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.
This year, the Grand Wine Parade at Hanzas Perons is scheduled for November 21st.
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, winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2016, Baltic's third best sommelier 2017, «Barents Wine Collectors» un «Barents».
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 acquire WSET Diploma, he set up Riga Wine & Champagne festival in 2012, Wine of the Year competition in 2014, and Baltic Wine List Awards in 2017. Over the years, the festival has grown into a grand celebration of fine wine & champagne, and includes Latvia’s most anticipated tastings – Top 100 wines + Chefs, Bubble Parade, and others. Aigars is also the author of the most popular book in Latvian about wine – “Vīns un Nords”, the recipient of the “Golden Apple” award in 2023.
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.
Member of Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Graduate of WSET Diploma Programme.
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.
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.
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.
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.