Chicago. (June 20, 2024) Sommeliers Choice Awards is pleased to announce the results of its 2024 wine awards edition, which took place this past May 21 in Chicago. A record 1500 wines were judged, representing a 40% increase over last year's 1100 wines. More than 30 countries entered wines in the 2024 awards. The United States led in the number of submissions followed by Italy, France, and Australia.

The top five varietals entered in the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards were Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz.

The wines were judged in five categories: food pairing ability, typicity, quality, value, and packaging. The judges had to ask themselves, “Would I stock this wine, and is it good enough for customers to order a second glass?” Wines were graded on a scale of 100 points, with only those above 95 points winning the coveted Double Gold Award. Category awards also existed, with Best in Show awards for white, red, sparkling, and rosé. Uniquely, a category for the overall annual winner for wine by the bottle and by the glass reflected how the competing wines would appear and perform in a restaurant setting.

Unique among wine competitions, the Sommelier Choice Awards provides on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list. The 2024 Sommelier Choice Awards was supported by over 56 wine professionals, wine directors, sommeliers, and master sommeliers. One can access the list of 2024 judges here.

The following presents the results of the 6th edition:

No.1 overall: 2021 Franz Keller vom Löss Pinot Noir

Here are some comments from the judges:

“Wow. As soon as I put my nose in the glass I'm thinking serious $100+ burgundy. I want a year's supply! exceptional all around. Truly outstanding wine and value” - Alexander Powell Master Sommelier

“Leather, smoke, mushroom, bing cherry, solid wine” - Rachel Lowe, Beverage Director at Levy Restaurant Group

Image: 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards Judging, Chicago

Grand Wine Of The Year 

2021 Franz Keller vom Löss Pinot Noir by Franz Keller and Imported by Delicato Family Wines.

Grand BTG Wine Of The Year

2021 Franz Keller vom Löss Pinot Noir by Franz Keller and Imported by Delicato Family Wines.

Grand White Wine Of The Year

2022 Poet's Leap Riesling by Long Shadows Winery, United States

White Wine Of The Year BTG

2022 Poet's Leap Riesling by Long Shadows Winery, United States

Grand Red Wine Of The Year 

2021 Franz Keller vom Löss Pinot Noir by Franz Keller and Imported by Delicato Family Wines.

Red Wine Of The Year BTG 

2021 Franz Keller vom Löss Pinot Noir by Franz Keller and Imported by Delicato Family Wines.

Grand Sparkling Wine Of The Year 

Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs by Philippe Gonet "TER" Blanc and Imported by UVA Imports, France

Sparkling Wine Of The Year BTG 

Marchese Manodori by Venturini Baldini, Italy

Grand Rose Wine Of The Year

2022 Extra Brut Sparkling Rose Wine by Rosemont Vineyards, United States

Rose Wine Of The Year BTG

2023 Chateau St. Roch Old Vines Rose of The Saint-Roch vineyard by Carolina Wine Brands USA, Inc., France

Top Wines By Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon: 2019 The Soldier Cabernet Sauvignon from King Estate Winery, United States.

Pinot Noir: 2021 Franz Keller vom Löss Pinot Noir by Franz Keller and Imported by Delicato Family Wines.

Chardonnay: Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs by Philippe Gonet "TER" Blanc and Imported by UVA Imports, France

Sauvignon blanc: 2021 Saint Bris Sauvignon by Simonnet-Febvre, France

Merlot: 2019 Forthright Merlot by Forthright Winery, United States

Shiraz: 2023 Zilzie Victoria Shiraz by Zilzie Wines Pty Ltd, Australia

Cabernet Franc: 2020 Cabernet Franc by Promitor Vinorum, Slovakia

Malbec: 2022 Tesoro Malbec by Trapiche Vineyards, Argentina

Riesling: 2022 Poet's Leap Riesling by Long Shadows Winery, United States

Pinot gris: 2022 Conte Brandolini Pinot Grigio Ramato by Carolina Wine Brands USA, Inc., Italy

DAVID KECK MS, Master Sommelier and Owner at Stella14 Wines, VT doing a special category winners video on why sommeliers should buy ‘2022 Poet's Leap Riesling by Long Shadows Vintners, United States.

Top Wines By Country:

United States: 2022 Poet's Leap Riesling by Long Shadows Vintners, United States

Italy: 2021 Barolo Perno 2021 of La Sacrestia Winery imported by Greg Linn Wines and Imports, Italy

France: 2023 Res Fortes Blanc of Res Fortes by LifeLine Imports, France

Australia: 2023 Zilzie Victoria Shiraz of Zilzie Wines Pty Ltd, Australia

Argentina: 2022 Tesoro Malbec by Trapiche Vineyards, Argentina

Chile: 2022 Vina Casablanca Nimbus Sauvignon Blanc of Nimbus Single Vineyard imported by Carolina Wine Brands USA, Inc., Chile

Spain: 2019 Triens of Legado de Orniz imported by Vinamericas Inc, Spain

New Zealand: 2022 Moroki Pinot Noir by Moroki Wine Co, New Zealand

Portugal: 2022 Twin Vines Vinho Verde of José Maria da Fonseca imported by Share A Splash Wine Co., Portugal

Canada: 2017 Reserve Riesling Icewine by Pillitteri Estates Winery, Canada

MARK GUILLAUDEU MS, 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards Judge, Master Sommelier, 2022 Best USA Sommelier, #6 Best Sommelier of the Americas 2022, #15 Best Sommelier of the World 2023 and Sommelier at Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix.

About Sommeliers Choice Awards

The goal of the Sommeliers Choice Awards is simple to provide on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list.

Sommeliers Choice Awards has built an international reputation by benchmarking wines for on-premise channels. With world-class sommeliers and America’s most powerful wine buyers, the 6th edition of the wine competition is now open for wine entries. This is a unique opportunity to present your wines to America's top sommeliers.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is brought to you by Beverage Trade Network, renowned for its expertise in organizing acclaimed events such as the London Wine Competition, International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show, and USA Trade Tasting. The winners of the Sommeliers Choice Awards will also be integrated and showcased in Beverage Trade Network's media platforms like Sommelier Business, Chicago Drinks Guide, San Francisco Drinks Guide, Los Angeles Drinks Guide, New York Drinks Guide, and Beverage Trade Network.

Press Contact:

Sid Patel | sid@beveragetradenetwork.com | Sommeliers Choice Awards | PH: +1 855 481 1112 (USA) | https://sommelierschoiceawards.com/