The Hidden Red Wine of the Year Crowned "King of Beaujolais"... The Surprise Contender Takes Second Place

'Hidden Gems' of Korea's Top Six Wine Importers
Unveiled at the 2025 Global Wine and Food Trip Blind Tasting
Shinsegae L&B's "Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent" Tops the Red Wine Category

"A moderate body, well-balanced tannins and acidity. The slight sweetness adds to its appeal, making it promising for pairing with a variety of dishes." (Kim Woong, Head of the Liquor Team at Lotte Mart)

Wine experts who best understand the public palate selected a Gamay wine from the Beaujolais region of France as the "Hidden Red Wine in the 50,000 won range." It was praised for its excellent ripe red berry fruitiness, outstanding structural balance of acidity, sweetness, and tannins, and its drinkability that allows anyone to enjoy it without hesitation.

The Hidden Red Wine of the Year Crowned "King of Beaujolais"... The Surprise Contender Takes Second Place

The "2025 Global Wine and Food Trip," where a diverse range of wines from around the world can be experienced in one place, was held on the 28th at the Marriott Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Wine sommeliers from major distribution companies attending the event are conducting a blind tasting. 2025.08.28 Photo by Dongju Yoon

According to the results of the "2025 Global Wine and Food Trip" blind tasting held by Asia Economy on August 28, 2025, at the Marriott Executive Apartments in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, "Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent 2022," imported by Shinsegae L&B, ranked first in the red wine category with an average score of 85.0 points.

This blind tasting, now in its fourth year, was organized to discover hidden gem wines currently available on the market at the Global Wine and Food Trip. Nine wine buyers from Korea's leading wine retailers (three department stores, three hypermarkets, and three convenience store chains) participated as judges. A total of 12 wines were submitted by six importers: Shinsegae L&B, Keumyang International, Ayung FBC, Nara Cellar, Kooksoondang, and hy. The submitted wines were priced in the 50,000 won range at hypermarkets, and grape varieties and regions of origin were freely chosen by the importers.

The judging was conducted using the evaluation method of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Judges rated each wine out of 100 points, considering appearance, aroma, taste, and balance. To reduce the impact of outliers and accurately reflect the median, a "median statistics method" was used, with the final score calculated as the average of the seven middle scores, excluding the highest and lowest scores among the nine judges.

The top-scoring red wine, Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent, is produced in Moulin-a-Vent, a village known as the "King of Beaujolais." Made from 100% Gamay grapes grown in granite and manganese-rich soils, it is a wine with deep aromas and color, and an overall full-bodied style. Its intense fruit flavors, long finish, and subtle acidity showcase the excellence of Beaujolais Cru wines, and it can be aged for up to 10 years.

As befits the highest-scoring wine, the judging panel widely agreed on its outstanding balance with no sharp edges. Myung Yongjin, Head of the Liquor Team at Emart, commented, "The ripe red berry aroma is impressive. I wondered if a bit more acidity would be better, but that actually makes it an easy-drinking wine." Song Seungbae, Wine MD at 7-Eleven, praised it as "well-balanced" and "today's best red wine." Kim Minju, Chief Sommelier at Shinsegae Department Store, remarked, "It would pair well with grilled meats or main dishes with spices, and also has the qualities to match sous vide-cooked meats."

Georgian wine, which is not yet familiar to the general public, also drew attention by receiving a high average score of 83.86 points. "Teliani Valley Glekhuri Saperavi 2020," submitted by hy, is made from the indigenous Georgian red grape variety Saperavi. It is fermented in a traditional Georgian egg-shaped clay vessel called a "Qvevri," and then aged in French oak barrels to achieve soft tannins. This wine boasts a complex flavor profile, blending tradition and modernity.

Sommelier Kim Minju commented, "The strong tannins stand out at the moment, but the style brings out the nuances of the grape variety well, showing great potential. I believe it could become widely popular." Kyung Minseok, Sommelier at Lotte Department Store, said, "The balance of oak, fruit, and floral notes on the nose is impressive," while Shin Yonghyun, Wine MD at GS Retail, added, "The aroma and balance are overall very good, making it pleasant to drink." Nearly all judges agreed that this wine would pair well with a variety of red meat dishes prepared in different ways.

The "2025 Global Wine and Food Trip," where a diverse range of wines from around the world can be experienced in one place, was held on the 28th at the Marriott Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. Wine sommeliers from major distribution companies attending the event are participating in a blind tasting. 2025.08.28 Photo by Dongju Yoon

Keumyang International's Chilean blend, "1865 Master Blend 2022," also received high praise with an average score of 82.71 points. The 1865 Master Blend is the only blended wine in the 1865 brand, made each year from carefully selected grapes that reflect the characteristics and diversity of that vintage. It is a blend of four grape varieties: Syrah (60%), Malbec (16%), Cabernet Sauvignon (14%), and Petit Verdot (10%). The wine is notable for its firm body, structure, harmonious acidity, and elegant, long-lasting finish.

Choi Hyemin, Wine MD at Homeplus, described it as "a wine with excellent minerality that can be enjoyed with a variety of foods without getting tired of it." Myung Yongjin also commented, "The balance of tannins and acidity makes it an easy-drinking wine that is unlikely to be polarizing." For food pairing, Sommelier Kim Minju suggested that Mediterranean cuisine as well as beef, pork, and lamb would all pair well, while Sommelier Kyung Minseok recommended skirt steak for its pronounced meaty flavor.