

Exclusive Cellar Collection access

For those seeking something truly special, the Cellar Collection returns with three sessions across the two days, offering a rare opportunity to explore flagship wines through multiple vintages.

Twenty-one leading producers will each present three vintages of their most celebrated wine, including mature library releases that are seldom poured outside the winery. It's a unique chance to experience how some of the world's greatest wines evolve over time, while tasting alongside the people who know them best.

With limited capacity for every session, Cellar Collection tickets are among the most sought-after experiences of the event.

Three extraordinary masterclasses

The 2026 masterclass programme brings together three of the world's most celebrated wine estates for expertly guided tastings led by the key figures behind each producer. Taking place on Saturday 7 November, these sessions offer a rare opportunity to taste landmark wines while hearing directly from the people shaping their future.

The day begins with Dom Pérignon, as Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon leads a remarkable tasting spanning five decades. Guests will explore 10 wines dating back to 1983, including several long-aged Plénitude releases that reveal the different stages in the evolution of one of Champagne's most iconic wines.

Next, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy, Head Winemaker at Baron Philippe de Rothschild, presents an in-depth exploration of the Pauillac estate's three celebrated properties: Château Mouton Rothschild, Château d'Armailhac and Château Clerc Milon. Featuring 10 wines across four decades, including mini-verticals of each estate and a rare magnum of Mouton Rothschild 1998.

The final masterclass celebrates Seña, the pioneering Chilean wine created through a partnership between Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi. Led by Alejandra Chadwick, guests will taste eight vintages across three decades, from the inaugural 1998 vintage to the anniversary 2024 release, which will be presented in a public tasting for the very first time.

A seat at the table

Among Decanter Fine Wine Encounter's most exclusive experiences, Winemakers' Lunches offer an unparalleled opportunity to spend an afternoon in the company of some of the wine world's most influential figures.

Held on Friday 6 November, each lunch is limited to just six guests, creating an intimate setting for conversation over a curated menu paired with outstanding wines from the host producer. Available to book independently of Grand Tasting tickets, these lunches offer a chance to hear personal stories, ask questions and gain unique insights that simply aren't possible in a larger tasting.

This year's hosts include:

• Adrianna Catena, Catena Zapata (Mendoza, Argentina)
• Christian Seely, Château Pichon Baron (Bordeaux, France)
• Michel Chapoutier, M. Chapoutier (Rhône, France)
• Lucy Margaux Hill-Smith, Yalumba (Barossa, Australia)
• Numanthia (Toro, Spain)
• Manfred Ing, Querciabella (Tuscany, Italy)

Places for the Winemakers' Lunches will be released soon. A waitlist is now open for those wishing to receive priority access when bookings are released.

Fuel your passion for extraordinary wine

Whether you're visiting for a single day, planning the full two-day experience with Cellar Collection access, or simply looking to join a masterclass or winemakers' lunch, Decanter Fine Wine Encounter offers an unrivalled opportunity to taste, learn and meet the people shaping the world of fine wine.

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If there's one cuvée every Champagne lover dreams of tasting at least once in their life, it's Salon. So imagine the chance to taste not one, but five vintages of this legendary wine, produced only 45 times since the house was founded in 1905.

And what an opportunity to enjoy these five wines alongside five more Blanc de Blancs cuvées from Champagne Delamotte, Salon's sister house.

This was the exclusive opportunity afforded some 80 lucky attendees who got tickets to this sold-out masterclass – the first one of the day at the 2026 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York City, held on Saturday 6 June in the beautiful surrounds of the Manhatta on the 60th floor.

Scroll down for notes and scores of the 10 Salon and Delamotte Champagnes at the DFWE NYC 2026 masterclass

Delamotte, Blanc de Blancs NV (magnum)

Delamotte, Blanc de Blancs 2018 (magnum)

Delamotte, Blanc de Blancs 2014 (magnum)

Delamotte, Blanc de Blancs 2012 (magnum)

Delamotte, Collection Blanc de Blancs 2008 (magnum)

Salon, Cuvée S, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2015

Salon, Cuvée S, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2013

Salon, Cuvée S, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2012

Salon, Cuvée S, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2007

Salon, Cuvée S, Edition 2020, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1997

Sister houses with distinct identities

Hosted by Cristian Rimoldi, the export director for both Delamotte and Salon, which have been part of the Laurent-Perrier group since 1988, this rare and exceptional tasting was a deep-dive into the complex and nuanced language of Chardonnay and the grands crus of the Côte des Blancs through the lens of these iconic sister houses

Through 10 remarkable and defining expressions of these outstanding terroirs, Rimoldi illustrated the commonalities between the two house’s approaches, as well as their distinct identities.

As background for the attendees, Rimoldi explained that the same technical teams are in charge of both houses, from viticulture to marketing. This allows for a nuanced understanding of the Chardonnay profile – from both owned and purchased vineyard plots – and subsequent decisions, particularly regarding the decision to release vintage cuvées.

For both houses, the wines are vinified in stainless steel tanks, but each has a different regimen regarding malolactic fermentation. It is done at Delamotte, while it is not encouraged – indeed prevented – at Salon, in order to preserve the delicate tension of the grape variety and terroir.

The dosage, made with cane sugar, is determined on a case-by-case basis, yet ranges between five grams per litre and 7.5g/L, with the exception of late disgorgements (Delamotte's Collection cuvée, and the ‘editions’ for Salon), which are brut nature, the extended bottling time providing the desired balance on the palate without the addition of sugar.

Champagne Delamotte

The first part of the tasting focused on Delamotte. One of the oldest houses in the Champagne region, founded in 1760, it specialises in Chardonnay, the grape variety at the heart of its four cuvées, where the average age of the vines is 40 years.

Champagne Delamotte also has HVE certification, which verifies its commitment to sustainable viticulture, and is moving towards organic farming trials

While it draws on the exceptional terroir of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Delamotte's philosophy, as Rimoldi told his audience, is the blending of the great crus of the Côte des Blancs. For the Blanc de Blancs NV, Avize and Oger are added to Mesnil, and for the pair of Blanc de Blancs Vintage cuvées, it is the three aforementioned crus plus Chouilly, Oiry, and Cramant.

‘We are the only house offering a blend of all six crus of the Côte,’ he emphasised. Added from 2008 onwards, Chouilly and Oiry ‘bring acidity, but also a structure similar to that of a Pinot Noir’.

The Blanc de Blancs NV is designed to be approachable, with the base vintage joined by 30% of reserve wine from the two preceding vintages, a 48-month aging period, and a more ‘inclusive’ dosage of around 7g/L.

The vintage cuvées, meanwhile, are crafted for complexity and ageing potential, and are undoubtedly the flagship of the house – albeit a discreet flagship, noted Rimoldi, often overlooked or little known by Côte des Blancs enthusiasts.

Contrasting vintage profiles

This was confirmed by comparative tastings of the 2018, 2014, and 2012 vintages. Their distinct identities were clearly identifiable – the ripeness of the 2018, the cool tension of the 2014, and the robust structure of the 2012 – especially since they were tasted in magnums. (They, like all 10 wines in the tasting, were aged under screwcap).

‘In terms of pH and ripeness, 2018 is similar to 1982,’ said Rimoldi when the topic of climate change was raised, along with its potential impact on a style as intense as Delamotte and Salon.

‘We need to take a step back and look at cycles,’ he explained. ‘We are obviously very aware of this issue. One advantage, however, is the improved health of the grapes compared to harvests that were previously very late and more complicated.

‘And we are fortunate to be on exceptional chalky terroirs with their water reserves, which are so important for the vines.’

The fact that the 2014 and 2012 were also in a period of post-disgorgement development highlighted the contrasting profiles of these vintages, both in terms of volume and aromas.

The comparison became even more interesting with the 2008 Collection. Delamotte offers late disgorgements for its Brut Vintage (dating back to 1964) as well as its Blanc de Blancs (1970, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2008).

Disgorged and then aged for barely a year, with no added dosage, the 2008 had the aromatic profile of a great Chardonnay, but with surprising power and density for a Côte des Blancs wine. A wine showing that Delamotte's vintage Blanc de Blancs is a benchmark, offering real value for money.

Champagne Salon

The second part of the tasting was devoted to the truly unique Salon Champagne. While its aesthetic – a single terroir (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger), a single vintage, a single grape variety – is no longer particularly striking today, Rimoldi reminded attendees that ‘Aimé Salon, a great lover of Burgundy, had this idea in 1905!’

Moving from the magnum format of the five Delamotte wines to the 75cl format for Salon – as well as going from the mature, brut nature 2008 Delamotte Collection to a young 2015 Salon, required particular concentration from the guests and was a true exercise for the palate.

But Rimoldi started with this latest vintage release followed by 2013, 2012, 2007, and 1997 in its 'second edition' version from 2020.

‘There is only one disgorgement when we release a vintage, and we do not indicate the date on the bottle,’ he told the masterclass.

‘However, we have decided to offer late disgorgements which we call Editions, in which case the disgorgement dates are mentioned. In terms of dosage, we are still around 5g/L to 7g/L grams, as for Delamotte, except for these late disgorgements, which are brut nature, as for Delamotte Collection.’

Making history

Only 45 vintages of Salon have been released since 1905 – 37 during the 20th century, but already eight since 2000.

Symbolic of the climatic consequences, 2015 was a sunny vintage so required less bottling time than 2014. This vintage has needed a longer time on the lees (tirage) and is still ageing ‘at a glacial pace’.

This is only the second time in Salon’s history it has made a non-chronological release. And once 2014 is out, it will also be only the second time that four consecutive Salon vintages (2012-13-14-15) will have been made, after the quadrilogy of 1946-47-48-49.Undoubtedly, the 2015 benefited from the water-retaining quality of the Mesnil chalk, mitigating the stress experienced by the vines in other Champagne areas, which can lead to vegetal bitterness on the palate.

The 2013 and 2012 vintages were remarkable examples of the Salon style, but very different profiles: 2012 with its mature, slightly more evolved structure, and 2013 with its crisp, chiselled freshness.

Salon has a reputation for closing up after a few years in the bottle and then reopening. This seems to be more the case with 2012 than 2013. The 2007, with a profile similar to the 2014, also benefited from a longer tirage period (11 years compared to the average of nine), and is now at its peak, deserving its nickname of ‘shining light’.

The masterclass concluded with a truly great 1997 (edition 2020), aged for 23 years and with no added dosage. Confirming again the importance of lees in defining texture and revealing density, the wine is surprisingly expressive.

Champagne Delamotte and Salon masterclass: 10 Blanc de Blancs cuvées

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The final masterclass of the day at the 2026 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York began at 4pm.

Despite a full day of tasting already behind them, attendees packed the room for a retrospective look at Heitz Cellar hosted by Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, president and CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates, which owns this benchmark Napa Valley winery, among others.

The lineup of wines spanned nearly five decades, and guests were encouraged to taste while McCoy and I discussed the history of this iconic producer.

One of the more interesting topics was how little the winemaking itself has changed over the decades.

McCoy explained that Heitz continues to ferment its Cabernet Sauvignons in large neutral wooden tanks, blocks malolactic fermentation in the reds, and ages wines in large oak foudres.

The objective, he said, is to preserve freshness and 'express site character above all'.

While some American oak was used in the first few decades of Heitz’s founding, today, it’s French.

Scroll down for notes and scores of the 10 Heitz Cellar wines at the DFWE NYC 2026 masterclass

Heitz Cellar, Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 1979

Heitz Cellar, Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 1985

Heitz Cellar, Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2010

Heitz Cellar, Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2021

Heitz Cellar, Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 1999

Heitz Cellar, Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2013

Heitz Cellar, Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2021

Heitz Cellar, Linda Falls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2015

Heitz Cellar, Linda Falls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2016

Heitz Cellar, Linda Falls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2021

Standouts from the line up

It was a rare opportunity for Masterclass attendees to experience mature and current Heitz releases side by side, including the 1979 and 1985 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons.

I've tasted the 1979 Martha's Vineyard on three separate occasions, and it continues to impress for its freshness, complexity, and unmistakable aromatic profile.

The bay laurel, mint, and eucalyptus notes that have become synonymous with the wine remain remarkably vivid nearly 50 years after harvest.

Two of the three oldest wines stood out on the day: the aforementioned 1979 Martha's Vineyard as well as the 1999 Trailside Vineyard.

The 1985 Martha's Vineyard, poured from magnum, showed a touch of cellar funk on the nose, but broadened beautifully across the palate.

The younger wines were equally compelling, though still firmly in their developmental phase.

Martha's Vineyard

Located in Oakville, Martha's Vineyard remains one of Napa Valley's most famous Cabernet Sauvignon sites.

When founder Joe Heitz first put ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ on the label of his 1966 bottling, it was the first time in Napa that the name of a site appeared on a wine label.

Martha's Vineyard takes its name from Martha May, the wife of vineyard owner and grape-grower Tom May.

The Mays purchased the Oakville property in the early 1960s. The roughly 34-acre (13.7ha) vineyard is known for producing wines marked by freshness, structure, and the distinctive bay laurel and eucalyptus character that has become its hallmark (eucalyptus trees line the perimeter).

While the fruit from Martha’s was exclusively sold to Heitz for decades, McCoy revealed that, for the first time in the vineyard's history, Heitz will not purchase the entire crop from Martha's Vineyard.

'I'm excited to see what other producers do with this exceptional fruit,' he said.

Trailside Vineyard

Purchased by Heitz in 1984, Trailside Vineyard is planted to 85 acres (35.3ha) in the Rutherford AVA, divided into 16 distinct blocks, based on a diversity of soil types, of gravelly loam and clay-loam.

The site is farmed organically, with biodynamic inputs. Several Cabernet Sauvignon clones are planted, along with Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Musque clones.

Trailside often shows a rusticity and dusty mineral character of red fruits, plus notes of sage, dried herbs, and fine tannins.

The 1999 Trailside, from a small, concentrated crop, showed the power and intensity possible from the site. Judging the wine on colour alone, you would think it was produced in the last five years.

The flavours, though, were so profoundly layered with loamy earth and tobacco nuances, along with the site’s characteristic freshness, that, save for those emerging secondary notes, it was almost hard to believe the wine was 27 years old.

Linda Falls Vineyard

Linda Falls represents Heitz's mountain-expression Cabernet Sauvignon.

Purchased and planted in 2002, at 1,500 feet (457m) elevation on Howell Mountain near the Linda Falls Preserve (a popular hiking destination with locals), only seven acres of the 42-acre (16.9ha) property are planted to vines.

The volcanic soils and higher elevation produce a markedly different profile from the valley-floor vineyards.

Dark fruit, conifer accents, crushed-stone minerality, and a firmer, more robust tannic structure define the wine, marked by the freshness so characteristic of Heitz and perfectly in place with the wines, thanks to the deft cellar work of winemaker Brittany Sherwood.

The library vintages across all three vineyard sites tasted in this Decanter Masterclass offered a compelling look at the longevity of Heitz Cellar’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Heitz Cellar masterclass: Five decades, back to 1979

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Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 Platinum medals revealed

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topping the leaderboard: The big four

France

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

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

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

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

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

Italy

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

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

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

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

Spain

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

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

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

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

Australia

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

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

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

Super sparkling: From Champagne to Tasmania

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

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

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

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

Summer whites showcase

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

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

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

Three Snapshot Trends

Pinot power

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

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

Mendoza terroir magic

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

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

Tannat Tango

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

Local heroes

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

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

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

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

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

Sweet treats

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

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

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

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

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

Fortified favourites

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

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

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

Full DWWA 2026 Platinum list

DWWA 2026 Platinum Winners

Argentina

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

Australia

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

Austria

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

Canada

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

Chile

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

China (mainland)

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

Croatia

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

Czech Republic

• Vinarstvi Volarik, Ryzlink Rýnský, Mikulovská, Moravia 2021

France

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

Georgia

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

Germany

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

Greece

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

Hungary

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

Italy

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

New Zealand

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

Portugal

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

Serbia

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

Slovenia

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

South Africa

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

Spain

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

Switzerland

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

United Kingdom

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

United States

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

Uruguay

• Bodega Garzón, Petit Clos Tannat, Maldonado 2023

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

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

What is a Value wine?

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

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

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

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

Quality and value from around the world

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

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

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

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

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

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

Argentina

Sophenia, Altosur Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2025

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

Australia

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

95 points, Value Gold
Enticing florals, creamy red-and-blue fruits and hints of white pepper bring charm and breadth. Darting acidity, fine tannins and ample purity mark the palate. Alc 14.5%

Austria

Kummer, Zweigelt, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland 2024

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

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

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

Bulgaria

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

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

Croatia

Baćac, Malvazija Istarska, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal 2025

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

France

Cave De Cruet, Roussette de Savoie, Savoie 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prosper Maufoux, Chardonnay, Bourgogne, Burgundy 2024

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

Romanin, IGP Alpilles, Provence 2025

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

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

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

Hungary

Kővilla, Syrah, Villány, Dél-Pannónia 2024

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

Italy

Citra, Niro, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Abruzzo 2022

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

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

95 points, Value Gold
Capacious red plum, sour cherry and dried floral notes within a finely-tuned structure of smooth tannins; there’s a balsamic edge to the long finish. Alc 13.5 %

New Zealand

Asda, Exceptional Noble Riesling, Canterbury 2017

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

North Macedionia

Marks & Spencer, Found Kratosija, Tikvesh, Povardarje 2024

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

Portugal

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

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

Boas Quintas, Morgado de Buceles, Bucelas 2025

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

Boas Quintas, Gandarada, Dão 2024

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

Quinta da Raza, Rosé, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2025

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

Senhora Malandra, Encruzado, Dão 2025

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

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

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

Romania

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

South Africa

Spier, Villa Blue Albariño, Stellenbosch 2025

95 points, Value Gold
Ripe red apple and mango with flecks of citrus zest. Broad, creamy and concentrated, offset by vibrant acidity and a lingering saline finish. Alc 13.5%

Spain

Bodegas Alceño, Genio Español Roble Monastrell, Jumilla 2024

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

Bodegas Señorio De Valdesneros, Cornitero Tempranillo, Arlanza 2025

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

Burgo Viejo, Rioja 2025

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

Celler Masroig, Solà Fred, Montsant 2025

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

Jaume Serra, Brut Nature, Guarda, Cava 2022

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

Pata Negra, Tempranillo Roble, Ribera del Duero 2023

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

Sofía Cañizares, Girò, Alicante 2025

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

Tierra De Cubas, Celsum Garnacha, Cariñena 2023

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

United States

Angels & Cowboys, Sonoma County, California 2025

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

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

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

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

Wines that define global winemaking at its highest level

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The commercial impact can be transformative.

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

Standout wines and stories to seek out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wines worth seeking out

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

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

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

DWWA Best in Show: The Top 50 wines of 2026

Argentina

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

Australia

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

Austria

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

Chile

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

Croatia

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

France

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

Greece

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

Hungary

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

Italy

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

New Zealand

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

Portugal

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

South Africa

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

Spain

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

Switzerland

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

United Kingdom

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

United States

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sparkling 

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

White

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

Red

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

Sweet and fortified 

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

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The hottest ticket in the Big Apple this past Saturday wasn’t on Broadway, or even a prime seat at a sports bar to watch the New York Knicks take a 2-0 lead in the NBA finals series.

Those in the know – all 500 of them – were 60 floors up at Manhatta for the fifth annual Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York City (DFWE NYC).

Now firmly established as Manhattan’s greatest world wine event, this Empire State iteration of Decanter’s renowned global events series brought together a Grand Tasting of 30 Gold, Platinum and Best in Show medal-winners from the Decanter World Wine Awards as well as more than 200 premium wines from 55 producers.

Our star-studded line up of Masterclasses featured Salon & Delamotte Champagnes, SuperTuscans and Heitz Cellar, while the unique experience of dining with world-class producers themselves ensured our exclusive Winemakers' Lunches sold out almost instantly.

With panoramic views of the city skyline and across New York Harbor to the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Tasting room is the heart of the event, where each of the 50 stands was invited to showcase one special wine, either an old vintage or a large-format bottle – and often both – to share with guests.

Guests tasted throughout the day using glassware from Riedel, a fitting partner for an event celebrating fine wine, where presentation and tasting conditions are an important part of the experience.

Highlights of DFWE NYC 2026 included the Eola-Amilty Hills table, which welcomed several winery principals from this Willamette Valley AVA in Oregon, and similar regional tables from both Switzerland and Castilla y Léon in Spain.

In-depth tastings of icon wines

Away from the buzz and bustle of the Grand Tasting, our Masterclass room – with spectacular dual-aspect vistas – offered 75 attendees in each of three sold-out sessions the chance for a more in-depth look at a producer, region or wine style, with a guided tasting of eight to 10 exclusive cuvées, presented by renowned experts.

To start the day on a sparkling note, Cristian Rimoldi of sister Champagne houses Salon and Delamotte, along with Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier, took a deep dive into the world of Blanc de Blancs, tasting five cuvées each from these very different properties, back to Salon 1997.

Next, one of Decanter’s key Italian wine specialists, Michaela Morris, and Decanter’s Italy Editor, James Button, joined forces to present eight SuperTuscans – two each from leading producers Antinori, Isole e Olena, Fontodi and Bibi Graetz – to show the evolution of styles and approaches of these iconic IGTs.

Ending DFWE NYC 2026 on a historic note, Master Sommelier and Heitz Cellar CEO Carlton McCoy was joined by Decanter’s Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi to take guests through 10 Heitz Cellar Cabernets through the decades, including the 1985 and 1979 vintages from Martha’s Vineyard.

Read all about it: Full masterclass reports from DFWE NYC 2026

• Salon & Delamotte
• Super Tuscans
• Heitz Cellar

Meet the winemakers in person

Apart from the wines, of course, the biggest drawcard to all Decanter Fine Wine Encounters is the chance for attendees to speak with the winemakers and winery owners themselves.

And what better way than to sit down for an intimate meal with them, sharing three exclusive bottles at our Decanter Winemakers' Lunches.

