Our wine expert shares some Old World and New World highlights from the recent awards
I’ve highlighted here some of my favourites from the gold star winners, but you can pick up a booklet at one of NOffLA’s 315 member off-licences featuring all gold, silver and bronze winners.
Judging takes place during the summer, when wine importers are invited to enter their wines under set categories. The main categories are divided by region (new or old world), colour (red or white) and price (under €12, €15, €20 or €30).
The Wine of the Year and runner up (in this year’s case, a White Wine of the Year) are the top two from those categories.
There are also categories for Rosé under €20, Sparkling under €30, Champagne under €80, Orange Wine under €30 and for Non-Alcoholic Red, White and Sparkling, all under €15. The result is a dependable range with good availability at various price-points, whether you’re looking for a decent midweek bottle or something a little more special.
The two-part judging begins with an initial panel of WSET-qualified wine industry experts who shortlist the wines, before a panel of wine journalists (including myself this year) conduct a second round of judging, with marks combined from both rounds for the final tally.
The Wine of the Year 2025–2026 is all the more impressive for coming in under €20, and for offering bold richness while keeping alcohol levels relatively low. My personal stand-out is probably the White Wine of the Year 2025–2026, a rich barrel-aged Viura-based white wine from Rioja that punches well above its weight at just €24.
Both top wines were Old World, so I’ve also featured here two gold star winners from the New World, alongside an approachable orange wine with broad appeal.
I’ll return to non-alcoholic wines again, but no surprise to see the old reliable and spice-friendly Torres Natureo White 0.0pc (€8.99) top its category, while the Leitz Zero Sparkling Rosé NV (€15) is dry, refreshing and party-ready.
Wines of the week
Larga Historia Garnacha, Valencia, Spain
Larga Historia Garnacha, Valencia, Spain, 13.5pc, €18.95
This hug of a wine is an organic Garnacha that delivers well above its price-point in terms of value, with juicy red fruits, warm spice and bold intensity balanced and given welcome lift by careful wine-making (combining crushed fruit layered with whole bunches to introduce some herbal nuance and vibrant crunchy texture to the resulting wine). From high-altitude chalky soil vineyards (650m) in south-east Spain, it’s a great example of how Spanish winemakers are exploring the potential of Garnacha, especially when alcohol levels are kept lower, as they are here. Bradley’s (Cork) and other NOffLA members
Lopez de Haro Blanco Reserva 2018, Rioja, Spain
Lopez de Haro Blanco Reserva 2018, Rioja, Spain, 12.5pc, €24
Broad and rich with toasty, creamy, honey-nut notes and vibrant acidity, this old-vine Viura is barrel-aged for 18 months, with a touch of Malvasía, Tempranillo, Garnacha Blanca and Torrontés for impressive balance. McHughs, NOffLA members, whelehanswines.ie
Lubanzi Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa
Lubanzi Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa, 12.5pc, €18
Organic Chenin Blanc with lots of citrus peel, green apple freshness with hints of tropical fruits, plus intensity of aroma and flavour from dry-farmed old vines in decomposed granite and shale and textured weight from lees ageing. Bradleys, Drinkstore, NOffLA members, boxofwine.ie
Malbado Malbec 2023, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza), Argentina
Malbado Malbec 2023, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza), Argentina, 14pc, €19.95
Reduced in price for this promotion, this Malbec is dark and inky in colour and character with plush structure and an earthy intensity underlying its ripe red and black fruits and violet perfume. NOffLA members and independents including leonards.wine
Bedoba Orange 2022, Kakheti, Georgia
Bedoba Orange 2022, Kakheti, Georgia, 13pc, €24
Restrained and bone dry, with quince membrillo, dried apricot and delicate spice and herb notes, made mostly from rkatsiteli grapes grown in blue slate soils and fermented and aged in qvevri. Widely available in independents and NOffLA members, thenudewineco.ie