If you have ever stood in front of a wine shelf feeling overwhelmed by choice - or worse, underwhelmed by results - then the Association of Wine Educators (AWE) might just have the solution the next time you shop.Step into the light, The 100 AWEsome wines list co-ordinated by Heather Dougherty alongside the recommendations of some of the world’s best wine educators.
The 100 AWEsome Wines list isn’t just another roundup. Compiled annually by the knowledgeable and fiercely independent members of the AWE, it’s a carefully curated selection of wines that offer both quality and value. Now in its 11th year, the list represents a growing body of expert recommendations from professionals who live and breathe wine education.
What Makes These 100 Wines So “AWEsome”?
The 100 AWEsome Wines are personallly selected by members of the Association of Wine Educators
At its core, the 100AWEsome Wines initiative is a democratic affair. Each AWE member - drawn from a pool of around 100 educators (WSET Diploma level and above) - nominates up to three wines they have genuinely enjoyed over the past year. These aren’t just wines discovered during their daily work or presented at industry tastings. Often, they are bottles we reach for ourselves, time and again.
“For the AWE, it's a great way to get our name out there with wine-loving consumers. For wine shoppers, it's a great tool to help decide which wine to buy - whether it's a great value example of a classic style, or something new to try. After all finding reliably good value wine - whatever the price- is becoming a more complex task,” says Dougherty.
Every wine must be available to buy retail and priced under £35 - a nod to accessibility and value for money. Whether it’s a textbook classic or a lesser-known gem, the goal is the same: to help consumers discover wines worth drinking.
Easy to use
The 100AWEsome Wines list is a chance for wine educators to share the wines they think offer the best value and quality for consumers
What elevates this list from a personal passion project to a practical tool is its format. Available online and updated annually, the 100 AWEsome Wines list is structured by colour, price, country, grape variety, and retailer. It’s designed with consumers in mind and is easy to navigate.
“This year we have also included orange wines, and no and low drinks, so many of us are looking for these and the choice is getting wider all the time,” adds Dougherty.
It’s a welcome nod to the evolving tastes of modern drinkers and the growing quality of these categories.
Why it matters
The AWE’s list is proudly independent. No wine pays to be included, and there are no marketing agendas here, just authentic, informed opinions from some of the UK’s most experienced wine educators. This is a list compiled by some of the world’s most skilled knowledge base whether at WSET diploma or Master of Wine levels.
One of the most common remarks that educators hear from wine drinkers is they stick to the same familiar bottles - or simply grab whatever’s on offer. The 100AWEsome Wines list is about encouraging exploration, with the comfort of knowing that each recommendation comes from someone with deep expertise.
The Association of Wine Educators organise networking events and trips to key wine regions around the world
Whether it’s a textbook Albariño, a surprise Syrah from Uruguay, or an affordable orange wine that over delivers, the list is designed to help people fall in love with wine all over again.
Looking ahead
This year, for the first time, recommendations have come from AWE members based outside the UK which is an exciting development that hints at a more global reach for future editions.
There is now an ambition to evolve the guide further, keeping pace with what’s new and exciting in the wine trade, without ever losing sight of what matters most: helping people find great wine they’ll enjoy.
* You can explore the full 100 AWEsome Wines list here: 100wines.wineeducators.com
* Find out more about AWE, including how to become a member at its website here. The AWE is a group of educators whose ethos is to inform, educate and inspire the general public on the subject of wines through the collective of a recognised professional group.