This year Dr Laura Catena, fourth-generation winemaker and Managing Director of Catena Zapata in Argentina hosted an oversubscribed lunch for seven lucky guests, who enjoyed her Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2023, Argentino Malbec 2005 and the icon Nicolás Catena Zapata 2004 in magnum.

Katie Vogt, winemaker at Pahlmeyer in Napa Valley, hosted the other sell-out lunch for six guests, alongside Decanter's Napa expert Jonathan Cristaldi. She poured her Savoir Faire Chardonnay 2024, Right Bank 2023 and Pièce de Résistance 2023.

In the Grand Tasting, several other winemakers and owners generously took time out of their busy schedules to fly over for the DFWE NYC 2026, pour wines and chat at length with guests.

We thank, and look forward to seeing again: Louise Grillet (Veuve Clicquot), Olive Hamilton Russell (Hamilton Russell Oregon), Luke Evnin (Annulus Cellars), Jeff Mangahas (Williams Selyem), Dan Petroski (Massican), Adam Lowy (Cloudsley Cellars), Emma Garner (Thirty Bench), Gabriel Mustakis (San Pedro), Zvonimir Jurkovic (Poderi Luigi Einaudi), Alberto Moretti Cuseri (Tenuta Sette Ponti) and Rodrigo Costa (Taboadella).

Revisit the wines discovered

One of the pleasures of DFWE is the opportunity to taste wines that are often difficult to find in one place. For guests looking to revisit a favourite bottle from the day, premium wine retailer Millesima has curated a dedicated Decanter Fine Wine Encounter collection featuring a selection of wines showcased at the event.

The collection is designed to make it easier for attendees to source memorable wines encountered during the Grand Tasting and masterclasses. As an additional benefit, there's also access to a limited-time offer through the collection.

Browse the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter collection at Millesima here.

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At the table with Carlton McCoy MS

Carlton McCoy has spent decades immersed in the world of fine wine – from restaurant floors and cellars to overseeing some of Napa Valley and Bordeaux’s most prestigious estates.

Now, ahead of a special Heitz Cellar masterclass at Decanter's Fine Wine Encounter in New York on 6 June, McCoy sat down with Decanter to discuss how Napa Cabernet is changing, why collectors should rethink old assumptions around aging and what makes mature Napa wines such compelling bottles at the table today.

Join Carlton McCoy for a one-of-a-kind tasting of Heitz Cellar wines, including rare library vintages dating back to 1979 at Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York on 6 June.

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

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

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

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

A focus on terroir, tradition and innovation

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

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

Scroll down to discover the six masterclass wines with tasting notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The six masterclass wines

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

Platinum, 97 points
100% Tocai Friulano

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

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

Gold, 95 points
100% Turbiana

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

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

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

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

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

Gold, 95 points
100% Timorasso

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

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

Gold, 96 points
100% Chardonnay

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

Cantina Terlano, Rarity, Alto Adige Terlano 2012

Gold, 96 points
100% Pinot Blanc

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

Search all DWWA 2025 winners

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The last Friday in April gives wine lovers a golden opportunity to enjoy the lush, perfumed aromas of Viognier.

International Viognier Day started out as a low-key celebration in 2021, but it has grown in popularity with each passing year. It offers fans a chance to enjoy a glass with friends and family, but it’s also a great time to reflect on Viognier’s remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction.

Who created International Viognier Day?

Australian producer Yalumba introduced International Viognier Day in 2021. There wasn’t a specific reason for choosing the last Friday in April, but it’s a pretty quiet time in the calendar.

The last Friday in April is also National Hairball Day in the United States and Día de la Chupina – a day where students play truant – in Argentina, but that’s about it.

Yalumba is famous for planting the first Viognier in South Australia’s Eden Valley back in 1980. At the time, plantings outside France were almost non-existent. Yalumba created International Viognier Day to help wine lovers to discover this aromatic white wine.

Back from the brink

Viognier originated in the northern Rhône Valley in France. It’s the sole grape permitted in the prestigious Condrieu appellation. Viognier has been cultivated in the region since the Roman times, but it had all but disappeared by the 1960s.

Phylloxera, two World Wars and the lure of easier-to-grow alternatives all played their part in pushing Viognier to the brink of extinction. At one point, global plantings had been reduced to less than 15 hectares, almost entirely confined to Condrieu.

Just a small group of dedicated producers – led by Georges Vernay – kept the flame alive. Yet Viognier then began a remarkable resurgence in the 1980s. Pioneering growers in Australia, California and the southern Rhône planted new vines, and today the variety covers more than 16,000 hectares worldwide.

Producers are now making high-quality Viognier in Brazil, California, Canada, Chile, China, Colorado, Greece, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and Virginia, capping the grape’s remarkable recovery.

An aromatic charmer

Viognier often delivers heady aromas of apricot, peach and honeysuckle, with a rich texture that sets it apart from crisper whites. The grape is naturally low in acidity, giving it a rounded, generous mouthfeel.

It’s not easy to make great Viognier – pick the grapes too early and the aromatics fall flat; pick too late and it can become heavy and overblown. However, when it’s done well, Viognier is a beautiful, luscious, elegant wine.

Award-winning wines from DWWA 2025

Brazil

Quinta do Canário, Elegance 2023
Silver, 92 points
Perfumed aromas of violets, peaches and white spices, some toasty undertones. Nicely textured, dense and concentrated. Long finish. Alcohol 13.5%

Canada

Road 13, Select Harvest, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia 2023
Silver, 90 points
Aromatic nose with peach, daisy, chamomile. Varietal palate, rich with phenolics and slick in texture. Lovely acid definition. Alc 12.8%

Chile

Tabali, Pedregoso Gran Reserva, Limarí Valley 2023
Silver, 90 points
Bright stone fruit aromas with touches of floral and coastal nuances. Interesting and enjoyable touch of bitterness, tense texture. Alc 13.5%

China

Chateau Mihope, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Silver, 90 points
Aromatic nose, showing notes of roses, grapes, apple skin, white peach, nectarine and bees wax. Soft texture, fresh and flinty. Alc 14%

France

Roland Grangier, Les Combéluz, Condrieu, Rhône 2023
Gold, 96 points
Sublime juicy apricot, yellow peach and candied pear aromas seep over the gorgeous oily texture which is braced by the racy acidity and salty, mineral backbone. Alc 14%

Domaine Verzier, Authentic, Condrieu, Rhône 2024
Gold, 95 points
Labyrinthine flavours of apricot, Mirabelle plum, lychee and mango paste entwine with jasmine and sweet rose florals. Delightfully viscous with a gentle grip of acidity. Textbook. Alc 14%

Domaine de Métifiot, IGP Alpilles, Provence 2023
Silver, 94 points
Elegant nose of subtle peach and apricot, sweet spice, nougat and a hint of ginger on the palate. Alc 13%

Domaine Saint Ferréol, Vin de France, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Silver, 94 points
Elegant aromas, very aromatic touches of lychee, golden kiwi, acacia, apricot and yellow apple. Oily texture, with a subtle salinity. Alc 13%

Greece

Domaine Skouras, Eclectique Viognier, Peloponnese 2023
Silver, 93 points
Rich with sweet oak spices, vanilla, popcorn, cream and toast alongside tropical pineapple and mango linger with creamy finish. Alc 13%

India

Sula Vineyards, Dindori Reserve, Nashik, Maharashtra 2024
Silver, 90 points
Floral nose with aromas of peaches, apricot, rose petals, honey and peaches. Inviting on the palate, refreshing and zesty. Alc 13%

Mexico

Casa de Quesada, Indómito, Aguascalientes 2022
Silver, 90 points
Musky nose of apricot and peach, then to a palate of musky rose, plush stone fruit and a lifted acidity.
Alc 13.4%

New Zealand

Brave Roots, Marlborough 2024
Silver, 90 points
Elderflower, apricot and guava aromatics give way to an elegant, juicy, textured palate. A well-made, fresh style. Alc 14%

Portugal

Adega de Borba, Senses, Alentejano 2024
Silver, 91 points
Pretty nose of honeysuckle, orange blossom and white pepper spice, then to a silky palate of apricot kernel and spice. Alc 12.5%

South Africa

Babylonstoren, Viognier, Simonsberg-Paarl, Paarl 2024
Silver, 92 points
Honeysuckle and white blossom perfume meld with nectarine, mandarin and dried apple rings, lifted by lemony acidity and rounded lees texture. Alc 14%

United States

Holy Cross Abbey, Colorado 2023
Silver, 90 points
Pretty nose of violet and orange blossom; pear, stone fruit and a touch of spice on the palate. Alc 14%

See all DWWA 2025 award-winning Viognier wines

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ProWein 2026 is driving forward its strategic development as an international trade fair for wine and spirits in a targeted manner. This March 3,400 exhibitors from 63 countries presented their products at the Düsseldorf event.

ProWein 2026 served as a platform for commercial relationships and decisions among 31,000 professionals from 105 countries. A special focus this year was on buyers from crucial import markets such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the USA.

The Decanter team was out in force, with a 48sqm stand dedicated to wine collection, tastings and discussions. Producers exhibiting at the fair were able to hand-deliver their wines for Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 directly at the stand. The drop-off service offered an easy and secure shipping solution for participants, ensuring their wines arrive at the warehouse on time and ready for judging in May.

Visitors also had the chance to taste a curated selection of top winners from the 2025 competition. The lineup featured Gold, Platinum and Best in Show winners from Croatia, France, Greece, Portugal and Spain – offering a compelling snapshot of some of the finest wines recognised by the judges last year.

The tasting proved a popular draw, giving trade professionals a direct encounter with wines that have already earned the mark of approval from DWWA's world-class judging panels. For producers, it was a powerful reminder of the visibility and credibility that a DWWA award can bring on the international stage.

Wine cards accompanied each wine, giving trade visitors instant access to contact details, pricing and market availability – the essential information needed to turn a tasting into a commercial conversation.

Attendees could also discover our digital subscription, Decanter Premium, along with grab copies of the latest February and March issues of our magazine and the DWWA supplement showcasing last year’s competition winners.

'We cannot be complacent about ProWein’s development over recent years – our aspiration is to consistently develop the trade fair further. This is why we are clearly honing ProWein’s relevance for the trade and decision-makers. With Frank Schindler we have had a director on board since October 2025 who knows the industry and drives this development with a clear focus,' says Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating Officer at Messe Düsseldorf.

Discover below the DWWA 2025 awarded wines showcased in Düsseldorf at the world’s largest wine trade fair.

Catch us at ProWein next year from 7-9 March 2027.

Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi, Vin Liastos, Monemvasia-Malvasia, Peloponnese, Greece 2012

Best in Show, 97 points

Here’s both a new story and an old one. Monemvasia in the Peloponnese was the original source of what the medieval world knew as ‘Malvasias Oenos’ – the sweet Malvasia straw wine beloved and traded over 500 years by the merchants of La Serenissima, the seafaring Venetian Republic. In recent times, almost all of it has been produced on the Cycladic island of Paros – but not this wine, whose source is vineyards close to the original walled town of Monemvasia. The Monemvasia grape variety (not a member, recent DNA analysis suggests, of the large Malvasia family) is here blended with 15 per cent of Assyrtico, 15 per cent of Kydonitsa and 10 per cent of Asprouda to make this oxidative though unfortified sweet wine (187 g/l sugar). It’s a dark walnut in colour, with softly smoky-sweet scents and rich fig-and-raisin flavours: a luxurious modern taste of a medieval Mediterranean treat. Alcohol 13.5%

Alvarez-Alfaro, Seleccion De Familia, Rioja, Spain 2020

Platinum, 97 points

Exemplary aromas of ripe black cherry jam and kirsch ebb and flow over the luxurious vanilla oak core and swaddle the rounded, juicy acidity. Velvety and harmonious with a lick of black pepper to end. Alc 14%

Kopke, White, Port, Portugal 2002

Platinum, 97 points

The testimony of this wine lies in its honeyed, grapey, sherbety sweetness, offset by an emerging freshness and savoury spice element that cascades across the nose and palate. Phenomenally long with an impressive candied fruit finish. Alc 20%

Barton & Guestier, Chateau Magnol, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2022

Gold, 96 points

Compelling ripe cassis, plum and violet fragrance cloaked in a carefully constructed oak frame with succulent acidity, tightly knitted tannins and a long mocha finish. Alc 13.5%

Kozlovic, Santa Lucia Malvazija, Hrvatska Istra, Coastal, Croatia 2018

Gold, 96 points

Wonderfully developed notes of bergamot, apricot, hazelnut and yellow plum with a lush lanolin texture, preserved lemon acidity and a zip of pepper on the finish. Alc 13.5%

Search all DWWA 2025 results

I remember when the wine show first came to Paris. It was a pretty grey February back in 2017 and French trade events organiser Comexposium had launched ‘Vino Vision’.

It was small and French-focused, in the grander scheme of wine industry trade shows little more than a gnat on the flank of the great beasts of the savannah – Vinexpo and ProWein.

Back in 2017 ProWein was well on its way to becoming THE big wine trade fair. In 2019 it amassed 7,000 exhibitors and 61,000 visitors for its four day show.

London and Bordeaux were being squeezed out as many regional trade bodies and producers decided that one European fair was both enough – and all they could afford – as many were also participating in Vinexpo and ProWein’s various Asian shows as well.

What was this little show in Paris going to offer by comparison? I was sent along by the trade magazine I worked for at the time and I recall thinking that it was a good show and Paris was a natural fit for a trade event.

Comexposium went about its work diligently. It acquired a few more regional French shows and relocated them to Paris, doubling the size of the fair the following year.

Then it partnered with Vinexpo to launch Wine Paris in 2020 – just before the you-know-what. And it just blossomed from there.

I hadn’t been back in a number of years, I'd burned through enough shoe leather over the years as a young journalist to earn the right to stay away from trade shows for a while.

But now that I’m based in Paris how could I pass up sliding down on the 12 to see what was up?

And I’m glad I did. Not just to marvel at how the show has grown and evolved in nearly 10 years but also because I made some discoveries…

Favia

A highlight of the show was meeting Andy Erickson and Annie Favia from Napa Valley (pictured above).

It’s partly my own ignorance when it comes to large aspects of the American winemaking scene – and as I write this it's a little shame-inducing to admit – but I was spectacularly unaware about Favia and this (as it turns out) incredibly star-studded Napa power duo.

And if they are to you too then just know that Andy has a roll call of previous posts that includes Stag's Leap, Kongsgaard, Staglin, Harlan and Screaming Eagle – plus consulting at Dalle Valle and Ovid.

They’re moving their winery from Coombsville up to Oakville, with a new place being designed by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo – who’s also part of the duo behind the Pompidou Centre’s current revamp.

Utterly delightful, full of enthusiasm, I liked them immediately. And I like Annie's ethos of organic viticulture and Andy's 'analogue' winemaking approach and I love the wine.

They gave me a taste of their Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 and it is to die for. I don’t often get to taste really good Napa Cab but every time I do it chips away at that veneer of self-delusion that I’m somehow not missing out on something incredibly delicious.

The cracks began with a glorious sip of Philip Togni a little while back and have now considerably deepened with the Favia 2023.

Lithe. Divine. What a treat.

Unoaked Bordeaux

I’ve been on a bit of a heater about Bordeaux recently. More specifically about ways it can beat its fuddy-duddy image and regain some cool points.

Yes, there’s the new attempt to make ‘claret’ a thing again – fresh, drink chilled etc – but I’m not sure I buy it. It’s too focus-group led, a little fabricated.

No, I want good Bordeaux, made fresher and with street-cred for sure, but in order to do that it needs to retain its authenticity.

Making Bordeaux AOC oak-free seems like a winner to me, the way much of it used to be made before drenching everything in oak was deemed to be ‘premium’; which meant chips and staves began to be used as cheap make-up.

No, old neutral barrels and concrete are the way to go. You can retain the intrinsic nature of the grapes and the terroir influence but free from the artifice of pretend-new-oak flavours.

I found two that I particularly liked. The first was Château Vieux Mougnac from near Lussac. Quite an old-fashioned label (which I’m here for) and the wines spend two years in concrete before being bottled.

They were showing their 2015 and 2016 vintages – and both wines were still ship-shape and Bristol-fashion. and pleasingly old school. Which just goes to show you don’t need oak to age a wine.

Second was Château La Maroquine, with a beautiful set of labels showing off local flora and fauna.

They do lovely single variety Sauvignon and Sémillon but the unoaked ‘Chouette Chevêche’ cuvée was exactly what I was looking for; juicy, bright, modern Bordeaux.

And to give oak its due, Maroquine’s two other red cuvées which do see some oak were also pretty smashing.

Burgundy’s other hospices

A little post-show treat was a whistle-stop tasting of the 2025 vintage from the Hospices de Nuits-St-Georges.

This is actually the oldest hospice in Burgundy – founded in 1270 though it’s housed in a 17th century building now – and also holds a charity auction each year (in March).

Both the Beaune and Nuits hospices are run by the same regional health authority and the funds go to the same hospital. That said, the Nuits auction is very much in the shade of the more prestigious Beaune sale.

Now, many local Burgundy négociants quite like that fact because it means the wines are less expensive.

The wines are excellent, however. And it was a fascinating little tasting trying the different premiers crus and seeing the differences between them.

There’s ‘Les Vignerondes’ which abuts Vosne-Romanée and has the structure and squarer-jawed tannins you’d expect from that appellation.

Or the concentrated black fruits of the old vines in ‘Les Didiers’, the full, juicy ‘Les Corvées Pagets and the violet-framed dark fruit pastille of Les Saint-Georges.

Beautiful wines, and I was lucky to arrive in a quiet moment and have a one-on-one tasting with departing technical director Jean-Marc Moron.

He's going out on a high.

What I've been drinking recently

Favia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2023

A lovely waft of graphite rising up from base of pure blackcurrant with a lightly savoury undercurrent.

Ripe but pearlescent and gorgeously silky. So fresh. Fine-grained tannins and a lovely slatey, mineral texture.

You really feel the combination of what Andy and Annie describe as the 'salinity and fine tannins' from the Coombsville fruit and and the 'grace and power' of Oakville.

Did I mention it's good? It's really good.

Banjo Vino, Guru, Vine de France, 2023

'Bombes de fruits noirs' this says on the label and it's not wrong. A proper blast of black forest fruits, a little cherry yoghurt, black pepper and dried herbs. A creamy palate with nice acidity. Bloody juicy and yummy. Bang tidy stuff.

Related articles

Tickets are now on sale for the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) New York, returning for its fifth year on Saturday 6 June, on the 60th floor at the stunning Manhatta.

High above the city skyline, the DFWE New York is a one-day tasting experience built for discovery. Guests are invited to taste widely, learn with confidence and deepen their understanding of fine wine, guided by the people who know it best.

The New York Encounter opens Decanter’s global Fine Wine Encounter series for 2026, ahead of later editions in cities including London, bringing together exceptional wines and expertise in an elegant, relaxed setting.

Discover what you like

At the heart of the day is the Grand Tasting, bringing together 55 producers from around the world, including E. Guigal, Château d’Esclans, Mazzei and Ridge Vineyards. Each will present four wines, including a special cuvée awarded 95+ points by Decanter. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, guests can compare styles, revisit favourites and speak directly with producers, building confidence in their palate while discovering new wines along the way.

Learn from the best

For those looking to explore further, a curated programme of three masterclasses offers focused insight into some of the world’s most celebrated names and regions.

Confirmed masterclasses include  Salon and Delamotte, hosted by Cristian Rimoldi, and Super Tuscans, led by Italian wine expert Michela Morris, with a third session to be announced.

Each class runs for 75 minutes and is limited capacity, allowing for a more in-depth, engaging experience.

A seat at the table with a winemaker

After a successful debut across Decanter’s global Fine Wine Encounters last year, the Winemakers’ Lunch returns to New York, having quickly become a highlight of the programme.

This intimate dining experience offers guests the chance to enjoy relaxed, in-depth conversations over lunch with winemakers and members of the Decanter editorial team. Dr Laura Catena of Catena Zapata is confirmed, with more names to be announced.

Essential information

DFWE New York

Date: Saturday June 6 2026 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhattan, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: from $225 + US sales tax

BUY TICKETS HERE

Tickets are now on sale for the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) New York, returning for its fifth year on Saturday 6 June, on the 60th floor at the stunning Manhatta.

High above the city skyline, the DFWE New York is a one-day tasting experience built for discovery. Guests are invited to taste widely, learn with confidence and deepen their understanding of fine wine, guided by the people who know it best.

The New York Encounter opens Decanter’s global Fine Wine Encounter series for 2026, ahead of later editions in cities including London, bringing together exceptional wines and expertise in an elegant, relaxed setting.

Discover what you like

At the heart of the day is the Grand Tasting, bringing together 55 producers from around the world, including E. Guigal, Château d’Esclans, Mazzei and Ridge Vineyards. Each will present four wines, including a special cuvée awarded 95+ points by Decanter. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, guests can compare styles, revisit favourites and speak directly with producers, building confidence in their palate while discovering new wines along the way.

Learn from the best

For those looking to explore further, a curated programme of three masterclasses offers focused insight into some of the world’s most celebrated names and regions.

Confirmed masterclasses include  Salon and Delamotte, hosted by Cristian Rimoldi, and Super Tuscans, led by Italian wine expert Michela Morris, with a third session to be announced.

Each class runs for 75 minutes and is limited capacity, allowing for a more in-depth, engaging experience.

A seat at the table with a winemaker

After a successful debut across Decanter’s global Fine Wine Encounters last year, the Winemakers’ Lunch returns to New York, having quickly become a highlight of the programme.

This intimate dining experience offers guests the chance to enjoy relaxed, in-depth conversations over lunch with winemakers and members of the Decanter editorial team. Dr Laura Catena of Catena Zapata is confirmed, with more names to be announced.

Essential information

DFWE New York

Date: Saturday June 6 2026 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhattan, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: from $225 + US sales tax

BUY TICKETS HERE

Jefford accepted his award at the V d’Or Business Awards ceremony having been called to the stage by none other than pop superstar Kylie Minogue.

In introducing Jefford, Minogue revealed that she had turned to him for advice when she was first considering launching her own wine range.

