London boasts of fine wine culture, inherited from the diverse wine-producing nations of France, Italy, Chile, Australia, Spain, and other famous regions of the world. Seeping in the English capital through fine dining restaurants, wine bars, supermarkets, and other outlets, highly acclaimed wines from the London Wine Competition are carefully selected and approved by sommeliers and Masters of Wine.

If you love wine, the London Wine Competition will invite you with its effervescent lineup of renowned wine varietals, exuding a bouquet of scintillating aromas and flavourful profiles. Take your pick from whites, sparkling, red, fortified, and many more, as the competition introduces you to the wine you have been searching for, whether to pair with a particular dish or go as a splendid sip by itself. 

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Taking place in March, the fifth edition of the London Wine Competition will see wine brands enter from all over the globe in a bid to steal the spotlight and claim the title of the best from the rest. 

The London Wine Competition winners’ list is the ideal list to gravitate towards when you’re looking to explore the world of wine. These are the best wines out there, and we’re not the only ones that think so. The judging panel at the London Wine Competition is curated with some of the UK’s best wine experts, Sommeliers, Master Sommeliers, and wine buyers. These experts have been in the industry for decades, and when it comes to picking a stellar wine, they know what’s up.

Top award-winning wines at the 2021 London Wine Competition

The 2021 London Wine Competition saw Australian wines take the cake, with the Levrier by Jo Irvine 2015 Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon triumphing over all other wines from across the globe. The Levrier Anubis Cabernet Sauvignon won Wine of the Year, Best in Show by Country, Best in Show by Varietal, and Best Wine by Quality. Australia’s Mr. Riggs The Chap Syrah also took home a gold medal and the title Best Wine by Varietal. Meanwhile, the USA’s Silverado Vineyards Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, with 95 points on its back, was awarded Wine of the Year by Country, and Wine of the Year by Packaging. 

View the list of 2021 winners here

Judging criteria

To differentiate one wine from the other, contesting wines are judged on the basis of quality, value, and packaging. Each segment has a total of 100 points with quality taking twice the weightage, leading to a total accumulated average. 

Quality is judged on the parameters of balance, acidity, and tannins, whereas value is determined by the price of the product in relation to its quality. Not to forget, the packaging and design of the bottle are also taken into account to determine its attractiveness amongst the consumers. 

Judging process

It all begins with the blind tasting procedure wherein the judges assess numerous factors such as drinkability, style, and variety apart from the three basic segments mentioned above. 

Firstly, they rate the wine based on its quality, region, and varietal before evaluating its valuation with the price. Final marks are being awarded after a thorough discussion between the panel before rating the design and package of the bottle that is only revealed after quality and value scores are being jotted down. 

On the re-judging day, gold medal-winning wines are re-tasted by the judges to ensure the integrity of the scoring quality remains dignified. 

Some of the judges at the 2022 London Wine Competition

Judges

Keeping in mind the integrity and credibility of the esteemed competition, only the most sought-after wine experts, sommeliers, Master Sommeliers, wine buyers, and Masters of Wine are chosen as a part of the judging panel, considering their expertise in the UK's wine market.

Some popular personalities include the likes of Christopher Delalonde (Master Sommelier and Head of Wines at The Dorchester Hotel), Michele Fazari (Head Sommelier at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts), Simon Field (Master of Wine), Roberta Neave (Category Buyer - Wine at Star Pubs & Bas), and many more. 

Awards and accolades

Based on the results, entrants are awarded gold (90 points or above), silver (76-89 points), bronze (65-75 points), and special category awards for recognition. Wine of the Year, Red Wine of the Year, Wine of the Year by Country, and Wine of the Year by Varietal are some special category awards that come with tailor-made medals of their own so that retailers and on-premise buyers can easily identify what they are precisely looking for. 

If you’re a wine aficionado looking for your next bottle, then the London Wine Competition is exactly where you need to look. This year’s winners will be announced in April 2022.

Wine brands, if you want to get in front of the créme de la créme of the wine industry, then enter your wines now.