I read an article by Decanter about the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). They bode well for America. Woo hoo.
About the Decanter World Wine Awards
Wine Industry Adviser says that, in its 22nd year, “DWWA is firmly established as the world’s largest and most influential wine competition, renowned for its rigorous judging process. At this year’s awards wines from 57 countries were evaluated by 248 top international wine experts, from 35 countries – including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine – the highest in the competition’s history.”
This year’s competition took place in London.
The Winners by Country
It isn’t a big surprise to learn that France was the best performing country, with 187 top scoring medals, including 14 Best in Show, 33 Platinum and 140 Gold. Champagnewas the best performing region securing 27 top winners, including three Best in Show medals for vintage Champagnes.
Other European countries also fared well at the awards:
- Italy took home 138 top-tier medals (95+ points) across all the regions.
- Spain’s Sherry had one of its best years, securing two Best in Show.
- The UK did great with Sparkling Wine, picking up a Best in Show for a magnum, together with two Platinum and six Gold medals.
- Greece recorded an exceptional year with 20 top tier medal winners.
Australia and New Zealand did well too, with Australia winning 80 top-tier medals and New Zealand winning 26.
The United States had a great year, with medals coming from Napa and Sonoma, Oregon, Washington, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
In South America, Argentina achieved its best-ever results, earning 46 medals.
South Africa broke records, achieving its highest total of 45 gold medals.
China celebrated a landmark year at the awards with 13 top-scoring wines, including two Best in Show medals, the first time it has received this top accolade.
Other countries of note: Japan, Austria, Croatia, Canada and Denmark.
About the United State’s Strong Performance
Decanter shared the following quote from the Decanter World Wine Awards judge and Oregon winemaker, Breek Stock MW: “We’re seeing a wave of producers—large and small—lean into the opportunity to define and distinguish their regional styles on a global platform. Increased vineyard maturity, greater attention to regional specificity, and evolving winemaking philosophies are culminating in wines that confidently express their place and purpose.”