‘I was very nervous ahead of our first Zoom call. But he was so supportive, and kind and insightful… he gave me a lot of fortitude,’ she said.

‘Like many of you I loved his book, ‘Drinking with the Valkyries’. And he has written with charm and intelligence for many publications, such as Decanter,’ Minogue added.

In a short acceptance speech, Jefford described the moment as, ‘possibly the most surreal evening of my life. My wife will never believe this’.

‘We’ll send them a selfie,’ Minogue piped up.

The award, presented by the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW), in association with industry publication The Drinks Business, recognises the ‘substantial contribution of an individual to the global wine community, and recognises vision, determination and innovation’.

‘For more than 30 years Andrew’s writings have contributed to the canon of the wine industry. It takes great skill to write about the nuances of wine and to communicate so eloquently,’ said Sarah Harrison, executive director, IMW.

‘To this day, his writing continues to educate, inform and inspire. Andrew is a very deserving recipient of this honour.’

The V d’Or Business Awards ceremony is held just before the annual Wine Paris trade show, which is taking place in the French capital this week (9-11 February).

The aim of the awards is to recognise those in the world of wines and spirits providing new initiatives and solutions to the various challenges they face.

This includes areas such as education, climate change, new consumption patterns and loss of traditional expertise, all of which undermine the long-term futures of these categories.

Andrew Jefford’s columns can be read every month in both Decanter and on decanter.com.

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Led by Fabien Teitgen, the estate’s charismatic head winemaker and general manager, the session showcased the evolution of one of Bordeaux’s premier Pessac-Léognan properties.

Teitgen, with his deep-rooted passion for precision and sustainability, guided us through eight wines – starting with three vibrant whites and culminating in five grand vin reds (two from magnum) – revealing how the estate’s unique Günz gravelly terroir shapes wines that balance power, elegance, and longevity.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for all eight wines from the Château Smith Haut Lafitte masterclass

A legacy reborn: The Cathiard era at Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s story is one of enduring legacy and bold reinvention.

Situated in the Graves sub-region of Bordeaux, just south of the city, the estate traces its roots to 1365 when the noble House of Bosq first cultivated vines on its gravelly slopes.

The name ‘Smith’ emerged in the 18th century when Scottish wine merchant George Smith acquired the property, exporting its wines to England and lending his moniker to the château.

Through the centuries, it passed through notable hands, including Lodi Martin Duffour-Dubergier, a Bordeaux mayor who elevated its reputation in the 19th century. Classified as a Grand Cru Classé de Graves in 1953, the estate truly flourished under its current owners, Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who purchased it in 1990.

The Cathiards, former French Olympic skiers (Daniel competed in the 1968 Winter Games), brought a fresh energy to Smith Haut Lafitte after successful careers in business, including owning a chain of supermarkets.

They invested heavily, transforming it into a multifaceted destination that includes the luxurious Les Sources de Caudalie hotel and spa, which uses grape-based products for vinotherapy.

Their daughter Mathilde and son-in-law Bertrand Thomas later founded the Caudalie cosmetics brand, further integrating the family’s entrepreneurial spirit with the vineyard.

Today, the one-block, 87-hectare estate (67ha red, 11 white, with the rest for second wines) emphasises quality over quantity. The Cathiards’ philosophy?

To honour the land while pushing boundaries, as Teitgen echoed during the masterclass: ‘We are more than just wine producers; we have the idea of sharing good food, enjoying good times with good people,’ – the estate has exceptional tourism facilities which welcome guests for tours and tastings all year long.

The magic of Günzian gravel: Terroir and vineyard practices

At the heart of Smith Haut Lafitte is its exceptional terroir, a hallmark of Pessac-Léognan. The name ‘Lafitte’ derives from the Gascon ‘la hite‘, meaning small hill, referring to the gentle, gravelly rises that define the landscape.

These Günzian gravel soils – deep layers of pebbles over clay and limestone – provide excellent natural drainage, reflecting heat to ripen grapes while retaining freshness. Reds thrive on the warmer, gravel-dominant plots with Cabernet Sauvignon (around 60% of blends), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot adding spice and structure.

Whites, from cooler clay-limestone parcels, feature Sauvignon Blanc (90%), Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris for aromatic complexity.

Teitgen emphasised how this terroir imparts a signature ‘saline minerality’ and ‘salty, chalkiness’ a thread running through the tasting.

Sustainability is woven into every aspect of viticulture at Smith Haut Lafitte, a commitment Teitgen described as ‘bio-precision’ – a blend of organic, biodynamic, and high-tech practices.

Certified organic since 2019, the estate eschews chemicals, using herbal teas, compost from grape pomace, and horse-drawn ploughing in sensitive areas to preserve soil health.

Bio-precision in action: harvesting and plot selection

Drones and NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) mapping, as Teitgen explained in the masterclass, allow precise harvesting: ‘We pick by hand and we select the picking with a new tool which is a NDVI map – we can see the difference within the blocks and decide to separate the picking.’

This ensures uniform ripeness, adapting to climate change by selecting drought-resistant rootstocks and adjusting canopy sizes.

Teitgen noted the estate’s forward-thinking approach: ‘In the future, we may have to change some varietals…perhaps we have to grow some Grenache, some Syrah,’ while currently experimenting with Malbec.

The in-house cooperage crafts barrels from French oak sourced from specific forests like Tronçais and Jupilles, with toasting tailored to each vintage – a ‘serious game’ that enhances the wines’ texture without overpowering the fruit.

Artistry in the cellar

Winemaking at Smith Haut Lafitte is a meticulous art, balancing extraction with elegance. Reds are hand-harvested in small crates, triple-sorted (including optical sorting), and fermented in wooden vats with gentle punch-downs and infusions rather than aggressive pumping.

Teitgen said: ‘We do all the extraction by punching down by hand then turn to maceration and more of an infusion rather than dynamic extraction.’

Ageing occurs in 55-60% new French oak for 14-18 months, with malolactic fermentation sometimes in barrel.

Whites undergo similar precision: whole-cluster pressing, fermentation in barrel (with some new oak), and lees ageing for creaminess. The estate produces second wines like Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte (more approachable) and Les Hauts de Smith (a third wine ideal for restaurants), ensuring only the finest lots make the grand vin.

Teitgen’s philosophy shines through: ‘The more the vinification is simple, the less you will transform the berries and you will keep the characteristics and the true quality of the berries for the wine.’

The tasting

The tasting began with whites, setting a fresh tone. The Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2023, a Sauvignon Blanc-dominant blend, burst with citrus, green apple, and herbal notes, its vibrancy reflecting the estate’s cooler plots. Teitgen highlighted its accessibility, as it’s designed for earlier drinking.

The Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2021 followed, from a challenging vintage marked by frost and rain, yet showcasing remarkable poise with citrus fruit, white flowers, and a mineral edge – proof of the team’s adaptive viticulture.

The 2013 Blanc, now maturing gracefully, offered richer layers of honeyed brioche, vanilla, and flint, its acidity preserving freshness after a decade.

These whites exemplified the terroir’s ability to yield complex, age-worthy Sauvignon-based wines, often rivalling top Burgundies in texture.

Transitioning to reds, the 2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte opened with ‘sun-kissed fruit and a liquorice backbone’ as Teitgen described, comparing it to the cooler 1988: ’18 is a lovely vintage… a bit more cubic, a bit more dense.’

The 2015, a warm vintage with a special black label commemorating the estate’s 650th anniversary and the Cathiards’ 25th year, seduced with gorgeous Cabernet aromas and rich fruit but no heaviness.

Teitgen noted its evolution: ‘When they are young, they are very primary and focussed on the fruit, after some years, that decrease a bit and you have more depth and mintiness.’

The 2010 impressed with real concentration on the mid-palate.

From magnum, the 2005 revealed incredible complexity with smoky notes and fine tannins.

Finally, the 2000 from magnum, a ‘tricky vintage’ saved by an Indian summer recalled Tietgen, had lost its baby fat with mature fruits and structure.

Looking ahead

Reflecting on rising alcohols, he said: ‘Today, the wines have more sugar compared to the past so we’re reducing the size of the canopy to reduce this quantity of sugar.’

There is constant adaptation including using different rootstocks to cope better in drought and ripen slightly later.

But it’s not a one size fits all. Speaking candidly, he said: ‘To be honest, every year it’s a gamble and a challenge to understand if the weather will be very warm or will be rather cool, so we have to be more active than ever in the vineyards.’

Throughout the masterclass, Teitgen’s anecdotes – from hosting King Charles III (during his September 2023 state visit to France) to Napa influences (the family also own Cathiard Vineyard in Napa Valley) – added warmth and context, underscoring the family’s global vision.

This masterclass wasn’t just a tasting; it was a testament to how terroir, stewardship, and innovation create timeless wines.

As Teitgen invited at the end of the masterclass: ‘You are all welcome at Smith Haut Lafitte.’

For Bordeaux enthusiasts, it’s an estate that rewards patience, much like its vintages.

Tasting Château Smith Haut Lafitte:

Wines are listed in the order they were tasted

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In some respects, vintage Champagne is an affront to the traditions of the Champagne region.

‘Champagne is a blended product,’ in the words of the Comité Champagne, the ruling body of the Champagne industry.

The region prides itself on the consistency of its wines, and the overwhelming majority of production are non-vintage blends – the Comité Champagne reports that vintage Champagne represented only 1.2% of exports in 2024. For seasoned wine lovers, however, this tiny sliver of the market can provide wines of spectacular quality.

It has long been held that vintage Champagne is produced only in exceptional years. Luckily for wine lovers, it has become more common in the modern era of global warming.

Making a great vintage

The best vintages unite ripe fruit and abundant extract with thrilling acidity and structure. In my book ‘Vintage Champagne: 1899 to 2019’, I awarded only three vintages a top, five-star rating since the turn of the millennium: 2002, 2008, and 2012.

All the factors came together nicely in 2012: ripe fruit (potential alcohol of 10.6% at harvest), crisp acidity (an average of 7.8 g/L), and very healthy fruit.

The year did not begin auspiciously, however. A spring frost that damaged 10–17% of the crop was followed by heavy rain that brought mildew and cool weather that disrupted flowering, all factors that limited the crop.

Fortunately, the rain stopped in mid-July, and conditions turned sunny and warm thereafter. The mid-August heatwave dried the grapes thoroughly, and harvest began on 10 September, producing a small crop of concentrated grapes with exceptional balance.

Results were superb throughout the region.

Chardonnay focus

Tasters at the Decanter Masterclass sampled exquisite wines produced from across Champagne made by houses both large and small.

The tasting opened with two Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, made exclusively from Chardonnay. The first was produced by the venerable grande marque producer Delamotte.

The house style is clean and rich; the base wines are fermented in stainless steel, and all undergo malolactic conversion to soften the crisp acidity.

The 2012 was a blend of 20% each of the five grand crus of the Côte des Blancs: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, Cramant, and Chouilly. The wine aged for nine years on its lees before being disgorged.

The second Champagne was the top-of-the-range Fleur de Passion from the small artisanal producer Diebolt-Vallois, who craft it from the grapes they grow on their family estate in the grand cru of Cramant.

Here, the base wines are all fermented in cask, and the malolactic conversion is not done, resulting in a zingy profile. This wine was also aged nine years before release, but the dosage with 3 g/L sugar was about half of that used by Delamotte, accentuating the wine’s crisp, refreshing nature.

A prestigious vineyard

From the Côte des Blancs, the tasting moved on to the Marne Valley and the incredibly famous Clos des Goisses from Champagne Philipponnat.

This exceptional wine is produced from a single steep vineyard in premier cru Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, whose vines are planted in thin, chalky soils that face due south and yield grapes of great concentration.

The 2012 was a blend of 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay. Two-thirds of the base wines were fermented in small casks or larger oak uprights, and the rest in tank. Malolactic conversion was blocked, and the wine was given an extra-brut dosage of 4.5 g/L.

A generous contribution

The next stop on the tour of the vintage was the Montagne de Reims, where Champagne Laurent Perrier and Champagne Pierre Paillard both generously provided two wines each.

Laurent Perrier, based in the grand cru Tours-sur-Marne, showed its vintage 2012, produced from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from top villages throughout the region, aged for more than nine years before release.

The house also contributed its exceptional Alexandra rosé. This wine, a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, is made in the saignée (or maceration) method and aged for 10 years before release.

Pierre Paillard showed two wines, both from the grand cru village of Bouzy, where the house is based. La Grande Récolte is half Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay from its oldest vines, fermented in cask and aged for a decade before being finished with a dosage of 1 g/L.

Les Mottelettes is a rare bird, produced from Chardonnay from a single vineyard near the heart of the village of Bouzy, mostly known for its Pinot Noir. Co-planted with the Chardonnay is a small amount of Pinot Blanc.

The far south

We finished our Champagne journey far to the south in the Côte des Bar. Concordance is the name of the flagship cuvée from Champagne Marie Courtin, where owner and winemaker Dominique Moreau is among the most gifted in the region.

This Champagne of extraordinary purity and freshness is truly a high-wire act, since she fashions it from a single parcel of biodynamically grown Pinot Noir vines, vinified in tank without the use of sulfur or any other additive during fermentation of the base wine.

The wine was disgorged for our tasting and received no dosage.

We concluded with two Champagnes from the outstanding firm of Drappier, established more than 200 years ago in cellars first constructed in 1152 by Bernard of Clairvaux.

Grande Sendrée is their blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay from an exceptional single-vineyard site. One-third of the grapes are fermented in cask and large oak uprights; the wine aged nine years on the lees before receiving a dosage of 4.5 g/L.

The last wine was Drappier’s Millésime Exception 2012, produced from parcels selected from throughout the region.

This diverse selection of Champagne amply demonstrated the thrilling quality and age-worthy character of the 2012 vintage, when lovely wines were produced by large and small wineries throughout Champagne.

The best of these wines will continue to improve for decades in the cellar, truly demonstrating the seduction of time.

Vintage Champagne 2012

Wines are listed in tasting order

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The Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) returned to Singapore for its second year, welcoming wine lovers from far and wide. The stunning Shangri-La Singapore once again opened its doors, offering a luxurious setting for guests to explore and celebrate exceptional wines.

On Saturday 22 November almost 600 attendees flocked to the event, enjoying the elegant surroundings, from the grand ballroom to the beautifully curated masterclass room. Guests experienced wines from 52 world-class producers, including the delicate Koshu wines of Japan and the premium sake of Dassai. Masterclasses offered deep dives into iconic labels, from Henschke’s celebrated single-vineyard wines and Brunello di Montalcino, to the legendary Château Margaux.

A new highlight for this year was the Editors’ Lunch, giving guests an exclusive opportunity to connect with Decanter editors in an intimate setting – another memorable addition to a day celebrating the very best of fine wine.

Special thanks to all the producers and guests for another unforgettable day, and to our official DFWE sponsor Riedel.

Photo Credits: Colossal Productions

The Tower Ballroom awaits as anticipation builds in the empty corridors.

Decanting in progress for the day's Grand Tasting.

Devon Lochhead of Boschendal and Bellingham smiles as he sets up for the tasting ahead.

Glasses being prepared for the first masterclass of the day, Brunello di Montalcino.

The Grand Tasting in full swing.

Pouring this year’s DWWA winners at the dedicated tasting table.

A look at some of the wines being showcased by the Bodegas Muga team.

Decanter's Italy Editor James Button (left) and Gerald Lu, President of the Sommelier Association of Singapore (right), explore the wines of Brunello di Montalcino.

A guest taking a moment to enjoy the aromas of one of the wines.

A beautifully set table for the Editors' Lunch, where guests enjoyed welcome drinks before a three-course menu with wines chosen by Decanter editors.

A warm moment as Regional Editor Julie Sheppard speaks with guests before the lunch.

Guests enjoying a lighthearted moment at the producer's stand.

Leading the sold-out Château Margaux masterclass: Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos and Decanter's Georgie Hindle.

Engaged and smiling – an attendee taking in the masterclass experience.

A cheerful attendee enjoying the event.

Fabio Solenthaler of Château d'Esclans presenting Rock Angel.

Federica Mascheroni Stianti brings a taste of Tuscany to Singapore with Castello di Volpaia’s Coltassala Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2017.

Curious moment of focus at the stand, with guests taking time to familiarise themselves with the wines on offer.

Johann Henschke takes guests through the family’s new-release 2021 Eden Valley single-vineyard wines.

Capturing the masterclass through a guest's lens.

Leaning in, a guest studies the wines side by side, tracing the subtle colour differences in the glass.

Koshu wines of Japan took centre stage, spanning three stands at the Grand Tasting.

Shared laugher captures the spirit of the event.

Meeting, greeting and sharing a passion for wine.

A moment of conversation and smiles after the Henschke masterclass.

Dassai makes its debut, offering premium sake, captivating attendees.

Family of Silver Oak: A snapshot with their special wine.

Keepsake – each Grand Tasting guest received a tasting glass to take home.

Glasses raised, spirits high – cheers to a memorable tasting.

The iconic Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) returned for its second edition at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel in the heart of Southeast Asia in Singapore. The event welcomed hundreds of wine lovers and connoisseurs for a one-day celebration of the very best in fine wine.

At the Grand Tasting, attendees could explore an extraordinary array of wines from leading producers across the globe. For those wishing to delve even deeper, three insightful masterclasses were hosted, featuring exceptional wines from Henschke, Château Margaux and Brunello di Montalcino.

A crowd favourite, the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) Winners’ Table showcased over 35 wines awarded with Gold, Platinum and Best in Show medals. The selection featured a diverse range of styles and origins, including Spanish and Japanese sparkling wines, Italian whites, red wines from Australia and Armenia and a sweet wine from Greece.

Out of the Top 50 wines of the 2025 competition, four were presented at the table, including Soalheiro, Alvarinho, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2024 and Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi, Vin Liastos, Monemvasia-Malvasia, Peloponnese, Greece 2012.

Five Platinum-awarded wines, each scoring 97-points, were also available to taste and many more Gold winners, including Lionel Gosseaume, Les Marcottes, Touraine, Loire, France 2023, one of the 30 Top Value Golds of the competition (wines under £15 a bottle at the time of judging).

Discover below the full line-up of DWWA 2025 awarded wines featured at the Winners’ Table in Singapore, and find more event highlights here.

Sparkling

• Ruggeri, Brut, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto, Italy 2023 | Platinum, 97 points
• Il Poggiolo, Metodo Classico Pinot Nero Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé, Vino Spumante di Qualità, Italy 2020 | Gold, 95 points 
• Hokkaido Wine, Traditional Method Hokkaido Type C Brut, Hokkaido, Japan NV | Gold, 96 points 
• Can Sala, Vinyes de Can Sala Brut Nature, Cava, Spain 2015 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Legras & Haas, Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru, Champagne, France 2018 | Gold, 95 points

Whites

• Soalheiro, Alvarinho, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2024 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Zýmē di Celestino Gaspari, From Black to White, Veneto, Italy 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Jade Select, Parea 23 Tempranillo Blanco, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2017 | Silver, 92 points
• Ktima Gerovassiliou, Single Vineyard Malagousia, Epanomi, Macedonia, Greece 2024 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Domaine de Métifiot, Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France 2023 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Ktima Biblia Chora, Ovilos, Pangeon, Macedonia, Greece 2024 | Gold, 96 points 
• Vignaioli Contra’ Soarda, Vignasilan, Breganze, Veneto, Italy 2017 | Gold, 95 points 
• Brokenwood, ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2019 | Platinum, 97 points
• Dandelion Vineyards, Enchanted Garden Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia 2024 | Gold, 95 points 
• Ambar Estate, Lustral Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, Oregon, United States 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Wirra Wirra, The 12th Man Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia 2024 | Best in Show, 97 points 

Reds

• Lionel Gosseaume, Les Marcottes, Touraine, Loire, France 2023 | Gold, 95 points
• Khachen Wines, Areni, Vayots Dzor, Armenia 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Erste + Neue, Puntay Classico Superiore, Caldaro / Kalterersee, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Guadianeja, Paraje Alto Hungrao Tempranillo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Cellers Unió, Perlat Garnatxa, Montsant, Spain 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Vall Llach, Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada, Priorat, Spain 2023 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Trivento, Golden Reserve Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina 2023 | Gold, 95 points
• Castello di Meleto, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany, Italy 2020 | Platinum, 97 points
• Château de Parenchère, Esprit, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Ernie Els, Proprietor’s Blend, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022 | Gold, 96 points 
• Avinodos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2019 | Gold, 95 points 
• Heirloom Vineyards, A’lambra, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia 2023 | Gold, 96 points 

Sweet

• Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi, Vin Liastos, Monemvasia-Malvasia, Peloponnese, Greece 2012 | Best in Show, 97 points 

Search all DWWA 2025 award-winning wines 

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Held from 12–14 November at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), ProWine Shanghai 2025 attracted 21,590 professional visitors. This year’s edition featured a more diversified buyer profile and increased cross-regional interaction, reflecting the fair’s growing influence in the Asian market.

At the Decanter stand, visitors explored a broad range of medal winners from Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025, representing different styles, origins and medal categories. The line-up featured wines from eight countries and 18 regions.

Wines from well-established regions such as Bordeaux and Barossa were especially popular among attendees, while discoveries from regions including Vaud in Switzerland and Southwest France also generated strong interest.

China achieved its best-ever results at DWWA 2025, securing two Best in Show, one Platinum and ten Gold medals. To celebrate this milestone, Decanter hosted a dedicated masterclass featuring 11 of these top-scoring wines, all of which were also displayed at the stand throughout the fair.

