Leading sommeliers from across the world honour wines from 16 countries following a rigorous selection process
In a global celebration of wine excellence, the world’s most discerning palates came together to judge the third edition of World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection. Leading sommeliers from 17 countries across six continents gathered to taste, debate and determine the standout wines of the year. The panel were invited from the global network within The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and led by Kristell Monot, President of the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2026, and Head Sommelier at Mugaritz, ranked No.87 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. The sommeliers’ final selection features 115 wines from 16 countries and spans every colour, style and expression, offering a trusted benchmark that showcases everything from timeless icons to exciting new voices shaping the future of wine.
To view the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection, please see here or scroll to the end of this press release.
A spokesperson for the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection comments: “We’re thrilled to bring the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection back for 2026. Featuring more than 100 wines from 16 countries, the final line-up reflects the incredible diversity of the global wine landscape – from revered classics to bold new voices in winemaking. The selection remains a trusted benchmark for on-trade professionals worldwide, and we’re proud to provide this platform where the world’s most talented sommeliers can come together to define the future of wine.”
Italy leads the line-up with 20 noteworthy wines
Italy once again dominated the selection, with red wines at the centre of its success. Thirteen of the 20 Italian entries were red wines, more than any other country, showcasing the nation’s remarkable regional variety from north to south. Nebbiolo emerged as a standout, with four Barolo and Barbaresco examples reinforcing the grape’s international prestige. The selection also featured more contemporary styles including a Grenache from Marche’s Clara Marcelli and a Merlot from Emilia Romagna producer, Tenuta Del Paguro, which is aged on the Adriatic seabed for 12 months. A notable achievement came from Sicilian producer Arianna Occhipinti, whose commitment to organic, terroir-driven winemaking earned three places on the list – an impressive demonstration of Sicily’s rising profile. Completing the Italian entries were four white wines, one rosé and two sparkling wines.
Portugal’s indigenous wines take centre stage
After Italy, Portugal emerged as the country with the second-highest number of wines in the selection, with 18 wines earning a spot across white, red and fortified categories. Four producers were recognised for their white wines, highlighting the strength of Portugal’s indigenous varieties. Quinta dos Carvalhais’ Encruzado was included, reflecting the winery’s ongoing commitment to Dão’s signature white variety. Quinta do Vallado impressed the sommeliers with a wine that demonstrates how the Douro’s traditional grapes – Rabigato, Gouveio, Arinto and Viosinho – can produce structured, expressive whites that compete on the world stage. The eight reds were a mix of varietal bottlings and blends, all hailing from the Douro while the country’s long-standing mastery of fortified wines was reaffirmed, with three ports and two Madeira wines making the selection.
California, Oregon & Texas make a strong showing
The USA secured 17 wines in the selection across three key regions – Texas, California and Oregon. California led with six reds and one white, with its entries ranging from Sonoma’s cool-coast Pinot Noir elegance to Paso Robles’ bold Cabernet-led intensity, illustrating why the region remains a global benchmark for premium red wine. The rapidly evolving wine scene in Texas was on display with six wines making the selection: a combination of sparkling, white and red wines. Organic producer Lingua Franca led the charge for Oregon, showcasing how the cool climate of the Eola-Amity Hills is ideally suited to Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with two of each making the list.
Spain’s diversity on display
Spain’s presence in the selection was anchored by its red wines, with seven entries spanning some of the country’s most prestigious regions, including Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Priorat. Beyond red wines, Spain’s breadth in winemaking was recognised. Two sherries, a Fino and an Amontillado, tapped into renewed on-trade interest in fortified wines, while the inclusion of Pere Ventura’s Gran Vintage Cava reinforces Spain’s role in the global sparkling wine conversation. The two white wines point to a more contemporary direction, ranging from a Chardonnay from Navarre producer Chivite to a Viura-Chardonnay blend from Rioja heavyweight, Bodegas Faustino, highlighting the ongoing evolution of Spain’s most established wine regions.
