We are pleased to announce that Marc R. Kauffman, Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, and Certified Cellar Master, has joined the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 as our Regional and Category Ambassador for the Emilia-Romagna wine region and Sangiovese grape category. With his extensive experience and deep connection to the wine industry, Marc will be representing these prestigious regions and wine varieties, sharing his expertise and passion.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is an international wine competition organized by Beverage Trade Network that helps wine producers around the world grow in the on-premise channels of the USA market. The main objective of the competition is to benchmark wines that are great for restaurant wine lists and by-the-glass programs.

Sommeliers Choice Awards was created with a clear vision to create a wine competition that truly reflects the expertise and preferences of sommeliers, and to reward wines that are a great fit for on-premise channels and wine consumption.

The wine competition has grown consistently over the last 6 years and now has become one of the most important wine competitions in the USA for wine brands that are looking to set them apart for on-premise channels.

Why are Sommeliers Choice Awards different? 

Wines are judged in five categories: food pairability, typicity, quality, value, and packaging. Judges consider two overarching questions whilst considering these five categories: “Would we stock this?” and "Will the consumer buy the second glass?" In essence, then, the entire focus of the awards is finding wines that are a great fit for wine lists and by-the-glass programs. 

Sommeliers Choice Awards has created a reputation for bringing on-premise trade buyers wines that are a great fit for wine lists and by-the-glass programs. Sommeliers can see the winning wines and use them to curate their wine lists.

Meet Marc R. Kauffman: A Leader in Wine and Spirits

Marc R. Kauffman is a distinguished figure in the wine world, holding certifications from both the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators. His career is marked by numerous accolades, including being the only American to serve as an international wine judge at La Trophée Internationale in Lyon, France. Marc’s unique blend of performance and wine expertise was also showcased as a finalist on the PBS reality TV series The Winemakers and as a producer on the reality TV series Best Bottle.

With a career spanning over decades, Marc has held key roles in the industry. As Director of Corporate Beverage Operations for a large national restaurant chain and Director of Catering for Hilton Hotels, Marc trained over 5,000 restaurant servers in wine knowledge and service. Today, he works as an independent consultant in the wine and spirits industry, with clients including The Sommelier Company, a large Italian winery, and a French wine and spirits packaging manufacturer.

Marc’s journey into wine began during his college days when he spent a year studying at the University of Bordeaux. Upon returning to the USA, he embarked on a career that included roles as a sommelier and beverage director for over 15 years, as well as management positions in wine and spirits distribution. Notably, Marc was General Manager of Stone Creek Wines, the largest private label wine producer in California, and played a key role in creating the Novatwist closure while working for The Tetra Pak Company.

In addition to his consulting work, Marc is an expert witness in wine-related legal matters and a sought-after speaker at industry events. Based in San Francisco, he travels annually to Italy and Southern France to stay connected with the latest vintages and trends.

The Sommeliers Choice Awards Regional and Category  Ambassador Program

The Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 proudly introduces the Regional and Category Ambassador Program, a prestigious initiative that brings together industry leaders to promote excellence and innovation in the global beverage industry. This program offers participants the opportunity to network, gain global recognition, and explore commission opportunities while championing the regions and wine categories they are passionate about.

As Regional and Category Ambassador, Marc R. Kauffman will represent Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and the Sangiovese category, bringing his deep knowledge and experience to the international wine community. His upcoming webinar, titled "How Sangiovese Wineries Can Grow in the US Drinks Market," promises to offer valuable insights for wineries looking to expand their reach in the competitive US market.

We are thrilled to welcome Marc R. Kauffman to the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 and look forward to the wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm he will bring as a Regional and Category Ambassador. Stay tuned for updates on his initiatives, including his upcoming webinar, as we continue to promote excellence in the world of wine.

About the Emilia-Romagna wine region

Image Source: Associazione Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagn

Enoteca Regionale is located inside the Sforza Castle of Dozza, a little hilly village right on the "border" between Emilia and Romagna. The hallmark of this romantic medieval hamlet, whose historical roots are also linked to wine, are the paintings decorating the walls of houses, made by internationally-known artists during about 40 years of the "Muro Dipinto" (Painted Wall) Biennial Art Festival.

Emilia-Romagna runs across the top of the Italian peninsula, south of the Po River, from the Adriatic Sea almost to the west coast. Its capital and largest city is Bologna. It combines two historical areas: Emilia to the west, and Romagna on the coast to the east. Tourists know Emilia-Romagna as a food mecca, led by the cities of Bologna, Modena, Reggiano, and Parma. In the wine world, Emilia-Romagna is best known for the once wildly popular fizzy red wines made from Lambrusco, which are making a comeback. It has 2 DOCGs, 19 DOCs (see map on this page), and 9 IGPs. In 2022, Emilia-Romagna produced 6.1 million hl (68 million cases) of wine, putting it in its usual position as third among the Italian regions in volume (after Veneto and Puglia)—though it ranks only fifth in vineyard acreage with 53,000 ha (130,900 acres) registered. The region’s primary grape varieties are Trebbiano (30%), Lambrusco (18%), and Sangiovese (16%), and it makes slightly more white wine than red. (Source Italian Wine Central).

Frascari Davide, President of the association

Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna is an association that promotes the wine region and has been in place since 1970 to promote and improve regional wine production. Today the association gathers more than 200 members: wine, balsamic vinegar, and spirits producers, as well as public bodies, protection and promotion consortia, and regional sommelier associations.

Here are some of the Top 3 Sangiovese wines from Italy that did very well at the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards 

 

2019 Vigna Nel Bosco, 94 Points: Aromas of dried rose petals, tart cherry, cranberry, sage, and savory herbs, lead to a palate of deep red cherry, tobacco, and soil, culminating in layers of ripe red fruits with herbal complexity. This was the best Sangiovese wine according to the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

2020 Campanile, 92 Points: A well-balanced wine with vanilla, cherries, blackberries, and smooth tannins, featuring mixed black and red fruits with tar, char, and hints of smoke, perfect for pairing with hearty dishes.

2018 Il Poggiolo Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG, 91 Points: Aromas of blackberry and cherry with cocoa, herbs, and spices, this round and ripe wine has a smooth palate, rich fruit, and herbal complexity, perfect for tomato-based pasta and aged cheeses.

If you are looking for tips on selling wine, here is one solid interview he did with Sommelier Business on wine buying. “I know from experience that the primary factors influencing buying decisions are: Price/value relationship, uniqueness and authenticity, availability and packaging.” - says Marc.

This is a great opportunity for wines from the Emilia-Romagna wine region and other Sangiovese wines to enter into the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards and grow their presence in the on-premise channels of the USA.