Drinks International, a U.K. publication for drinks buyers in its sixth decade, has recently announced its 13th edition of the most admired wine brands. Topping the list is Marchesi Antinori, the first Italian winery to hold the highest spot. No stranger to accolades, Antinori nel Chianti Classico recently earned first place in the World’s Best Vineyards 2022, for its offering as a wine tourism destination. There are interesting dots to connect with some of the most admired brands and other wine industry recognition points.
“The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands is an elite club to be part of and without doubt an authority regarding the industry’s most revered brands,” said Drinks International editor Shay Waterworth in a press release. It is no doubt that most wine consumers will recognize at least several wineries on the list if not most of them. It is filled with icons.
The Top Five Most Admired Wine Brands
The top five are rounded out by Argentina’s Catena Zapata, Australia’s Penfolds, Spain’s Familia Torres, and France’s Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Ridge Vineyards earned the most admired in the U.S. slot and KWV is the most admired in Africa and the Middle East. “Honored to be named the most admired wine brand in North America and #10 in the world!” wrote Ryan Moore, senior vice president at single-vineyard standout Ridge Vineyards in a social media post. “The annual list is voted on by the Drinks International Academy of leading sommeliers, wholesalers, Masters of Wine, writers, and educators from six continents around the world.”
Marchesi Antinori is a member of Primum Familiae Vini, an invitation-only group of some of the most noted family-owned wine producers. Admired list wineries Sassicaia, Vega Sicilia, Familia Torres, Château Haut Brion, and Symington Family Estates are also part of Primum Familiae Vini.
Consistent Wine Industry Achievements
The organizers said that Europe is the “mecca of admired wine brands for 2023 with 32 places on the list.” France secured more than a quarter of the 50-winery tally with familiar names like M Chapoutier, Château Haut-Brion, Gérard Bertrand, Château Pétrus, E Guigal, Château Cheval Blanc in the top 20. The “Highest Climber” goes to Chateau D’Yquem in Bordeaux. Organic and biodynamic Maison M Chapoutier also made an announcement on social media about its award: “We are very pleased to be the 9th most admired wine brand in the world in the prestigious ranking The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands 2023 published by the British magazine Drinks International.”
Spain earned eight spots with Vega Sicilia and La Rioja Alta in the top 20, while Italy earned seven, represented by Gaja, Tignanello (also owned by Antinori), and Planeta in the upper half of the list.
Other interesting points included one of Chile’s largest wine producers, Montes Wines, which held steady at 32 — it was also nominated in another influential competition, Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards for New World Winery of the Year 2023. Another cross-over honoree is Bodegas Faustino in the 39th spot, which was nominated for Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards for European Winery of the Year 2023. Barefoot, which states on its website that it is the “most awarded wine brand in the world” is the only other U.S. winery on the list, claiming the 36th spot.
For the full rundown, visit Drinks International. An awards presentation can be found here.