The masterclass was led by Professor Li Demei — DWWA judge, DecanterChina.com columnist and director of enology engineering at Beijing University of Agriculture. He began by introducing the DWWA judging process and scoring system before guiding participants through an in-depth tasting of the featured wines. The line-up comprised:

• Devo Winery, Mv03 Brut Nature, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China NV
  Gold 95
• Mystic Island Winery, Yihu Qiushan Reserve Chardonnay, Penglai, Shandong, China 2022
  Gold 96
• Longting Vineyard, Reserve Sea Breeze Chardonnay, Penglai, Shandong, China 2020
  Gold 95
• Changyu, Noble Dragon N188, Yantai, Shandong, China 2022
  Best in Show 97
• Domaine Pushang, Marselan, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2022
  Gold 96
• MountainWave Vinery, MountainWave Malbec, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2021
  Gold 96
• Dongfang Yuxing Winery, Geruihong Yeguangbei, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2022
  Best in Show 97
• Li’s Estate, Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2022
  Platinum 97
• Pernod Ricard Ningxia, Helan Mountain Xiao Feng Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China 2020
  Gold 95
• Hanxiang Liquor, Nabaifu Reserva Icewine Vidal, Huanren, Liaoning, China 2018
  Gold 95
• Sanhe, Cailonglin Jinding Icewine Vidal, Huanren, Liaoning, China 2018
  Gold 95

The masterclass also featured the first appearance of Edward Regg MW as the new Asia Regional Chair. He shared insights from his experience at the DWWA 2025 judging week and introduced the key features of the DWWA results website.

The masterclass and stand showcase together highlighted the depth, diversity and growing recognition of DWWA medal winners, while reflecting the increasing enthusiasm of the Chinese market for high-quality wines.

Search all DWWA 2025 results

See below the list of all non-Chinese DWWA 2025 medal winners featured at the Decanter stand during ProWine Shanghai 2025.

Sparkling

• Blasi Cantina, 1742 Metodo Classico Pas Dosé, Vino Spumante di Qualità, Italy NV
  Bronze 87

White

• Tenuta Viglione, Herba, Puglia, Italy 2024
  Bronze 88
• Waterkloof, Circle of Life Sauvignon Blanc-Chenin Blanc-Semillon, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2024
  Silver 91
• False Bay, Slow Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, South Africa 2024
  Silver 90
• Sother, Château De Malessert 1er Grand Cru Chasselas, La Côte, Vaud, Switzerland 2023
  Silver 92
• Sother, Château De Malessert 1er Grand Cru Chasselas, La Côte, Vaud, Switzerland 2022
  Gold 95
• Plaimont, Yura, Jurançon Sec, Southwest France, France 2023
  Platinum 97

Rosé

• Domaine Alône, Sable, Vin de France, Provence, France 2023
  Silver 92

Red

• Sother, Domaine de Manoir Assemblage Rouge, Vaud, Switzerland 2023
  Bronze 89
• Cimicky, Grenache, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2024
  Silver 92
• Cellers Unió, Perlat Garnatxa, Montsant, Spain 2023
  Gold 95
• La Magdalena, Ramblilla Old Vines Bobal, Ribera del Júcar, Spain 2021
  Silver 90
• Bodegas Teofilo Reyes, Tamiz, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2024
  Silver 90
• Don Sancho De Londoño, Real De A 8, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2018
  Bronze 88
• Château de Parenchère, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France 2022
  Bronze 88
• Château Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France 2022
  Silver 92
• Château De Parenchère, Esprit, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France 2022
  Gold 95
• Ernie Els, Proprietor’s Blend, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022
  Gold 96
• Cimicky, Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 2023
  Bronze 86
• Plaimont, Néo Mad, Madiran, Southwest France, France 2023
  Gold 95

Sweet

• Plaimont, Saint Albert, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Southwest France, France 2022
  Gold 95
• Weingut Korrell, Paradies Riesling, Auslese, Nahe, Germany 2023
  Gold 96
• Blasi Cantina, Mammamia Passito, Umbria, Umbria, Italy 2008
  Gold 95

Search all DWWA 2025 results

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Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) Singapore 2025, on Saturday 22 November, was an even greater success than its debut last year, the event now a fixture on every wine-lover’s calendar in this vibrant city-state.

And in an expanded programme of events, the inaugural Editors’ Lunch joined the trio of exclusive Masterclasses and the flagship Grand Tasting itself.

More than 580 guests made their way to Singapore’s luxury Shangri-La Hotel, where 52 wineries from 13 countries were waiting to pour their wines in the splendid setting of the Tower Ballroom. Wines were shown off at their best in pristine glassware from Riedel, kind sponsors of the event.

Grand Tasting

The centrepiece of any DFWE, the all-day tasting offered guests the chance to enjoy wines from top estates from around the world, poured and presented by the names behind the labels.

A walk around the Ballroom provided an exciting tour of the classic regions of France, Spain and Italy, exciting discoveries from China, Hungary and Switzerland, and powerhouses from Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the US.

And there was particular excitement at the extensive range on show from Japan.

Dassai Sake from Yamaguchi poured three Junmai Daiginjo sakes, a Nigori Sparkling and a new environmentally responsible release called Future With Farmers, which utilises ungraded Yamadanishiki rice that would otherwise be discarded but which is polished to just 8%.

Next door, Koshu of Japan showcased 18 deliciously diverse wines from nine producers, including a red and rosé from international grapes amid the sparkling and still whites from the country’s main indigenous variety of Koshu.

Special wines

As with last year, each Grand Tasting producer was invited to bring a very special wine from their collection, straight from their cellar to Singapore.

These included show-stopping large-format bottles such as the five-litre jeroboam of the 2014 grand vin from Pauillac second-growth Château Pichon Baron, and double magnums (three litres) from a host of estates including Marchesi Frescobaldi (Tuscany), Arzuaga (Ribera del Duero) and Remírez de Ganuza (Rioja).

Other stands boasted rare older vintages, like the 2005s from St-Emilion grand cru classé estate La Tour Figeac and Ribera del Duero’s Félix Callejo (both in magnum) and a 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Cloudy Bay.

Tuscany’s Tenute del Cabreo even poured its Cabreo Il Borgo 1998 from double magnum, as did Clos Apalta from Chile with its Apalta 2004.

Several winery principals had flown in especially for the event, and enjoyed pouring their wine personally for visitors.

These included Marielle Cazaux, managing director and winemaker at Château La Conseillante in Pomerol, José Ramón Urtasun, owner and winemaker at Rioja’s Remírez de Ganuza and Jake Krausz, estate director for Arkenstone Vineyards in Napa Valley.

Meanwhile, a dedicated Decanter World Wine Awards table presented 37 winners from this year’s competition, all scoring 95 points or higher.

It was a proudly eclectic and global mix, including top Cava and Prosecco alongside Japanese sparkling, and grapes as diverse as Armenian Areni Noir and Italian Vespaiola and Schiava Gentile.

Highlights were the five Best in Show winners: a Vinho Verde, Adelaide Hills Chardonnay and Greek Malagousia and a brace of Spanish reds from Priorat and Ribeira Sacra.

DFWE Singapore 2025 Masterclasses

In addition to the main tasting, guests could purchase tickets to a series of exclusive tutored sessions (individual, detailed masterclass reports to follow).

The first masterclass of the day, Montalcino across Time, was co-hosted by Decanter’s Italy Regional Editor, James Button, and Gerald Lu, president of the Sommelier Association of Singapore.

Across two key vintages, 2010 and 2020, they explored the wines of four celebrated producers – Il Marroneto, Biondi Santi, Giodo and Col d’Orcia.

In the second masterclass, which was oversubscribed by 50%, Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos, CEO and co-owner of Bordeaux first-growth Château Margaux was joined on stage by Decanter’s Bordeaux Regional Editor Georgie Hindle.

Together they presented four vintages of the grand vin across four decades – 2009, 1999, 1989 and 1985. The class also showed two vintages of the estate’s first white wine Pavillon Blanc (2018 and 1996) and the second red wine Pavillon Rouge 2009, as well as the 2018 Margaux du Château Margaux, the estate’s third wine.

The event’s final masterclass welcomed Johann Henschke, the sixth-generation winemaker and viticulturalist of his family’s Henschke winery in South Australia, and co-host Tina Gellie, Decanter’s Content Director.

Attendees were treated to mini verticals (2021, 2015 and 2005) of the iconic Shirazes Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, but also the 2021 vintages of the other new-release 2021 Eden Valley single-vineyard wines Cyril Henschke and The Wheelwright.

New: Editors’ Lunch

Finally, in an exclusive new addition to Decanter’s events programme, making its debut at DFWE Singapore 2025, was the Editors’ Lunch.

Offered to only 12 guests, this was a unique opportunity to join members of Decanter’s editorial team for a relaxed, convivial meal and engaging behind-the-scenes conversation.

Hosted by Tina Gellie, James Button and Julie Sheppard, Decanter’s Regional Editor for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the sell-out lunch at the Shangri-La’s Origin Grill, featured a curated selection of wines from eight of their favourite producers attending the event, paired with a three-course meal.

After a welcome aperitif from Champagne Taittinger, two whites and a rosé were poured for the starter course, courtesy of Mazzei (Tuscany), Cloudy Bay (New Zealand) and Château d’Esclans (Provence).

Three reds followed with the main course, kindly provided by Leyda (Chile), Château Bélair-Monange (St-Emilion) and Ovid (Napa Valley), finishing with a Sauternes from Château Suduiraut.

Our table was a melting pot of cultures, spanning India, Malaysia, Australia, Russia, Poland, Britain and of course Singapore.

Some were starting their journey in wine, others had more expertise, but all were enthusiasts, eager to find out more about the stories behind the bottles being poured, as well as the editors who chose them.

It was a memorable experience for all involved and we look forward to meeting more passionate, curious wine lovers next year.

Look out for our photo highlights from DFWE Singapore 2025 shortly – if you attended, keep an eye out as you may be featured.

The next DFWE in our international programme will be New York on 6 June 2026. Look out for more information on this, as well as the announcement of our London and Singapore dates, on our Events page.

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Guado al Tasso is owned by the Antinori family, who have been making wine in Tuscany for several centuries – hosting the masterclass was 26th-generation Alessia Antinori, daughter of Piero, and the company’s head oenologist and CEO, Renzo Cotarella.

The estate is framed by the three key roads of Bolgheri: the ancient Via Aurelia which runs parallel with the coast, running north/south; the iconic cypress-lined Viale dei Cipressi, which runs eastwards from the Via Aurelia; and the Via Bolgherese, which runs north/south from the Viale dei Cipressi and parallel with Via Aurelia, and leads to the village of Bolgheri itself.

It’s along the latter that many of the area’s wineries can be accessed, including Guado al Tasso.

The lineup

Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri Superiore 1998 (magnum)

Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri Superiore 2007

Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri Superiore 2013

Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri Superiore 2022

Guado al Tasso, Matarocchio, Toscana 2007 (magnum)

Guado al Tasso, Matarocchio, Bolgheri Superiore 2013

Guado al Tasso, Matarocchio, Bolgheri Superiore 2016

Guado al Tasso, Matarocchio, Bolgheri Superiore 2021

Tasting notes below

A new home for Cabernet Franc

‘Bolgheri is a wonderful area for international varieties…for Cabernet Franc it’s one of the best places in the world,’ exclaimed Antinori’s head oenologist of over 40 years.

And this masterclass turned out to be a celebration of Bolgheri’s zeitgeist variety, appearing in Guado al Tasso’s Bolgheri Superiore from 2007 and taking the stage solo in the super-premium Matarocchio.

The first release of Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was the 1990 vintage, but there was no initial follow-up in 1991 due to unfavourable conditions.

In its original guise it was a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% other grapes, including Syrah and Petit Verdot.

Cotarella calls 1998 the wine’s first great vintage, noting that it was the warmest summer until 2022. However, it was the 2007 vintage that proved to be a turning point for the estate.

2007 yielded some seriously good Cabernet Franc, and so the decision was made to to incorporate some into Guado al Tasso’s Bolgheri Superiore, Cotarella explaining that the idea was to replace the Syrah in order to produce a more refine, vibrant and ‘more authentic’ wine.

Since then, the blend has slowly shifted towards a larger portion of Cabernet Franc, arriving at 31% in the 2022 vintage. Cotarella explains that he aims to make Guado al Tasso a ‘drinkable but not simple’ wine, and favours what he describes at the softer entrance but also more backbone that the variety brings to a blend.

The birth of Matarocchio

‘When we bottled 2007 Guado al Tasso we didn’t use all the Cabernet Franc because we didn’t want to change the character too much.’

Left with such high quality fruit, the team decided to bottle a single-variety wine, but were hesitant to release it commercially until they were sure they could replicate the success.

Cotarella compares this process of patience to the cautious release of Solaia in the 1970s.

The wines

The masterclass was divided into two flights: Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore, followed by Matarocchio.

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Passports in hand, they waited patiently. Despite getting there early to avoid the inevitable crowds, the queue quickly grew; the hundreds of like-minded souls buzzing with excitement at their impending world tour.

No, not your typical Saturday morning at Heathrow Terminal 5, but outside The Empire Room at the Landmark London Hotel, where wine lovers attending London’s 28th Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) were awaiting entry to the exclusive Cellar Collection 2025.

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of 21 wines: a highlight from each producer at the Cellar Collection 2025

This year’s Cellar Collection – the fourth edition – offered guests the chance to experience a deep dive into a flagship cuvée from 21 estates.

In a curated mini vertical, each winery poured three back vintages of one iconic wine to demonstrate its evolution, with several bottles more than 25 years old.

Many estates brought up to eight wines – some in magnums and double magnums – to further boost the exclusivity of this experience.

Tickets to the Cellar Collection 2025, which held one three-hour session in the morning and then another in the afternoon, were strictly limited and available to purchase in addition to the Grand Tasting tickets.

And as with last year, the calibre of producers ensured both sessions sold out.

Each guest received a Cellar Collection passport, gaining a stamp at each table visited on their world tour – a memento of meeting the people behind these famous estates and having them introduce three different vintages of an iconic wine in person.

Cellar Collection 2025: a world wine tour

When the doors opened, the crowds raced to Italy’s Masottina for its range of Prosecco and to Champagne houses Palmer & Co and Drappier.

Saint Clair from Marlborough in New Zealand, Napa Valley estate Chappellet and Rioja’s Remírez de Ganuza flew the flags for their respective countries as did Lebanon’s Chateau Musar, generously pouring a 1999 vintage of its flagship Bekaa Valley cuvée.

From South America it was Argentina’s Achaval Ferrer and Catena Zapata alongside Chile’s Santa Rita and Seña, with the latter showing five of its eight wines in magnum and the 2020 flagship cuvée in jeroboam.

Left Bank Bordeaux châteaux comprised three of France’s seven stands this year: St-Estèphe third-growth Calon-Ségur, Margaux second-growth Brane-Cantenac and Pessac-Léognan property Domaine de Chevalier.

This cru classé de Graves not only brought double magnums of each vintage of its grand vin red mini vertical (as well as a magnum of its 2015 grand vin white), but the 1995 was the oldest wine in the room.

M Chapoutier took the plaudits for the most diverse stand, showing six Rhône wines – including a trio of his Ermitage La Pavillon cuvée – as well as a Riesling from his Schieferkopf estate in Alsace and a white blend from his Bila-Haut domaine in Roussillon.

Italy was represented by four producers: Marchesi di Barolo from Piedmont, Fontodi from Tuscany and a brace of wineries from Sicily – Donnafugata and Cantine Florio, whose complex, saline 1998 Marsala Vergine Riserva was the second oldest wine in the room.

To finish on a sweet note, our Cellar Collection 2025 visitors clamoured to taste the three vintages of Sauternes from Bordeaux’s Château Suduiraut and the Nyulászó 6 Puttonyos Aszú from Hungary’s Royal Tokaji Co.

See you next year!

Passports stamped and memories made, our intrepid travellers disembarked from the Cellar Collection and continued their world wine adventures in the Grand Tasting, with occasional layovers in Masterclasses.

If you already have wine wanderlust we hope to see some of you at the DFWE Singapore on 22 November.

Or, for those based in the US, join us at our DFWE New York on 6 June. Look out for details on our events page.

Until then, read our full event report from London’s DFWE, check out our photo highlights and keep an eye peeled for our Masterclass reports on Decanter Premium soon.

Cellar Collection 2025: a highlight from each producer

The Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) London returned on the 7 and 8 November for its first two-day edition since 2019, marking 28 years of bringing wine lovers and world-class producers together. Across both days, guests enjoyed a full and lively programme of masterclasses, walk-around tastings and special highlights including the brand new Winemakers’ Lunches. The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) winners were showcased in their very own dedicated room for the first time, while the Cellar Collection continued to be a firm favourite – selling out once again and re-affirming its status as one of the most sought-after experiences of the event.

Scroll down to see photo highlights from DFWE London 2025.

Thanks to photographers Ellen Richardson Photography and Lensi Photography (Denise Maxwell).

Special thanks also to our event sponsor Riedel.

The calm before the first pour – Riedel glasses perfectly polished and poised ready for a celebration of fine wine.

On Friday, 56 award-winning wines were showcased in the DWWA Winners' Room.

Anticipation builds for the exclusive, sold-out Cellar Collection on Saturday.

The popular Marchesi Barolo stand draws attention in the VIP Cellar Collection room.

Nothing says celebration like Moët & Chandon on ice.

An attendee enjoys a pour from CVNE, one of Spain’s iconic wineries.

Guests were treated to delicious Señorio Acorn Fed 100% Ibérico Ham from Brandisa.

Charles Curtis MW and Decanter’s Natalie Earl explore a range of esteemed champagnes from the celebrated 2012 vintage.

The impressive 10 bottle line-up of 2012 vintage champagne.

Sharing the stories of Bodegas Muga.

A stylish swirl – a guest taking a moment to swirl and appreciate a red wine, perfectly paired with a red bow tie and pocket square.

Fabien Teitgen, Head Winemaker of Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Decanter's Georgie Hindle, treat guests to vertical tasting.

A moment of focus – appreciating every note of the wine during one of the exceptional masterclasses.

An irresistible cheese board – the perfect pairing for a glass in hand.

Cesar from Decanter (right) raises a glass with the Wines of Istria team.

Smiles all around – friends making memories at the event.

Discovering how the glass shapes the wine with the Riedel Wine Glass Experience – Martin Turner UK Brand Ambassador.

Another Cellar Collection favourite, Château Suduiraut.

Guests enjoying fine wine and good company.

Alessia Antinori and Renzo Cotarella CEO and Chief winemaker for Antinori, share a moment while guiding guests through four decades of Tenuta Guado Al Tasso.

Is it even a wine tasting if you're not swirling before sipping?

Attendees capturing moments during the Antinori masterclass.

A coordinated pair of attendees adding style to the occasion.

The audience applauds another unforgettable masterclass.

Cheers to an incredible two days. See you next year!

Decanter’s annual Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) captivated wine lovers and trade in London with an iconic two-day celebration.

Now in its 28th edition, this year marked the first time which the event was expanded across two days, welcoming over 1,500 wine lovers and 120 producers from all around the world, from China and Australia to France and the United States.

At the magnetic Landmark hotel in the heart of London, guests could indulge into hundreds of the world’s finest wines, attend insightful masterclasses and access the exclusive Cellar Collection.

As part of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) promotional opportunities, top-scoring wines from the 2025 competition were showcased at the internationally led DWWA winners’ table across both days. What made this year even more special, however, was the DWWA winners’ room on Friday evening, where guests could pick up the DWWA magazine, sample over 55 award-winning wines and learn everything about the competition.

The line-up across both days was among the most diverse yet, allowing guests to taste everything from UK sparkling wine and Premier Cru Burgundy, to vintage Champagne and fortified wines from Portugal and Australia.

Out of the 50 Best in Show winners, seven were showcased at the tables, including the first magnum sparkling wine from the UK to ever receive this title – Sugrue South Downs, The Trouble With Dreams, Sussex 2009. Others included the 2024 Single Vineyard Malagousia from Ktima Gerovassiliou, the 2014 Rare Collection Blanc de Blanc Champagne from Barons de Rothschild and the 2023 sweet Ben Ryé from Donnafugata in Sicily.

Other highlights included 30 Platinum winners from Australia, Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain the US, all scoring 97 points along with a diverse election of Gold-awarded wines.

Below, explore the full list of DWWA 2025 award-winning wines featured on each day, and find more event highlights here.

