Winners of the Open Balkan Wine Trophy 2026 Announced

The best wines of this year’s regional Open Balkan Wine Trophy competition were announced today at the Belgrade Fair, as part of the fifth edition of the international Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair. With more than 800 wine samples submitted, the jury awarded trophies in nine categories.

A jury of 25 renowned wine experts from around the world assessed the wines' quality. The panel included five holders of the prestigious Master of Wine title and one Master Sommelier, further confirming the competition’s international credibility.

Igor Luković, Open Balkan Wine Trophy judging coordinator and Wine Vision 2026 Programme Director, thanked all winemakers, oenologists, cellar masters and winegrowers for the outstanding work they continue to do year after year.

“Special thanks for your trust and for submitting such a large number of samples for this year’s judging. A total of 800 different wines were presented to our jury. This year, the panel, comprising distinguished experts from as many as 18 countries, awarded higher average scores than ever before. Our local and indigenous grape varieties are absolutely on a par, in terms of scores, with international stars such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The discussion is no longer solely about grape varieties, but also about terroir and its authentic expression. Today, we can clearly recognise outstanding wines and their distinctive characteristics from the wine regions of Albania, Povardarie, Župa, Negotinska Krajina and Fruška Gora. We know where and how these wines are made, confirming that together we are growing into a significant European and regional wine powerhouse,” said Igor Luković.

The jury was chaired by Caroline Gilby MW, one of the leading international experts on wines from the Balkans and Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, particularly renowned for her work and expertise in the wine regions of the Balkans.

“It is a great honour to chair the Open Balkan Wine Trophy jury. I have been following this fair for five years, and the wines get better, more mature and more interesting every year. Congratulations to all the wineries that received awards. I am particularly pleased that this year’s top award winners reflect an excellent balance: prestigious medals have been won by both large wineries and small family-owned wineries that are developing, learning and raising standards. This is the clearest sign of a healthy and dynamic wine industry in the region. I fully support the message that the strength of this region lies in its local and indigenous grape varieties, as well as in its terroir — the unique expression of the land and the human story behind every bottle. Winemaking technology and expertise in cellars have become more sophisticated, allowing the character of the terroir and the winemaker’s vision to be fully expressed in the glass. Here’s to the wines of the Balkans, and may you continue along this positive path of progress,” said Caroline Gilby MW.

The jury also included Rod Smith MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine; Peter Moser, former editor of the renowned Austrian wine magazine Falstaff; and Beth Willard, an international wine expert, critic and author, and one of the five principal Co-Chairs of the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards.

The Open Balkan Wine Trophy is a regional competition designed in accordance with the standards of the world’s leading wine competitions. Wines were assessed through a panel-based system, following a strictly defined methodology and blind-tasting procedures, ensuring that medals and trophies were awarded solely on the basis of each sample’s quality, authenticity and style. The official Wine Vision judging model is based on systems and standards applied at leading international wine competitions.

Winners of the Open Balkan Wine Trophy 2026

National Trophy – Albania: KANTINA FANI SHESH I ZI, 2023 vintage, Kantina Fani winery

National Trophy – North Macedonia: VRANEC, 2022 vintage, Peshkov Family Winery

National Trophy – Serbia: PINOT GRIGIO, 2023 vintage, Đurđevića Legat winery

Trophy for Best Red Wine: KARDAŠ LIMITED, 2021 vintage, Aleksić winery

Trophy for Best White Wine: CHARDONNAY, 2024 vintage, Zvonko Bogdan winery

Trophy for Best White Wine Made from an Indigenous Grape Variety: LUPO, 2025 vintage, La Gora winery

Trophy for Best Red Wine Made from an Indigenous Grape Variety: VRANAC POTKRANJSKI, 2020 vintage, Jović winery

Trophy for Best Rosé Wine: ESTIA VERË ROZE, 2025 vintage, Arianiti winery

Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine: TARPOŠ EXTRA BRUT, 2021 vintage, Tarpoš winery

Trophy for Best Orange Wine: GEWÜRZTRAMINER, 2025 vintage, Château Kamnik winery

Trophy for Best Sweet Wine: MAKANA, 2018 vintage, Bikički winery

Trophy for Best Fortified Wine: BELI BERMET, 2024 vintage, Kosović winery

This year’s Open Balkan Wine Trophy brought together wines of diverse styles and origins, while the international composition of the jury provided an opportunity to assess the quality of the regional wine scene from the perspective of experts with experience in the world’s most important wine markets and competitions.

The trophy ceremony marked the conclusion of this year’s Open Balkan Wine Trophy, once again confirming that the region produces wines capable of competing on equal terms before an international audience of wine professionals.

The Open Balkan Wine Trophy was held as part of the fifth Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair, taking place at the Belgrade Fair from 10 to 12 October under the slogan “One Place. The Whole World.”

PHOTO: M2S

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