The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in the wine industry. In 2024, the competition expanded its prestigious Co-Chair team to include renowned wine buyer and consultant Beth Willard. The year also marked the introduction of a comprehensive Judging Guidelines document, providing clarity on the judging process for all involved. Moreover, the DWWA refined its price categories to better reflect the market.
The Scale of DWWA 2024
The 2024 DWWA judged more than 18,000 wines from 57 different countries, showcasing the global reach of this competition. A new record was set with 243 judges from 33 nations, including 62 Masters of Wine and 20 Master Sommeliers, gathering in London’s Docklands.
The Rigorous Judging Process
The judging process at DWWA is intensive and meticulous. Unlike merely upholding established hierarchies, the goal is to discover emerging wine producers, new regions, and unique grape varieties. This unbiased approach ensures that the awards recognize true merit and potential.
The highest awards are incredibly selective, with only 0.28% of entries making it to the Best in Show selection of 50 wines. Platinum awards were given to 117 wines, accounting for just 0.64% of entries, and 643 Gold medals were awarded, representing 3.54% of the entries. Each Gold and Platinum winner is tasted and scrutinized multiple times—three times for Gold and Platinum, and four times for Best in Show entries.
Unexpected Discoveries and New Horizons
The 2024 DWWA unveiled several unexpected gems. Among the Best in Show selection were a Greek Retsina, a Bellone white wine from Lazio, a Japanese Koshu, and a Swiss Petite Arvine. Notably, the first Ribera del Duero wine to enter the Top 50 was a 12.5% abv white from the Albillo Mayor variety. This year also celebrated producer discoveries like Domaine de Colonat’s Thomas and Julie Collonge, who earned spots with two different Beaujolais cru wines.
Celebrating Consistency and Excellence
Consistent excellence was also acknowledged. Château d’Esclans, for instance, repeated their success from the previous year by securing a spot in the Top 50 for their rosé wine. Additionally, nearly 800 rosé wines were evaluated during the judging week, and their outstanding entry was a testament to their consistent quality.
Expanding the Palate
For those eager to broaden their wine horizons, the DWWA offers ample opportunities. This year saw Turkey’s Öküzgözü variety win one Platinum and five Gold medals. Pennsylvania's Chambourcin earned Gold with its distinct rose-petal fragrance and flavorful watermelon and strawberry notes. Tasmania achieved its best performance to date with two Best in Shows and three Platinum awards. Also featured were wines like the Turkish Öküzgözü and the off-dry rosé Busuioacă de Buhotin from Romania’s Cotnari region, showing the diverse offerings winning top honors.
Another highlight is the Top Value Golds selection, which doubled from 10 wines in 2023 to 20 in 2024, introducing the consumers to varieties like Fiano, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Kékfrankos blends.
Join the Global Wine Journey
The DWWA 2024 results shine a light on the incredible diversity and quality in the world of wine. For those interested in discovering these award-winning wines and more, register at Quincy and explore a world of top-tier wine storage and provenance solutions.
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