The Michelin Guide, the world's leading gastronomy rating agency, is expanding its expertise beyond restaurants and hotels to include wine. The Michelin Guide announced that it will introduce a new standard for evaluating wine producers, the Michelin Grape, starting in 2026. This marks another iconic rating system introduced by Michelin, following the Michelin Star and Michelin Key.
For 125 years, the Michelin Guide has been recognizing places and individuals who exemplify excellence in gastronomy and hospitality. In 1926, the Michelin Star established the standard for evaluating restaurants, and in 2024, the Michelin Key for hotels was introduced. Building on this expertise, Michelin has expanded its scope to include wine, a key element of the culinary experience.
The Michelin Grape Awards offer a three-tiered classification and a Selected category to wineries and producers worldwide. A "3 Grape" is awarded to a producer of the highest caliber, regardless of vintage. A "2 Grape" recognizes a producer with exceptional quality and consistency within a region and within its own group. A "1 Grape" is awarded to a producer who produces wines with distinct character and style in excellent vintages. A "Selected" category recognizes a winery that consistently produces wines of consistent quality.
The evaluation is based on five criteria. Viticultural quality examines the quality of soil and vine management. Technical expertise assesses the precision and perfection of the winemaking process. Identity examines whether the wine reflects the region and the producer's philosophy. Balance assesses the harmony of acidity, tannin, and alcohol. Consistency focuses on maintaining quality across multiple vintages.
Michelin Grapes are independently selected by dedicated wine evaluators within the Michelin Group. A team comprised of experienced professionals, including former sommeliers, critics, and production experts, makes the final decision through panel reviews.
The first Michelin Grapes will be unveiled in 2026 in the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France. These two regions hold iconic positions in global wine history and culture, and Michelin plans to expand its global wine evaluation criteria from these regions.
