Decanter World Wine Awards 2026

🏅 Decanter World Wine Awards 2026: Platinum Medals Revealed

The results of the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 were announced this week, highlighting 196 wines awarded Platinum medals from 24 countries.

These wines represent only 1.18% of all wines tasted, underlining the exceptional standard of this 23rd edition. The number of Platinum medals also reached a record level, reflecting the continued rise in global wine quality.

The DWWA, regarded as the world’s largest wine competition, follows a highly rigorous tasting process. All Gold medal wines are re-tasted and discussed by senior experts, including Co-Chairs and Regional Chairs, during a strict second stage of judging.

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🌍 A Global Edition Defined by Diversity

Beyond quality, the 2026 edition stands out for its extraordinary diversity of styles and origins. The results span from top Bordeaux and Oregon Pinot Noir to Loire rosés, rare Chilean grape varieties, and local expressions from Eastern Europe.

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🇫🇷 France Leads the Way

France dominates the rankings with 42 Platinum medals, up nine from last year, ahead of Italy (29), Spain (27), and Australia (19).

Key highlights include:

• Strong performances from Bordeaux 2022 and 2023 vintages
• Outstanding white Burgundy wines
• Rhône Valley Syrah, particularly Côte-Rôtie
• Languedoc earning three Platinums, including a Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre blend from Pic Saint-Loup
• Corsica confirming its strong debut from last year
• Savoie receiving its first-ever Platinum for a 100% Altesse wine
• The Loire Valley standing out with a Chenin Blanc from Anjou awarded in the “Value Platinum” category (under £15 per bottle)
• Provence showing its strength beyond rosé, with awards for both red and white wines

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🍷 Italy Continues Its Rise

Italy secured 29 Platinum medals, showcasing remarkable stylistic diversity.

Notable highlights include:

• Rosé wines from Liguria
• Iconic reds such as Chianti Classico and Barolo (2021 vintage)
• A strong presence of Northern Italian whites, particularly from Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia (11 Platinums combined)

Cantina Terlano stood out in particular, with highly praised white wines noted for their precision and freshness, including the Vorberg Pinot Bianco.

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🇪🇸 Spain: Tradition Meets Modernity

Spain earned 27 Platinum medals, confirming its strong and dynamic position.

Top wines included:

• Classic Rioja and Ribera del Duero reds
• Elegant Mencía from Bierzo
• Innovative blends from Priorat
• New successes from Castilla-La-Mancha
• A wide range of whites, from Albariño to modern expressions of Verdejo

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🇦🇺 Australia Remains a Key Performer

Australia achieved 19 Platinum medals, reflecting the strength of its contemporary wine scene.

Awards covered:

• Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra and Margaret River
• Old-vine Shiraz from McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley
• Chardonnay from cooler regions such as Adelaide Hills
• Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula, awarded Platinum for the first time

Experts highlighted the growing importance of cool-climate varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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🍾 Sparkling Wines in the Spotlight

Sparkling wines earned 16 Platinum medals, most of them going to Champagne.

Winning styles ranged from:

• Brut Nature Champagne to prestigious vintage cuvées
• International sparkling wines from Tasmania, England, Italy, California, and Hungary

England also achieved a first-ever Platinum in Berkshire with a rosé sparkling wine.

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🥂 Standout White Wines

White wines performed exceptionally well this year.

New Zealand stood out with multiple Platinums, including a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc showing tropical fruit and maritime notes.

Switzerland also earned two Platinums for highly complex whites, while Austria continued its excellence with Grüner Veltliner.

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📊 Three Key Trends for 2026

🍇 The Rise of Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir shone across the globe, from the United States and New Zealand to Chile, Oregon, and Germany. Pinot Blanc also enjoyed a strong year.

🇦🇷 Mendoza’s Terroir Focus

Argentina achieved outstanding results with terroir-driven wines, particularly Malbec and Cabernet Franc from single vineyards.

🍇 Local Grape Varieties Gaining Ground

Varieties such as Prokupac (Serbia), País (Chile), Plavac Mali (Croatia), and Aleksandrouli (Georgia) gained increasing recognition.

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🍯 Sweet Wines Remain Important

Sweet wines continued to perform strongly, with highlights from Hungary (Tokaji), Austria, Canada (Icewine), Italy, and France (Sauternes and Loire wines).

A Slovenian wine from 1993 was also recognised for its remarkable purity despite its age.

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🍷 Fortified Wines Dominated by the Iberian Peninsula

Lustau dominated the Sherry category with three Platinum medals, while Portugal excelled in Port wines, including an extraordinary 80-year-old white Port praised for its complexity.

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✨ Conclusion

The DWWA 2026 confirms a clear trend: rising global quality levels, increasing diversity across regions and styles, and a strong focus on terroir, indigenous grape varieties, and modern winemaking expressions.

 

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