DWWA winners on Friday 7 November

Sparkling

• Dei Vescovi, Brut, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto, Italy 2023 | Gold, 95 points
• Ruggeri, Brut, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto, Italy 2023 | Platinum, 97 points
• Barons de Rothschild, Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV | Gold, 95 points
• Il Poggiolo, Metodo Classico Pinot Nero Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé, Vino Spumante di Qualità, Italy 2020 | Gold, 95 points
• Sugrue South Downs, The Trouble With Dreams, Sussex, England, United Kingdom 2009 (magnum) | Best in Show, 97 points

Whites

• Paris-Simoneau, Réserve Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, Loire, France 2024| Gold, 95 points
• Rohe, Sauvignon Blanc, Rapaura, Marlborough, New Zealand 2024 | Gold, 96 points
• Feudo Cavaliere, Contrada Cavaliere, Etna, Sicily, Italy 2020 | Gold, 96 points
• Sother, Château de Malessert 1er Grand Cru Chasselas, La Côte, Vaud, Switzerland 2022 | Gold, 95 points
• Ktima Biblia Chora, Ovilos, Pangeon, Macedonia, Greece 2024 | Gold, 96 points
• Weingut Müller, Ried Eichbühel Grüner Veltliner Reserve, Kremstal, Niederösterreich, Austria 2023 | Gold, 95 points
• Weingut Birgit Eichinger, Ried Heiligenstein 1 ÖTW Riesling, Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Austria 2023 | Gold, 96 points
• Ktima Gerovassiliou, Single Vineyard Malagousia, Epanomi, Macedonia, Greece 2024 | Best in Show, 97 points
• Alpha Estate, Ecosystem Latipes Malagouzia, Florina, Macedonia, Greece 2023 | Silver, 92 points
• Simonsig, Langbult Steen Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2024 | Gold, 96 points
• Quinta do Escudial, Grande Reserva, Dão, Portugal 2020 | Gold, 95 points
• Velenosi, Rêve, Offida Pecorino, Le Marche, Italy 2023 | Gold, 95 points
• Domaine de Métifiot, Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France 2023 | Platinum, 97 points
• Jean-Marc Brocard, Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy, France 2023 | Best in Show, 97 points
• Cantine Volpi, Derthona La Zerba Timorasso, Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont, Italy 2023 | Gold, 95 points
• Podere Selva Capuzza, Menasasso, Lugana Riserva, Lombardy, Italy 2020 | Gold, 95 points
• Bodegas Alvear, Tres Miradas Paraje De Riofrío Alto 3er Año, Montilla-Moriles, Spain 2021 | Platinum, 97 points
• Cantina Kurtatsch, Freienfeld Chardonnay, Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2022 | Platinum, 97 points

Red

• Pfannenstielhof, Der Pfannenstiel Classico, Santa Maddalena, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2019 | Platinum, 97 points
• Weingut Ettl, Heideboden Cuvée, Burgenland, Austria 2023 | Platinum, 97 points
• Domaine Serene, Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States 2022 | Platinum, 97 points
• Domaine Parent, Les Epenots, Pommard 1er Cru, Burgundy, France 2022 | Gold, 95 points
• Don Bernardino, La Capona Amandi, Ribeira Sacra, Spain 2019 | Best in Show, 97 points
• Elena Casadei, Le Anfore, Cannonau di Sardegna, Sardinia, Italy 2022 |Platinum, 97 points
• Cellers Unió, Perlat Garnatxa, Montsant, Spain 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Hvar Hills, Merlot, Srednja i Južna Dalmacija, Coastal, Croatia 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Bodegas Krontiras, Natural Malbec, Argentina 2024 | Gold, 95 points
• Trivento, Golden Reserve Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Álvarez-Alfaro, Selección de Familia, Rioja, Spain 2020 | Platinum, 97 points
• Castello di Meleto, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany, Italy 2020 | Platinum, 97 points
• Chatzivaritis Estate, Goumenissa, Macedonia, Greece 2021 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Tenuta Carretta, Cannubi, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2020 | Gold, 95 points
• Bodegas Tarón, Pantocrator, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2015 | Gold, 95 points
• Bruce Jack Wines, Heritage Flag of Truce Pinotage, Breedekloof, South Africa 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Caiz Carrizal, Dehesa del Carrizal Petit Verdot, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain 2022 | Gold, 96 points 
• Castello del Trebbio, Vigneto Lastricato Terraelectae, Chianti Rùfina Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2020 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Heirloom Vineyards, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2023 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Château de Parenchère, Esprit, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France 2022 | Gold, 95 points
• Château Brown, Le Colombier de Brown, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France 2022 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Mudbrick Vineyard, Velvet, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand 2022 | Gold, 96 points
• San Pedro, Altair, Cachapoal, Chile 2022 | Gold, 96 points 
• Ernie Els, Proprietor’s Blend, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022 | Gold, 96 points 
• Waterkloof, Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Avinodos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2019 | Gold, 95 points
• Talestri, Passione, Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy 2016 | Gold, 95 points 

Sweet & Fortified 

• Tenuta Roletto, Passito, Erbaluce di Caluso, Piedmont, Italy 2013 | Gold, 95 points
• Donnafugata, Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy 2023 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Béres, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2017 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Gralyn Estate, Museum Rare Muscat, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia NV | Platinum, 97 points 
• De Alberto Gutiérrez, De Alberto Palido, Rueda, Spain NV | Gold, 95 points
• Bodega Cuatro Rayas, 61 Dorado en Rama, Rueda, Spain NV | Platinum, 97 points
• Bodegas Tradición, VORS 30 Years, Palo Cortado, Sherry, Spain NV | Platinum, 97 points 
• Kopke, White, Port, Portugal 2002 | Platinum, 97 points

DWWA winners on Saturday 8 November

Sparkling

• Ruggeri, Brut, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Veneto, Italy 2023 | Platinum, 97 points
• Il Poggiolo, Metodo Classico Pinot Nero Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé, Vino Spumante di Qualità, Italy 2020 | Gold, 95 points
• Barons de Rothschild, Rare Collection Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France 2014 | Best in Show, 97 points

White

• Paris-Simoneau, Réserve Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, Loire, France 2024 | Gold, 95 points 
• Zýmē di Celestino Gaspari, From Black to White, Veneto, Italy 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Velenosi, Rêve, Offida Pecorino, Le Marche, Italy 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Ktima Gerovassiliou, Single Vineyard Malagousia, Epanomi, Macedonia, Greece, 2024 | Best in Show, 97 points
• Sother, Château de Malessert 1er Grand Cru Chasselas, La Côte, Vaud, Switzerland 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Simonsig, Langbult Steen Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2024 | Gold, 96 points
• Ktima Biblia Chora, Ovilos, Pangeon, Macedonia, Greece 2024 | Gold, 96 points
• Domaine de Métifiot, Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France 2023 | Platinum, 97 points
• Cantina Kurtatsch, Freienfeld Chardonnay, Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2022 | Platinum, 97 points 

Red

• Khachen Wines, Areni, Vayots Dzor, Armenia 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Cellers Unió, Perlat Garnatxa, Montsant, Spain 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Elena Casadei, Le Anfore, Cannonau di Sardegna, Sardinia, Italy 2022 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Pfannenstielhof, Der Pfannenstiel Classico, Santa Maddalena, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy 2019 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Don Bernardino, La Capona Amandi, Ribeira Sacra, Spain 2019 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Guadianeja, Paraje Alto Hungrao Tempranillo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Castello di Meleto, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany, Italy 2020 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Bodegas Tarón, Pantocrator, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2015 | Gold, 95 points 
• Bruce Jack Wines, Heritage Flag of Truce Pinotage, Breedekloof, South Africa 2022 | Gold, 95 points 
• Trivento, Golden Reserve Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina 2023 | Gold, 95 points 
• Heirloom Vineyards, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia 2023 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Hvar Hills Winery, Syrah, Srednja i Južna Dalmacija, Coastal, Croatia 2022 | Gold, 95 points
• Ernie Els, Proprietor’s Blend, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022 | Gold, 96 points 
• San Pedro, Altair, Cachapoal, Chile 2022 | Gold, 96 points 
• Avinodos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, California, United States 2019 | Gold, 95 points 

Sweet & Fortified

• Donnafugata, Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy 2023 | Best in Show, 97 points 
• Béres, Aszú 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2017 | Platinum, 97 points 
• Gralyn Estate, Museum Rare Muscat, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia NV | Platinum, 97 points 
• Bodega Cuatro Rayas, 61 Dorado en Rama, Rueda, Spain NV | Platinum, 97 points
• Bodegas Tradición, VORS 30 Years, Oloroso, Sherry, Spain NV | Platinum, 97 points 
• Kopke, White, Port, Portugal 2002 | Platinum, 97 points

Search all DWWA 2025 winners

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London’s Landmark in Marylebone opened its doors again this November weekend to more than 1,500 wine lovers, who flocked to the historic hotel to taste wines poured by some of the greatest names in the world of wine, all under one roof.

The Grand Tasting

This is the 28th Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) to be held in London, and for the first time guests could choose to attend the Grand Tasting on a Friday afternoon (3pm to 8pm) or on the Saturday – or both!

More than 100 producers flew in for the event, from all corners of the globe, from classic regions in Europe and the New World to up-and-coming regions that offered new tasting experiences to many guests.

Bordeaux producers, as usual, were out in force, with dozens of leading names from the Left and Right Banks for wine lovers to visit. Champagne, Burgundy, Rhône, Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon were also waving the French flag. The classic regions of Italy and Spain were also strongly represented, with guests flocking to enjoy fine wines from Piedmont, Tuscany, Sicily, Rioja, Catalonia and beyond. 

English sparkling wine house Hambledon was in attendance, demonstrating the exciting quality of this booming category, while Southern Hemisphere stars from Australia, Chile, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and US brought the New World wine experience to London.

As we all know the wine world never stands still, and guests looking to find the next big thing in wine were drawn to the two exhibitors from China, as well as a strong Greek contingent, and leading names from Ukraine, Switzerland and Turkey. 

Meanwhile, the ever-popular Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) stand featured 33 Gold, Platinum and Best in Show winners from the 2025 competition, spanning all styles from sparkling wine and Champagne through to fortified wines and sweet treats. A rare opportunity to taste so many DWWA stars in one place.

Cellar Collection

The Cellar Collection has become a much-loved highlight of the Saturday schedule, for those lucky enough to snap up one of the 300 tickets available.

Hosted in a dedicated room at The Landmark, the exclusive VIP tasting features 21 top-name producers from around the world, who each pour three vintages of a flagship wine, including a rare library release dating back at least 10 years – and often much further. The format offers wine lovers a rare opportunity to chart the evolution over the years of many of the finest wines on the market, and guests have access to the room during the whole day, and for 90 minutes before doors open to the Grand Tasting. 

New: Winemakers’ Lunches

This year saw an exciting new addition to the DFWE experience, with a series of Winemakers’ Lunches hosted on the Friday offering a small number of guests the unique opportunity to join world-class winemakers and a Decanter Editor for an intimate and relaxed lunch. Wineries featured this year were: Abbott Claim from Oregon, Rioja’s Bodegas Muga, Châteaux Canon and Rauzan-Ségla from Bordeaux, Lebanon’s Chateau Musar, Ken Forrester from South Africa, and English sparkling wine estate Hambledon.

Hosted in the elegant and relaxed Great Central Pub by Matt Fletcher, within The Landmark, the six separate lunches were each limited to just six guests. The experience included a delicious three-course lunch of modern British classics; specially selected wines, including rare bottles from private cellars; the company of a visiting winemaker and a Decanter Editor for engaging, behind-the-scenes conversations. And of course, access to the Grand Tasting afterwards.

Masterclass line-up 

While the Grand Tasting offers more than enough to keep any wine lover busy all day, our masterclasses continue to sell out fast, offering the chance for a deep dive into a single producer or category – and the chance to sit down! Three 75-minute tutored tasting sessions were scheduled during the day, each featuring winery principals or leading Decanter writers, and co-hosted by a Decanter Regional Editor.

What better way to begin the day than with bubbles? This year’s sell-out masterclass programme began with a fascinating horizontal tasting of Champagne’s fabulous 2012 vintage. Decanter writer Charles Curtis MW and Decanter’s France Editor Natalie Earl guided guests through 11 wines from leading houses: Delamotte, Drappier, Laurent-Perrier, Philipponnat, Pierre Paillard, Marc Hébrart, Diebolt-Vallois and Marie Courtin.

In the next masterclass, Fabien Teitgen, head winemaker and general manager at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, joined Decanter’s Bordeaux Editor Georgie Hindle to explore the terroir of this family-run Pessac-Léognan property through eight vintages going back to 2005 and 2000, both poured from magnum. 

The final masterclass took us to Tuscany, and specifically to Bolgheri’s Guado al Tasso estate, owned by Marchesi Antinori. The company’s vice-president Alessia Antinori and Renzo Cotarella, CEO and chief winemakers, co-hosted by James Button, Decanter’s Italy Regional Editor, presented four vintages of the prestigious red blend of Bordeaux grape varieties including the 1998 from magnum, followed by four vintages of the estate’s single-vineyard Cabernet Franc, Matarocchio (2021, 2016, 2013, and 2007 from magnum).

Look out for reports on DFWE London 2025 masterclasses on Decanter Premium soon.

DFWE London 2025: an unforgettable day

Whether in the Grand Tasting, the dedicated Cellar Collection room or in the three star-studded masterclasses, stemware from Riedel, our event sponsor, made sure all wines were showcased at their best, and visitors were also able to experience how different styles taste in different glasses at Riedel’s own stand.

In addition to a cheese and charcuterie food station in the Cellar Collection room, guests could enjoy nibbles and make purchases from Mouse & Grape (whose cheese bowls were in high demand), Firetree Chocolate and The Oil Merchant. They could discuss wine collecting with Berry Bros & Rudd, taste non-alcoholic fermented botanical drinks from the Italian Dolomites at the Feral stand – and, of course, subscribe to Decanter Magazine and Decanter Premium during the day.

Look out for pictorial highlights from the event shortly. If you attended, keep an eye out for our photo gallery as you may be featured.

Our next DFWE takes place in Singapore on Saturday 22 November, followed by New York in June 2026, showcasing more top wine producers from around the world. For more information, visit our Events page.

One of Decanter’s most important contributing editors is Michaela Morris is one of the first certified Italian Wine Experts through Vinitaly International Academy in 2015, who co-created the curriculum for VIA’s Italian Wine Maestro course. She holds the WSET Diploma and is the Regional Chair for Piedmont at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA).

And so, none other than Morris herself presented a very unique masterclass of six exclusively Best in Show wines, all from Italy, at Navy Pier, along the shore of Lake Michigan, in perfect Chicago weather.

The 2025 competition, which took place in May, featured more than 17,00 wines from 57 countries judged by leading international experts.

Only 50 Best in Show wines are selected each year.

Scroll down to see the Best in Show wines presented at the masterclass

Morris shared that the 2025 Judges come from around the world and are excited to participate in the world’s finest wine competition. The 248 experts include 71 Masters of Wine and 23 Master Sommeliers. It’s a collaborative process, and judges take a positivity-first approach to looking at the wines.’

Morris pointed out that while people become enamoured with high-scoring wines. The wines scoring in the high 80-point range are, in fact, very well-made wines. ‘These are wines that you should be happy to drink a glass of,’ she stated.

Morris also explained the new concept of DWWA’s Value Gold, which aims to recognise excellence in wines priced under $20.

DWWA is committed to celebrating excellence in winemaking while reflecting real-world market conditions. The competition is renowned for its rigorous judging process.

Wines are organised for tasting by country, region, colour, grape, style, vintage, as well as price.

Italy: Always at the top

With a total 2,195 medals, Italy trailed only France in the 2025 DWWA.

Tuscany took away the most medals, with 421, followed by Piedmont, just behind it at 417. Both of these numbers are up from the 2024 DWWA.

‘In Barolo, the 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages were being tasted, and these wines were exceptional. We couldn’t stop ourselves from giving Gold Medals to these excellent wines,’ Morris recalled with enthusiasm.

‘The great Italian whites certainly weren’t left out,’ Morris recalled. ‘We saw a first-ever gold to an Erbaluce, and a wonderful Gold medal-winning Timorasso.’

‘Notions of typicity, sense of place and the regional traditions all play a role in how these wines, from some of the world’s iconic regions, are evaluated,’ said Morris.

As she presented the six wines, Morris pointed out what judges found particularly motivating in these selections.

Morris pointed out that Barolo has received 10 Best in Show awards over the time of DWWA. Speaking to the Diego Morra Del Commune di Verduno 2021. ‘This was a selection about championing elegance,’ said Morris. ‘This Barolo was not muscling its way across our palate.’

For the Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno, Cannubi Barolo Riserva, 2019. ‘The wines for Riserva must be aged longer,’ said Morris, ‘and you can see that this wine has benefited from the longer ageing, with a refinement and harmony that emerged with a few more years. The warm conditions, the well-draining, sandy soils and the wind, Cannubi does well almost no matter the vintage.’

Donnachiara, Taurasi, 2021 – The judges were seduced by the deep, dark character of this wine; this was the first ever Best in Show for a Taurasi. In the mid-priced tier, this wine was recognised in early judging for over-delivering for its price. A mother to daughter, second generation.

Tenuta Meraviglia, Maestro di Cava Bolgheri Superiore – A Bolgheri Superiore from the 2020 vintage, the co-chairs were seduced by the length and finish. There was great freshness and classic character of this 100% Cabernet Franc, with savoury and peppery tones. This particular winery has hung its hat on Cabernet Franc.

The six masterclass wines

Cantina Terlano, Lunare Gewürztraminer, Alto Adige / Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Gewürztraminer

Two years in a row for a Best in Show Gewurztraminer from Italy’s Alto Adige – but in contrast to last year’s succulent passito laureate, this year’s pick is a dry wine. The secret to great Gewurztraminer is giving it plenty of ripening time; this is not a wine in which acidity need necessarily play a significant role, as its balance is going to be supplied by texture, perfume, unction, sometimes tannin and ‘noble’ bitterness. Acidity does, as it happens, feature as a part of this wine’s make up, though in soft style, fully bonded with the wine’s gentle orchard fruits; that means that its texture is midweight rather than unctuous, and you can sense the mountains and the fresh air all about. It’s commanding but harmonious aromas make as much allusion to flowers as they do to gingery spices, and the wine is more vinous than tannic. That soft-falling bitterness is there on the finish, sweeping up after the fruit and keeping the wine’s passage through the mouth clean, neat and tidy. Alcohol 15%

Diego Morra, Del Comune Di Verduno, Barolo, Piedmont 2021

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Nebbiolo

Few wine zones have been more successful in Decanter Best in Show selections than the rumpled hills of Barolo: no fewer than 10 appearances since 2017, with a further two this year. Piedmont’s fine recent vintages have been on our side, and this year’s choice of a 2021 Barolo and a 2019 Barolo Riserva will surprise no one who follows the progress of the region. This 2021 is a classic translucent garnet red, and disarmingly fragrant on the nose: floating strata of dessert apple, pomegranate, earth, mushroom and forest draw you into the glass. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and authoritative. Those apple and pomegranate fruits seem almost stern at first but gather sweetness as they bide on the tongue; there’s an incense-like complexity apparent by the end. The tannins are ample but fine, and will grow silkier with time. No hurry to drink here. Alcohol 14.5%

Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno, Cannubi, Barolo Riserva, Piedmont 2019

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Nebbiolo

A recurrent question with amply aged Italian classic reds like Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino is whether or not the extra ageing stipulations in place for the Riserva categories are truly necessary; it can often seem as if younger versions have the edge on older, ‘grander’ wines, since they show brighter fruit structures. This 2019 Riserva illustrates the benefits of extra age. It’s pale, now, with some gentle bricking at the meniscus; the aromas are refined and harmonious, packed not just with red fruits but with autumnal warmth and oak-copse charm, as if the wine was evoking the landscape in which it came into being. On the tongue, it’s still quite grandly structured and clearly has further development ahead; look behind those succulent if ample tannins, though, and you’ll find beautifully articulated fruit supported by deft redcurrant acidity. Grand Barolo from this outstanding vintage. Alcohol 14.5%

Donnachiara, Taurasi, Campania 2021

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Aglianico

It’s always exciting to welcome a new PDO to our Best in Show selection, so our judges were delighted to uncover this outstanding 2021 Taurasi from Campania’s province of Irpinia, better known for its whites such as Fiano d’Avellino and Greco di Tufo. Taurasi, made from Aglianco, is a key link in the chain of ‘serious’ reds that runs from Barolo and Barbaresco in the north of the country down to Etna in Sicily, via Tuscany’s portfolio of classics and newcomers – and not forgetting Umbria’s formidable Sagrantino di Montefalco. This Taurasi from the fine 2021 vintage is a dense red-black in colour, with dark, brooding black fruits and scents of worked earth and forest undergrowth. On the palate, it is deep and close-textured with almost clenched fruits at this stage. The tannins are generous and firm, and there is a promising hinterland of savoury flavour behind the fruit, ready for revelation in the years ahead. Definitely a winter wine; definitely a food wine – and it’s one that you don’t have to hurry over, either. Alcohol 13.5%

Tenuta Meraviglia, Maestro Di Cava, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2020

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Cabernet Franc

The adventure of Cabernet Franc in Bolgheri is an exciting one, since this is one of relatively few zones around the world where this much-courted variety not only flourishes and gives wine with greater poise than Cabernet Sauvignon and more freshness and lift than Merlot, but more importantly retains flesh and succulence as it does so. This dark, opaque black-red wine from the 2020 vintage tells the story well: brisk and alluring on the nose, with soft leather poise behind the svelte fruits; then intense, deep and long on the palate, with mellow tannins, watchful acidity and ample inner energy. It is a luxurious glassful of red, but it contrives to be fresh and appetising, too. This formerly despised and mosquito-ridden coastal zone of Tuscany continues to surprise. Alcohol 14%

Donnafugata, Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily 2023

Best in Show, 97 points

100% Zibibbo

Strange to say, no Passito di Pantelleria has yet featured in our Best in Show selection, so we’re delighted to rectify the omission this year with this 2023 wine. It’s made, of course, with Muscat of Alexandria grapes (locally called Zibibbo) which are laid out on mats in the sun after harvest to dessicate and dry for about four weeks. The wine is a rich golden sunset orange. Oranges, too, set the tone for its astonishing, perfume-like aromas: once smelled, never forgotten. On the palate it is thick, liquorous and unctuous, though still bright with that intense orange fruit. In some sweet wines, sheer intensity of sugar substitutes for complexity. Not here. It’s almost as if the force of Pantelleria’s near-African sunlight has engraved the wine with layers and lessons of its own. Alcohol 14.5%

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There are few winery destinations in the world as magical as OVID, perched atop Pritchard Hill 426m above Oakville on Napa’s eastern side.

From this vantage, the estate offers breathtaking views across the valley floor and nearly the entire span of the Mayacamas Mountains.

Rooted in the volcanic uplift soils, the estate was established 25 years ago by Dana Johnson and Mark Nelson, who had careers in technology and sciences.

In 2017, they sold their prized estate to the Duncan family of Silver Oak.

One thing has remained absolutely constant: OVID’s standing among Napa’s blue-chip estates is deliberately understated – a quiet reverence, coveted by collectors and exhilarating to those who chance upon it in their quest for America’s finest wines.

While its bottlings command the kind of prices suited to readers in the highest tax brackets, the estate projects a polish and sophistication that feels entirely at ease with its place among Napa’s elite.

Profound and perfect

Today, winemaker Austin Peterson is crafting wines of profound depth, structure, and complexity. Peterson is a thoughtful winemaker, equal parts philosopher and craftsman.

He spends most of his time in the vineyard as opposed to the cellar. He is astutely aware of each and every vine and bares an innate sense of compassion for the plants – fully attuned to their needs.

The vineyard itself is just 6ha divided into 17 distinct blocks, home to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, including abundant plantings of Clone 4 Cabernet.

It is this clone, Peterson insists, that imparts the savoury character and polish evident in such vintages as the 2021 Ovid Proprietary Red – a wine I found to be totally enthralling, extraordinarily complex, and just remarkable in its depth, savoury quality and mineral freshness, worthy of a perfect 100-point score.

