A New Global Benchmark for Wine Excellence
The MICHELIN Guide is expanding its renowned expertise beyond gastronomy and hospitality with the launch of MICHELIN Grapes, a brand-new distinction dedicated to the world of wine. Designed as a trusted reference for wine lovers, professionals, and collectors alike, MICHELIN Grapes will recognize outstanding wine producers through a clear and rigorous classification of 1, 2, or 3 Grapes, starting in 2026 with the iconic wine regions of Burgundy and Bordeaux.
A Natural Evolution of MICHELIN Guide Expertise
For more than 125 years, the MICHELIN Guide has celebrated excellence, talent, and craftsmanship across the world. From the iconic MICHELIN Stars introduced in 1926 to the MICHELIN Keys launched in 2024 for exceptional hotels, MICHELIN has become a global authority in trusted recommendations.
Wine has always been an essential part of the gastronomic experience highlighted by the Guide. Over the years, MICHELIN has recognized exceptional wine programs through the wine pictogram introduced in 2004 and the MICHELIN Sommelier Award launched in 2019. With MICHELIN Grapes, this long-standing expertise now extends directly to wine estates and vineyards worldwide.
As Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, explains, this new distinction opens a new chapter for wine lovers, from curious enthusiasts to seasoned experts, while honoring the men and women shaping the most demanding vineyards across the globe.
MICHELIN Grapes: A New Reference for Wine Producers
MICHELIN Grapes is designed to spotlight not only exceptional vineyards but also the people behind them. The distinction recognizes heritage, innovation, and craftsmanship, from generational savoir-faire to modern, forward-thinking practices. Each selection is made using a strict, transparent, and independent methodology, ensuring credibility and consistency across all regions.
Wine lovers will be able to rely on a clear and trusted benchmark:
- Three Grapes represent exceptional producers whose wines can be enjoyed with complete confidence, regardless of the vintage.
- Two Grapes distinguish excellent producers recognized for outstanding quality and consistency within their region and peer group.
- One Grape highlights very good producers crafting wines of character and style, particularly in their best vintages.
- Selected vineyards are dependable producers offering well-made wines that consistently deliver a quality experience.
A Rigorous Methodology Based on Five Core Criteria
True to its founding values of excellence and independence, the MICHELIN Guide applies the same five criteria to every wine estate, wherever it is located.
The first criterion is quality of agronomy, where inspectors assess soil vitality, vine balance, and vineyard management, all of which directly influence wine quality. The second is technical mastery, focusing on precise and rigorous winemaking practices that faithfully express terroir and grape variety without flaws.
The third criterion is identity, highlighting wines that reflect a strong sense of place, the personality of the winemaker, and the culture behind the estate. The fourth is balance, evaluating harmony between acidity, tannins, oak, alcohol, and sweetness. Finally, consistency is assessed across multiple vintages to ensure sustained quality, even in challenging years, rewarding estates whose wines gain depth and excellence over time.
Expert Inspectors at the Heart of the Selection
MICHELIN Grapes selections are carried out by a dedicated team of wine inspectors employed by the Michelin Group. This team operates collectively and independently, combining seasoned wine professionals with newly recruited experts.
All inspectors are selected for both their qualifications and their integrity. With backgrounds as sommeliers, wine critics, or production specialists, they bring deep, hands-on experience to every assessment. Evaluations follow a rigorous process that includes panel reviews and editorial supervision, ensuring consistency, transparency, and credibility.
Burgundy and Bordeaux: The First MICHELIN Grapes Regions in 2026
The MICHELIN Grapes journey will begin in 2026 with two of the world’s most emblematic wine-producing regions: Burgundy and the Bordeaux area. This inaugural selection celebrates the diversity, history, and cultural richness of French wine.
Bordeaux stands as a historic force in global winemaking, renowned for its prestigious vineyards, international reputation, and ability to balance tradition with innovation. Burgundy, in contrast, is deeply rooted in local heritage, with family-owned estates that emphasize meticulous craftsmanship, terroir expression, and generational legacy.
Together, these two regions perfectly embody the spirit of MICHELIN Grapes, honoring both excellence and authenticity.
Looking Ahead
Wine lovers and industry professionals alike should mark 2026 as a milestone year, when the first MICHELIN Grapes selections are officially unveiled. This new distinction promises to become an essential reference for discovering the world’s most remarkable wine producers.
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