Trusted, independent, expert wine recommendations for the UK market
The Decanter Recommends list features Decanter-endorsed wines looking to gain or improve distribution in the UK market.
The wines on this list have been tasted & rated at the Decanter World Wine Awards, then evaluated and approved from a commercial standpoint by a panel of leading wine buyers as part of the DWWA Buyers' Report.
With both quality and commercial viability confirmed across multiple stages of judging and deliberation, Decanter recommends the below wines as worthwhile additions to a UK portfolio. Select the wines of interest for more information and to contact these producers directly.
Recommended sparkling wines
Col dei Franchi, Caj Extra Dry, Prosecco, Veneto, Italy 2020
Price ex-cellar: €4.30
DWWA 2022 result: Bronze, 86 points
Buyers’ feedback: This is a fantastic package that looks modern and engaging, and it will stand out on a shelf. Importantly the liquid in the bottle is also very good, making this a really appealing overall proposition.
Finca La Font de Jui, Mimas, Penedès, Spain 2017
Price ex-cellar: €6.65
DWWA 2022 result: Silver, 91 points
Buyers’ feedback: This is a lovely wine, very clearly defined in style and personality, with the addition of organic and biodynamic classification which is very interesting in the market.
Fernand Lemaire, Myra Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV
Price ex-cellar: €21
DWWA 2022 result: Silver, 91 points
Buyers’ feedback: The wine style & dosage are all commercially relevant. The price point is also in line with UK expectations. Low volumes make this more suitable to small, niche, independent and specialist merchants.
Busi Jacobsohn, Cuvée Brut, Conwy, United Kingdom 2018
Price ex VAT: £22
DWWA result:
Bronze, 89 points
Buyers’ feedback: UK Sparkling wines are a growing category. Traditional method, high quality wines such as these are commercially viable to both the on and off-trade. The packaging is classy, eye-catching and engaging.
Château Franc Couplet, 1'Intuition, Vin de France, SW France NV
Price ex-cellar: €6.80
DWWA 2022 result: Bronze, 88 points
Buyers’ feedback: The quality is above average for its price point but the presentation, especially the label and capsule, needs to be reviewed.
Recommended white wines
Pindal, Verdejo, Rueda, Spain 2021
Price ex VAT:
DWWA 2022 result: Bronze, 87 points
Buyers’ feedback: A very good expression of Rueda and verdejo. The positioning and commercial viability is well targeted and strikes the right note. The branding is excellent and the price point is suitable. This would work very well in high street chains/supermarkets and restaurant/pub chains. Well done.
Château de Malessert 1er Grand Cru Chasselas, Féchy, Vaud, Switzerland, 2020
Price ex-cellar: CHF 18
DWWA 2022 result: Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: A lovely example of the grape and region, unusual but accessible, that will appeal to more engaged consumers looking for something different at an interesting price point.
Domaine Les Remparts, Les Renards Sauvignon Blanc, IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest France 2021
Price ex-cellar: €2.77
DWWA 2022 result: Bronze, 88 points
Buyers’ feedback: Better than average packaging and a good quality wine, well judged for the off trade and major retail in the UK market which is very price sensitive.
Russian, Sauvignon, Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2021
Price ex-cellar: €12
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: A trendy region which is on the radar of knowledgeable wine consumers. A classic example of an internationally recognised variety in Sauvignon Blanc produced on a small scale, at an ambitious price point and therefore suitable to hand-selling in the on and off premise.
Tenute Tozzi, I Turrizzi, Etna, Sicily, Italy 2018
Price ex-cellar: €13.80
DWWA 2022 result: Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: An increasingly relevant region for the UK on and off-trade scene. The style and quality is on trend, however, its pricing would see it struggle. The back label needs to be translated for the UK market, including USPs such as vineyard altitude and winemaking, particularly oak use. The imaging on the label is somewhat ambiguous.
Stellenzicht, Thunderstone Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2020
Price ex-cellar: €5
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 89 points
Buyers’ feedback: A well packaged wine that is very suited to the UK market with honest liquid that will appeal to the average consumer. A little work on price will make this very competitive.
Falatório Branco, Lisboa, Portugal 2020
Price ex-cellar: €12
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 86 points
Buyers’ feedback: Excellent quality, well made, fruity, textured and versatile with or without food. Very comprehensively executed with a striking label design to match a wine with immense personality and potential cult status. Stylistically relevant to an engaged, younger UK wine drinker.
Domeniile Averești, Zghihara de Averești, Huși, Moldova, Romania 2021
Price ex VAT: £5.30
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: A well made, aromatic white wine which is round, soft and very appealing. This unoaked style is very popular in the UK market and has similarities to grüner veltliner, albariño or riesling. It would appeal to wine drinkers who like to try new and different things.
Recommended orange wines
Twins Wine House in Napareuli, Qvevris Mze, Napareuli, Kakheti, Georgia 2021
Price ex-cellar: €7
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 86 points
Buyers’ feedback: This wine offers excellent quality and individuality and is a very clean, approachable and appealing style. Everything about the wine and packaging speaks of the origin of the wine - we love it.
Joan de la Casa, Nimi Tossal Reserva Moscatell Sec, Alicante, Spain 2017
Price ex cellar: €9
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 93 points
Buyers’ feedback: Very suitable to a small but interesting sector of the UK wine scene. Good quality-price ratio, needs hand-selling in the independent sector and ideally to be consumed with food..
Recommended red wines
Kauzo Estates, Cofermented Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2020
Price ex-cellar: $5.00
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: An interesting new approach to create something in a market like Malbec which is so saturated: a great way to combine accessibility of style, price and the two vineyard sites which speaks of terroir in an affordable package.