An exclusive dinner

On the evening of 1 November 2025, I’ll be hosting a multi-course wine pairing dinner at OVID.

It will be an intimate affair, with guests invited to tour the winery, perhaps the vineyard, and converse freely with Austin and myself throughout the night.

We’ll be pouring the 2021 Hexameter, 2021 Syrah, and the 2021 OVID Proprietary Red – three bottlings that showcase the mind-boggling terroir that is OVID.

Alongside these, we’ll debut the 2023 Experiment White and open a surprise older vintage from the library, a rare chance to see how these wines evolve with time.

This is the night you didn’t know you were dreaming of.

Secure your tickets now – places are limited.

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Wine-grower Nicolas Joly, dubbed the ‘godfather of biodynamics’ and lauded for his work at La Coulée de Serrant in the Loire Valley, is the recipient of Decanter’s Hall of Fame award for 2025. 

Each year, the prize recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to the world of wine, with Argentina’s Susana Balbo joining the star-studded list in 2024.

This year’s award highlights the pioneering work of Nicolas Joly, now aged 80, who has spent decades at the forefront of the biodynamic movement and is a staunch proponent of terroir. 

‘Leading by example, he has encouraged winemakers the world over to focus on the health and sustainability of their vineyards and to produce wines with a genuine sense of place,’ writes Beverley Blanning MW in a special feature and exclusive interview in Decanter magazine’s October 2025 issue.

‘Joly was a man well ahead of his time,’ writes Blanning. ‘When he started his wine-growing journey, few people were talking about organic viticulture and biodynamics was virtually unheard of.’

Having initially worked in finance, Joly returned to the family vineyard domaine in the 1970s and, after studying oenology at the University of Bordeaux, set out on a new path as a vigneron. 

Joly’s parents had relocated to Savennières from Angers in the early 1960s, to a property that included La Coulée de Serrant, a prestigious single-vineyard appellation in continuous production back to the 12th century.

After reading about the biodynamic principles previously espoused by philosopher Rudolf Steiner, Joly embraced an alternative approach to wine-growing at a time when use of agro-chemicals was widespread. 

‘We were treated like a sect,’ he recalls to Blanning in the Hall of Fame award feature. 

Leading wine-growers from across France soon took notice, however. Lalou Bize-Leroy, co-manager of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti at the time, was an early visitor to Joly, writes Blanning.

Alongside returning La Coulée de Serrant to its former glory, Joly founded ‘Renaissance des Appellations’ at the turn of the century. 

His daughter, Virginie, now helps to oversee day-to-day running of the organisation, which has more than 230 wineries worldwide as members, but Nicolas remains its leader. 

Olivier Humbrecht MW, an early member and owner of biodynamic Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, said, ‘Nicolas was the first person who knew how to speak about biodynamics and make it fun and interesting.’ 

Ronan Sayburn MS, Co-Chair at the Decanter World Wine Awards, said, ‘He’s fascinating to listen to, and because he is such an extreme personality, he drives things no one else would.

‘As a sommelier, I always wanted to recommend Coulée de Serrant because when it’s great, it’s magnificent.’

Read Master of Wine Beverley Blanning’s full article on Hall of Fame 2025 award winner Nicolas Joly 

Wu Xiuyong: Decanter’s Rising Star for 2025

Decanter has also announced that this year’s Rising Star award goes to Wu Xiuyong, who has forged a formidable winemaking career in China’s Ningxia region while also championing rural education for women and girls.

She is the fifth recipient of the award, following on from sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier in 2024.

As head winemaker at Dongfang Yuxing in Hongsipu, Ningxia, Wu is the driving force behind one of two Chinese wines that won coveted Best in Show medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025.

Combining 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Dornfelder and 6% Cabernet Gernischt (Carmenère), the winery’s Geruihong Yeguangbei 2022 was described as ‘a revelation’ by DWWA judges. 

It represents a milestone for this Ningxia sub-region, but it also reflects Wu’s skill, grit and determination.

Wu grew up in a family of modest means in rural China, and her father passed away when she was just 13 years old, writes Sylvia Wu, Decanter’s Regional Editor for Asia in an exclusive feature in the magazine’s October 2025 issue. 

Yet, the family believed strongly in education. Wu built on a long-standing interest in plants and the natural world by studying horticulture at Ningxia University, which counts many of China’s leading winemakers among its alumni. 

Wu’s early career included a first job at Xixia King, the first winery established in Ningxia, and later the establishment of her own winery, Yunkou, in 2008.

After several years of developing her skills and understanding via hands-on experience, as well as learning from leading wine world stars in China and beyond, Wu received an invitation from Liu Quanzu, owner of Dongfang Yuxing in Hongsipu.

Despite the winery only being half-built when she arrived, Wu decided to stay – a decision that has turned into a decade-long commitment. 

Today, alongside scouring Hongsipu for the best sites and fruit, Wu lectures at Ningxia University. In 2023, she received a National Labour Day Women Pacesetter award, which recognises outstanding women across a wide range of professions in China.

‘All the pride, sense of accomplishment and joy I find in life are linked to wine,’ she said. 

Professor Li Demei, DWWA judge and a leading Beijing-based wine consultant, said, ‘Wu Xiuyong’s passion, curiosity and drive have earned her wide respect in Ningxia’s wine scene. 

‘Despite the remote and demanding conditions of Hongsipu, she has persevered and emerged as a rising star.’

This article follows the Chinese convention of placing the surname first.

Read the full article on Wu Xiuyong in Decanter magazine’s October 2024 issue

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The countdown is on for the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter London (DFWE) returning to The Landmark on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November. and this year’s masterclass line-up is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet.

Friday will open with an intimate tasting featuring 70 exceptional producers alongside exclusive VIP lunches. On Saturday the spotlight shifts to three unmissable masterclasses, each designed to inspire wine lovers of all levels.

These exclusive 75-minute sessions will bring together world-renowned winemakers, rare vintages and some of the most respected names in the world of wine.

2012 Vintage Champagne

Opening the day, Charles Curtis MW – one of the worlds leading Champagne experts – will present a deep dive into the stellar 2012 vintage, hailed as one of the finest of recent decades. Shaped by adversity yet celebrated as a triumph, 2012 produced champagnes of remarkable character and longevity.

Guests will explore a hand-picked line-up including bottles from Laurent-Perrier, Pierre Paillard, Delamotte, Diebolt-Vallois, Marc Hébrart, Drappier, Marie Courtin, Philipponnat and more.

2012 VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE MASTERCLASS

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

In the afternoon, Bordeaux takes the spotlight with a vertical tasting from Château Smith Haut Lafitte, led by Head Winemaker Fabien Teitgen. This guided tasting will showcase both white and red wines spanning 25 years, including two aged magnums from 2005 and 2000.

This masterclass will highlight the estate’s exceptional Pessac-Léognan terroir, it’s commitment to sustainable viticulture, and the age-worthy elegance that defines Smith Haut Lafitte wines.

CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE MASTERCLASS

Journey to the Tuscan coast with Antinori

The final masterclass offers a rare chance to experience the Antinori legacy with Alessia Antinori, sixth generation and the future of this legendary family, and Renzo Cotarella, CEO & Chief Wnemaker.

Together they will guide guests through four decades of Bolgheri brilliance, featuring two of the estate’s most iconic wines: Guado al Tasso, a Cabernet-led blend and Matarocchio, a 100% Cabernet Franc made only in exceptional years. Expect top-scoring vintages such as Guado al Tasso 2022 (94 pts) and Matarocchio 2013 (96 pts).

ANTINORI MASTERCLASS

With only a limited number of seats available, these unmissable masterclasses are expected to sell out quickly. Whether you’re an expert or exploring wine for the first time, this is your chance to taste, learn and be inspired by the people shaping the world of wine today.

Essential information

DFWE London

Date: Friday 7 November 2025 from 3pm – 8pm

Saturday 8 November 2025 from 11am to 5:30pm

Location: The Landmark London, NW1 6JQ

Price: Friday Grand Tasting Ticket £115

Saturday Grand Tasting Ticket £115 | with Cellar Collection access £155 | Masterclass tickets from £125

BUY TICKETS

On Saturday 22nd November 2025, the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel will once again host Southeast Asia’s most exclusive celebration of fine wine in a one-day event that brings the world’s greatest producers under one roof.

Sip your way through the Grand Tasting, featuring esteemed names such as Château Pichon Baron, Laurent-Perrier, Marchesi Frescobaldi, Silver Oak and Ao Yun, alongside winners from the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards – the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Each producer will pour five exceptional wines plus a special library wine from their cellars. This year also sees the debut of Dassai sake from Japan – a must-try for adventurous wine lovers.

Go beyond the tasting ballroom with three unmissable masterclasses from Henschke, Château Margaux and Brunello di Montalcino.

Step deeper into the world of fine wine

Château Margaux – Four Decades of Château Margaux

Experience the elegance and history of one of Bordeaux’s legendary First Growth estates through a guided tasting of rare vintages from this historic vineyard. A once-in-a-lifetime tasting spanning four decades. With over 500 years of winemaking heritage, Château Margaux is recognised worldwide for its, complexity, balance and ability to age. Taste eight wines including two vintages of Pavillon Blanc: 1996 and 2018 (96 points), acclaimed reds: Margaux du Château Margaux 2018 and Pavillon Rouge 2009 (93 points) and a vertical of Grand Vin  featuring 2009 (95 points) 1999, 1989 (97 points) and 1985 (95 points).

Brunello di Montalcino – Montalcino across Time: Exploring the 2010 & 2020 vintages

Journey to the heart of Tuscany with an exceptional side-by-side tasting from four acclaimed estates- Il Marroneto, Biondi Santi, Giodo and Col d’Orcia, across two key vintages: 2010 and 2020. Tasting from the cooler northen slopes to the warmer south, You’ll uncover the subtle stylistic differences that make Brunello di Montalcino one of Italy’s most celebrated DOCGs. Highlights include Podere Giodo 2020 (95 Decanter points), Il Marroneto 2010 (95 points) and 2020 (96 points).

Henschke – Excellence in the Eden Valley

Discover the story behind one of Australia’s most celebrated family wineries, famous for its handcrafted, site-expressive wines from the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. Six generations of winemaking tradition have shaped its reputation as a benchmark in Australian fine wine. In this rare masterclass sixth-generation winemaker Johann Henschke presents the family’s new releases alongside perfectly matured vintages from legendary old-vine sites. Highlights include The Wheelwright Shiraz 2021 (96 points) Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2021 (96 points) and the extraordinary Hill of Grace Shiraz 2021 (98 points).

Credit Colossal Productions

An all-new experience: The Editors’ Lunches

Debuting in 2025, the Editors’ Lunches offer guests intimate, wine-led dining experiences with Decanter’s Regional Editors and world-class winemakers. Set in the relaxed elegance of the Shangri-La, these lunches will pair exquisite dishes with outstanding wines, alongside stories and insights shared by some of the most respected names in the industry. Full line-up to be announced soon.

BOOK TICKETS

Essential information

DFWE Singapore

Date: Saturday 22 November 2025 from 11am to 5:30pm

Location: 22 Orange Grove Road 258350 Singapore 

Price: Grand Tasting tickets SGD 165 pp | Masterclass tickets SGD 200 – SGD 450

Tickets for the DFWE London are on sale now!

Join us at the iconic Landmark London on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November 2025 for a two-day celebration of the world’s finest wines – with walk-around tastings, exclusive VIP lunches and masterclasses featuring 2012 Vintage Champagne with Charles Curtis MW, Château Smith Haut Lafitte and Antinori.

Tickets are selling fast: Buy your tickets here

Organisers have announced that Miami will host The Golden Vines wine and spirits weekend in 2025, which marks the luxury event’s US debut after previous editions in London, Florence, Paris and Madrid.

Some of the world’s most sought-after wines will be poured during three days of celebrations featuring exclusive masterclasses, lunches and dinners from 7 to 9 November, culminating in a charity live auction hosted by Sotheby’s.

It’s an event created by Liquid Icons, a fine wine research and content group founded by the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and friend Alexander A. ‘Sasha’ Lushnikov.

Tickets to The Golden Vines 2025 weekend event have been offered at $15,000 per person, which organisers said includes access to the two gala dinners, plus the final night’s charity auction and also a choice of masterclasses and lunches – depending on availability. 

Saturday night will play host to the Golden Vines Awards, highlighting leading talent in the sector.

Guests will be treated to dinner by the team at California wine country’s three-star Michelin restaurant SingleThread, led by chef Kyle Connaughton. 

Château Lafite Rothschild 1989 will be poured from Imperial bottles, while other wines to be served include new-release Dom Pérignon 2008 ‘Plénitude 2’ Champagne and Colgin IX Estate from magnum. Sauternes icon Château d’Yquem is also on the list.

A series of masterclasses and lunches feature more top producers from around the world. Options on Sunday include ‘a rare watch–themed white truffle and fine wine lunch with Masseto at master watchmaker F.P. Journe’, said organisers. 

Alternatively, guests could opt to see one of the largest collections of supercars in the US via a lunch hosted by Artémis Domaines and featuring wines from Bordeaux first growth Château Latour. 

Sunday evening’s charity live auction is also set to include ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experiences, said organisers.

Proceeds from the sale will go to the Gérard Basset Foundation, which promotes inclusivity and diversity in the wine world with a focus on education, training and mentoring programmes. 

Alongside the gala dinners, auction, lunches and masterclasses, ticketholders will benefit from concierge services provided by Knightsbridge Circle, according to Liquid Icons. 

It added that, for US-based guests, 80% of the ticket price ‘qualifies as a charitable donation for tax purposes, processed via America’s Charities Inc’.

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As Dr Green prepares to launch a series of medieval supper clubs (complete with ye olde food and wine pairings and a lute recital), he shines a light on the wine culture of the Middle Ages and where you can still find hints of it today.

Dr Green is the author of Shadowlands: A Journey Through Lost Britain, which chronicles forgotten corners of British history, including its medieval wine trade. Find out more about his tours and events.

‘Not many people know that so much of London’s prosperity today was built upon the medieval wine trade. It was one of the city’s most valuable commodities but its story is now quite overlooked.

‘I like to remind people as we walk past banks and phone shops that these streets were once lined with vineyards.

‘The most remarkable thing is the sheer amount that people drank. In the 12th to the 14th century, wealthy people would easily be drinking five pints of wine a day – 3 bottles by today’s standards. And the level of alcohol wasn’t lower – it was higher if anything. So they were jousting, going to war and making big political decisions all while being three bottles of wine down. Maybe that’s one of the reasons it was such a cut-throat world.

‘Even babies were given wine. There’s a record of one outgoing wet nurse writing to the new wet nurse to say: “If you can, try to wean the baby off wine soup”.

‘It makes sense when you think about what the water was like back then. The River Fleet used to run red with blood on slaughter day. People knew drinking the water could be a death sentence.

‘There wasn’t a proper way of preserving wine then so it was poured away into the streets after a year when it became undrinkable.

‘The punishment for serving wine that wasn’t fresh was severe. On the tour, we pause at the spot outside St Mary-le-Bow Church where vintners caught selling old or bad wine were tied to a stake and surrounded by “vile minstrels” (basically musicians playing horrifically out of tune). The awful music would gather a blood-baying crowd, then the Lord Mayor would appear, waterboard you with your utterly putrid wine and smash the bottle over your head. A sweet revenge for a sour wine. They liked poetic justice back then.

‘In the wine taverns, there were giant jewel-encrusted pig troughs on the tables filled with wine. You’d scoop it out with coconut shells. The shells were so valuable they were locked up in the tavern at night. If you’ve ever drunk red wine out of a coconut, you’ll know it gives it a lovely texture. It’s a great trick for dinner parties.

‘It wasn’t just red and white wine back then either. You had all the colours of the rainbow and drank the colour of wine that matched your social status. Blue wine was the most elite – reserved for kings, archbishops and aristocrats. It was filled with ultramarine dye but the dye was deeply toxic so mostly they’d hold it to look important while drinking something else.

‘Next best was green wine – which was white wine mixed with grass. Then black – basically very strong red wine. White was for the lowest classes because it reminded people of the tears of sinners. They thought it might imbue them with sin.

‘On the tour, I always stop at Cleary Garden – London’s only medieval-style vineyard that has vines growing in it today and which doubled up as a plague pit. In the Middle Ages there were vineyards all across southern Britain because of the climate. From about 900 to 1350 AD Londoners were living through what’s called the Medieval Warm Period – it was probably hotter then than it is today so grapes could be grown in places where now it isn’t feasible. The warm period was replaced by the Little Ice Age from about 1350 so by around 1400 almost all the vineyards were gone.

‘During the plague they didn’t have enough space to bury bodies so it’s likely that lots of City vineyards became plague pits. After the plague ended, people didn’t really use the grapes from the plague pits – they thought they were tainted. But, by the next generation, they were up for grabs again.

‘I think the tour works because you get not just the medieval history buffs but also the foodies and people who are interested in wine. Plus, both medieval history and viniculture can seem quite unapproachable. We strive to make it fun. We have live actors who leap out and drink the wines we talk about as we walk. I think of it as immersive history. There’s a sense perhaps that you can behave badly on the tour or just get blind drunk.

‘There are definitely places where the spirit of excess and extravagance that permeated London’s Middle Ages wine culture lives on today. I don’t like seeing betrayals of that spirit, like when people are stingily pouring wine with those shot glass measures. But in places like Le Beaujolais [a wine bar between Soho and Covent Garden] they pour it right to the brim if they like you – it feels incredibly medieval.’

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For anyone passionate about wine, the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter has long been a highlight of the tasting calendar.

Now for the first time since 2019, the London event is expanding into a two-day celebration, giving guests even more time to discover exceptional bottles, meet world-class producers and enjoy a host of new experiences in one of the capital’s most iconic venues.

Held once again at The Landmark London, this year’s Encounter will take place on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 November 2025.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning to explore the world of fine wine, it’s an opportunity to taste and learn in a relaxed, elegant setting, surrounded by fellow wine lovers and industry experts.

What’s new in 2025?

A major addition to this year’s event is the Friday Grand Tasting – a relaxed walk-around-tasting from 3pm to 8pm. With over 60 top producers pouring eight wines each, plus a complimentary gourmet carving station and access to the Decanter World Wine Awards Winners’ Room, it’s a chance to ease into the weekend with some truly standout bottles.

Also coming soon in 2025 is the Editor’s Lunch series – small group lunches hosted by Decanter‘s regional editors and guest winemakers, held in the Landmark’s Great Central Pub.

With Champagne on arrival, rare bottles from private cellars, and a three-course menu of refined British dishes, these intimate gatherings offer a rare chance to go behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in wine.

Each lunch also includes entry to the Friday tasting.

Saturday’s Grand Tasting returns – bigger than ever

Saturday remains the centrepiece of the Encounter. The all-day Grand Tasting will feature more than 120 leading wine producers from around the world, each pouring a selection of eight wines.

Ticket holders will also have access to the DWWA Winners’ Table, showcasing top medal winners from the 2025 competition.

For those looking to dive even deeper, the Cellar Collection room offers a more curated experience. Here, 21 hand-picked wineries will present three vintages of their flagship cuvée – including a rare library release aged around 10 years.

Split into two relaxed sessions (morning and afternoon), the Cellar Collection also includes charcuterie served throughout the day.

Also on Saturday, guests can join one of the three exclusive masterclasses, including:

• A guided tasting of 2012 Vintage Champagne with Charles Curtis MW
• An exploration of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
• An in-depth look at Antinori’s fine wine legacy

Tickets are now on general sale, with limited availability for our most exclusive experiences – including the Cellar Collection room, Editors’ Lunches and Masterclasses. Book early to avoid disappointment.

BUY TICKETS 

Essential information

DFWE London

Date: Friday 7 November 2025 from 3pm – 8pm

Saturday 8 November 2025 from 11am to 5:30pm

Location: The Landmark London, NW1 6JQ

Price: Friday Grand Tasting Ticket £115

Saturday Grand Tasting Ticket £115 | with Cellar Collection access £155 | Masterclass tickets from £125

Gaëlle Goossens, senior winemaker and research and development lead at Veuve Clicquot, took guests on a deep dive into the intricacies of Veuve Clicquot’s top Champagne, La Grande Dame.

As a self-proclaimed ‘geeky wine person’, Goossens was the perfect host for this in-depth masterclass, providing listeners with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the creation and evolution of an icon.

Scroll down for notes and scores for seven vintages of La Grande Dame

The wine line up consisted of four fairly recent La Grande Dame vintages (2018, 2015, 2012, 2008), followed by a selection of Grande Dame wines from the back vintage collection (1996, 1993, 1990).

‘They are very special, very rare, and they are completely different,’ said Goossens of the older vintages. ‘This is what we want to show today: that we have the same cuvée, but different expressions.’

Many will know that the DNA of Veuve Clicquot, thanks to the conviction of its founder Madame Clicquot-Ponsardin, is its extensive use of Pinot Noir across all the Champagnes in its range.

But Goossens took the audience beyond the house’s expertise with Pinot Noir, into the complexities and subtleties of creating the prestige cuvée of one of Champagne’s biggest houses.

The new 2018

The masterclass was also the perfect opportunity for guests to taste the new 2018 vintage of La Grande Dame, launched in April this year.

2018 was a warm vintage with an abundant crop of grapes. 2015 was also a very warm year. But, as guests discovered during the masterclass, the wines couldn’t be more different.

The key is soils and water. ‘In 2015 we lacked water, so the soils suffered from one of the worst droughts of Champagne,’ said Goossens. This lack of water caused the vines to stop maturing the grapes, which Goossens said gave the wines a minty, eucalyptus aftertaste.

Conversely, in 2018 ‘we had rain all year long, so the soils kept fresh and cold’. This is reflected in 2018’s superb balance of warm, sun-kissed fruit and a high-tension, mineral core.

Instead of the usual 10 years of ageing before release, ‘we deliberately released 2018 a bit earlier than what we’re used to’, said Goossens. And here’s the interesting part. She said this is because they realised they were losing the ‘terroir window’.

