VinePair’s 50 best wines of 2026: the complete ranking
VinePair placed Davide Fregonese ‘Prapò’ Barolo 2019 at No. 1 in its annual selection, followed by Far Mountain Montecillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 and Zuccardi Finca Los Membrillos Sémillon 2023. The ranking covers 50 wines and is based on quality, value, regional diversity and U.S. availability rather than scores alone.
How the ranking was assembled
VinePair says its tasting and editorial staff samples thousands of bottles during the year. Wines are assessed with the producer and price known, rather than blind, and the panel considers aroma, flavor, structure, balance, overall quality and how clearly a bottle reflects its grape or region.1
For the 2026 list, the tasting panel revisited an initial selection in a group session and reduced it to 50 wines. Every bottle received a score, but rank does not follow rating in a simple ascending or descending order: quality, value, geographic breadth and availability in the U.S. also informed the final sequence.1
The selection ranges from established Burgundy and Champagne estates to newer projects in California, Piedmont and southern Spain. VinePair highlighted refined Nebbiolo, cool-climate Blaufränkisch from Germany and Slovenia, and less familiar choices including Sierra Foothills Syrah, Mendocino Chenin Blanc, an Andalusian Palomino blend and Columbia Gorge Mencía.1
Ranks 1–10
1. Davide Fregonese ‘Prapò’ Barolo 2019 — 98 points; average price $92. 2. Far Mountain Montecillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 98 points; $110. 3. Zuccardi Finca Los Membrillos Sémillon 2023 — 96 points; $134. 4. Domaine Delagrange Volnay ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 2023 — 98 points; $84. 5. Abbott Claim Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2023 — 97 points; $85.1
6. Analemma Mosier Hills Columbia Gorge Mencía 2022 — 97 points; average price $53. 7. Domaine Les Astrelles Bourgogne Aligoté ‘Les Lares’ 2023 — 95 points; $47. 8. Joseph-Jibril Cabernet Franc Black Ridge Vineyard 2024 — 95 points; $35. 9. Le Fontane Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2022 — 95 points; $35. 10. Farm Cottage Wines Trout Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 — 95 points; $55.1
Ranks 11–20
11. Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2024 — 95 points; average price $23. 12. Frog’s Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 97 points; $75. 13. Champagne Ullens ‘M’ Chardonnay Champagne Extra Brut 2018 — 96 points; $125. 14. CHO Wines Spirit Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 — 97 points; $95. 15. Maison Louis Latour Château Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2022 — 98 points; $200.1
16. Matthieu Barret Cornas ‘Brise Cailloux’ 2023 — 97 points; average price $71. 17. Fairsing Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 — 97 points; $52. 18. Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino 2020 — 95 points; $75. 19. Kobal ‘Roots’ Blaufränkisch 2025 — 95 points; $21. 20. Forlorn Hope Chardonnay 2021 — 95 points; $38.1
Ranks 21–30
21. Champagne Pertois-Moriset Les Jeamprins Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru 2016 — 94 points; average price $125. 22. San Barnaba Langhe Nebbiolo 2025 — 95 points; $48. 23. T. Berkley Wines Norgard Chenin Blanc 2024 — 94 points; $35. 24. Cantine Barbera Ammàno Zibibbo #11 Vino Bianco 2023 — 95 points; $44. 25. Sanctum Bubamara 2022 — 94 points; $24.1
26. Trefethen Merlot Napa Valley 2022 — 94 points; average price $50. 27. Curto Marco di Curto Barolo Arborina 2021 — 94 points; $65. 28. Slater Run Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2025 — 95 points; $40. 29. Vino Gross Hišno Vino Blanc 2023 — 94 points; $26. 30. Champagne André Heucq Parcellaire Les Roches 2017 — 94 points; $107.1
Ranks 31–40
31. Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso Riserva 2022 — 94 points; average price $69. 32. Henri Dufrères Bourgogne Blanc 2025 — 92 points; $20. 33. Desire Lines Wine Co. Shake Ridge Ranch Syrah 2024 — 94 points; $40. 34. Rocamadre Malbec Paraje Altamira 2024 — 94 points; $29. 35. Roterfaden Schwabischer Landwein ‘L’ 2022 — 92 points; $35.1
36. Damiani Wine Cellars Chardonnay Standing Stone Farms 2024 — 94 points; average price $33. 37. Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Hommage à Luise Riesling 2024 — 94 points; $23. 38. Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV — 93 points; $65. 39. Jean-Claude Lapalu ‘Eau Forte’ 2024 — 93 points; $26. 40. Bricoleur Vineyards Kick Ranch GSM 2023 — 94 points; $70.1
Ranks 41–50
41. Agricola Calcarea Porfia Blanco 2025 — 93 points; average price $24. 42. Famille Descombe Chablis Les Oiseaux 2023 — 97 points; $43. 43. Turley Sauvignon Blanc ‘Estate’ 2024 — 95 points; $43. 44. Dancing Sonoma ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel 2024 — 96 points; $54. 45. Domaine de Montaillant ‘Montaillant’ Chardonnay 2022 — 93 points; $37.1
46. Entelecheia Wine Cellars Northern Lights 2024 — 92 points; average price $30. 47. Right Turn Wine Co. Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2022 — 95 points; $45. 48. Martissima Ribolla Gialla 2024 — 93 points; $30. 49. Paloma Vineyard Merlot 2021 — 96 points; $72. 50. Maison Stéphan ‘Le Grand Blanc’ 2024 — 93 points; $35.1
Sources
Written by the Dionysus editors from the sources above.
