The results of the 2023 London Wine Competition are out. This is a competition where wines are judged for end consumers. Wines are rated with three main criteria in mind: quality, value, and packaging. To be a medal winner, wines must show a rating in all the three factors with the most weightage on quality.

From Greek Assyrkito to Croatian Plavic Mali, and Georgian Quervi to better-known classic grape varietals from the Old World, this year’s LWC judges were faced with a huge range of styles and varieties from most of the world’s wine-producing regions to assess and appraise. But despite the enormity of the task, their combined years of expertise and professionalism stood them in good stead and saw them efficiently sort the wheat from the chaff and winnow out the very best in each category. 

Comprising a line-up of some of the most esteemed and highly-regarded professionals in the hospitality sector, the judging panel who are selected not just for their expert noses, but also for having direct current responsibility for wine buying, including La Trompette’s Jonny Tyson Beecher, Federico Antonio Moccia from 67 pall mall and Hakkasan’s head of wines Christopher Delalonde, as well as a clutch of Masters of Wine, amongst them Beans Boughton, Sara Muirhead, Claire Blackler, and Peter Mitchell MW. 

2023 London Wine Competition at St Mary’s Church venue, London.

Assembling in the tranquil environs of St Mary’s Church in London’s Marylebone, this year’s crack team of judges made light work of the task ahead, tasting and spitting their way through the hundreds of wines that had entered. As the competition also assesses the packaging and design of each entrant, a part of the marketing mix that is often overlooked by other competitions, this was another element for the judges to scratch their heads over.

2015 Beresford Limited Release Shiraz by Vok Beverages, Australia takes the top spot for Shiraz with 96 points and a gold medal. 

“The wine shows elegant Shiraz character on the nose. Nice balance and good concentration. Intensity and complexity are present resulting in a great aftertaste. With full maturity & great style.” - were the notes given by professional judges at the London Wine Competition.

There were 1300 wines submitted in this year's competition from more than 32 countries. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay were the top 3 varietals that entered the 2023 competition and Australia, Spain, and Portugal were the top 3 countries to enter wines.

Some of the country’s wine trade buyers, sommeliers, master sommeliers, and masters of wine gathered at the St Mary's Church in London’s Marylebone, sniffing, swirling, and spitting their way through a vast array of wines, as they judging of the London Wine Competition reaches a peak.

Judges of the 2023 London Wine Competition

The top winners at the 2023 London Wine Competition are:

No 1:  2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL,, Moldova.

Best Wine of The Year 2023: 2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

Best Winery of The Year 2023: 2017 Enira Reserva by Bessa Valley Winery Ltd, Bulgaria.

Best Wine of The Year (by Quality) 2023: 1986 Besserat de Bellefon Reserve Collection 1986 by Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843, France.

Best Wine of The Year (by Value) 2023: 2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

Best Wine of The Year (by Package)  2023:  2015 Remarkable Dry Riesling by Remarkable Wines Ltd, New Zealand.

These wines won the Best Wines by the Country award:

2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

2015 Beresford Limited Release Shiraz by Vok Beverages, Australia

1986 Besserat de Bellefon Reserve Collection by Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843, France.

2022 Geometria by Lafazanis S.A, Greece.

2015 Remarkable 2015 Dry Riesling by Remarkable Wines Ltd, New Zealand

2018 Chiave di Saletta by Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl, Italy.

2021 São Sebastião Reserva by Quinta de São Sebastião, Portugal

2018 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon by Jordan Vineyard & Winery, United States.

2021 Dillions by Dillions Vineyard, United Kingdom

2022 Migala Cuvee 25 Alb by Via Viticola, Romania

2020 Rippa Dorii Salomón by Altos de Ontañon, S.L., Spain.

2022 Salome by Wine Company Shumi Ltd, Georgia.

These are the awards for the Best Wines by Varietal:

Traminer: 2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

Shiraz: 2015 Beresford Limited Release Shiraz by Vok Beverages, Australia.

Riesling: 2019 Late Harvest Rhein Riesling by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

Sauvignon Blanc: 2022 Once & Well Frankies Garden Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc by Pinnacle Drinks.

Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Pirramimma 2018 ACJ by Geoff Johnston Wines Pty Ltd, Australia

Pino Noir: 2021 Yealands Single Vineyard Pinot Noir by Yealands Estate Wines, New Zealand.

Chardonnay: 2021 U. Ngumby Vineyard Chardonnay by Soumah Pty Ltd, Australia.

Tempranillo: 2019 Vin'Atus by Direct Wines Production, Australia.

Merlot: 2021 Frind Estate Winery Merlot by Frind Estate Winery, Canada.

View the full list of results here.

About London Wine Competition

The London Wine Competition is an international wine competition organized by Beverage Trade Network. The competition looks to recognize, reward, and help promote wine brands that have successfully been created to tick all the boxes - quality, value, and packaging. The London Wine Competition is designed to applaud and award the wines that drinkers and wine lovers would enjoy choosing from a wine list of a restaurant or simply pick at a retail wine store. The panel of judges at the competition consists of Sommeliers, Wine Directors from some of London’s finest restaurants, big chain buyers, and independent merchants that have extensive commercial buying responsibility. Learn more at www.londonwinecompetition.com.

Contact the London Wine Competition at stuti@beveragetradenetwork.com 

Call us at +44 330 097 0138 | +1 302 803 4758