PIWI International Wine Challenge 2026: Outstanding quality and a record number of entries
The PIWI International Wine Challenge 2026 reached a new milestone with 359 wines entered from nine countries, representing an impressive increase of 62 % compared with the previous edition. The competition, which took place for the third time at the Czech National Wine Centre in Valtice, once again confirmed its position as the world’s largest international wine competition dedicated exclusively to PIWI wines (fungus-resistant grape varieties).
Results
A panel of 40 professional tasters from Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, China and Spain assessed the wines in eight international tasting panels. The wines were assessed using the OIV’s internationally recognised 100-point scoring system, supported by the tried-and-tested tasting software from the National Wine Centre in Valtice.
The overall quality of the wines entered was exceptionally high. The jury awarded:
- 14 TOP GOLD medals (95+ points)
- 94 GOLD medals (91–94.99 points)
- 152 SILVER medals (88 – 90.99 points)
The highest score in the competition, 95.67 points, went to:
- Souvignier Gris 2025 – Michael Winkler (Germany)
The following wines also received the prestigious TOP GOLD award:
- Roesler 2020 – Amon Winery (Austria)
- Souvignier Gris 2021 – Oldřich Drápal (Czech Republic)
- Chlamberger Cuvée Rouge 2020 – Chalmberger Winery, Thomas Zimmermann (Switzerland)
- Souvignier Gris 2021 – Hoflößnitz Winery (Germany)
- Cabernet Blanc 2025 – Werner Anselmann Winery (Germany)
- Hibernal 2020 – Oldřich Drápal (Czech Republic)
- Souvignier Gris Orange – Weinhof Winter (Germany)
- Blütenmuskateller Spätlese 2025 – Becker – The Winery (Germany)
- Solaris 2025 – Vinařství U Kapličky (Czech Republic)
- Cabernet Cortis Rosé 2025 – Grüne Neune (Germany)
- Rondo 2025 – Jan Alvermann Witt Wein (Germany)
- Villiger Passione 2023 – Schödler Winery (Switzerland)
- Groß Thondorfer Johanniter 2025 – Jan Alvermann Witt Wine (Germany)
- Souvignier Gris 2025 – Hudeček Winery (Czech Republic)
You can find the complete results in these PDFs:
Wolfgang Renner, Vice-President of PIWI International and one of the panellists at the panel discussion, emphasised the importance of this year’s competition:
„The consistently high quality of this year’s PIWI wines is truly impressive. Given the record number of entries, the future of PIWI wines looks brighter than ever. The PIWI International Wine Challenge has established itself as the leading European competition for PIWI wines.“
PIWI Gold Awards Ceremony
The official presentation of the award-winning wines and the presentation of the certificates will take place on 29 July 2026 at the Palazzo Roccabruno in Trento, Italy. Winemakers, experts and representatives of the international PIWI wine community will gather there to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year’s competition. Anyone wishing to attend the awards ceremony can register via the PIWI International website.
👉🏻 Further information and registration here.