Malbec dominates but Argentina’s portfolio is growing
Argentina secured 12 wines in the selection, with seven reds dominating the line-up, underlining the country’s global reputation for powerful, expressive Malbec. The red wines originated from across the country, including Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Salta’s Calchaquí Valley and San Juan’s Pedernal Valley. Argentina’s whites made a strong statement too, with four producers featured in the selection. Renowned Uco Valley producer Rutini demonstrated the full range of Argentina’s winemaking strengths, with a Malbec, a Chardonnay and a traditional method sparkling wine all making the selection, underscoring the country’s expertise beyond its famed red wines.
Europe’s diversity shines
France made its mark among the other European entries, leading the field in both sparkling and rosé wines, while three German producers were celebrated for their world-class Riesling. Czech producer Gurdau stood out with three wines: a Riesling, a Grüner Veltliner and a sparkling Sekt, signalling growing recognition of the country’s diverse quality offerings. Georgia’s Shumi Winery and Estate was notable for its two traditional varietals, Saperavi and Kisi, and for contributing the only orange wine in the selection. Greece’s emerging wine scene was also recognised, with one white and one red included.
South America is on the rise
South America’s wines are increasingly commanding global attention, with the 2026 selection featuring 26 wines, up from 23 in 2025. Uruguay emerged as a rising star earning five spots in the selection. Alongside its signature Tannat, sommeliers praised wines made from more unexpected varieties such as Albariño, Riesling and Cabernet Franc, all grown in the Atlantic-influenced regions of Maldonado and Montevideo. Brazil’s presence was represented by a single white entry, Casa Tés Grama Branco, a Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon blend from one of the nation’s oldest coffee regions, Vale da Grama. Chile, meanwhile, dominated the red category with eight entries from four prestigious wineries, led by a standout performance from Vik, which was recently named No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025.
Kristell Monot, President of the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2026 comments: “The World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection tasting panel brings together sommeliers from the world’s leading restaurants, each with a distinct perspective shaped by their own markets and experiences. This diversity is what makes the selection so valuable, because it reflects the tastes and standards of the global dining scene. The experts understand not only what makes a bottle high quality, but also the broader trends shaping the industry, from climate change to emerging regions and producers. Together, the panel set a benchmark for excellence that guides sommeliers, wine professionals and consumers around the world.”
The World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection (WBSS) for 2026 is available to view here, accompanied by the sommeliers’ collective tasting notes and food pairing recommendations. The tasting panel brought together 29 sommeliers and wine directors from some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants. All the sommeliers represented venues featured in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, including Gaggan (No.6), Table by Bruno Verjus (No.8), Don Julio (No.10), Potong (No.13), Plénitude (No.14), and Ikoyi (No.15) from the 2025 list. See the full list of participating sommeliers here.
The selection serves as a global resource for sommeliers seeking interesting wines for their lists, with the assurance that every bottle has been carefully selected by fellow professionals. The website offers advanced search tools, allowing users to discover wines by terroir characteristics (such as altitude or climate), seasonality and food pairings rather than relying on the traditional filter of grape variety. For producers interested in registering wines for the 2027 selection, registrations will open on 25th February 2026 and interested parties can request a link to register via www.worldsbestsommeliersselection.com/register.
