The 2021 USA Wine Ratings has announced the winners of its fourth annual competition. Wines from 24 different countries were submitted with the United States, Spain, and Italy leading the way for number of entrants, followed by Portugal. Wines from Ireland and Brazil were entered into the competition for the first time. The top 3 varieties submitted were cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and pinot noir, while a solid increase in Shiraz and Tempranillo competitors was also seen.
“The USA Wine Ratings looks to recognise, reward and help promote wines that have successfully been created to identify with and target a specific wine drinker,” explains a press release. “For any wine brand to earn its place on a retailer’s shelf or a restaurant’s wine list – and then vitally stay there – they need to be marketable and consumer driven and not just produced in the general hope it can find enough people willing to sell and buy it. That is why the USA wine Ratings are different. It will single out and shine the spotlight on those wine brands that consumers really want to buy and have a clear market value for trade buyers.”
In the end, it was the Shottesbrooke Reserve Series ‘Eliza’ Shiraz that won best wine award with a score of 97 points.
Check out a complete list of winners from the USA Wine Ratings below:
Wine Of The Year: Shottesbrooke Reserve Series ‘Eliza’ Shiraz
Winery Of The Year: Shottesbrooke
Best Wine By Quality: Quinta d’Aguieira Red 2017
Best Wine By Value: Peaks & Tides Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Wine By Package: Quest One
Best In Show By Country:
Australia: Shottesbrooke Reserve Series ‘Eliza’ Shiraz
Spain: Murviedro Pasión White
Italy: RECCHIA
Portugal: Quinta d’Aguieira Red 2017
United States: Diora La Belle Fête Rosé
Moldova, Republic of: Alb de Purcari
France: Louis Latour 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
South Africa: Quest One
Argentina: Cuvelier Los Andes / Grand Vin
Germany: Fontaine de Chocolat
New Zealand: Spy Valley
Chile: Root:1 Cabernet Sauvignon
Check out full results here.