Our Sauvignon Blanc named as World’s Best
WORLD’S BEST SOMMELIERS’ SELECTION 2026 ANNOUNCED.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