By releasing after 10 years of ageing, they would have passed the youthful, fresh, mineral, terroir-driven stage of the wine’s life, but it hadn’t quite reached its tertiary stage of development, so the wine would be sat somewhere in the middle phase.

Releasing it earlier allows the wine to show its youthful characters, as well as the influence of the terroir.

‘When we say the art of ageing, it’s not always pushing the boundaries of ageing in terms of length, it’s more mastering the ageing,’ said Goossens.

See our coverage of the 2018 launch here

The nitty gritty

The house’s use of micro-vinifications is one of the keys to its consistency, resulting in lots of small vats of wines with which to choose the final blend.

‘We’ll have a single vat from a single cru, from a single year, from a single variety,’ said Goossens.

To give an idea of scale, that means every year the winemaking team tastes 700 to 800 wines from a single harvest, plus 400 to 500 different reserve wines. ‘To elaborate our blend, we need to taste more than 1,000 wines over several months,’ she said.

The second key element that Goossens revealed is the blind tasting of these wines: ‘If you want to find the best wine, you have to blind taste.’

Creating a vintage of La Grande Dame is as much about strategic decision making as it is about the quality of the vintage.

Managing the stock of reserve wines plays a key role here; enough must be put aside each vintage to ensure there is enough to create the brand’s entry-level Yellow Label each year.

‘So La Grande Dame is only made when we have enough reserve wines in our winery, and when the Pinot Noir is really extraordinary,’ said Goossens.

The goal with La Grande Dame is to put the structure and texture of Pinot Noir alongside minerality and finesse. ‘But it’s extremely hard to find finesse with Pinot Noir, it’s easier to get bigger aromas than finesse,’ says Goossens.

Finding finesse, therefore, is also about where the grapes are sourced from, she said, and this is dependent on the vintage. In a warm year like 2018, grapes were sourced primarily from the cool north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims, notably Verzy and Verzenay.

‘What cellar master Didier Mariotti calls “the art of blending” is actually the art of finding the right crus for the right vintage,’ says Goossens.

La Grande Dame: One cuvée, myriad expressions

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 2018

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 2015

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 2012 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 2008 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 1996 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 1993 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 1990 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame 1990 (jeroboam)

Guests had the rare opportunity to see just how different the same cuvée can taste, depending on the circumstance: from the vintage conditions, to how long it spent on lees, to when it was disgorged, to what format it was bottled in.

La Grande Dame through the ages

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Last Saturday, over 500 wine enthusiasts gathered high above the rain-soaked Manhattan skyline for the fourth annual New York Fine Wine Encounter at Manhatta. Set 60 stories up, the event brought a moody spring ambiance to an unforgettable day of rare pours, world-class masterclasses and an exceptional tasting experience.

Scroll down to see photo highlights from DFWE NYC 2025.

Thanks to photographers Alfonso Lonzano and Mark Reinertson and video team Future Studios.

Thanks also to our sponsors: Riedel, San Pellegrino and Rioja DOCa.

Manhattan made moody by spring rains making the DFWE the perfect place to be.

A centenary in style: the Rioja bar offered guests a taste of the region’s finest, set against sweeping views high above Manhattan.

In celebration of Rioja DOCa’s 100th anniversary, guests explored an entire room dedicated to the region.

The sound of corks popping as the day began, setting the tone for an unforgettable celebration of fine wine.

The stunning masterclass room all set for the first masterclass of the day – a special retrospective on aged Veuve Clicquot.

Winemaker and director of R&D at Veuve Clicquot, Gaëlle Goossens, and Decanter’s Natalie Earl led the tasting of seven different vintages.

A Decanter Encounter – never without sparkling glasses by Riedel.

A firm favourite with our Grand Tasting guests – Château d’Esclans pouring a double magnum of Garrus 2019.

Extensive offerings from the Decanter World Wine Awards winners – Gold, Platinum and Best-in Show.

Guests sharing a moment to take in the breathtaking views of the NY skyline.

One of our first VIP Editor’s Lunches was hosted by Napa correspondent Jonathan Cristaldi, featuring exclusive pours from Clos du Val and Outpost Winery for a select group of guests.

A delicious buffet lunch was served for guests in the Manhatta dining room.

The lunch was accompanied with a selection of complimentary wine from Rioja DOCa, including Hacienda López de Haro.

Italian sparkling wine producer, Ferrari Trento pouring its 97 point scoring Riserva Lunelli 2015.

Guests found plenty to be excited about at the Grand Tasting.

Biondi-Santi’s director of winemaking, Federico Radi, and Decanter’s Tina Gellie led guests through some very special bottles of this Brunello icon.

Guests were offered real treats in the Biondi-Santi masterclass, including their Riserva Brunellos from 1988 and 1975.

Château Saint-Pierre brought magnums of its 2005 for the guests to enjoy.

San Pellegrino providing the guests refreshments in between tastings.

The final masterclass of the day celebrated Rioja DOCa with Master Sommelier Jonathan Eicholz and Decanter’s Ines Salpico.

A standout moment of the day - a double magnum from Remírez de Ganuza.

And that's a wrap! Counting the days to the DFWE 2026.

This past weekend, with views of Manhattan made moody by spring rains, over 500 wine lovers ascended the 60 stories to Manhatta for the fourth annual New York Fine Wine Encounter.

This year’s Encounter featured sell-out masterclasses from Biondi-Santi, a special retrospective on aged Veuve Clicquot, and Rioja’s top wines.

Starting the morning with Champagne, winemaker and director of R&D at Veuve Clicquot, Gaëlle Goossens, and Decanter’s Natalie Earl led the tasting of seven different vintages. Attendees were offered real treats, including Veuve Grande Dame bottlings from 1996, 1993 and 1990, to demonstrate the ageability of the classic cuvée.

Biondi-Santi’s director of winemaking, Federico Radi, and Decanter’s Tina Gellie led guests through some very special bottles of this Brunello icon, including their Riserva Brunellos from 1988 and 1975. Among the very first names in Sangiovese, the Brunellos of Biondi-Santi are a true masterclass in one of the world’s very special wines.

Rioja was the name on everyone’s lips for the day, from the masterclass celebrating the DOCa’s 100 years with Master Sommelier Jonathan Eicholz and Decanter’s Ines Salpico, to the special Rioja bar, with some unbelievable options with plenty of age and a special lunch menu paired with the impressive buffet put on by Manhatta’s culinary team.

Our Decanter editorial team will provide extensive coverage over the next few days of each of the masterclasses.

While attendees were queuing for the early masterclass, our first VIP Editor’s Lunches were underway with a Champagne toast, followed by exclusive wines from select winemakers for our exclusive guests. The small groups were treated to philosophical conversations on the emerging elegance of North American Pinot Noir and timeless Napa icons that included magnums of Cabernet from the 1990s, Sonoma Coast Pinot rarities and a mini-masterclass in Niagara’s dynamic terroir from winemaker Thomas Bachelder. All of it tied with a bow that included a Decanter-only inside scoop from our Napa correspondent, Jonathan Cristaldi, and yours truly.

On the Grand Tasting floor, guests were entertained by 50 producers all pouring special cuvées as the rain lashed the floor-to-ceiling glass with dizzying views of Manhattan.

Winemaker Trey Fletcher, of Santa Barbara’s founding Sanford & Benedict, was pouring some fantastic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this coastal region, and he was really impressed with the calibre of guests at his first DFWE. ‘The questions from the guests are great. They’re clearly here to learn, not just drink wine, many of them are properly tasting and spitting, which makes this a very unique crowd,’ Fletcher said.

Highlight wines on the day included the 2015 Cristom, Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, which showed Oregon’s ageability; a 2010 bottling of Vérité’s La Joie and a very impressive Barolo from Damilano, their Cannubi Riserva, ‘1752.’

Guests found plenty to be excited about among the 50 producers, the extensive offerings from the DWWA award-winning bar, and a deep selection of Rioja wines into the early evening.

As the clouds parted and rays of sun came to end the day, wine lovers left content and counting the days to the DFWE in 2026.

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Honouring the passion, palate, and people behind the pour.

Each year on 3 June the global wine community celebrates International Sommelier Day – a moment to recognise the vital role sommeliers play in bringing wine to life. First established by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), this day shines a spotlight on the knowledge, service and storytelling that sommeliers bring to tables around the world.

Scroll down to discover top-scoring DWWA wines expertly paired by our judges

At Decanter, we’re grateful for the extraordinary sommeliers working across the on-trade – from Michelin-star floors to neighbourhood gems – whose long hours, deep training, and personal commitment make wine feel accessible and exciting. We’re especially proud to welcome so many of them each year as judges at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). In 2025, 22 Master Sommeliers and many more sommeliers joined the DWWA panel, helping us evaluate wines from all over the world.

To mark the occasion, we invited four of these outstanding professionals to share their favourite DWWA 2024 award-winning wine, along with a personal food pairing. Their choices – thoughtful, approachable and delicious – remind us of the sommelier’s unique role as a bridge between the vineyard and the table.

Amanda Wassmer-Bulgin – Switzerland

Swiss-based British sommelier Amanda Wassmer-Bulgin has built a reputation for combining deep wine knowledge with elegant, guest-focused hospitality. At Memories, the Michelin-star restaurant she co-founded with her husband Sven Wassmer, her pairings reflect terroir, emotion and a playful sense of discovery.

Wine recommendation:

Domaine Histoire D’enfer, L’enfer Du Calcaire Pinot Noir, Salquenen, Valais, Switzerland 2019

Platinum, 97 points

Enchanting raspberry, strawberry and freshly picked cherries charm and delight with a delicious infusion of sumptuous red liquorice, clove and star anise rippling alongside. Capacious and warming with a simmering gravelly undertone of mineral tannin. Superb! Alcohol 13.9%

Wassmer-Bulgin’s notes:

‘Swiss wine? Yes, really. This juicy, structured Pinot Noir is pure, precise and quietly thrilling.’

Food match:

A cassoulet of Puy lentils and rustic sausage with garlic and herbs. ‘The wine’s acidity and savoury lift echo the dish’s depth and earthiness.’

Sommelier tip:

‘Match the intensity of the wine to the mood of the dish – think of it like a conversation.’

Guilty pleasure:

‘Classic fish and chips with Chardonnay-based English fizz.’

Follow Amanda Wassmer-Bulgin on Instagram and see her website here.

Raimonds Tomsons – Latvia

Raimonds Tomsons made global headlines when he was crowned Best Sommelier of the World 2023 by ASI. Known for his precision, humility and passion for hospitality, Tomsons is a champion of wine education and Central & Eastern European wine regions.

Wine recommendation:

Chateau Sainte Marguerite, Fantastique, Côtes de Provence Cru Classé, Provence, France 2023

Silver, 92 points

Nice depth on the nose, with strawberry, orange and peach aromas. Fresh fruit salad melange of flavours, with some peppery fruit, a touch of guava and good length. Alc 13%

Tomsons’ notes:

‘Summer is coming – best time of the year to enjoy a fine glass of Rosé.

Food match:

‘San Marzano tomatoes, burrata, anchovies and basil. The wine’s salinity and fruit meet the creamy, savoury complexity of the dish.’

Sommelier tip:

‘Relax! Some of the best pairings are traditional – what grows together, goes together.’

Guilty pleasure:

‘Anchovies and manzanilla Sherry. Perfection.’

Follow Raimonds Tomsons on Instagram and see his website here.

Élyse Lambert MS – Canada

Hailing from Québec, Élyse Lambert MS is one of North America’s most respected sommeliers. With titles including Best Sommelier of the Americas and a top-five finish at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World, she brings both grace and granular knowledge to wine education and hospitality.

Wine recommendation:

Le Clos Jordanne, Jordan Village Chardonnay, Ontario – Niagara Peninsula, Canada 2021

Gold, 95 points

Alluring white flowers, lemons and stone fruit enhanced by sweet vanilla pod oak. Flowing with mineral exuberance, flinty and crisp, with a lovely tension and charming finish. Alc 13.5%

Lambert’s notes:

‘A Canadian classic – local, textured and expressive with elegant oak.’

Food match:

‘Steamed lobster with lemon butter. A celebration of seasonal Canadian flavours.’

Sommelier tip:

‘Start with what brings you joy – the sauce and garnishes matter as much as the protein.’

Guilty pleasure:

‘Chablis with snow crab, or Chianti Classico with homemade polpettes.’

Follow Élyse Lambert MS on Instagram.

Benjamin Hasko MS MW – Singapore

Australia-born and Singapore-based, Benjamin Hasko MS MW is one of the few people in the world to hold both Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles. His dual credentials underpin his consulting work across Asia, where he helps hotels, collectors and brands fine-tune their wine offerings.

Wine recommendation:

Flametree, S.R.S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2022

Gold, 96 points

Fabulous and action-packed with heaps of glorious apple, pear and peach on grilled nuts and a salty, smoky note. Creamy and glossy with succulent acidity and length. Alc 13%

Hasko’s notes:

‘Bright acidity, subtle oak, and serious depth – a benchmark from Western Australia.’

Food match:

‘Grilled prawns with salsa verde. The wine’s toastiness and citrus zip enhance the prawns’ sweetness and herbs.’

Sommelier tip:

‘Keep experimenting – there’s no perfect match, just great combinations.’

Guilty pleasure:

‘Barolo with Middle Eastern food.’

Follow Benjamin Hasko MS MW on Instagram and see his website here.

Search all DWWA 2024 results

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The 2025 London Wine Fair (LWF) opened on 19 May with the Battle of the Bubbles, a blind tasting of 13 Champagnes pitted against premium sparkling wines from beyond France.

It follows last year’s Judgement of London, a tasting of European wines against ‘New World’ counterparts, which paid homage to Steven Spurrier’s landmark 1976 Judgement of Paris event.

In what will now be known as the LWF’s Icon Tasting, with the theme changing each year, the aim is to identify whether there is a level platform across the world’s best wine regions.

And the Battle of the Bubbles revealed some surprises when results were announced at the fair on 21 May.

Battle of the Bubbles results

Top Champagne: Dom Pérignon, Champagne, France 2013

Top sparkling wine: Nyetimber, 1086 Prestige Cuvée, West Sussex, England 2010

Top scoring wine: Nyetimber, 1086 Prestige Cuvée, West Sussex, England 2010

Winning category: Champagne, with 15% difference

Best value wine: Cloudy Bay, Pelorus Rosé, Marlborough, New Zealand NV

The top 10 wines:

1. Nyetimber, 1086 Prestige Cuvée, West Sussex, England 2010
2. Gusbourne, 51° North, England 2016
3. Dom Pérignon, Champagne, France 2013
4. Ruinart, Dom Ruinart, Champagne, France 2010
5. Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne, France 2013
6. Krug, Grande Cuvée (172ème edition), Champagne, France NV
7. Bollinger, RD, Champagne, France 2008
8. Egly-Ouriet, VP Vieillissement Prolongé, Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV
9. Roederer Estate, Quartet, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, USA NV
10. Graham Beck, Cuvée Clive, Western Cape, South Africa 2019

Conceived by Hannah Tovey, head of the LWF, the wines were selected by Ronan Sayburn MS, Decanter World Wine Awards co-Chair and CEO of the Court of Master Sommeliers, and Sarah Abbott MW, wine marketing consultant, co-founder of The Old Vine Conference.

Ahead of the tasting, in explaining their reasons for choosing the Battle of the Bubbles theme, Sayburn said sparkling wine producers the world over had ‘raised their game’ with their finest expressions. But ‘can they compete with the quality and prestige of Champagne?’

‘Sparkling wine is a booming and dynamic category which is outperforming Champagne in the UK market,’ noted Abbott. ‘Yet, the hegemony of Champagne in prestige perception seems unassailable. I’m excited to see how these great wines are assessed by our judges when tasted blind.’

Tasting the wines in two flights over 90 minutes, the panel of 16 judges included Decanter’s Champagne correspondent Tom Hewson, Master of Wine couple Peter Richards and Susie Barrie, Master Sommelier and Decanter World Wine Awards judge Matthieu Longuère and renowned wine critic, broadcaster and writer Oz Clarke.

The 26 wines were tasted in pairs comprising one Champagne and one sparkling wine from the rest of the world, matched ‘like for like, as much as possible’, according to price, style, grape varieties, terroir, age and production methods.

Sayburn encouraged the judges not to focus on whether wine A was better than wine B, to try to guess the identity of a wine, or to be swayed by an ‘unconscious bias’ if they did recognise the Champagne in a pair, but to assess every wine on its inherent qualities.

Blind tastings are always a fascinating (and often humbling) exercise, so when the wines’ identities were revealed after the tasting (but before scores were calculated and results announced) there was much excitement.

Of the 13 pairs, I preferred the Champagne in the majority, with Bollinger’s RD 2008 and the Taittinger’s 2013 Comtes Blanc de Blancs my overall top scorers.

But there were a couple of notable exceptions. I gave the nod to Cloudy Bay’s serious, savoury and developing Pelorus Rosé over the richer, fruitier saignée rosé from Laurent-Perrier. And another New Zealand wine – the 2017 Blanc de Blancs from Quartz Reef – also got my vote, though sadly because Agrapart’s Minéral Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2018 was corked.

But the real thrill was the quality of the English sparkling wines. I much preferred Gusbourne’s 51° North 2016 to Pol Roger’s Sir Winston Churchill 2018, and gave an extra point to Nyetimber’s 1086 Prestige Cuvée 2018 over Dom Pérignon 2013. All are around the £200 mark though, so the quality shone through.

And in terms of value, I thought Graham Beck’s 2019 Cuvée Clive from South Africa (£45) and Roederer Estate’s Quartet from California (£30-£40) really stood out against Dom Ruinart 2010 (£220-£280) and Krug’s Grande Cuvée (£160-£250) respectively.

Several pairs were quite challenging, and a little unfair, especially when the grapes, ageing and dosage of the wines were so disparate. The Sekt and Corpinnats might feel hard done by with their matches, but especially the Prosecco: 100% Glera with 8g/L residual sugar tasted alongside a 70% Pinot Noir-dominant Grand Cru Champagne with 1g/L dosage and seven years of ageing on lees.

Nevertheless, celebrating premium bubbles, whether Champagne or top-quality sparkling wine from across the globe, is something everyone can raise a glass to.

Battle of the Bubbles: Pairs listed in order of tasting

Flight 1

Gramona, Enoteca Brut Nature, Corpinnat, Catalunya, Spain 2011

Eric Rodez, Cuvée de Crayères, Champagne, France NV

Bollinger, RD, Champagne, France 2008

House of Arras, EJ Carr Late Disgorged, Tasmania, Australia 2009

Laurent-Perrier, Rosé, Champagne, France NV

Cloudy Bay, Pelorus Rosé, Marlborough, New Zealand NV

Ca’ del Bosco, Cuvée Annamaria Clementi, Franciacorta, Italy 2016

Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne, France 2013

Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé, Champagne, France 2012

Cruse Wine Co, LC18 Tradition Rosé, Sonoma Coast, California, USA NV

Graham Beck, Cuvée Clive, Western Cape, South Africa 2019

Ruinart, Dom Ruinart, Champagne, France 2010

Flight 2

Roederer Estate, Quartet, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, USA NV

Krug, Grande Cuvée (172ème edition), Champagne, France NV

Agrapart, Minéral Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne, France 2018

Quartz Reef, Blanc de Blancs, Bendigo, Central Otago, New Zealand 2017

Pol Roger, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, Champagne, France 2018

Gusbourne, 51° North, England 2016

Nino Franco, Rustico, Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore, Veneto, Italy 2015

Egly-Ouriet, VP Vieillissement Prolongé, Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV

Weingut Karthäuserhof, Karthäuserhof Brut, VDP Sekt, Ruwer, Germany NV

Drappier, Quattuor, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France NV

Recaredo, Turó d’en Mota, Corpinnat, Penedès, Spain 2011

Roederer, Philippe Starck, Brut Nature, Champagne, France 2015

Dom Pérignon, Champagne, France 2013

Nyetimber, 1086 Prestige Cuvée, West Sussex, England 2010

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Join us on Saturday 7 June in New York City as we raise a glass to Rioja DOCa – Spain’s most iconic wine region – at a special centenary edition of the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter.

The day features the famous Grand Tasting, which promises a world-class wine experience showcasing over 300 fine wines from over 50 top producers. Guests will also enjoy standout selections from the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards — the world’s largest wine competition, including Gold, Platinum and Best in Show winners.

Among the international producers, Rioja DOCa takes centre stage, with an exclusive tasting bar, a masterclass and standout wines showcased across Rioja producer stands (this part needs re wording)

Discover 29 Rioja wines across the bar and producer stands

Experience 29 handpicked Rioja wines available at the Rioja Bar and producer stands — from historic estates to trailblazing newcomers, the selection reflects the region’s extraordinary diversity and depth. Enjoy unlimited pours from icons such as CVNE, Bodegas Queirón, Bodegas LAN, Marqués de Cáceres, to name a few.

Notable highlights include:

• Martínez Lacuesta, 125 Años Gran Reserva, Rioja 2010 – 94 points
• Bodegas Remirez de Ganuza 2014 – 94 points
• Bodegas Alvia, Livius Reserva Blanco, Rioja, Spain 2018 – 93 points
• Bodegas LAN, Culmen Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2019 – 93 points

Access to the Rioja Bar is included with all Grand Tasting tickets — $225 per person.

EXPLORE THE FULL RIOJA BAR LINE-UP

Rioja DOCa masterclass

4:00 pm –5:15pm | $165 per person

For those looking to delve deeper into Rioja’s legacy, an exclusive masterclass will be held, hosted by Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz and Decanter’s Ines Salpico, offering a guided journey through 100 years of Rioja winemaking. Taste your way through the past, present and future of Rioja with a stunning line-up of iconic wines — from rare Gran Reservas to collectible modern expressions. Featured producers include La Rioja Alta, Marqués de Murrieta, Remírez de Ganuza, CVNE, Montecillo, and more.

Spaces are very limited!

