The Global Wine Masters: International Competitions Judged by the World’s Top Experts

Against classic regions, Turkey takes the fine wine crown at the drinks business Autumn Tasting 2022

London, 11 October 2022 – At a recent blind-tasting in London, a super-premium wine walked away with the top score, but not from the region you would expect. Against stiff international competition, the Django Cabernet Sauvignon from producer Chamlija (based in Strandja, Turkey) took home the only Master medal.

This accolade, for a wine that retails at over £100, is a clear statement of intent for the producer, looking to stand alongside famous houses in the fine wine market.

Owner Mustafa Camlica, who describes Django as ‘a gem’ in their range sees Turkish wine on an upward trajectory: “At the beginning, the Old School were suspicious about these new comers and labelled them adventure seekers and never believed that there was a premium wine market in Turkey. Now, new comers have proven it otherwise… The future of Turkish wine is bright.”

Patrick Schmitt MW, Chair of the Global Wine Masters Competitions, agreed: “Who would have thought Turkey’s Strandja Mountains would be the source of such fine Cabernet Sauvignon? But Chamlija has proved this verdant, altitudinous part of the eastern Med to be ideal for Cab, exemplified so well in this Django expression, with its black fruit, spice, dark chocolate, and fine-grained mouth-coating tannin.”

This London tasting was part of the Global Wine Masters Competitions series, organised by industry-leading publication the drinks business. Six judges, including five Masters of Wine judged entries from around the world, with the competition open to any style. They handed out medals to 144 wines, recognising excellence in both established and emerging styles.

The entries were hugely varied, with classics like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Mosel Riesling competing against sparkling from Belgium and Romanian Pinot Grigio. In all, eleven countries were represented, across still and sparkling, red white and rosé wines in all price categories.

Beyond the Master medal, 20 entrants secured Gold medals that recognise benchmark, brilliant wines. Spain performed well, with the rich, dark red wines of Jumilla earning five Gold medals, while there were also five Golds for wines from Austria. With Gold medal winning Gruner Veltliner coming in under £15, this trendy wine list favourite is proving its potential for the average consumer too.

 The Gold and Master medal winners are listed below:

About The Global Wine Masters Competitions

The Global Wine Masters has rewarded excellence in winemaking since 2013, helping quality brands stand out and consumers drink with confidence. Through its unique structure – defining categories by grape variety or style rather than region – the competition series lets the best wines of the world compete against each other. Every competition is judged by the very best palates in the world: Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior buyers.

The Global Wine Masters award wines with Bronze, Silver and Gold medals, and Master medals for the very best entries:

• Bronze (85-88): A well-made wine that qualifies for our seal of approval. This wine is enjoyable and meets customer expectations.
• Silver (89-92): A high-quality wine that clearly demonstrates good winemaking while serving as a strong example of its style, source or dominant grape.
• Gold (93-96): A brilliant wine that is a benchmark for its type. This wine has lasting appeal and shows great balance, complexity and intensity.
• Master (97-100): An outstanding example of its type, showing impeccable winemaking. This wine delights for its wonderful texture, perfect balance and broad range of delicious, persistent flavours.

The results of each competition are published in the drinks business magazine and website (circulation of 13,000 print copies and 1.9 million webpage visits per month). This large reach guarantees that entrants’ medal wins are visible to a truly international and industry-focused audience.