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Rioja receives top honor at 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards

Veguín de Murua Gran Reserva 2016 was named Best Wine of Spain and Tempranillo of the Year at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards, held in Chicago on June 18. Judged by an expert panel of Master Sommeliers, beverage directors, and on-premise buyers, this recognition reinforces Rioja’s continued relevance and performance in the U.S. restaurant and hospitality sector.

The Sommeliers Choice Awards are designed specifically to evaluate wines for on-premise success—not just for technical excellence, but for their role on real-world wine lists. Judging criteria prioritize food pairability, typicity, service versatility, value for money, and visual appeal.

This year’s results place Rioja squarely on the radar of sommeliers and buyers seeking wines that deliver quality, consistency, and a strong value proposition.

A Competition Shaped by the Trade, for the Trade

What makes these awards meaningful for Rioja producers, importers, and buyers isn’t just the prestige—it’s the relevance. Judging panels are composed of Master Sommeliers, beverage directors, and top on-premise buyers, many of whom manage the wine programs of major U.S. restaurants, bars, hotels, and lounges.

As Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, noted:

“These are the professionals who craft the beverage programs at the world’s best restaurants and bars. They know what performs with guests and what builds a successful wine list.”

With roughly 1,500 submissions this year, the competition revealed both category momentum and shifting trade preferences. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz dominated the top varietals. Meanwhile, white wines saw significant growth—reinforced by new entries from Austria and Germany, which both landed among the top 10 participating countries for the first time.

Spain maintained a strong presence, reflecting continued interest in its value-driven, food-friendly wines—especially among buyers balancing cost with quality and typicity.

What This Means for Rioja Stakeholders

Rioja producers and trade partners should view the Sommeliers Choice Awards competition as both a temperature check and an opportunity:

• Versatility matters. Wines that work across tasting menus, casual pours, and reserve lists are the most likely to secure placements.
• Sustainability and transparency are rising priorities. Growth in low-intervention and organic wines points toward evolving expectations on wine programs.
• Recognition drives rotation. A medal in this competition doesn’t just offer shelf appeal—it signals readiness for placement in high-performing on-premise programs.

As Rioja continues to expand its foothold in the U.S. market, especially in the hospitality sector, aligning with award criteria like value-for-money, food pairability, and list adaptability can strengthen positioning.

Looking Ahead

Whether you’re building a seasonal flight, expanding a Spanish section, or rotating in wines with high guest return rates, the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards provide a distilled view of what’s working in the market today—and what to expect from the year ahead.