world's most admired wine brands

[Ken Gargett]

just saw this. interesting. surprised to see a sherry producer in there, but delighted. and curious that here is a collection of wine producers all of whom have a wide range of different products, many ranging from bargains to the very pointy end. and yet in the midst of them sits a sauternes maker who makes a single wine (leaving aside tiny quantities of 'Y') of limited quantity and even then, not every year.

TOP 10 Most Admired Wine Brands for 2016 Drinks International

1. Penfolds

2. Torres

3. Ridge

4. Casillero del Diablo

5. M. Chapoutier

6. Guigal

7. Errazuriz

8. Villa Maria

9. Chateau d’Yquem

10. Tio Pepe

[MIKA27]

Surprised to see Casillero del Diablo there, wasn't sure they were so big..?

No offence but I guess this is most admired wine brands, does this also mean quality?

I've had a bunch of wines from Casillero del Diablo as my ex wife was Chilean and I was never that impressed with it. Rather sharp and acidic for my palate be it a Cab Sav or even a Shiraz.

[cigarbigboy]

maybe admired, but I don't think all of them are recognized for stellar product, though some are. Interesting, not a single French First Growth. One man's opinion.

[Ken Gargett]

maybe admired, but I don't think all of them are recognized for stellar product, though some are. Interesting, not a single French First Growth. One man's opinion.

actually, it is apparently some 200 men/women's opinion. don't know full details but it is an annual poll of top critics, somms, MW's, buyers etc etc. the criteria for voting is - "Experts were asked to vote based on certain criteria including the consistent quality of the brand’s wine, how well it reflects the region or country of origin, and its appeal to a wide demographic."

so certainly more than just quality.

[Lotusguy]

What country did they poll?

[Fugu]

Interesting. Guess that must be the most ridiculous wine chart I've ever seen. It's just meaningless, what should, what does it tell us?

And what's a 'brand' in their definition anyway? Casillero del Diablo is by Concha y Toro, so this is a "line" within a producer's portfolio. Then again for Torres, they simply state "Torres". Being a producer like Concha y Toro, why not being consistent and defining a line within Torres as well, like Sangre de Toro? And as Ken sais, most of those producers are comprising a range from the magnificent highs of single vinyard wines down to the lows of ordinary tank table-reds. So how can one at all define "how well it reflects a region"?

So much missing from that list, in terms of "admirability"!? This rather seems like being the most heard of, most advertised, plus the most frequently seen on discounter's shelves lumped together... There is two that do not belong on that list, and that is Ridge and d'Yquem. Sorry for them being included there. Very, very strange mixture.

I guess that is what happens if one tries to make a survey too "cross sectional" including the views of specialists and the average consumer, in trying to get a highly "representative" figure. And that's then the funny result of such a poll.

Ken, were they given a selection to chose from or was that "free association"?

[Fugu]

What country did they poll?

Let me guess - Aussie? I was going to ask that same question, as were it US, we'd have seen Mondavi on top (or Gallo... )

[Lotusguy]

Let me guess - Aussie? I was going to ask that same question, as were it US, we'd have seen Mondavi on top (or Gallo... )

Waste of electrons, this "poll"

[MIKA27]

Let me guess - Aussie? I was going to ask that same question, as were it US, we'd have seen Mondavi on top (or Gallo... )

Can't be Aussie as we have the best wines in the world...

[Ken Gargett]

Let me guess - Aussie? I was going to ask that same question, as were it US, we'd have seen Mondavi on top (or Gallo... )

actually, i don't know if there was a single aussie included. my understanding is that it was european and american, probably a fairly high percentage from britain. they may have included a few token aussies/kiwis/south africans etc.

it was very obvious to me that it was not an aussie poll - aside from knowing that it was from a european/international mag which focuses very much on the northern hemisphere - as diablo, tio pepe, errazuriz etc would simply not be on the radar if it was aussie judges.

my understanding is that the experts are able to chose from any wineries they like. no restrictions.

the list is simply what it is. it has all the advantages and disadvantages seen in any such list in any sphere. they have been doing it for many years. it is well respected within the industry but whether it actually "means" anything is up to each individual, i guess. you can bet that all 200 judges were not unanimous.

it is not a 'best wine' list. and not intended to be. and i'm sure every judge looked at things in their own way. the aim is to try and get a mix of quality, wide appeal and how well it does reflect the "region or country of origin". obviously the cheaper blends will often be multi-regional so then it becomes about reflecting country of origin, as they state.

as for feeling sorry for any winery included, i'm not sure i follow that and i can assure you that the wineries don't feel that way. from what i have seen in press releases and advertising etc etc, the chosen wineries are largely pumping it for all it is worth. they love being included.

an annual review which won't change the world but does give some indication of what a lot of people in the industry think.

[Fugu]

Ken, wasn't meant in any way offensive, and even the Aussie-statement was done with a wink...

I just don't get the idea behind it. It is a crazy "blend" of wines, lines and producers, so even the group of qualifiers and the concept behind it appears inconsistent (to me).

What does it tell us, either the consumer or the experts in the business? Perhaps someone could help me. I really don't get it, sorry. What I got - it is not about quality, it is not about sales, it is not about value, it is not about market penetration, it is not about popularity, ok.

I don't concur with you Ken, saying "the list is simply what it is. it has all the advantages and disadvantages seen in any such list in any sphere". Agreed, of course these lists are always to be taken with a grain of salt. But there is a wealth of lists out there, which are way more informative and conclusive. Here, I am not able, even after exerted and repeated consideration (I really try to find "something" in it; but what's "admired" anyway, and by whom?), to retrieve any useful information for me from that list. Be it with regard to buying decisions or gathering information on how business pros might see the current market/business situation. For that it is just too heterogeneous, inconsistent and lacking clear criteria. I stand by my view that this survey comes with a poorly laid-out design.