Wines of the Year 2022: the top sparkling, sweet and fortified

Of the 125 nominations in Decanter’s Wines of the Year 2022, just 19 were sparkling, sweet and fortified. However the diversity and quality on offer impressed our three judges, who spoke with Tina Gellie after the tasting.

By Tina Gellie

last updated 9 January 2023

in Tastings

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wines of the year sparkling sweet — (Image credit: Credit Unknown)

The 11 sparkling wines were a highlight among the 125 global entries assessed over two days at Decanter’s Wines of the Year 2022 tasting.

After the initial judging, two Champagnes stood above the rest, each scoring 98 points. And they provoked much debate between Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, Vincenzo Arnese and Amanda Barnes as to which would be crowned Sparkling Wine of the Year.

There were only three sweet wine nominations but each from a different region and grape variety. ‘My personal favourite was the Tokaji for its punchy acidity that offset the sweetness,’ said Barnes. ‘But it was also wonderful to have a beautiful Chenin Blanc straw wine from South Africa – waxy and intense – as well as an exuberantly sweet Rieslaner from Pfalz in Germany, which offered a different expression completely.’

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Tina Gellie has worked for Decanter since 2008 across a number of editorial roles and is currently the brand's Content Director. An awarded wine writer and editor, she won several scholarships on the way to getting her WSET Diploma, and is a freeman of The Worshipful Company of Distillers. She has worked in wine publishing since 2003, including as Deputy Editor and Acting Editor of Wine International. Before her wine career she was a newspaper journalist for broadsheets in London and Australia.

Wines of the Year 2022: the top sparkling, sweet and fortified

Scroll down for the top sparklings, sweets and fortifieds from Decanter’s Wines of the Year 2022 tasting

Impressive sweet and fortified wines

Full list of all sparkling, sweet and fortified wines