The most admired wine brands in the world
For the past 12 years, the prestigious Drinks International magazine has been compiling and publishing the list of The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands, which features the names of the 50 most admired wine brands in the world.
Around 200 industry professionals, including sommeliers, wine buyers, restaurant and bar owners, writers, educators and renowned Masters of Wine from around the world, form an Academy where each one of them answers a survey asking them which 5 wine brands they most admire.
Their choices also take into account the strength of the brand, the quality and consistency of the wines they produce and their value for money.
And now we’re going to tell you about 5 renowned wineries that have made it into the top 10 most admired wine brands in the world.
Familia Torres (Catalonia, Spain)
For the fifth time in the eleven years that this famous ranking has been published, the Torres Family has been crowned the most admired wine brand in the world and also the best in Europe, and it’s no wonder! 150 years of experience are behind this century-old winery, which is also part of the exclusive international association Primum Familiae Vini, which brings together the best and most respected wine-producing families in the world. Access is by invitation only and limited to 12 places. Torres is not only still focussing on the quality and excellence of its wines, but they also continue to research improvements that will contribute to environmental sustainability and the recovery of native grape varieties.
Penfolds (Adelaide, Australia)
In 1844, Dr. Christopher Rawson and his wife Mary Penfold arrived in Australia from England. There they began to develop their estate, which they named “The Grange”. True believers in the medicinal benefits of wine, they began planting a vineyard made up of French vines, with the aim of making a wine tonic to treat anemia, and ended up becoming one of Australia’s (and the world’s) most famous and respected winemakers.
Thanks to Max Schubert, their innovative winemaker, they began to make long-aged wines. Their legendary red wine, Penfolds Grange, created by Schubert in 1950, has achieved the top awards and worldwide recognition and is, without doubt, a South Australian Heritage listed wine.
La Rioja Alta (La Rioja, Spain)
In its second consecutive appearance on The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands list, La Rioja Alta has climbed 46 places! Not only has it made it into the Top 10 most admired brands in the world, it has also managed to win the “Highest climber” medal, which awards the biggest leap in positions. A well-deserved recognition of this Riojan winery’s historic commitment to the highest quality. It was founded by five families in 1890 in the legendary Barrio de La Estación (Haro, La Rioja), which continues to evolve. Here, tradition and modernity work hand in hand and now, they continue to be recognised thanks to the great wines they produce, some of which are among the most sought-after in the world.
Domaine de la Romaneé-Conti (Burgundy, France)
If there is one group responsible for making the most sublime and desirable wines in Burgundy, it is the Domaine de la Romaneé-Conti. This small “grand cru” (only 1.81 hectares) is the birthplace of the most exquisite (and expensive) Pinot Noir wines on the planet. It is easy to say and it would seem like a matter of luck, but behind each of these exclusive bottles is a rigorous work of care and preservation of this extraordinary, but fragile, heritage. In addition to the unquestionable quality of the wine produced here, it is the attention to detail, meticulousness, patience and humanity, values that are key in the team of men and women who work there, that have made this Domaine one of the most admired brands in the world.
Château Margaux (Bordeaux, France)
“La Mothe de Margaux”, as Château Margaux has been known since the 12th century (Mothe or motte refers to the high ground where it is located, in the Médoc, Bordeaux) is one of the most prestigious wine houses in the world, recognised for centuries for the exquisite quality of its wines, which have had a place on the most prestigious tables and have been enjoyed by renowned personalities at various points in world history. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, considered one of the fathers of the land and who served as ambassador to France, tasted Châteu Margaux and said: “there is surely no better bottle of Bordeaux wine”. For its extraordinary finesse, elegance, history and excellent reputation, Château Margaux has earned a well-deserved place on the list of the 50 most admired wine brands in the world.
All these great wineries have in common an impeccable journey and a history worth learning about, because it will tell you a lot about the wines produced there. Have you had the chance to visit any of them or try any of their wines?