Kauzo Estates, Terroir Expressions Hostage Malbec, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina 2019
Price ex-cellar: $5.50
DWWA 2022 result:
Gold, 95 points
Buyers’ feedback: A well deserved Gold medal. The wine represents a well thought-out proposition with excellent quality from a premium region with on point packaging at an excellent price. Well done!
Château Clématis, Fruité, Côtes du Rhône, France 2020
Price ex-cellar: €3.55
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 87 points
Buyers’ feedback: Not only is the appellation key here to sell the wine - the wine style corresponds perfectly to customers' expectations at a very interesting price point - but the bio classification really helps to promote the wine.
Château Clématis, Ste Cécile, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France 2020
Price ex-cellar: €3.90
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: This displays outstanding quality and value for a village level wine with great intensity and complexity at this level. In fact, it demands a slightly higher price point.
Bodega Marqués de Montecierzo, Emergente Crianza, Navarra, Spain 2019
Price ex-cellar: €3.10
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 88 points
Buyers’ feedback: This wine has the potential to make a mark in the UK market as a more classic style of Navarra and an alternative to other well known classic wine regions.
Bodegas Cornelio Dinastía, Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2018
Price ex-cellar: €10.95
DWWA 2022 result:
Gold, 95 points
Buyers’ feedback: Great quality in smart and modern packaging at an ambitious price point and therefore suitable to highly discerning, knowledgeable consumers who look beyond the entry level Crianza styles.
Bodegas Cornelio Dinastía, Imperial Autor, Rioja, Spain 2018
Price ex-cellar: €25.95
DWWA 2022 result:
Best in Show, 97 points
Buyers’ feedback: Excellent quality in classy and serious packaging. A premium style with the potential to compete with some of the best and biggest names from this region. Justifiably self confident both in and out of the bottle - Impressive wine.
Martínez Lacuesta, La Sucursal, Rioja, Spain, 2020
Price ex-cellar: €16.27
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 91 points
Buyers’ feedback: The label design is very clever and will attract consumers due to its charm and unique identity. With some work on the overall packaging to make it more sustainable, and some benchmarking on price, it could find an interesting niche in the UK market.
Martínez Lacuesta, Reserva, Rioja, Spain 2012
Price ex-cellar: €9.15
DWWA 2022 result:
Gold, 96 points
Buyers’ feedback: This is a traditionally packaged, traditional style of Rioja and will appeal to a traditional Rioja drinker. Ticks all the boxes.
Bodegas Álvarez Alfaro, Selección Familiar, Rioja, Spain 2017
Price ex-cellar: €19.50
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 91 points
Buyers’ feedback: This is a modern style of Rioja, with obvious oak and a lot of fruit that will appeal to many consumers, but in a saturated market it will take a little time to find its niche.
Luigi Bosca, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy 2018
Price ex-cellar: €10
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 88 points
Buyers’ feedback: With some small tweaks to the bottle shape and the label, this wine should offer an excellent proposition to both the on and off trade as it is on trend, great value and a good quality wine.
Luigi Bosca, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2017
Price ex-cellar: €12
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 87 points
Buyers’ feedback: Great value for money for this appellation and region. The wine offers a lot for the price and could be a price fighting wine in this category in the UK market with just a few improvements to the packaging.
Poggio Mori, Blu di Vigna, Chianti Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2019
Price ex-cellar: €18
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 87 points
Buyers’ feedback: Authentic, humble, modest and discrete with a sense of place. Elegant and ethereal ticking all the boxes for what good Chianti should be.
Poggio Mori, Rosso Toscana, Tuscany, Italy 2019
Price ex-cellar: €50
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 87 points
Buyers’ feedback: Well crafted, modern Italian red which looks and tastes the part. A superb commercial proposition of super-Tuscan at a reasonable price.
Menin Douro Estates, Reserva, Douro, Portugal 2019
Price ex-cellar: €11.50
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: This is a strong package with a bold, clean label and a more modern approach to winemaking which will appeal to consumers looking for big, rich styles of wine with a lot of oak influence.
Falatório, Vinho Tinto Palhete, Lisboa, Portugal 2020
Price ex-cellar: €12
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 93 points
Buyers’ feedback: Very contemporary and stylishly designed. A proposition with real personality and a striking label design, championing local varieties and unashamedly targeting a trendy wine consumer in terms of pricing and packaging. BUT, this is a narrow playing field in a fiercely competitive market sector.
Via Vinera, Heritage Mavrud, Thracian Valley, Thracian Lowland, Bulgaria 2019
Price ex-cellar: €2.80
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 90 points
Buyers’ feedback: A true discovery wine which needs to be sold via a specialist distributor and would appeal to both novice consumers and those who are interested in discovering different examples of rich, ripe, powerful, rustic wines at great value.
Via Vinera, Izba Karabunar Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon -Syrah, Thracian Lowland, Bulgaria 2018
Price ex VAT: £9.99
DWWA 2022 result:
Silver, 91 points
Buyers’ feedback: Familiar grapes from a lesser known region combine to produce a highly drinkable wine in smart packaging at a good price. This should have great commercial success.
Domeniile Averești, Fetească Neagră, Huși, Moldova, Romania 2017
Price ex VAT: £6.20
DWWA 2022 result:
Bronze, 89 points
Buyers’ feedback: This wine is very relevant to the UK, in particular with engaged and knowledgeable wine drinkers. The quality is very good but the winemaking influence does overpower the inherent natural features of the style.
Recommended fortified wines
Quinta do Cume, Vintage, Port 2019
Price ex-cellar: €32
DWWA 2022 result:
Gold, 96 points
Buyers’ feedback: While Port is difficult to sell in the UK market and this wine is expensive, the Port is beautiful and will find its niche among true wine connoisseurs.