Decanter World Wine Awards: another record year for Portugal

Decanter World Wine Awards

The results of Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 (DWWA) were released last week.  More than 60 countries submitted entries – nearly 17,000 in this, the 15th year of the competition. 

Entry-level and mid-priced  Portuguese wines, including a striking number of unoaked reds, performed particularly well this year, reinforcing Portugal’s reputation for bang for buck.  As for whites, good to see an Avesso Vinho Verde join Alvarinho on the podium.

My panel awarded more Golds than ever – 14  (excluding Port & Madeira), of which four went on to win Platinum awards, including a coveted Best of Show Award.

Bagging top brass (Gold or Platinum, including Best of Show) is no mean feat.  Over the course of an intense week, 275 judges from 33 countries assessed the entries.  The following week, a super-jury reviewed the Golds and awarded Platinum/Platinum Value awards for top wines.  Platinum winners then go head to head when the four Co-Chairs select the ‘Best in Show’ – the ultimate award.

Just 50 wines (0.3% of entries) received Best in Show, 149 wines (0.88% of entries) a Platinum medal and 439 wines (2.6% of entries) a Gold medal. A combined total of just over 10,500 further wines were awarded Silver or Bronze medals.  Click here for the full results.

Here are the Portuguese Best of Show, Platinum and Gold medal winners:

Espinho Tinto 2014 (Douro DOC) – Value Platinum

Pingo Doce Alvarinho 2017 (DOC Vinho Verde, Monção e Melgaço) – Platinum

Quinta Nova Unoaked Red 2016 (Douro DOC) –  Value Best in Show

Quinta do Portal Reserva Moscatel do Douro 1996 (Moscatel do Douro DOC) – Platinum

Beyra Branco Síria/Fonte Cal 2017 (DOC Beira Interior) – Gold

Carmim Contemporal 2017 (VR Alentejano) – Gold

Castello d’Alba Vinhas Velhas 2015 (DOC Douro) – Gold

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Superior Moscatel de Setúbal 2007 (DOC Moscatel de Setúbal) – Gold

Quinta de Curvos Avesso 2017 (DOC Vinho Verde) – Gold

Gota Bergamota 2015 (DOC Dão) – Gold

Pingo Doce Moscatel de Setúbal NV (DOC Moscatel de Setúbal) – Gold

Monte da Ravasqueira Classic (Unoaked) Red 2017 (VR Alentejano) – Gold

Herdade do Peso Trinca Bolotas 2016 (DOC Alentejo) – Gold

Pegões Contemporal Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal 2011 (DOC Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal) –  Gold

Trade and consumers alike can be among the first to taste over 100 award-winning wines from the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards at a special tasting on Monday 2nd July at Vintners’ Hall.  Tickets cost £40 per person and full details can be found on Decanter.com.