More details can be found at www.worldsbestsommeliersselection.com
EDITOR’S NOTES:
World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2026 (listed alphabetically by winery name):
Winery
Wine Country Region
Almaviva Winery
Almaviva 2018 Chile Maipo Valley
Almaviva Winery
Almaviva 2021 Chile Maipo Valley
Aperture Cellars
Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
USA
California
Aperture Cellars
Aperture Sauvignon Blanc 2024
USA
California
Argiano
Solengo IGT Toscana 2021 Italy
Tuscany
Arianna Occhipinti
SM 2023 Italy
Sicily
Arianna Occhipinti
Il Frappato 2023 Italy
Sicily
Arianna Occhipinti Grotte Alte -Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2021 Italy
Sicily
Bodega Bouza
Riesling Viñedo Pan de Azúcar 2024 Uruguay
Maldonado
Bodega Garzón
Single Vineyard Albariño 2024 Uruguay
Maldonado
Bodega Garzón
Single Vineyard Tannat 2023 Uruguay
Maldonado
Bodega Puerta del Abra
Chardo Velo de Flor 2020 Argentina Buenos Aires
Province
Bodegas Espinosa de los Monteros
Amontillado VORS Spain Jerez-Sherry
Bodegas Faustino Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco 2021 Spain
Rioja
Bodegas Montecillo
Viña Monty Graciano Reserva 2019 Spain
Rioja
Bodegas Salentein
Primus Chardonnay 2022 Argentina
Mendoza
Bodegas Salentein
Single Vineyard La Pampa'97 2021 Argentina
Mendoza
Bodegas Ysios
Ysios Finca Lagunazuri 2021 Spain
Rioja
Cantina Rotari
Rotari Flavio 2016 Italy Trentino-Alto
Adige
Casa Ferreirinha
Vinha Grande Red 2022 Portugal
Douro
Casa Ferreirinha
Quinta da Leda Red 2022 Portugal
Douro
Casa Tés
Grama Branco 2024 Brazil
São Paulo
Catena Zapata
Birth of Cabernet 2021 Argentina
Mendoza
Ceretto
Barolo Brunate 2021 Italy
Piedmont
Ceretto
Barbaresco Asili 2014 Italy
Piedmont
Ceretto
Barolo Bricco Rocche 2021 Italy
Piedmont
Champagne Frerejean Frères
VV26 Grand Cru NV France
Champagne
Champagne Gounel Lassalle
Parcellaire Les Agneaux NV France
Champagne
Château d'Esclans
Les Clans 2024 France
Provence
Château d'Esclans
Garrus 2024 France
Provence
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2022 France
Bordeaux
Chivite Colección 125 Gran Vino Blanco 2023 Spain
Navarre
Clara Marcelli
Ruggine 2021 Italy
Marche
Clos Apalta
Prelude 2023 Chile Colchagua Valley
Colomé El Arenal Malbec Single Vineyard 2022 Argentina
Salta
Daou Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
USA
California
Daou Vineyards
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
USA
California
Daou Vineyards
Estate Soul of a Lion 2021
USA
California
Feudo Arancio
Feudo Arancio Hedonis 2022 Italy
Sicily
Freeman Vineyard & Winery
Yu-ki Estate Pinot Noir 2022
USA
California
Gonzalez Byass
Tio Pepe en Rama 2025 Spain Sherry-Jerez
Gurdau
Sekt 36m 2021 Czech
Republic
Moravia
Gurdau
Riesling Stará Hora 2022 Czech
Republic
Moravia
Gurdau
Veltliner Vinohrádky 2023 Czech
Republic
Moravia
Justino's
Verdelho Frasqueira 1997 Portugal
Madeira
Justino's
Malvasia 50 Years Old Portugal
Madeira
Karthäuserhof
Karthäuserhofberg GG 2023 Germany
Mosel
Ktima Gerovassiliou
Malagousia 2024 Greece
Macedonia
Ktima Gerovassiliou
Avaton 2022 Greece
Macedonia
La Scolca
Gavi di Gavi Limited Edition 2021 Italy
Piedmont
Lingua Franca
Sisters Chardonnay 2023
USA
Oregon
Lingua Franca
Estate Chardonnay 2023
USA
Oregon
Lingua Franca
The Plow Pinot Noir 2023
USA
Oregon
Lingua Franca
Estate Pinot Noir 2023
USA
Oregon
Luca Leggero Villareggia Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG Rend Nen 2022 Italy
Piedmont
Madame Veuve Point
Rully Blanc 2023 France
Burgundy
Marchesi di Barolo
Barolo Riserva 2016 Italy
Piedmont
Mas de Daumas Gassac
Grand Vin 2016 France Languedoc
Roussillon
Merum Priorati
Desti 2022 Spain
Catalonia
Mezzacorona
Musivum Teroldego Rotaliano 2019 Italy Trentino-Alto
Adige
Mission Hill Family Estate
Oculus 2020 Canada British Columbia
Mission Hill Family Estate Terroir Collection Cabernet Franc 2022 Canada British Columbia
Nino Franco Spumanti
Grave di Stecca Brut 2018 Italy
Veneto
