LWC Sets New Benchmark with 137 Medals at the Sommelier Wine Awards

LWC Wine Merchants & Shippers has delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2026 Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA), securing 137 medals – a 65% increase on 2025 and more than double its 2024 total.

The result marks LWC’s strongest performance to date, reflecting the increasing strength and relevance of its wine range for the UK on-trade

2026 Results at a Glance

  • 10 Gold Medals
  • 42 Silver Medals
  • 85 Bronze Medals
  • 8 additional accolades, including By the Glass, Critic’s Choice and Pub & Bar awards

Total: 137 medals – up from 83 in 2025

This sustained growth highlights the ongoing development of LWC’s wine portfolio, combining depth, accessibility and strong commercial performance.

Recognised by the On-Trade, for the On-Trade

The SWA is widely regarded as a benchmark for wine quality in hospitality, with all entries blind-tasted by leading sommeliers, buyers and operators.

Success in this competition demonstrates wines that:

  • Deliver on quality and consistency
  • Perform in real hospitality environments
  • Offer strong value across a range of price points

 Standout Performers

 This year’s highest achievers include:

  • Balauri Feteasca Regala – Gold, By the Glass, Pub & Bar – “Stone fruit on a pronounced nose leads to an explosive palate, with a rich, thick and round texture, notes of peach and apricot, and a long, acidic finish” Bianca Potenza, consultant sommelier.
  • Jaffelin Bourgogne Pinot Noir – Gold, By the Glass – “Light and fruity, this is easy to drink, and a good by the glass option.” Konstantinos Katridis, The Fat Duck
  • Santa Julia Bonarda – Gold, By the Glass, Critic’s Choice – “Elegant, with notes of leather, bacon, pepper and bramble crumble” Elly Owen, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
  • Villa Pani Barbera Appassimento – Gold, By the Glass, Critic’s Choice – “great, classic example with an amazing palate and a great price.” Imre Somogyi, The Ritz.

A notable trend this year is the strength of wines suited to by-the-glass programmes, reflecting LWC’s focus on helping operators maximise both quality and margin

Frances Bentley, Wine Buyer at LWC, commented:

These results are a fantastic endorsement of the strength and relevance of our range. Every wine is selected with our customers in mind, ensuring it not only delivers on quality, but performs commercially in real on-trade environments. Recognition across such a broad cross-section of the portfolio highlights the strength and credibility of the wines our customers choose from us.

From everyday house pours to premium listings, LWC’s award-winning portfolio is designed to help operators:

  • Build compelling wine lists
  • Deliver quality at every price point
  • Drive sales through trusted, recognised products

 All medal-winning wines are available now through LWC account managers and the online ordering platform.

About the Sommelier Wine Awards

Now in its 19th year, the SWA is one of the UK’s most trusted wine competitions, recognising wines that combine excellence with real-world appeal for the on-trade.

A full list of the award-winning wines and their medals can be found on the SWA website https://www.sommelierwineawards.com/news/june-2026/sommelier-wine-awards-results-2026-announced