The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2024 results have been unveiled, showcasing the top wines from a competition that is renowned for its comprehensive and authoritative wine recommendations. This year’s event, judged by 243 leading wine experts including 20 Master Sommeliers and 61 Masters of Wine, evaluated over 18,000 wines from 57 countries. The rigorous blind tasting process ensures that each wine is judged purely on its quality, resulting in a robust selection of award-winning wines across various categories, including 50 Best in Show, 117 Platinum, 643 Gold, 5,977 Silver, and 8,016 Bronze medals. This extensive judging process highlights the global reach and inclusive nature of the competition, offering wine lovers a trustworthy guide to some of the best wines in the world.
France emerged as the standout country, reclaiming its top position with 12 Best in Show and 28 Platinum medals. Burgundy and Champagne were highlighted as the key regions, with Burgundy’s white wines from the 2022 vintage earning particular acclaim. Notable winners from Burgundy include Château De Fuissé’s Le Clos Monopole Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru 2022 and Domaine Berthelemot’s Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022. The region’s success underscores the excellence and consistency of French winemaking traditions. This year, Champagne also performed exceptionally well, securing two Best in Show medals, reflecting the region’s enduring reputation for producing world-class sparkling wines.
Australia maintained its prominent status with eight Best in Show medals, second only to France. This performance underscores Australia’s ability to produce high-quality wines across various styles and regions. Spain followed closely, securing seven spots in the Top 50 and 89 Gold medals overall, showcasing the diversity and quality of its wine regions. Significant achievements include Catalonia’s Cava, which was awarded multiple Gold medals, and Ribera del Duero’s first-ever Best in Show medal for Valduero Blanco Reserva 2016. Spain’s success is a testament to its evolving wine industry, which continues to push boundaries and surprise global audiences with innovative and high-quality wines.
Italy also performed strongly, particularly in the Platinum category, with Piedmont leading the way. The region was awarded 20 medals across the competition’s top categories, including two Best in Show for Barolos from the 2020 vintage, plus four Platinum and 14 Gold medals. This included a first-ever Gold to a Grignolino varietal wine: Vinchio Vaglio, Le Nocche Grignolino 2022. Power performers Veneto and Tuscany are also worth noting, with a total of 17 and 15 medals respectively across top medal groupings. Classic styles such as Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva feature proudly in the competition’s Top 50 selection, showcasing Italy’s rich winemaking heritage.
Emerging regions also made notable impacts this year. Japan’s Suntory From Farm’s Tomi Koshu 2022 earned a Best in Show medal, marking a significant achievement for Japanese wine. This win reflects the growing international recognition of Japan’s unique wine styles, particularly those made from indigenous grape varieties like Koshu. Additionally, countries like Germany and the UK achieved their highest-ever medal counts, with Germany excelling in the Gold category and the UK securing a Best in Show for English sparkling rosé. These results highlight the global diversity and increasing quality of wines from less traditional regions, indicating a broader acceptance and appreciation of wines from around the world.
Overall, the DWWA 2024 results highlight the exceptional quality and variety of wines available globally. The competition not only honors well-established wine-producing countries but also shines a spotlight on emerging regions, providing a comprehensive guide for wine enthusiasts to explore new and exciting wines. The detailed results and awards serve as a testament to the dedication and expertise of winemakers worldwide, offering wine lovers a curated selection of the finest wines to enjoy. This year’s competition has once again underscored the importance of the DWWA in guiding consumers to some of the best wines available on the market today.
For those looking to explore the detailed results, Decanter provides a comprehensive online resource. You can search for all Best in Show medals here, Platinum medals here, Gold medals here, Silver medals here, and Bronze medals here.
The Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 not only celebrate the finest wines but also reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of the global wine industry. This year’s results highlight the continued excellence of traditional wine regions while also bringing attention to the exciting developments in emerging wine-producing areas. As wine lovers explore the award-winning selections, they are sure to find a diverse range of styles and flavors that cater to every palate and occasion. Cheers to another year of outstanding wines and the passionate winemakers behind them!