BOOK YOUR SEAT

Skyline lunch with complimentary Rioja wines

In between tastings, take a moment to relax for a buffet-style lunch overlooking the Manhattan skyline, paired with a selection of complimentary wines courtesy of our sponsors Rioja DOCa. It’s the perfect palate refresher in the midst of a busy tasting day.

Pre-booking is advised, though walk-ins are welcome pending availability.

Complimentary wine selection:

White

Bodegas Manzanos Blanco Fermentado en Barrica 2020

*

Rosé

Hacienda López de Haro, Clásica Gran Reserva Rosado, Rioja, Spain 2013

*

Red

Vina Muriel, Solariego Tinto Vino de Elciego, Alavesa 2019

Muga, Prado Enea Gran Reserva, Rioja Alta, Spain 2016

Bodegas Riojanas, Viña Albina Gran Reserva, Rioja Alta 2004

Don’t miss this world-class wine experience in the heart of New York City. Discover why Rioja remains Spain’s most respected fine wine region — 100 years on.

BOOK A LUNCH WITH A VIEW

Essential information

DFWE NYC

Date: Saturday 7 June 2025 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhatta, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: Grand Tasting tickets from $225 + US sales tax | Masterclass tickets from $165

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A DWWA 2024 send-off ahead of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 judging week, Decanter held a special wine pairing dinner at Michelin-starred Angler, a restaurant atop the five-star South Place Hotel in London.

Following a rendition in New York with Decanter’s North America Editor Clive Pursehouse, the London soirée, hosted by DWWA Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW, took place on 30 April 2025.

Scroll down to discover DWWA 2024 awarded wines

In the lead up to next week’s judging week, a selection of DWWA 2024 top-scoring wines were expertly paired with Angler’s refined menu, led by Head Chef, Craig Johnston. Held at the exclusive Chef’s Table, guests could feel and see the buzz of the kitchen while overlooking views across the City of London.

Service was led by Mladen Mladenov, Angler’s accomplished Restaurant Manager. Originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, Mladen brings a wealth of experience from working with renowned chefs such as Jason Atherton, Marcus Wareing, Clare Smyth, and Phil Howard. A 2023 semi-finalist in the prestigious Annual Awards of Excellence, he is known for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to exceptional hospitality—qualities that contributed to the seamless execution of the evening.

At the start of the dinner, Sarah Jane Evans MW, DWWA Co-Chair introduced the wines — each one exquisite and perfectly paired with the five-course menu. She shared insights into the rigorous process behind selecting the world’s finest wines at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA): ‘Entries close about a month before judging begins and from there, our team heads to the warehouse to organise tens of thousands of wines into regional flights. It’s a massive undertaking that takes a great deal of time. During judging week, each wine is assessed by regional panels. All medal-winning wines are then retasted to confirm their quality. In the second week, we move into Decanter’s Paddington offices to select the very best– first the Platinum winners, and then the top 50 Best in Show. It’s incredibly difficult, almost impossible – like picking your favourite child.’

Evans also spoke about one of the key things that sets the DWWA apart: its commitment to recognising value. Wines are judged within clearly defined price bands, ensuring that outstanding bottles can stand out regardless of cost. This year, the updated value category includes wines priced up to £14.99—offering exceptional quality at accessible prices. As she explained, ‘Decanter Value wines come recommended by over 250 highly skilled wine experts, offering trusted guidance to wine lovers around the world. When you choose one of these wines, you simply can’t go wrong.’

Enjoyed alongside Angler’s ever-changing menu, featuring only seasonal and carefully sourced produce, technique, passion and precision aligned. The evening featured a thoughtfully curated pairing menu – award-winning wines alongside a dynamic range of dishes. Guests were welcomed with Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve Brut, Dundee Hills, Oregon, United States NV setting a refined tone.

An inventive selection of starters – including a Tunworth cheese cornetto with candied walnuts and crispy Iberian pig’s head – was paired with the Castello Di Spessa Santarosa 2022 from Italy’s Friuli region.

Courses progressed with elegant matches such as Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional 2019 alongside tuna tartare and native lobster ravioli complemented by Weingut Eichinger Ried Lamm Grüner Veltliner 2022.

The main course of Newlyn cod was beautifully enhanced by Flametree S.R.S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay 2022 from Margaret River. Dessert brought two standout Platinum and Gold pairings: Bodega Brotons Gran Fondillón Reserva 1964 with Blood Orange with Champagne and chamomile and Dalva Colheita Port 1994 with Chocolate Crémeux. A final flourish of petit fours rounded out an evening that showcased both the culinary and viticultural artistry celebrated by DWWA.

DWWA award-winning wines were served by John Le Bihan, Head Sommelier of the Michelin-starred Angler. With over 20 years of international experience — including roles in the UK, France, Canada, and the Middle East, and time spent working under Marco Pierre White. John combines deep wine knowledge with a warm, attentive style. His focus on delivering exceptional hospitality and enhancing the dining experience was evident throughout the evening.

Below discover the seven top-awarded wines showcased to welcome DWWA judging week, with Angler’s memorable paired courses.

Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve Brut, Dundee Hills, Oregon, United States NV

Gold, 96 points

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir

A hedonistic style, brimming with apple pie and vanilla ice cream character and a lingering surge of citrus to provide freshness and verve. Full, foamy and long. Alcohol 12,5%

Castello Di Spessa, Santarosa, Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2022

Platinum, 97 Points

100% Pinot Blanc

A wealth of peach kernels, ripe grapefruit and wondrous floral inflections glide seamlessly over the succulent vanilla-infused texture and crunchy pear acidity. Alluring and weighty with a nurturing savoury element which lingers over the long finish. Alc 14%

Quinta Do Crasto, Touriga Nacional, Douro, Portugal 2019

Platinum, 97 points

100% Touriga Nacional

Emblazoned with tightly wound dark cherries, plums and blackberries which unravel and spring onto the palate to entwine with the fine-spun tannins and graceful, fruit-led acidity and dance into the gently spiced finish. Classy and sophisticated. Alc 14.5%

Weingut Eichinger, Ried Lamm 1ötw Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Austria 2022

Gold, 95 Points

100% Grüner Veltliner

A wealth of fine florals, white pepper and clove with a searing mineral note. Lavishly structured with a mouth-watering peach and pear acidity and an excellent length. Alc 13%

Flametree, S. R. S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia 2022

Gold, 96 Points

100% Chardonnay

Fabulous and action-packed with heaps of glorious apple, pear and peach on grilled nuts and a salty, smoky note. Creamy and glossy with succulent acidity and length. Alc 13%

Bodega Brotons, Gran Fondillon Reserva, Alicante, Spain 1964

Platinum, 97 Points

100% Monastrell

A spectacular wine of historic proportions which gently caresses the palate with its beguiling lift of fig, raisin and maraschino cherry cushioned by a backdrop of mellow caramel and nuts, yet adorned with a show-stopping acidity. Remarkable. Alc 20.5%

Dalva, Colheita, Port, Portugal 1994

Gold, 95 Points

20% Tinta Barroca, 20% Tinta Cao, 20% Tinta Roriz, 20% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca

A wonderful blanket of sweet pipe tobacco, walnut whip and coffee flavour wafts deftly over the nose and gently coats the palate. Very long and utterly magical. Alc 20%

DWWA 2025 results will be announced Wednesday 18 June on Decanter.com

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Wine lovers gathered last week for a special preview tasting at the elegant Millesima USA store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, offering a glimpse into the exceptional wines featured in the upcoming Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) New York, which takes place on Saturday, 7 June.

This exclusive evening allowed a select group of Millesima guests to experience a curated tasting of wines from each masterclass, as well as a broader selection of rare and prestigious bottles from top producers who would be pouring at the Grand Tasting.

Guests were treated to a lineup of fine wines, showcasing both renowned houses and hidden gems, from legendary labels: Laurent-Perrier, Drappier, Nino Negri, San Felice, Marchesi di Barolo, Biondi Santi and Veuve Clicquot, plus a glimpse into the most collectible and sought-after wines from Rioja DOCa.

The tasting had a convivial atmosphere where attendees explored a variety of styles and engaged in insightful conversations with Decanter’s US Editor, Clive Pursehouse, while gaining a deeper understanding of what to expect at the June event.

‘It was exciting to share a preview of what’s in store,’ said Pursehouse. ‘Masterclass attendees in June can expect an extraordinary tasting experience, including exceptional back vintages of Biondi Santi spanning 35 years and a 50-year-old bottling. What particularly excited people was the rare deep dive into Veuve Clicquot’s La Grande Dame, where vintages going back 35 years will show it’s a wine that aspires to stand among the world’s finest champagnes.’

The evening was a resounding success, and both Decanter and Millesima expressed gratitude for their guests’ enthusiastic participation.

‘We’re thrilled to have hosted such a passionate group of wine lovers,‘ said Fabrizio Germano, General Manager of Millesima USA. ‘It was a true pleasure to share these wines with you.’

Don’t miss the DFWE New York on Saturday, 7 June for an unforgettable day of world-class wines. Tickets are limited and going fast. Secure your place now and be part of one of the year’s top wine events.

Buy Tickets

Essential information

DFWE NYC

Date: Saturday 7 June 2025 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhatta, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: Grand Tasting tickets from $225 + US sales tax (save with group tickets) | Masterclass tickets from $165

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As Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) enters its 22nd year in 2025, it continues to reinforce its reputation as the world’s biggest wine competition. This year’s edition saw wines submitted from 57 countries, underscoring the competition’s role as a global benchmark for wine quality and excellence.

One of the notable trends of 2025 has been a significant increase in entries from the United States, particularly from the winegrowing regions of Oregon and Washington State, reflecting the growing ambition of American producers on the world stage.

Ahead of the 2025 DWWA judging week—where 250 internationally renowned wine experts from 35 countries will gather in London—Decanter hosted a special dinner at the iconic Carlyle Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The evening set the tone by showcasing a curated selection of 2024 award-winning wines, including a Platinum medal winner, highlighting the caliber of wines that will be awarded medals to the New York market.

With a strong emphasis on American excellence, the evening highlighted how the DWWA brings international prestige to medal-winning producers, reinforcing the competition’s rigorous standards to an influential New York audience.

While the US hosts several regional wine competitions, some of the country’s top producers often overlook them. Addressing the guests, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter’s US Editor, shared that among the 2024 participants were globally revered names such as Champagne Telmont, Rare Champagne, Australia’s Yarra Yering, Italy’s Cantina Terlano, and Burgundy’s Albert Bichot.

‘DWWA judges bring a calibre of expertise that is unrivalled in the world of wine competitions,’ Pursehouse said. ‘The rigorous scoring system and the very limited number of Platinum medals awarded — just 0.64% of entries in 2024 — reflect the extraordinary care and scrutiny with which every wine is evaluated.’

This year’s judging panel is among the most distinguished yet, there are 73 Masters of Wine and 23 Master Sommeliers among the judges, which also include Decanter’s Regional Editors and deeply experienced members of the wine trade.

The evening at The Carlyle paired an elegant, seafood-focused menu created by the acclaimed culinary team at Dowling’s with a line-up of acclaimed American wines. Dishes such as a rich lobster bisque and halibut served over a deconstructed clam chowder were elevated by vibrant Chardonnays and an expressive Pinot Noir from California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, perfectly demonstrating the quality of US wines recognised by the DWWA.

Below, discover the four US medal-winning wines showcased during this special evening:

Domaine Chandon, Étoile Brut, Los Carneros, California, USA Non-Vintage

Gold, 95 points

From night harvested grapes that see a minimum of 5 years en tirage, this sparkling Brut is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, shows depth and richness. A Lovely toasty nose infused with green apples and plums which come to life on the palate and swirl around the fine effervescence and racy acidity. Alcohol 12%

Ponzi Vineyards, Laurelwood Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon USA 2021

Silver, 94 points

Pretty nose of ripe apple, nashi pear and vanilla, palate is dry with fresh acidity and a lovely, bright acidity. The palate’s brightness is rounded by tropical fruit notes of grilled savoury pineapple with a saline brilliance that carries the finish seemingly forever. Alc 13.5%

Grgich Hills, Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, USA 2022

Gold, 96 points

This wine was made to commemorate the legendary moment that winemaker Mike Grgich shook up the wine world with his 1973 Montelena Chardonnay that would go on to win the Judgement of Paris in 1976 and put American fine wine firmly on the map. It offers an understated style with ripples of ripe pear, apple and citrus fruit embraced by a glaze of creamy vanilla oak and enriched with a fine mineral backbone. Alc 14.1%

Audeant, Luminous Hills Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA 2021

Platinum, 97 points

Ripe crushed cherries and perfumed red flowers leap out of the glass and cascade over the crunchy, youthful palate; with an immersive texture, silky smooth tannins and a squeaky clean acidity. Impressively long and memorable. Alc 12.9%

Search all DWWA 2024 results

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At the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) NYC, a handpicked selection of New World trailblazers is redefining what excellence looks like beyond the traditional strongholds of Europe. These six producers from the New World are not just making outstanding wines, they are pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and changing the way we think about fine wine.

From the cool-climate vineyards of Canada to the rugged beauty of Tasmania, these standout wineries show that fine wine today is global, dynamic, and full of the fresh energy driving the New World forward. Prepare to discover the producers redefining what fine wine means in the modern era – and the exceptional bottles you’ll have the chance to experience.

Rutini – Uco Valley, Mendoza, ArgentinaRutini, Single Vineyard Malbec, 2017

Argentina’s Malbec is famous the world over – but Rutini’s Single Vineyard expression shows there’s so much more to discover. Grown high in the Uco Valley, this Malbec combines bold, ripe fruit with a surprising elegance and a streak of mineral freshness. It’s a polished, terroir-driven wine that connects Argentina’s rich winemaking tradition with its exciting, forward-looking future. A powerful reminder of why Mendoza remains one of the world’s most exciting wine regions today.

Stark-Condé – Stellenbosch, South AfricaStark-Condé, Oude Nektar Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Jonkershoek Valley in South Africa has always been a hidden gem, and Stark-Condé’s Oude Nektar Cabernet Sauvignon is its standout wine. This bottle brings together the best of both worlds, with the structure of a classic Bordeaux and the bright, vibrant style of the New World. It’s a perfect example of how South African wine continues to evolve and impress.

House of Arras – Tasmania, AustraliaHouse of Arras, E.J. Carr Late Disgorged, 2006

Tasmania’s cool climate is perfect for sparkling wine, but House of Arras takes it even further. Crafted with over a decade of lees aging, the E.J. Carr Late Disgorged stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best sparkling wines. It’s a trailblazing example of how Australia’s island state is crafting wines of remarkable finesse and longevity.

Bachelder — Niagara, Ontario, CanadaBachelder, Hanck Pinot Noir, 2022

If you’re a fan of cool-climate Pinot Noir, Thomas Bachelder’s Hanck Pinot from Niagara is one to look out for. This wine is fresh, expressive, and bursting with vibrant energy. It perfectly captures the excitement of Canada’s rising reputation in the world of fine wine.

Leyda – San Antonio, ChileLeyda, Origin, Leyda Valley, 2022

Close to the Pacific Ocean, the Leyda Valley is redefining Chilean wine with its focus on freshness and coastal influence. Leyda’s Origin bottling bursts with energy – vivid fruit, mouth-watering acidity, and a crisp, modern profile that reflects Chile’s dynamic new era of winegrowing.

Yalumba – Barossa, AustraliaYalumba, The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz, 2018 (Magnum)

As Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, Yalumba perfectly balances tradition with fearless innovation. The Octavius, made from some of Barossa’s oldest Shiraz vines, delivers a powerful yet beautifully refined expression. Matured in custom-made small oak barrels, it’s a brilliant example of how Australian fine wine continues to evolve.

Trailblazers, Rewriting the Rules

These trailblazing producers show that fine wine today is bigger, bolder, and more exciting than ever. At the DFWE New York, you’ll have the chance to discover new favourites, explore fresh expressions of classic grapes, and see how the New World is shaping the future of wine.

Meet the trailblazers at DFWE NYC

Essential information

DFWE NYC

Date: Saturday 7 June 2025 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhatta, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: Grand Tasting tickets from $225 + US sales tax | Masterclass tickets from $165

Related articles

• Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York 2025
• The world’s finest bubbles at DFWE New York
• US wineries at DFWE New York: American winemaking at its finest

On Saturday 7 June, 2025, the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) New York returns and includes a sparkling celebration of Champagne’s finest names.

Exquisite Champagne houses Laurent-Perrier, Delamotte and Drappier will be pouring wines at the all-day Grand Tasting, and the masterclass line-up opens with the legendary Veuve Clicquot.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or an enthusiastic wine lover, this year’s event promises a rare opportunity to taste and explore a diverse range of styles from some of the most respected houses in the region.

Let our illustrated Decanter guide help you navigate the fizz at DFWE New York – the world of Champagne is waiting to be discovered.

1. Laurent-Perrier

Laurent-Perrier stands among Champagne’s most esteemed houses, founded over 200 years ago and still proudly family owned. Renowned for its elegance, innovation and precision, the house continues to set benchmarks in quality. At the Grand Tasting, Laurent-Perrier will showcase its exceptional, crisp Blanc de Blancs NV, a pure, mineral-driven expression of Chardonnay, alongside the show-stopping Grand Siècle No 24 (magnum) – its prestige cuvée, blended from only grand cru vineyards across 11 of Champagne’s finest villages. Crafted from multiple vintages, Grand Siècle exemplifies Laurent-Perrier’s philosophy: to create the perfect vintage, every time.

 2. Delamotte

Founded in 1760, Delamotte is one of Champagne’s oldest houses, prized for its elegance and precision. Though modest in scale – producing around 800,000 bottles annually – it punches well above its weight within the Laurent-Perrier group. At the DFWE New York, Delamotte will showcase four wines including its beautifully balanced Brut Rosé (95 points) and its star cuvée: the vintage Blanc de Blancs, served from magnum.

 3. Drappier

Drappier, a standout among boutique Champagne houses, hails from Urville in the Côte des Bar and is known for its bold, expressive and gastronomic wines. Now led by the forward-thinking new generation of the Drappier family, the house continues to innovate while honouring tradition. At the DFWE New York, Drappier will showcase its diversity: the fruit-forward Carte d’Or Brut NV, the pure and precise Brut Nature NV, the organic Clarevallis Extra Brut, and the complex, cellar-aged Oenothèque 2006 (magnum). Each cuvée reflects the house’s hallmark style.

Secure your spot at the Grand Tasting

 4. Veuve Clicquot

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore the evolution of Veuve Clicquot’s La Grande Dame, the house’s iconic prestige cuvée, in an unforgettable masterclass at DFWE New York. Guests will taste seven exceptional vintages, including six poured from magnum and jeroboam formats, highlighting the impact of time and bottle size on ageing.

Created only in the finest years and first released in 1972 to celebrate the house’s bicentenary, La Grande Dame is named in honour of Madame Clicquot herself.

The wine selection:

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 2018

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 2015 (95 points)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 2012 (magnum) (96 points)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 2008 (magnum) (97 points)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 1996 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 1993 (magnum)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 1990 (magnum) (96 points)

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Champagne 1990 (jeroboam) (96 points)

Tickets are selling fast – Book your place now

Essential information

DFWE NYC

Date: Saturday 7 June, 2025 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhatta, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: Grand Tasting tickets from $225 + US sales tax | Masterclass tickets from $165 – $295

events.decanter.com/newyork

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With over 50 producers pouring at this year’s Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) New York, they’ll be no shortage of incredible wines to discover. But among the many gems, a few bottles truly stand out. Whether it’s a rare vintage an impressive magnum or a wine with a great story behind it – these are the ones we think you’ll want to taste.

Here are five of our insider favourites to look out for on the day.

1. Château Lascombes

Château Lascombes, Margaux, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France 2008

Poured from magnum

This Second Growth estate in Margaux has been making wine for centuries, and their 2008 vintage is showing beautifully now. Expect silky tannins, dark berries, and that classic Bordeaux structure. Tasting it from magnum makes the experience even more special.

 2. Drappier

Drappier, Réserve de l’Oenothèque, Champagne, France 2006

Poured from magnum

A rare release from Drappier’s cellar, the Réserve de l’Oenothèque is a Champagne aged extensively on lees for remarkable complexity. The 2006 vintage has notes of brioche, citrus and spice, with a fine, persistent mousse. It’s a Champagne that feels both luxurious and full of life. A must-taste for sparkling wine fans.

3. Remírez de Ganuza

Remírez de Ganuza, Reserva, Rioja Alavesa, Spain 2011

Poured from double magnum

This producer is a benchmark in modern Rioja, known for meticulous attention to detail and a bold, polished style. The 2011 Reserva – served from a rare double magnum – offers layers of ripe red fruit, spice, and fine oak integration. A serious wine with serious presence.

4. Trefethen Family Vineyards

Trefethen, HāLo, Napa Valley, California, USA 2012

Special single-vineyard Cabernet

Named after the founders’ children, HaLo is Trefethen’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, made only in the best vintages from their Hillside Vineyard. The 2012 has reached a beautiful point in its evolution – rich and layered, with dark fruit, cocoa and fine tannins. A powerful Napa Cabernet with elegance to match.

5. DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars, Harrison Hill, Snipes Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington, USA 2015

One of Washington’s hidden gems

This Bordeaux-style blend comes from one of Washington State’s oldest vineyards, and it’s a real hidden gem. With only a few acres planted, Harrison Hill is a true insider’s pick. The 2015 vintage shows plush blackcurrant, earthy complexity, and remarkable finesse – proof that Washington can go toe-to-toe with the world’s best.

Of course, these are just a few highlights. With so many great producers in one place, the best part of DFWE NYC is exploring, discovering and finding your own favourite along the way. Every table promises something unique.

Grand Tasting Special Wines Full List

Essential information

DFWE NYC

Date: Saturday 7 June 2025 from 11am to 5pm

Location: Bay Room at Manhatta, 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Price: Grand Tasting tickets from $225 + US sales tax | Masterclass tickets from $165

Related articles

• Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York 2025
• Italy’s movers & shakers: Unmissable producers at DFWE New York
• US wineries at DFWE New York: American winemaking at its finest

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