What is Wine of The Year?
This is the 11th year of the «Wine of the Year» competition, and we’re immensely proud to once again showcase the best wines imported and available in Latvia, serving as a guide for Latvia’s wine lovers.
We are grateful to our Jury, consisting of some of the best European and world palettes, including ASI World Champion Raimonds Tomsons, Andrew Jefford, as well as the founder of Riga Wine & Champagne festival Aigars Nords. Since 2014 we have identified 120 gold un 967 silver medalists, while 2023 is the first year we are also awarding “Fine Wines” available in Latva!
An international jury led by Michael Schuster and Andrew Jefford blindly evaluates nearly 450 wines each year, awarding Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Worth Tasting medals.
«Wine of The Year» jury:
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Andrew Jefford
One of the world’s leading wine journalists, Andrew writes and broadcasts about food and drinks, has written a number of books over the last 20 years receiving great critical acclaim. Andrew is a co-chair of Decanter WWA, and is a regular contributor to both Decanter and the World of Fine Wine. -
Aigars Nords
Founder of Riga Wine & Champagne festival, organiser of Latvia’s Wine of the Year competition and Baltic Wine List Awards, holder of WSET diploma, Race Director of Rimi Riga Marathon. -
Romāns Komars
One of the founders and the President of Latvia’s Sommelier Assocation (2007-2010), enrolled in WSET Diploma programme, CEO of Interbaltija, one of Latvia’s leading wine importers. -
Agnese Gintere
Sommelier, winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2016, Baltic's third best sommelier 2017, wine consultant at Interbaltija AG. -
Jānis Kaļķis
President of the Latvian Sommelier Association -
Dmitrijs Sinkevičs
The certified sommelier of the Latvian Sommelier Association, the winner of the Latvian sommelier competition 2022 and 2023, the second best sommelier in the Baltics 2022. -
Jānis Volkinšteins
Member of Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Graduate of WSET Diploma Programme. -
Kaspars Reitups
Winner of Latvian and Baltics sommelier Championship, Graduate of WSET Diploma Progarmme, Court of Master Sommeliers Certified Sommelier. -
Linda Karpenko
Sommelier, student of Court of Master of Sommelier (CSM) programme. -
Raimonds Tomsons
Head sommelier of «Barents», one of the best Baltic restaurants, 1rd place in ASI World Sommelier Championship in 2023, the Best European Sommelier in 2017. -
Ņikita Zaičenkovs
WSET level 3, certified sommelier of the Latvian Sommelier Association, 1st place in the Latvian Championship 2020, 2nd place in the Baltic Beer Championship 2022. -
Ronalds Pētersons
Sommelier, wine consultant at «Noble Wine», the Best Sommelier of the Baltic States 2018. -
Madara Greize-Kapzema
Certified sommelier, graduated WSET level 3 at Wine and Spirits Education Trust London. Winner of Latvia Blind Tasting Contest 2023, 2nd place 2024. Sommelier at «Whitehouse» restaurant.
