The Glass of Bubbly Awards 2026
The World’s FinestGlass of Bubbly
A different kind of wine competition. Champagne and sparkling wine judged the way people actually enjoy it — across eighteen descriptive, consumer-focused categories that tell a story buyers and drinkers instantly understand.
Entries open now · Close 31 August 2026
A New Way to Judge
Awards People Actually Understand
Traditional competitions hand out gold, silver and bronze that mean little to the person choosing a bottle. We do it differently. Every wine is judged into a descriptive category — Sea Breeze, Zesty & Zingy, Oaky & Toasty — names that capture character, occasion and flavour at a glance.
The result is an award that works as hard on the shelf and the wine list as it does in the tasting room — a recommendation your customers immediately get, and a talking point that drives interest and orders.
30+
Countries
3,000+
Wines Judged
18
Trophy Categories
10th
Year Running
The Categories
Eighteen Trophies to Win
Each wine is judged within the category that best captures its character. Eighteen distinct trophies, eighteen ways to stand out plus the Sustainability and World's Finest Trophy.
A wine showing a timeless, refined and luxurious quality.
A soft rounded wine that gives you a buttery/creamy experience of aromas and/or flavours.
A wine that will likely be sweeter in taste and pairs well with desserts.
The perfect wine to accompany that first date. Nothing too complex and not necessarily a wine that needs to pair with exact foods.
A wine with a unique personality. There’s something very different about this wine making it stand out.
A complex wine that holds enough body to accompany fine cuisine.
A wine that will have a herbaceous character from herbs to freshly cut grass.
This wine will show characteristics of seed, fruit, root, bark or other plant spices from sweet to heated.
A light and easy to drink wine with expressive fruity flavours.
This wine will express itself more and more the longer it is opened and the longer it stays in your glass. Ideal for those special relaxing times.
This wine will express a smoky, toasty and/or oaky style character.
A wine showing a yeasty, brioche, nutty character.
This wine will show a salty sea spray tasting experience just as if you were standing on the beach and admiring the waves.
A floral driven wine that expresses flowers from cherry blossom to rose petals. Imagine yourself walking into your local florist.
A refreshing and crisp tasting experience likely to be red berry driven. Ideal for those moments spent enjoying the sun.
A wine which shows a touch of tropical fruit character such as pineapple, banana and mango.
This wine will be of a fuller flavoured character. Perfect for a winter’s evening sat in front of the fire.
A wine that will be citrus flavoured with a definite zing to it.
How to Enter
Entering Is Simple
Register Your Wines
Complete the online entry form with your wine details — one entry per wine you’d like judged.
Send Your Samples
Ship the required bottles to our judging venue ahead of the tasting. Full instructions are provided on entry.
Get Judged & Celebrate
Our international panel tastes blind and places each wine in its category. Winners receive trophies, digital assets and promotion.
Entry Fee
£125 + VAT per wine
10% off when you enter 3 or more wines
20% off when you enter 5 or more wines
Entries close 31 August 2026
In Their Words
Trusted by the Trade
I simply love the idea of categorising award winning wines in easy to understand descriptive names such as Sea Breeze and Light & Fruity — this is a whole new way of judging wines.
Michael Edwards (1944-2025)
Champagne Author & Critic
Winning with Champagne Deutz resulted in an immediate increase in the amount of interest and orders.
Ben Wyse
González Byass UK
Join the Panel
Would You Like to Judge at the Glass of Bubbly Awards?
Join our team of judges and help to decide who takes home the trophies and the title of The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly.
Wine professionals and experienced tasters welcome
Could Your Wine Be Named the World’s Finest?
Put your Champagne or sparkling wine in front of leading international judges and a global audience of buyers, press and enthusiasts.
Entries close 31 August 2026