The results of the 2023 London Wine Competition are out. This is a competition where wines are judged for end consumers. Wines are rated with three main criteria in mind: quality, value, and packaging. To be a medal winner, wines must show a rating in all three factors with the most weightage on quality.

2023 London Wine Competition Judges

There were 1300 wines submitted in this year's competition from more than 32 countries. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay were the top 3 varietals that entered the 2023 competition and Australia, Spain, and Portugal were the top 3 countries to enter wines.

2017 Enira Reserva by Bessa Valley Winery Ltd, Bulgaria was the top-scored wine among all the wines by Bessa Valley Winery.

Bessa Valley Winery got the highest average among all their wines among all the wineries that submitted in the 2023 London Wine Competition. All of their wines scored 90 points and above making it winery of the year.

Bessa Valley is located on 250 ha, of which 140 have already been planted. The main cellar forms an arc dug into the hill. The Rotunda is next to it, a place where the fermentation is carried out. A Pergola connects the cellar with the administrative building. The walls of the buildings are faced in limestone, in which different sea inhabitants have left their traces.

The terroir of Bessa Valley The soil is the source of all great wine. This concept, paramount, is defined as the complex interaction between soils and climates. This same concept has naturally led us to Bessa Valley. Located about 150 km southeast of Sofia, near Plovdiv, the terroir of Bessa Valley is based on clay and limestone soils. This valley, bordered on the south by the Rhodope Mountains, and north by the hills of about 230 m above sea level, offers an ideal location. The winds are rushing to offset the excess temperatures, hot or cold, continental climate-related. It also benefits from the influence of the Maritsa River, which flows some kilometers away. 

The wines from these great clay-limestone soils provide power and structure, but also acidity and minerality. By soil type, some particular attention was paid to the selection of rootstocks, very qualitative and productive. Merlot is the majority (53%), as based on the terroirs. Other varieties (Syrah 25% Petit Verdot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon 10%) occupy the upper parts of the hills.

Some of the country’s wine trade buyers, sommeliers, master sommeliers, and masters of wine gathered at the St Mary's Church in London’s Marylebone, sniffing, swirling, and spitting their way through a vast array of wines, as they judging of the London Wine Competition reaches a peak.

The top winners at the 2023 London Wine Competition are:

1) Best Wine of The Year 2023: 2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

2) Best Winery of The Year 2023: 2017 Enira Reserva by Bessa Valley Winery Ltd, Bulgaria.

3) Best Wine of The Year (by Quality) 2023: 1986 Besserat de Bellefon Reserve Collection 1986 by Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843, France.

4) Best Wine of The Year (by Value) 2023: 2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

5) Best Wine of The Year (by Package)  2023: 2015 Remarkable Dry Riesling by Remarkable Wines Ltd, New Zealand.

These wines won the Best Wines by the Country award:

2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

2015 Beresford Limited Release Shiraz by Vok Beverages, Australia

1986 Besserat de Bellefon Reserve Collection by Champagne Besserat de Bellefon depuis 1843, France.

2022 Geometria by Lafazanis S.A, Greece.

2015 Remarkable 2015 Dry Riesling by Remarkable Wines Ltd, New Zealand

2018 Chiave di Saletta by Fattoria Villa Saletta Società Agricola srl, Italy.

2021 São Sebastião Reserva by Quinta de São Sebastião, Portugal

2018 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon by Jordan Vineyard & Winery, United States.

2021 Dillions by Dillions Vineyard, United Kingdom

2022 Migala Cuvee 25 Alb by Via Viticola, Romania

2020 Rippa Dorii Salomón by Altos de Ontañon, S.L., Spain.

2022 Salome by Wine Company Shumi Ltd, Georgia.

These are the awards for the Best Wines by Varietal:

Traminer: 2019 Late Harvest Traminer by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

Shiraz: 2015 Beresford Limited Release Shiraz by Vok Beverages, Australia.

Riesling: 2019 Late Harvest Rhein Riesling by Fautor SRL, Moldova.

Sauvignon Blanc: 2022 Once & Well Frankies Garden Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc by Pinnacle Drinks.

Cabernet Sauvignon: 2018 Pirramimma 2018 ACJ by Geoff Johnston Wines Pty Ltd, Australia

Pino Noir: 2021 Yealands Single Vineyard Pinot Noir by Yealands Estate Wines, New Zealand.

Chardonnay: 2021 U. Ngumby Vineyard Chardonnay by Soumah Pty Ltd, Australia.

Tempranillo: 2019 Vin'Atus by Direct Wines Production, Australia.

Merlot: 2021 Frind Estate Winery Merlot by Frind Estate Winery, Canada.

View the full list of results here.

About London Wine Competition

The London Wine Competition is an international wine competition organized by Beverage Trade Network. The competition looks to recognize, reward, and help promote wine brands that have successfully been created to tick all the boxes - quality, value, and packaging. The London Wine Competition is designed to applaud and award the wines that drinkers and wine lovers would enjoy choosing from a wine list of a restaurant or simply pick at a retail wine store. The panel of judges at the competition consists of Sommeliers, Wine Directors from some of London’s finest restaurants, big chain buyers, and independent merchants that have extensive commercial buying responsibility. Learn more at www.londonwinecompetition.com.

Contact the London Wine Competition at stuti@beveragetradenetwork.com 

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