All of the medallists from The Global Sparkling Masters 2026

From Asti to New Zealand, The Global Sparkling Masters attracts a broad spectrum of styles – plenty to keep our judges happy, reports Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

THE GLOBAL Sparkling Masters 2026 competition was as diverse and intriguing as ever. Although seemingly dominated by Italy, which accounted for almost 50% of the entrants, the blind tasting featured a wide range of sparkling wines from different countries and regions.

Italy’s offering was variable. We had some very good wines from Trentodoc, and Cesarini Sforza’s offering earned a Gold medal. We had a decent number of awards for Prosecco, including Andreola-Eroico winning Gold for its Valdobbiadene Rive di Santo Stefano Extra Dry.

Asti and Moscato d’Asti provided some glorious Golds – pristine, exuberant with fruit and gentle froth across the palate, very more-ish, and a perfect match for wedding cake or a welcome appearance at a summer event where strawberries and cream are prominent, whether Wimbledon, Ascot, Eton’s ‘Fourth of June’ or a local garden open day.

That said, judges noted that too many examples did not deliver the fresh and clean, fruity flavours that we love most about these wines. As one experienced judge commented: “These wines live or die by their aromatic purity and intensity. Without the beautiful floral and fruit aromas, all you have is gassy soup.”

Spain showed well, with both Catalunya and Castilla-La Mancha earning good Silver medals for wines priced under £15. These wines often comprise the traditional Cava varieties of Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada, but also produce delightful blends in the more modern style, incorporating Chardonnay with Xarel-lo or Macabeo.

Many of the wines from Cava Jaume Serra, one of J García Carrión’s brands, are worth looking out for. And a real star was the Rosé Extra Dry from Julià & Navinès, part of the U Mes U project, which was awarded a Gold.

Elsewhere in Europe, special mentions are needed for Kavaklidere’s Côtes d’Avanos Méthode Charmat from Turkey and Schuster’s Sekt Blanc de Blancs from Austria, two well-deserved Gold medal winners and both excellent wines.

Before leaving continental Europe, we must acknowledge the crème de la crème of sparkling wine regions. And, indeed, we had a few Champagnes that earned Golds, including two from Joseph Perrier and one from Coizy. These wines are exquisite: concentrated, layered, textured and pure – everything the judges look for in fine-quality sparkling wines.

One never quite knows where to put the UK. Old World or New? This is definitely a young wine-growing region, having really only made much progress in the last couple of decades. Producers are making some quality sparklers, illustrated by success in this Masters competition for wines from All Angels in Berkshire, Maison Pommery in Hampshire, Roebuck Estate in Sussex, and Silverhand Estate and Folc in Kent. Also in Kent is one of this Global Sparkling Masters’ superstars, Balfour Winery, awarded two Gold medals for its Blanc de Blancs and Cuvée Owen Erland Elias, and a Master for its Brut Rosé. South Africa also had success with serious Cap Classique fizz. Villiera impressed the judges, especially with the Chardonnay-dominated crus. Another SA producer, Graham Beck, never shy when it comes to innovation, has also produced an ‘English Sparkling Wine’ with the fruit sourced in Hampshire and West Sussex. Both took home well-earned Golds.

Elsewhere in the New World, we had some good Silver medallists from California, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. From mainland Australia De Bortoli earned a Gold for its Willowglen Brut. Tasmania’s House of Arras was awarded no less than five Golds and two Masters.

However, our Grand Master, the pinnacle of this year’s tasting, was Arras’s EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2013. With this much excitement and diversity, the judges anticipate the Global Sparkling Masters as an annual event that showcases why sparkling wines continue to be such an enduring pleasure. db

White Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower)

White Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower, continued)

White Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+)

Semi-Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+)

Semi-Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+, continued)

Rosé Sparkling Brut(12g/l+ or lower)

Rosé Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+)

Red Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+)

Flavoured Sparkling Sweet (12g/l+)

No/Low – alcohol Sparkling White

No – alcohol Sparkling Rosé

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Sparkling Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2026 competition was judged on 13 May at Bluebird in Chelsea, London, employing experienced judges. The top entries were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolades – the titles of Global Sparkling Master or Grand Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Aston at: [email protected]