Wine Producers to Be Selected with Three 'Grapes' Ratings
First Release Planned Next Year in France's Bourgogne and Bordeaux Regions
The world-renowned restaurant guide, Michelin Guide, is expanding its expertise into the wine sector, following its work with restaurants and hotels, by introducing 'MICHELIN Grapes' in 2026.
For the past 125 years, Michelin Guide has consistently highlighted venues and talents that demonstrate excellence in gastronomy and hospitality. The Michelin Star, which evaluates restaurants, was launched in 1926, and last year, the Michelin Key was introduced to recognize the world's best hotels. Building on this evaluation expertise, Michelin Guide is now broadening its scope to include wine, a core element of the gastronomic experience.
Since 2004, Michelin Guide has introduced outstanding wine lists and sommeliers, including the introduction of a 'wine' icon to showcase exceptional food and wine pairings. In 2019, it established the 'Michelin Sommelier Award' to recognize professionals who enhance customer experiences through excellent wine selection and service.
The newly introduced 'MICHELIN Grapes' will evaluate wineries from diverse regions around the world based on five universal and consistent criteria: cultivation quality, technical expertise, identity, balance, and consistency. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of Michelin Guide, explained, "This new standard serves as a guide for everyone, from those just beginning to take an interest in wine to passionate experts, and is intended to recognize and support those who produce wine at the highest standards worldwide."
Michelin Guide will provide wine enthusiasts with reliable standards and information through the three-tiered MICHELIN Grapes ratings and a selection of recommended wineries. 'MICHELIN 3 Grapes' is awarded to top-level wine producers whose wines can be chosen with complete confidence regardless of vintage. 'MICHELIN 2 Grapes' is given to outstanding producers who particularly excel in quality and consistency within the same region and peer group. 'MICHELIN 1 Grape' is awarded to excellent producers who offer wines with distinctive character and style within an outstanding vintage. In addition, the 'Selected' designation is given to trustworthy wineries included in regular reviews, recognized for offering wines with stable quality and a satisfying experience.
The selection of MICHELIN Grapes is conducted by dedicated wine evaluators within the Michelin Group. The team, comprised of wine experts and new evaluators, maintains independence and objectivity, making final decisions through a process of collective deliberation. All evaluators are selected based on multiple qualifications, including the ability to rigorously and honestly assess wine-growing regions. They are professionals with specific and in-depth experience across the wine production industry, including former sommeliers, professional critics, and production specialists. The evaluation process undergoes a strict procedure, including panel reviews and editorial team assessments.
MICHELIN Grapes will make its debut with initial selections from France’s two iconic wine regions, Bourgogne and Bordeaux, with the results scheduled to be released next year.
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