All the winners from the Global Sparkling Masters 2023

Sparkling wines are celebratory darlings, de rigueur at weddings and birthdays, as aperitifs at gallery openings, and centre-stage at garden parties. Here, Patricia Stefanowicz MW looks at the best expressions on the market.

Judging sparkling wines, whether Champagne, Italian fizz, Cava, or other fizzes from around the globe, is always an event to anticipate with excitement. The 2023 Sparkling Wine Global Masters event was as intriguing as ever. The day featured a diverse range of sparkling wines from different countries and regions that do not always fit into other Masters events. White sparklings dominated, but there were also some lovely rosés. In both colours, the better sparkling wines shone with star-bright brilliance, lovely definition and elegance.

Our small number of samples from Champagne shows again how complex the Grandes Marques wines of Champagne are. Concentrated, textured, and exquisitely balanced, these wines are at the pinnacle of global sparkling wines. But there are countless other contenders. An intriguing set of English sparkling wines, often made from the Champagne varieties, show that they are more than understudies in their roles. With zippy acidity, these wines show purity of flavour, lightness of weight, gentle yeast accents and just the right amount of balancing sweetness.

The same could be said of cool-climate wines from Trentodoc in northern Italy or indeed for cooler areas in Austria. Excitement comes from Spain, with Catalunya and Castilla-La Mancha showing nicely with either the traditional Cava grape varieties of Xarel.lo, Macabeo, and Parellada, or as blends with the more ‘modern’ style incorporating Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. With so much excitement and diversity, it is hardly surprising that sparkling wines are enduringly popular.

White Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower)

Rosé Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower)

Red Sparkling Brut (12g/l or lower)

White Sparkling Sweet(12g/l+)

Rosé Sparkling Sweet(12g/l+)

Blue Sparkling Sweet(12g/l+)

Pre-mixed Sparkling

Semi-Sparkling Sweet White

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Sparkling Masters provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2023 competition was judged on 10 May at Ibis Styles, London Bridge, London, employing experienced judges.

The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Sparkling Master. This report features the medal winners only.

Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura.