Winners announced in London Wine and Spirits Competitions 2026

The London Competitions for wines, beers and spirits continue to stand out against other international drinks awards for judging all entries on their taste and their quality, but also their value for money, price point and what they look like on shelf in terms of design and packaging.

The competitions drew entries from over 30 countries. The London Spirits Competition saw strong representation from the UK, Australia, India, Italy, US, Mexico and the Netherlands with gin, whisky, liqueur, rum and vodka as the most entered categories, followed by tequilas, RTDs and other no and low beverages.

The London Wine Competition saw strong entries from Australia, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal among others with the most wines entered for Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc as, followed by Tempranillo, Merlot and Grenache.

London Spirits Competition Judges

The line up of judges for the London Spirits Competition 2026

The London Spirits Competition saw over 70 industry experts come together to go through each product in turn. They included such names as Stephanie Macleod, master blender and director of blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi, Andrew de Lavis-Trafford, director of buying spirits, beers, soft drinks and Champagne at Enotria, Nick Larsson-Bell, senior spirits at Harvey Nichols, Enrico Chiappini senior bartender at Dukes Hotel, Georgios Chaziris, head Bartender at Soho House, Laura Willoughby, founder of Club Soda and Craig Wallace, whisky creation leader and master blender at Diageo.

Other buyers included:

• Claudia Carrozzi, head of beverage at Cunard.
• Cristiana Pirinu, asssistant director of mixology at The Donovan Bar.
• Nuno Simões, luxury bar & beverage manager at The Royal Bell.
• Francesco Colucci, head bartender at Ginger Lily Pan Pacific London.
• Nelson Reis, retail duty manager at Speciality Drinks Group.
• Billy Leighton, master blender Emeritus at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard.
• Dennis Sadovyak, bar manager at The Wolseley Hospitality Group.
• Barbara SC, pirits advisor at The Whisky Exchange.
• David Wood, founder at Liana Collection.

“I spent a couple of days at LSC, judging some fantastic spirits from across the world. It is a wonderful judging event that takes into account not just the liquid, but also the packaging and retail price. A great one for us buyers,” says Nick Larson-Bell at Harvey Nichols.

View the full list of judges here

London Wine Competition judges

The London Wine Competition included the following judges:

• Tim Triptree MW, international director, wine at Christie’s.
• Svetoslav Manolev MS, regional sales manager at Berkmann Wine Cellars.
• Matteo Montone MS, group wine director at Gleneagles Hotel.
• Christopher Delalonde MS.
• Eric Zwiebel MS, director of wine at Bonheur by Matt Abe.
• Emily Brighton MW head of technical at North South Wines.
• David Gill MW.
• Sara Muirhead MW.
• Annette Scarfe MW.
• Demetri Walters MW.
• Adriana Valentini, wine director Monteverdi Tuscany.
• Federico Moccia, head of wine & operations 67 Pall Mall.
• Michele Orbolato, head of wine at Thesleff Group.
• Anastasios Karakasis, head of wine & wine buyer at Lilibet's Mayfair.
• Paul Grimwood, buyer and founder of Ultracomida-Spanish Wines.
• Matteo Furlan, head of wines at The Dorchester.

Sam Cooklin-Smith, co-founder of Kore Drinks says: “The attention to detail was excellent. The quality levels and diversity of styles was great to see. Judging is definitely a challenge but constructive feedback is absolutely crucial. It’s not just flavour profile, aesthetics and commercials are just as important. You need all three."

View the full list of London Wine Competition judges here.

