The results of the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2026 are finally out.
For those who live and breathe wine, judging week in London is an unmissable event. It feels like New Year’s Day for the wine world.
This year, there was a different energy in the tasting rooms, almost electric. The final results speak for themselves: this has been an exceptional year for Gold and Platinum medals. This is not a sign of more generous judging. Quite the opposite. It reflects the remarkable rise in quality across the global wine industry while rewarding the discipline and rigor of a judging system that never compromises.
Being part of the DWWA judging panel is a unique experience. It is both fascinating and all-consuming. You find yourself seated alongside tasters from every corner of the world. Your palate must engage with perspectives, cultures and tasting backgrounds that are often very different from your own.
A Historic Edition: Numbers and Milestones
The 2026 edition will be remembered not only for the exceptional quality of the wines but also for marking an important step forward in the evolution of the competition, embracing greater inclusivity and generational renewal.
Several milestones deserve special attention.
The First Resident Co-Chair
With Caro Maurer MW appointed as the first-ever Resident Co-Chair, the DWWA entered a new phase in its organisation. Her role ensured stronger continuity between judging panels and provided outstanding leadership throughout the competition.
A Record Number of Female Judges
Seeing 106 women judges around the tasting tables, the highest number in the history of the DWWA, is tangible proof of a cultural shift that has reached full maturity. This is far more than a statistic. It represents an extraordinary concentration of expertise, precision and diverse perspectives at the heart of the judging process.
A Truly Global and Intergenerational Panel
London welcomed 245 judges from 36 countries, creating one of the most international judging panels in the wine world. Among them were 24 Master Sommeliers and 63 Masters of Wine. Joining this exceptional group were 36 first-time judges, bringing fresh perspectives and palates increasingly attuned to the evolution of global wine consumption.
A Personal Journey Spanning Almost Twenty-Five Years
Personally, I feel both proud and grateful to have been part of this extraordinary team since the very first time I was invited, even if I missed a few editions along the way.
I remember that first invitation back in 2002. My first thought was that they must have made a mistake.
The idea of sitting alongside some of the greatest names in international wine journalism, with Steven Spurrier among the Chairmen, kept me awake the night before my debut.
I was afraid of making mistakes. Afraid of giving too low a score to a great wine or rewarding one that simply didn’t deserve it. Although I had been invited to judge, I felt as though I was the one being judged.
Then came the kindness of my fellow judges and the generosity of Chairmen like Steven Spurrier, who always encouraged everyone to express their opinions with confidence and respect. It was a lesson in humility and open-mindedness that has stayed with me ever since.
This year, for the first time, I also served as a Regional Chair, helping reconcile very different viewpoints to reach a shared conclusion whenever opinions diverged.
Today, I can finally enjoy a glass of water and a well-earned break from tasting glasses, colleagues and computer screens. Looking out over the Thames, I find myself travelling down memory lane, reflecting on a professional journey that began almost by chance and has since become one of the defining parts of my life.
Thank you, Decanter.
The Discipline Behind the Glass: How a Medal Is Awarded
Many wine lovers wonder what really happens during the judging sessions.
The DWWA judging process is remarkably precise. Every wine is carefully categorised and tasted blind, organised by region, style, category and price range.
Labels and reputation never enter the equation. The only thing that matters is what is in the glass at that precise moment.
Discussions within each judging panel are intense. To move from Silver to Gold, or ultimately achieve the excellence of a Platinum medal, a wine must demonstrate not only technical precision and balance, but also a genuine sense of place, personality and that elusive ability to move judges from different cultures and wine traditions alike.
The debate is continuous, sometimes exhausting, yet deeply democratic. Every opinion is heard, discussed and weighed with respect until a genuine consensus is reached, one that truly reflects the quality of the wine in the glass.
