Valais triumphs at Decanter: Coeur De Domaines receives top honour

The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) are regarded as one of the most important wine competitions worldwide. For the 2026 edition, 245 international experts blind-tasted almost 17,000 wines from 58 countries.

This year’s results show that the quality of wine continues to rise worldwide. Never before have so many wines been awarded the highest honours at the DWWA as in 2026.

Switzerland, too, has reason to celebrate an outstanding result. A total of 113 Swiss wines were awarded prizes: one Best in Show, two Platinum medals, eight Gold, 51 Silver and 51 Bronze medals.

Switzerland thus confirms its position as a small wine-producing country producing wines of exceptional quality.

Switzerland’s greatest success comes from Valais. The jury awarded the Coeur De Domaines 2023 from Domaines Rouvinez the highest honour, Best in Show, as well as 97 points.

The cuvée blends 40 per cent Cornalin, 40 per cent Syrah and 20 per cent Humagne Rouge. In its assessment, the jury highlighted the wine’s intense aromas with notes of black fruits and spices, its dense structure and its impressive freshness. Particularly noteworthy: this is only the fifth time ever that a Swiss wine has made it into the exclusive ‘Best in Show’ selection – and the first time it is a red wine. All Swiss ‘Best in Show’ wines to date have come from Valais.

The jury describes Switzerland as ‘Europe’s secret fine-wine nation’ and strongly recommends that wine lovers discover these exceptional wines.

Two further wines from Valais were awarded Platinum medals:

• 97 points: Visperterminen Heida 2024 from the St. Jodern Winery
• 97 points: Réserve Vieilles Vignes Petite Arvine 2023 from Histoire d’Enfer

The award for the Petite Arvine in particular highlights a trend that the DWWA 2026 has clearly brought to light: indigenous grape varieties are now among the most exciting wines in the world. In their analysis, the organisers specifically cite Petite Arvine as an example of a local variety that enjoys the highest international acclaim.

Here you can find all the award-winning Swiss wines.

Alongside rising quality worldwide, the competition highlights another development: wines with a strong regional identity are becoming increasingly important. Local grape varieties and traditional wine-growing regions are taking centre stage more than ever before.

Switzerland is benefiting from this trend. Grape varieties such as Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Petite Arvine and Heida embody the diversity and distinctiveness of Swiss viticulture and make the Swiss wine landscape unique.