All the medallists from the Travel Retail Masters 2024

Slightly disappointingly for the judging team, there were only a few wines from Australia, and none at all from California or South Africa. That said, Dandelion Vineyards showed well with its Shiraz wines from McLaren Vale and Barossa. Wines from South America were very good too. VIK is a label to search for; its wines are delectable and its ‘A’ Cabernet Sauvignon garnered a Gold medal. It’s good-value too, at around £25.

Spain is worth exploring for its wide and delicious offering in travel retail, typically for red wines, but its whites should not be ignored. Arínzano’s wines from Navarra in Spain provided some luxurious moments. Among Arínzano’s wines, Golds were awarded to Pureza, an oaked Chardonnay, and Eternidad, a stunning multi-vintage Chardonnay aged in a solera system.

Looking to southern France, if one is travelling to or from the coasts—whether Atlantic or Mediterranean—the wines can be intriguing. Those from the Jean-Claude Mas stable are exemplary. Château des Crès Ricards Oenothera, a SyrahGrenache-Mourvèdre blend, has everything one might want from the warmth of the Med. And the Jean-Claude Mas Clos Astelia Grand Occitan Tannes range from the Mas biodynamic project are specially blended for the travel retail market. The wines judged from this range are award winners, with the Grand Occitan Tannes 122 Cabernet Sauvignon given a well-earned Gold.

Bracketing the Champagne at the start are sweet wines and Port at the finish. A couple of Canadian icewines from Lakeview Wine Co in Niagara, Ontario, show how well eastern Canada can do with this unusual—and delectable— dessert style. The Port wines from Sandeman are unparalleled, in particular, the tawny Ports. The 10-year old Tawny is fabulous, to be sure, and the 20-year old Tawny is ne plus ultra, earning a welldeserved Master medal this year.

In our constantly changing world, there are plenty of challenges for global travel retail in the wine industry. But there are opportunities, too. New product development and targeted promotional activity are no doubt key elements. What we can say is that, on the basis of our tasting, global wine travel retail is back on track for growth. The range of wines available in different channels is large and the quality seems consistently high. Our db Global Wine Travel Masters judging provides only a snapshot of the wines currently available in this channel. However, the variety of styles we were able to try suggests that the quality on offer is excellent. The wines we tasted represent aspirational luxury, and have been awarded for their high class and drinkability. Some are outstanding, and certainly worthy of gift-giving, either to oneself or a loved one, upon return from your next venture abroad.

White Sparkling

Rosé Sparkling

Still Unoaked White

Still Oaked White

Still Rosé Unoaked

Still Red Oaked

Sweet/Icewine

Fortified Wine