There are dozens of reasons to get involved. Here are nine that spring to mind
A PROVEN TRACK RECORD
The Wine Merchant Top 100 has been running since 2013. Independent merchants recognise it as “their” competition and trust it to deliver a credible annual list of wines that deserve their attention. Many retailers organise customer tastings featuring a selection of winning wines.
OUR TASTERS ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS
Our main point of difference from other competitions is that all our judges are independent merchants. We ask them to assess wines just as they would if they were buying for their businesses, taking value for money into account as well as flavour credentials.
THERE ARE 40 INDEPENDENTS IN THE ROOM
Regardless of where your wine finally places, it will be tasted by a number of merchants on the day. Judges regularly feed back that the Top 100 judging is one of the most useful ways of encountering new wines that they wouldn’t otherwise have discovered.
IT’S A RIGOROUS TASTING PROCESS
To be a winner in the Top 100, a wine has to impress two sets of tasters over two rounds of judging, as well as our four-strong senior panel. As many as 10 palates can be involved in that process. It’s why we’re always happy with our list of winners.
WINNERS TAKE PRIDE OF PLACE AT OLYMPIA
All Top 100 winning wines are available at the London Wine Fair. Our free-pour stand, in the heart of the floor area, is a magnet for the independent merchants who attend over the three days of the show, as well as other trade buyers, journalists and influencers.
TEN TROPHIES UP FOR GRABS
Ten of the Top 100 wines are announced as Trophy winners. These are the highest-scoring red, white, rosé, fortified and sparkling wines, as well as the wines we consider to be the best-value winners in all those categories. We present these prizes at the London Wine Fair.
EVERY INDIE HEARS ABOUT OUR WINNERS
In July, we’ll publish our annual Top 100 Winners Supplement. Written by chairman of judges and Observer wine writer David Williams, it gives full details of all our winning wines, including those that just miss the cut and are Highly Commended.
CERTIFICATES AND LOGOS
All winners receive a certificate, and medal logos that can be used in marketing activity. These are useful graphics to add to your website and social media channels, to create POS displays or even to apply to winning bottles. We want you to celebrate your win. It’s hard earned.
PRICES HAVE BEEN HELD FOR 2025
It costs just £80 to enter a wine into The Wine Merchant Top 100, no increase on 2024. We want the competition to be accessible to wine businesses of all sizes, not just those with big budgets. Small importers are regularly among the competition’s winning suppliers.
The Wine Merchant Top 100 