Argentina’s Catena Zapata has knocked Penfolds from the top spot on the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands 2020.
The list is compiled by Drinks International in association with market research specialists Wine Intelligence.
The brands were chosen by Drinks International’s academy of global drinks buyers and wine experts, including professionals from 48 different countries.
Drinks International editor Martin Green said: “There are thousands of wineries vying for attention on a global basis, but just 50 elite brands have made the cut. To win a place on this prestigious list is a tremendous achievement, as there are a number of fantastic producers that missed out.”
Catena Zapata is a family-owned winery located in Mendoza and is famed for producing some of the world’s finest Malbec.
Last year’s winner Treasury Wine Estates’ Penfolds, dropped one place to second while Torres from Spain finished third.
Previous winner Concha y Toro from Chile finished fifth and Antinori was the highest-ranking Italian producer at number six.
Wine Intelligence’s chief operating officer, Richard Halstead added: “Wine Intelligence was delighted to support the Drinks International Most Admired Wine Brands publication this year. We believe that our experience in running robust, confidential surveys and voting systems among the world’s leading figures in the wine industry aligns well with the process that has been established.”
TWE’s 19 Crimes also made an impressive debut on the list at No.4.
Other Australian brands that made the top 50 were Henschke, another new entry at No.18, Yellow Tail at No.20 and Yalumba at No.33.
The most admired NZ brand
Villa Maria has been ranked 8th World’s Most Admired Wine Brand, making the family-owned winery New Zealand’s most admired wine brand for the sixth consecutive year.
Villa Maria CEO Justin Liddell said: “It’s an absolute honour for Villa Maria to be named as the eighth World’s Most Admired Wine Brand and we are delighted to be held in such high esteem on the international stage. This award is a testament to the unrelenting passion, enthusiasm and smart decision making of all teams across the business.”
Cloudy Bay followed close behind in the No.10 spot.
Here’s the full list:
