What is Wine of The Year?
This is the 10th year of the «Wine of the Year» competition, and we’re immensely proud to once again showcase the best wines imported and available in Latvia, serving as a guide for Latvia’s wine lovers.
We are grateful to our Jury, consisting of some of the best European and world palettes, including ASI World Champion Raimonds Tomsons, Michael Schuster and Andrew Jefford, as well as the founder of Riga Wine & Champagne festival Aigars Nords. Since 2014 we have identified 104 gold un 829 silver medalists, while 2023 is the first year we are also awarding “Fine Wines” available in Latva!
You’re welcome to check out the Medallists 2023 on our webpage, as well as get your tickets for the ultimate wine-lovers’ event - “Top 100 Wines + Chefs Parade” at Hanzas Perons on November 25.
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. -
Agnese Gintere
Sommelier, winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2016, Baltic's third best sommelier 2017, wine consultant at Interbaltija AG. -
Dmitrijs Sinkevičs
The sommeliers of the «Nomad» restaurant, the certified sommelier of the Latvian Sommelier Association, the winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2022, the second best sommelier in the Baltics 2022. -
Jānis Volkinšteins
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, 1rd place in ASI World Sommelier Championship in 2023, the Best European Sommelier in 2017. -
Ņikita Zaičenkovs
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. -
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.
