What is Wine of The Year?
The Wine of The Year competition finds out the best world wines available in Latvia, thus making the lives of Latvia's wine lovers easier by shedding light on the vast variety of wines available here. This year we also included the best Baltic ciders and created the Batic cider Awards. The Jury consisting of honored and experienced leading Latvian and European sommeliers, with the internationally renowned wine expert Michael Schuster from Britain as Head of the Jury, and one of the world’s leading wine journalists Andrew Jefford as the special guest. Search for the 2022 competition results on our page, while the wines will be presented during the TOP 100 WINES + CHEFS event in fall. Stay tuned!
In 2022 an international jury led by Michael Schuster assessed almost 400 sparkling, white, red, dessert and fortified wines in a «blind» tasting in order to hand out 11 «Gold», 85 «Silver», 162 «Bronze» and 31 «Worth a try» medals. See award winning wines in the section AWARDS 2022
«Wine of The Year» jury:
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Michael Schuster
Head of Jury since 2014, one of the world’s most respected authors and lecturers, author of wine best-sellers Understanding Wine and Essential Winetasting. -
Andrew Jefford
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. -
Aigars Nords
Founder of Riga Wine & Champagne festival, organiser of Latvia’s Wine of the Year competition and Baltic Wine List Awards, holder of WSET diploma, Race Director of Rimi Riga Marathon. -
Aigars Lukstiņš
Jury member of Latvian and Baltic sommelier competitions since 2008, HoReCa wine consultant at LIVIKO, Graduate WSET’s Diploma programme. -
Agnese Gintere
Sommelier, winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2016, Baltic's third best sommelier 2017, wine consultant at Interbaltija AG. -
Jānis Kaļķis
President of Latvia’s Sommelier Association, Latvian and Baltic Sommelier Champion, currently the main sommelier and wine buyer for RSkorpions (SKY supermarkets) in Latvia. -
Jānis Volkinšteins
Founder and main sommelier of wine bar "Vieta" (the best Baltic wine Bar), member of Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Graduate of WSET Diploma Programme. -
Kaspars Reitups
Winner of Latvian and Baltics sommelier Championship, Graduate of WSET Diploma Progarmme, Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier. -
Linda Karpenko
Sommelier, student of Court of Master of Sommelier (CSM) programme. -
Raimonds Tomsons
Head sommelier of «Barents», one of the best Baltic restaurants, 3rd place in ASI World Sommelier Championship in 2019, the Best European Sommelier in 2017, brand ambassador of PRIKE Latvia. -
Romāns Komars
One of the founders and the President of Latvia’s Sommelier Assocation (2007-2010), enrolled in WSET Diploma programme, CEO of Interbaltija, one of Latvia’s leading wine importers. -
Ronalds Pētersons
Sommelier, wine consultant at «Noble Wine», the Best Sommelier of the Baltic States 2018.
