What is Wine of The Year?
“Wine of the Year" is a guide to wines imported into Latvia - a competition in which an international jury, led by Andrew Jefford, Raimonds Tomsons, and Aigars Nords, awards gold, silver, and bronze medals to the best wines found on store shelves: champagnes and sparkling, white and red, fortified and dessert wines!
Since 2014, when the competition first took place under the leadership of legendary wine connoisseur Michael Schuster, "Wine of the Year" has become an indispensable assistant, guide, and guarantor of taste for wine and champagne lovers in Latvia!
Every autumn, we offer the chance to taste the competition's laureates – the 150 most brilliant examples (from champagne to red and fortified wines) - at the "Top 100 Wines + Chefs" parade.
An international jury led by Andrew Jefford (Co-Chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards) evaluates nearly 500 wines each year, awarding , , , and medals.
Wine of the Year jury:
Sommelier and one of the leading wine experts in the Baltic States, with 19 years of experience in the wine industry. Winner of the Latvian Sommelier Competition in 2016 and the Baltics’ third-best sommelier in 2017. She is also part of Wine Collectors and closely involved with Latvia’s winemaking community, consulting on and evaluating local wines, including hybrid grape varieties and fruit wines.
A sommelier and wine industry professional with longstanding experience in wine trade and wine education, as well as a wine consultant at Liviko. He was named Latvia’s Best Sommelier in 2007.
The first in the Baltics to earn a WSET Diploma, Aigars pioneered Latvia’s fine wine scene by founding the Riga Wine & Champagne Festival in 2012, the Wine of the Year competition in 2014, the Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards in 2017, and the Riga Whisky & Friends in 2024. Today, the festival is renowned for signature events like the Top 100 Wines + Chefs and the largest champagne celebration in the Baltics - the Great Bubble Parade. Aigars is also the author of Latvia’s bestselling wine book, Vīns un Nords (2023 Golden Apple award winner), and recipient of the 2026 Prix Terres et Vins de Champagne for his outstanding contribution to champagne culture and growers.
One of the world’s leading wine journalists, Andrew writes and broadcasts about food and drinks, has written a number of books over the last 20 years receiving great critical acclaim. Andrew is a co-chair of Decanter WWA, and is a regular contributor to both Decanter and the World of Fine Wine.
The certified sommelier of the Latvian Sommelier Association, the winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2022 and 2023, the second best sommelier in the Baltics 2022.
One of Latvia’s leading wine experts, president of the Latvian Sommelier Association and a certified Category A sommelier with a diploma from the European Wine Academy.
Winner of Latvian and Baltics sommelier Championship, Graduate of WSET Diploma Progarmme, Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier.
Sommelier at Alchemist (Copenhagen), one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants (two Michelin stars, No. 5 in the World’s Top 50) in the world. Previously Linda has served as sommelier in Riga’s finest restaurants as well as she’s earned several distinctive awards in Latvian Sommelier Championships from 2019 to 2023.
Certified sommelier, graduated WSET level 3 at Wine and Spirits Education Trust London. Winner of Latvia Blind Tasting Contest 2023, 2nd place 2024. Sommelier at «Whitehouse» restaurant.
Marts is a connoisseur of grower champagne and natural wines, a wine consultant, and has worked at top wine bars and restaurants in both Riga and New York. He co-created the internationally acclaimed wine list at the bar Truff le Pig.
Sommelier at Barents and part of the team behind its Gold Star for Best Austrian Wine List at the Star Wine List of the Year Baltics 2024.
WSET level 3, certified sommelier of the Latvian Sommelier Association, 1st place in the Latvian Championship 2020, 2nd place in the Baltic Beer Championship 2022.
Wine Director of "Wine Collectors", A.S.I. Best Sommelier in the World 2023 winner and A.S.I. Best Sommelier in Europe/Africa 2017 winner.
Co-founder and president of the Wine Association from 2007 to 2010, graduated from the WSET Advanced Diploma program in 2018. Currently the head of Interbaltija Amber and Amber Distribution Latvia.
Sommelier, wine consultant at “Noble Wine”, the Best Sommelier of the Baltic States 2018.
Uldis Grigalis is the Head Sommelier at Max Cekot Kitchen. In 2025, he was named Latvia’s Best Sommelier, and in 2026 he received the “Sommelier of the Year” award from the Falstaff Nordic Restaurant Guide.