Celebrating the World’s Best Sommeliers' Selection for 2026: A Global Perspective

World's Best Sommeliers' Selection 2026 Announced

In an exciting global event, the World's Best Sommeliers' Selection for 2026 has been unveiled, spotlighting the incredible craftsmanship and diversity in wines sourced from different corners of the world. This year marked the third edition of the competition, which saw a distinguished panel of sommeliers from 17 countries across six continents come together to judge an impressive array of wines.

The selection process, led by the esteemed Kristell Monot, President of the World's Best Sommeliers' Selection and Head Sommelier at Mugaritz, involved tasting over a hundred wines, reflecting various styles and regions. A total of 115 wines from 16 different countries were selected and celebrated, showing the incredible range and excellence around the globe.

Dominating Countries in Wine Selection

Italy topped the list, showcasing its rich winemaking heritage with 20 selections, including 13 reds. Notably, the Nebbiolo grape shone brightly, featuring four exemplary Barolo and Barbaresco wines that captured the essence of this renowned region. Moreover, contemporary styles like Clara Marcelli’s Grenache and Tenuta Del Paguro’s seabed-aged Merlot demonstrated Italy's ability to innovate while honoring tradition.

Following Italy, Portugal marked a strong presence with 18 wines across white, red, and fortified categories. The strengths of Portugal's indigenous varieties could be tasted in their five white selections, while the Douro valley's red wines made a remarkable impression. Furthermore, Portugal’s mastery of fortified wines was reinforced with three ports and two Madeira wines.

The USA also made a notable impact with 17 inclusions, predominantly from California. Six reds and one white from Sonoma's Pinot Noir to Paso Robles' Cabernet Sauvignon reflected the diversity within Californian winemaking. Texas contributed six wines to the mix, and Oregon's Lingua Franca earned recognition for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, proving that American wines continue to thrive and evolve.

Spain, another heavyweight in the wine industry, delivered seven reds from various esteemed regions such as Ribera del Duero and Rioja. The renewed interest in fortified wines was highlighted with two sherry samples, while Pere Ventura's Cava celebrated Spain's sparkling wine prowess.

Beyond these countries, Argentina made its presence felt with 12 wines, predominantly red, showcasing its signatures like Malbec, alongside a growing array of white wines from the Uco Valley. Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile were also recognized, with some remarkable wines contributing to the global selection.