The Buyer | IWSC judges on the top DOCG Proseccos in 2022 awards

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in comparison to its DOC neighbour located on the plains at the foot of the hills, here yields are lower, production is less than a fifth of the quantity and there’s a much more specific focus on terroir. Welcome to Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superior, home of DOCG Prosecco.

In order to fully experience and understand what the DOCG Proseccos being produced in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superior have to offer the team of judges tasked with tasting and selecting the best Prosecco Superiore DOCGs entered in the 2022 IWSC awards travelled to the appellation to do the judging there and then. A panel that included Matteo Montone, Master Sommelier and World Best Young Sommelier 2019, wine writer and broadcaster David Kermode, Salvatore Castano, Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa ASI 2021, assistant wine buyer at Friarwood Fine Wines and Andrew Johnson, head of Woodwinters in London and England.

The IWSC judges were able to not just taste and assess but experience the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superior for themselves

The tasting was overseen by Sarah Abbott MW, founder of the Swirl Wine Group, and a key member of the IWSC’s Wine Judging Committee. Over three days, the judges tasted wines from across the region’s 15 communes, including exclusive subzones of Catizze and Rive, and awarded an unprecedented nine gold medals and 95 silver medals.Abbott says by travelling to the region the judges were able to fully appreciate the “attention” Prosecco producers are now placing on quality.

She explains: “Particularly the focus they have on producing great Prosecco Superiore DOCG – this has been shown in the number of entries we have received and the diversity and quality of the entries. It means we were able to judge a cross-section of wines that represent some of the best in the region. While we were there, we were able to see the patchwork of these incredible vineyards – when you see and judge the next day, you understand why the focus on different terroir is embedded in the DOCG region. There is a benefit after the judging to connect with the producers, so we are aware of the latest trends in the region and discuss their latest projects. It gives us an in-depth understanding of the wine culture there.”

Woodwinters’ Andrew Johnson adds: “The judging was eye-opening. The quality level of the entrants we saw was incredibly high. This sort of result across professional wine judging is extremely rare. Being able to taste a larger sample enabled us better to understand the nuances between different styles and quality levels. Visiting vineyards always allows for a deeper understanding of wine and its region.”

Top Producers with wines scoring 93+ points

Here we highlight the producers with at least one wine scoring 93 points in the competition. Noticeably half of the producers featured here do not yet have distribution in the UK (those seeking distribution are labelled with an SD mark next to their name). For a full list of producers seeking distribution, click here to take a look at the IWSC’s new Representation Directory.

Anna Spinato (SD)

Website: Home – Anna Spinato