Is it difficult to determine the best wine in the world? Yes, we know: this is like asking which is the best dish of all, the greatest song ever composed, or the most beautiful city on the planet. Clearly, the answer will always depend on personal taste, which is influenced by various factors—what we are pairing the wine with, the occasion, our mood at that moment, the company, the weather, the setting… There may not be a definitive answer, but while we search for some clarity, we can agree on a few things.
A good sommelier will be firm on this point: absolutely not. Your trusted wine seller will always give you a tip: “Take this one, it’s half the price but top quality.” Your go-to winemaker will also hint: “Try this one I just got in.” It’s often said that the best wine might be hiding in the most unexpected bottle, and it’s true. The judges at Wine Spectator, Parker, or Peñín know this well—every year, their lists of top wineries, regions, and vintages feature a good number of wines priced under 15 or 20 euros.
That said, let’s not be too skeptical: just as no one would refuse a sweet treat, no sane person would pass up the opportunity to taste a Romaneé Conti, a Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon from California, a Château Mouton Rothschild ’45 (which earned 100 Parker points), a Bordeaux like the Penfolds Block 42 from 2004, or a Petrus Pomerol. Or, closer to home, a Dominio de Pingus, a L’Ermita from ’93, a Teso La Monja 2008, or our very own Pradorey Élite 2019 with its 96 Peñín points. But let’s be fair: we just listed some of the most expensive wines on the market. That would be too easy.
Between market whims and objective criteria, there’s history, expertise, and the charisma of some of the most respected wineries in the world. Take Vega Sicilia, for example—founded in 1864, it’s one of Spain’s most legendary wineries. Bodegas Torres has put Álava on the global wine lover’s map, with vineyards that span generations and a solid international reputation.
In far-off Australia, Penfolds is home to the celebrated Grange (one of the most concentrated wines in the world, according to Robert Parker himself). New Zealand boasts Villa Maria, known for its exceptional dry whites and reds. In the New World, Chile’s Concha y Toro stands out, with vineyards in Argentina and the U.S. (where Ridge is famous for its Cabernet Sauvignons and Zinfandels).
Our French neighbors have plenty to offer: M. Chapoutier with its Rhône Valley Hermitage wines, E. Guigal with its sought-after Côtes du Rhône, and of course, Dom Pérignon—the most legendary champagne in the world.
Beyond the most distinguished brands—though often associated with them—the search for the perfect wine could begin with the most renowned regions, known for their rich terroirs and ideal climates (typically dry and arid, with scarce rainfall concentrated in autumn and winter). In France, Bordeaux and Alsace (for reds and whites, respectively); in Italy, Tuscany, Sicily, and Lombardy; in the U.S., California; in Argentina, Mendoza… And in Spain? Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Priorat, Jerez… It wouldn’t be national pride speaking if we said that excellent wines are now being produced in almost every region of the country.
Needless to say, no matter where it comes from, the ultimate wine will undoubtedly be determined by the quality of the grapes (most likely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariñena, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Carménère, or Nebbiolo for reds, and Albariño, Chardonnay, Moscatel, and Sauvignon Blanc for whites), as well as the optimal application of winemaking techniques (hygiene, non-invasive care, the use of gravity for grape, must, and wine transportation, controlled use of additives, and utmost respect for the environment).
So, in the end, there isn’t just one “best wine in the world”—Bacchus himself knows this—but rather many wines that share that distinction.
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Carretera CL-619 km 66.1 Gumielde Mercado (Burgos) Espana
Carretera CL-619 km 64 Gumielde Mercado (Burgos) Espana