Pago de Carraovejas
Pago de Carraovejas 2023 Spain Castilla Y Leon
Pago de Carraovejas
El Anejon 2021 Spain Castilla Y Leon
Pago de Carraovejas
Cuesta de las Liebres 2021 Spain Castilla Y Leon
Peralada Perelada Garrigal Vinyes Velles 2023 Spain
Catalonia
Pere Ventura
Gran Vintage 2016 Spain
Cava
Perissos Vineyard and Winery
Picpoul Blanc 2023
USA
Texas
Perissos Vineyard and Winery
Aglianico 2022
USA
Texas
Pyros Wines
Vineyard Block N° 4 Malbec 2022 Argentina
San Juan
Quinta da Côrte
TNX Douro 2021 Portugal
Douro
Quinta das Carvalhas
Vinhas Velhas 2021 Portugal
Douro
Quinta de Azevedo
Loureiro Escolha White 2024 Portugal
Minho VR
Quinta de Soalheiro
Granit 2024 Portugal Vinho Verde
Quinta de Soalheiro
Reserva 2023 Portugal Vinho Verde
Quinta do Crasto
Tinta Roriz 2017 Portugal
Douro
Quinta do Crasto
Tawny 30 Years Old Portugal
Porto
Quinta do Vallado
Vallado Reserva Branco 2024 Portugal
Douro
Quinta do Vallado
Vallado Field Blend Reserve 2022 Portugal
Douro
Quinta do Vallado
Vinha da Coroa 2022 Portugal
Douro
Quinta do Vallado
Vinha da Granja 2022 Portugal
Douro
Quinta dos Carvalhais
Encruzado White 2023 Portugal
Dão
Riccitelli Wine Old Vines from Patagonia Semillon 2024 Argentina
Patagonia
Robert Mondavi Winery
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
USA
California
Rose Family Estate
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2025 New Zealand Marlborough
Ruffino
Romitorio di Santedame 2022 Italy
Tuscany
Ruffino
Alauda 2021 Italy
Tuscany
Rutini
Apartado Nature 2017 Argentina
Mendoza
Rutini Single Vineyard Gualtallary Chardonnay 2023 Argentina
Mendoza
Rutini Single Vineyard Altamira Malbec 2021 Argentina
Mendoza
Sacromonte
Quiebre 2023 Uruguay
Maldonado
Sacromonte
Deux Revês, Uné Destinée 2023 Uruguay
Montevideo
Sandeman
Vintage Port Quinta do Seixo 2022 Portugal
Douro
Sandeman
Tawny Port 20 Years Old Portugal
Douro
Schloss Johannisberg
Orangelack Kabinett 2024 Germany
Rheingau
Shumi Winery and Estate
Kisi Qvevri Iberiuli 2022 Georgia
Kakheti
Shumi Winery and Estate
Salome 2022 Georgia
Kakheti
Tenuta Del Paguro
Ostrea in fundo 2023 Italy Emilia Romagna
Tenuta Del Paguro
Homarus 2021 Italy Emilia Romagna
Tokara Wine & Olive Estate Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet
Sauvignon 2022 South Africa Stellenbosch
Trapiche Winery
Trapiche Iscay 2022 Argentina
Mendoza
Uplift Vineyard
Viognier 2024
USA
Texas
Uplift Vineyard
Aglianico 2023
USA
Texas
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 France
Champagne
Viabizzunoagricola
donnacricri 2023 Italy
Sicily
Vik
La Piu Belle 2022 Chile Cachapoal Valley
Vik
Milla Cala 2022 Chile Cachapoal Valley
Vik
STONEVIK 2024 Chile Cachapoal Valley
Vik
VIK 2022 Chile Cachapoal Valley
Viña Don Melchor
Don Melchor 2021 Chile Maipo Valley
Weingut Korrell
Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling 2021 Germany
Nahe
William Chris Vineyards
Boxing Rabbit Cuvee 2023
USA
Texas
William Chris Vineyards
Hunter 2023
USA
Texas
Zuccardi Valle de Uco
Concreto Malbec 2023 Argentina
Mendoza
***
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About World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection
World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection celebrates outstanding wines as chosen by some of the world’s most respected sommeliers. During the tasting, the sommelier panel evaluated each wine with access to detailed backstories and producer videos. The sommeliers provided tasting notes and food pairings for each wine, before discussing the wine collectively and reaching a consensus on its inclusion in the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection 2026. The selection is brought to you by William Reed, the company behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Vineyards.
Throughout the World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection tasting, all wines were served in Gabriel Glas stems.
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