
Most of us don’t have particularly expensive wine tastes, being perfectly content with the flavour of cheap boxed wine. It is just like a random film you play on Netflix on a late evening when you’re too tired to be productive – does the job fine without leaving much of an impression. However, there are always film enthusiasts that seek deeper meaning and spend a lot of time discussing the different choices of the director, actors and writers.
Similar to them, some people seem unable to enjoy a glass of wine without first thoroughly sampling it and doing their best to feel every single nuance of flavour. They are often known as “wine connoisseurs”, an important-sounding word (like all other French words we use in English) that often seem like a complete mystery to us, the ordinary folk.
Granted, wine tasting hasn’t been without its fair share of controversy. It would be false to say that connoisseurs aren’t integral to the entire industry. In no small part, they’re the people who determine whether a particular batch of wine will be sold in supermarkets or remain exclusive to the secret menu of posh restaurants. Admittedly, it’s the brewery that sets the prices, but they are rarely unprecedented. The opinions of experts at major wine trade shows like ProWein help determine the exact cost of many expensive wines. And what better way to justify a four-digit price point than a prestigious award or two? Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting ceremonies that help determine which are the best wines in the world.
Decanter World Wine Awards
In the world of wine tasting, there’s pretty much no award more notable and recognisable than Decanter. Since its inception in 2004, the ceremony has quickly garnered the attention of global wine enthusiasts. It’s been called “the world’s biggest and most prestigious wine competition”, with more than 16,500 wines from around the globe judged by over 250 professionals. The nominees are grouped based on the region, country, variety and price band. To avoid any notion of bias, judges are not allowed to view the brand, bottle or anything else besides the already poured wine in the glass.
The Berlin Wine Trophy
Since its founding in 2004, the Berlin Wine Trophy has gained a reputation as the most influential international wine tasting event in Germany. A special panel of judges from every corner of the world taste and grade over 5000 wines in the course of 4 days. At the end ceremony, the medals are awarded, and the winners are made public. The competition has a Winter and Summer edition where thousands of brands battle for that sweet, sweet gold. The win also comes with massive media coverage and almost guaranteed highly profitable partnerships for the noteworthy vineyards.
Mundus Vini at ProWein
It’s impossible not to mention one of the most famous awards shows in Europe - Mundus Vini. It got its fame in no small part due to the fact it happens during ProWein, an event that brings together more than 60,000 trade experts from around the world. The two shows are pretty much interconnected, with Mundus Vini taking place on ProWein’s opening day to give winners some extra notoriety during the show. The jury scores the wines on a 100-point system designed by the International Organization of Vine and Wine to make wine tasting and grading as objective as possible.
San Francisco International Wine Competition
It’s hard to be a judge at a wine competition, as there are so many things you need to mark. From the multilayered taste to the fragrant rich smell, you need to be an absolute pro to be able to distinguish the best of the best. And this is exactly what you would expect from the jury of the most prominent wine competition in the US - The San Francisco International Wine Competition. For the past 40 years, the event has proven to be integral for the wine market not only in America but in the entire world. If your vineyard receives the Double Golden Medal, you can be sure you have reached the peak of the mountain.
Brazilian Sparkling Contest
The Brazilian Sparkling Contest is one of the largest competitions showcasing some of the best sparkling wines in Brazilia. The country is amongst the biggest consumers of wine products and holds the top spots in the sparkling wine market. The annual competition helps the market to pinpoint the most prominent brands and increase their international popularity. The Brazilian Sparkling Contest strictly follows the guidelines laid by the International Grape and Wine Organization (OIV) and the International Union of Winemakers (UIOE), and the testing is conducted by experts from the Associação Brasileira de Enologia.
The Balkans International Wine Competition
Organised in two parts - a competition and an expo, the events focus on showcasing the best wines from the region. The BIWC is praised for being one of the few European competitions that can match the fairness and organisation of the Australian wine awards. The goal of the show is to showcase the richness of the Balkan region and the skilful professionals that work here. Some of the grape types and production process are exclusive to only this part of the world. The highlight of the event is the award ceremony, where the best of the best in all categories are being acknowledged. The winners of the Grand Trophy for The Best Balkan Wine and the title of The Best Winery in the Balkans are the ones you should stay on the look for.
The Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
Australia is ranked 6th amongst the top wine-producing countries on the globe, with almost 13 million hectolitres in production volume. It is only natural that the Land Down Under has some serious wine experts and sommeliers. And you can meet them all at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards - the most respected award show in the country. The event receives over 3,200 entries from more than 550 of the best local vineyards. The organisers give various prestigious awards distinguishing the greatest-tasting wines in various categories. For example, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy is awarded to the “Best Young Red Wine of the 2018 or 2019 vintage classes“, and the Francois de Castella Trophy is given to the “Best Young Wine from the 2019 and 2020 vintages.” The award show is considered essential for the wine production industry in Australia, as it sets the future standards and trends.
Award-Winning Wines on a Budget
At the beginning of the article, we implied that if a wine has received awards, then it must definitely be expensive – and while that’s often the case, we have to admit that sometimes you can get highly praised, award-winning wines not only without draining your savings fund but also without going too far out of your weekly groceries budget. As Melissa Kravitz from Mic wrote, “depending on personal preferences, a $10 bottle may taste just as good, if not better, than a $100 bottle.” After all, the liquid inside the bottle is only one part of the equation which determines its price. Availability, collectability and marketability also play a significant role when it comes to pricing. That’s why it’s entirely possible to buy a bottle of fantastic, award-winning wine for the cost of two Starbucks coffees just because the brewer has designated it as “common” and not intended for connoisseurs.
Take, for example, the Ruffino Chianti, a silver medalist from the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition back in 2014. Currently, it can be found for less than 10 euro in many grocery stores around the world. “But only a plebeian would drink something worthy of a silver award,” you may be thinking, but what if we told you that some of the gold medalists from the same year are even cheaper? Both the Yellow Tail Pink Moscato and the Barefoot Cellars Moscato can be found for about 5 euro. And hey, if you’re on an extra tight budget but still want a wine that brought home a couple of accolades, you can bring home the 2011 bronze medalist Oak Leaf Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon for just under 3 euro. Just because it’s affordable, it doesn’t mean it’s not award-worthy!
Did we pique your curiosity enough that you want to start looking for the closest wine competition? Check out our extensive trade fair database to find the nearest shows and start planning your trip. While you are at it, send us a request, and we will organise your future expo accommodation for you. And if you are a sommelier, a supplier or an investor, attending such an event will help you spread your brand’s popularity and unravel new opportunities for your business. Focus on your presentation, booth placement or communication skills, and leave the boring stuff to our travel experts.
Wie können wir behilflich sein?
Sind Geschäftsreisekosten steuerlich absetzbar?
Was macht ein Reisebüro?
Ist es günstiger, ein Reisebüro zu beauftragen?