London Wine Competition Highlights

• Wine of the Year: 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
• Best Wine by Quality: 2023 Grand Duc Chardonnay by GlenWood Vineyards Pty Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
• Best Wine by Value: 2023 Eikendal Charisma by Eikendal Vineyards (Pty) Ltd. – South Africa, Double Gold – 96 Points
• Best Wine by Package: 2025 Little Owl by Artisan Group of Brands – Greece, Double Gold – 97 Points
• Winery of the Year: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa (For their 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, Double Gold – 99 Points)
• Red Wine Producer of the Year: 2021 Adega de Pegões Grand Reserve by Cooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões C.R.L. – Portugal, Double Gold – 98 Points
• White Wine Producer of the Year: Silverhand Estate – United Kingdom (For their 2018 Blanc De Blancs, Double Gold - 96 Points)
• Non Alcoholic Wine Producer Of The Year, Vinolo Ltd – Spain (For their 2024 Zeno alcohol-liberated Viura, Double Gold – 96 Points)
• Winery Of The Year France: Maison Delas Frères – France (For their 2023 Delas - Seigneur De Maugiron, Double Gold – 96 Points)
• Winery Of The Year Italy: Poggio degli Ulivi – Italy (For their 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio degli ulivi, Gold – 95 Points)
• Winery Of The Year South Africa: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa (For their 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, Double Gold – 99 Points)
• Winery Of The Year Portugal: Cooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões C.R.L. – Portugal (For their 2021 Adega de Pegões Grand Reserve, Double Gold – 98 Points)
• Winery Of The Year Austria: Weingut Christoph Edelbauer – Austria (For their 2021 Riesling Ried Steinhaus Kamptal DAC, Double Gold – 97 Points)
• Pinot Noir Of The Year: 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
• Merlot Of The Year: 2022 Steenberg Vineyards Merlot by Steenberg Vineyards – South Africa, Gold – 95 Points
• Sauvignon Blanc Of The Year: 2024 Divin Vigneron Sauvignon Blanc 0.5% by Lestonat Divin, Double Gold – 97 Points
• Chardonnay Of The Year: 2023 Grand Duc Chardonnay by GlenWood Vineyards Pty Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points
• Rkatsiteli Of The Year: 2024 Tsinandali Iberiuli by Shumi Winery – Georgia, Gold – 92 Points
• Riesling Of The Year: 2021 Riesling Ried Steinhaus Kamptal DAC by Weingut Christoph Edelbauer – Austria, Double Gold – 97 Points
• Sangiovese Of The Year: 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio degli ulivi by Poggio degli Ulivi, Gold – 95 Points

View the full list of London Wine Competition winners here:

https://londonwinecompetition.com/en/competition-global-results/2026/

London Spirts Competition Highlights

Spirit of the Year: No.3 Gin – Holland, Double Gold - 98 Points.

Best Spirit by Quality: Bareksten Navy Strength Gin – Norway, Double Gold - 97 Points.

Best Spirit by Package: CandeGIN Gentle – Italy, Gold - 94 Points.

Best Spirit by Value: Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka – Poland, Double Gold - 98 Points.

Gin of the Year: Clarity Navy Gin – New Zealand, Double Gold - 98 Points.

Vodka of the Year: Żubrówka Vanilla Flavoured Vodka – Poland, Double Gold - 98 Points.

Rum of the Year: Kakira Dark Rum – Uganda, Double Gold - 96 Points.

Liqueur of the Year: Martin Albus Liker OD Višnje – Croatia, Double Gold - 97 Points.

Tequila of the Year: Herradura Reposado – Mexico, Double Gold - 96 Points.

Cognac of the Year: Courvoisier VS – France, Gold - 95 Points.

View the full list of winners for 2025:

https://londonspiritscompetition.com/en/competition-global-results/2026/

Sid Patel - founder of the London Wine and London Spirits Competitions

Sid Patel, founder of the London Competitions, says of the 2026 awards: “What makes this competition unique is that all products are judged by the highest level of trade professionals—bartenders, bar managers, and buyers—who understand what sells and what delights customers. Our winners represent the very best of the global spirits industry.”

He adds: ”Winning a London Competition medal means your product performs across taste, value, and shelf appeal, making it a strong contender in both domestic and international markets. Our goal with the London Wine, Spirits and Beer Competitionsis simple - to identify drinks that consumers will buy and that trade buyers will want to list. It’s not just about great taste, it’s about real commercial success.

"The judging panel is made up of active buyers and industry professionals, so when you win here, it sends a strong signal to the market that your product is ready for distribution and growth.

“We designed this competition to reflect how decisions are actually made in the real world—where quality matters most, but value and packaging play a critical role in getting that product off the shelf.

"London is one of the most dynamic drinks markets globally, and winning here gives brands a powerful platform to build credibility and open doors with importers, distributors, and hospitality buyers."

* The London Competitions are organised by Beverage Trade Network, a global platform connecting the beverage industry through events, competitions, and media. With a strong footprint across the USA, UK, and international markets, Beverage Trade Network brings deep industry expertise and a buyer-focused approach to all its competitions. Its mission is to help brands grow their distribution by giving them direct exposure to key trade buyers, importers, distributors, and hospitality professionals.