60 wines, 19 categories, and 4 judges – welcome to The Wine Awards presented by Cosmo Middle East and MMI.
Need the perfect wine for your next date night? Look no further. Want to tuck into something fruity and fun at your next boat party? You’ve come to the right place. Decided to splash out on a boujee gift for your in-laws? Say less. Our panel of WSET-qualified wine experts and sommeliers tasted 60 wines – all for the greater good, obviously – in search of the very best bottles to buy now. Want to meet said experts? Click here to find out more about the judges.
With the fabulous new Dubai Tax laws, getting a bottle of decent wine for an even more decent price has never been easier. All wines you’re about to scroll past are available at MMI outlets across Dubai, so happy shopping, happy drinking, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for all the wine-buying inspo you need this year 🍷❤️.
Scroll down below for all our wine ✨winners✨…
Best “How is this not Champagne”
Champagne is the undeniable king of bubbles and has been for years, but there are many rules that a sparkling must follow if it wants to be called Champagne. These rules are designed to ensure quality, prestige, and elegance – but would “a rose by any other name” smell as sweet? Take a look at our selection of non-Champagne sparkling wines from some of the world’s leading wine regions and give us your thoughts.
Nyetimber Brut
Best Organic
The word “organic” has become trendy at brunch with the girls, but what does it actually mean? And can organic wines be any good? Wines classified as organic must be made from grapes that are grown organically which means using pest deterrents and fertilizers that are made from natural ingredients instead of in a factory with manmade substances. This results in a more natural product. These natural methods can help to highlight the natural flavours expressed in the vineyard resulting in some world-class wines. So yes, organic wines can be great in terms of flavour and sustainability.
Torres Atrium Merlot Organic 75 CL
Best Biodynamic
The term Biodynamic refers to a holistic farming method that focuses on ecology and adds an ethical approach to how we build vineyards. This approach takes organic to a whole other level. While all pest deterrents and fertilizers remain natural, being biodynamic means that every process in the vineyard and the cellar follows the cycles of the moon. The theory is that just as the moon affects the tides, so it would affect the water in the vineyards creating days that are considered either good or bad for harvesting, planting, pruning, etc.
Again, the encouragement of only natural processes allows the grapes to truly express the terroir that they are grown in, creating some incredible wines. And, makes the end product more sustainable. Win-Win.
J. Moreau & Fils Chablis 1er Cru ‘Montmains’
Best BCorp
In 2006 BLab, a non-profit organization was founded with the aim of “transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet”. They consider a winery’s social and environmental impact including topics such as environment, employees, governance, and community. They are rigorously and constantly monitored to ensure that they are doing everything they can to improve their global impact which is the closest measure of true sustainability. BCorp Certified wines are not just good for the environment but also good for their employees and their communities.
Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Best “Expensive-Looking” Affordable
We’ve all survived Janu-worry, by far the most stressful month financially, but some of us are still looking to rein in the purse strings and who wouldn’t want a wine that looked expensive, tasted great, and was affordable? We’ve selected a few wines that look classy and elegant, but that is a little lighter on the budget and the perfect way to ease into 2023.
Passori Rosso IGT
Best “Actually Expensive”
For those of us not stressing about the paycheck, there is a whole different range of wines, with slightly steeper price tags, but how can you ensure that you are getting the best product for your money? Well, we’ve highlighted a few of the best slightly pricier wines for those nights when you deserve a little spoil or feel like a bit of a splurge.
Reserve de la Comtesse, 2010, Bordeaux
Most Giftable
Ever found yourself Google-ing “best gifts for Mother’s Day” or “what to buy my husband”? having just survived the festive season, I’m sure we’re all fresh out of gift ideas but not to worry, because we’ve got you covered. While a bottle of wine has become quite a normal hostess gift, we’ll take you through a range of wines that will make your wine gift stand out from the crowd.
Pago del Cielo Celeste
Prettiest Label
In 2022, in a Drinks Business Survey, it was found that four in five people purchase wine based purely on what the label looks like, and while branding is obviously important, it doesn’t always translate to fabulous wines. That said, we’ve highlighted wines that are both pretty and great quality so you can rest assured when you see these pretty labels, that they’re as beautiful on the inside.
De Bortoli La Bohème Act Three Pinot Gris and Friends 75cl
Best Celeb-Owned
We’ve all been enthralled by the goss around Brad & Angie’s break up and the war that broke out around their joint ownership of a Provence Winery but are Celeb-owned wineries just about tabloids or are there some quality wines hidden behind all the glitz and glam? Here are a selection of wines that are owned by Celebrities awaiting your input.
Kylie Minogue Cotes de Provence Rosé
Best Outdoor Drinking
Picnic in the park? Beach BBQ? A sunny day in the pool? All of these are fabulous weekend adventures especially when the weather is fine, but which wines should you choose for the cooler box? So close your eyes and imagine that you’re surrounded by people you love, good music the smell of great food and try to picture the ultimate wine for the occasion.
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 75 CL
Best Boat Party Rosé
Picture this, you’re wearing your best smart casuals, you’re out with an awesome group of mates on a super-sleek yacht, the tunes are going and you’re sailing through the beautiful blue waters of the Arabian Gulf. The only thing missing is a glass (or two) of Rosé. Whether you are a die-hard Provence fan or looking for a New World Wonder, we’ve got a selection for you.
Château d’Esclans, Rock Angel Rosé 75 CL
Best Boxed Wine
Over the years, Boxed Wines have earned themselves a reputation for being low-quality and entry-level, however, in more recent years, consumers have started to fully appreciate the convenience of a larger format box of wine, with a more stable lifespan. Many brands have now looked at creating better Bag in Box options for those who want the convenience of the box, but slightly higher quality.
Wilderness Bay Rosé 75 CL
Best Under-Dhs50
With the fabulous new Dubai Tax laws and the removal of the license fee – getting a bottle of decent wine for under AED50 is now possible! We chose some of our best wines that have now slid into the sub-50 price point and scream value for money. Whether you’re looking to save some money or find a new favorite house pour we’ve got something for you.
Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 75 CL
Best Bathtub Wine
It has been a stressful week, and it feels like everything has gone wrong, but the light at the end of the tunnel (ie. the weekend), is finally here and it is time to book a date night with a bottle of wine, a bubble bath and a facemask. So, grab your book, put on your favorite playlist and settle in, because this range of wines will definitely help you relax.
Zonnin 1821 Prosecco 75CL
Best Date Night Wine
Valentine’s Day has just passed and couples all over Dubai are still loved-up planning romantic Dight Nights for an opportunity to spoil their significant other. But which wine should you pair with the occasion? Which wine will get you past the first date, or make your 20th wedding anniversary sparkle? Here are a few ideas.
Fern Ridge Pinot Noir
Best Mates Night Wine
If you skipped Valentine’s and are opting for a Girl’s Night instead, then grab your party dress, your heels, and one of these wines and meet up with the girls for a night of dancing, and a couple of laughs. And just like your mates will always have your back, you can count on these wines to be your trusted confident.
Jacob’s Creek Le Petit Rosé 75 CL
Best Female Winemaker
While we are on the topic of nights out with the girls, let’s celebrate all things female by having a look at some of the most exciting wines made by women. There are some fabulous Ladies breaking the glass ceiling of the wine industry and doing it with true class – tell us about your favorite.
Kloof Street Chenin Blanc
Best Vegan
As the world is changing and we start looking at healthier and more sustainable eating habits, many people have turned to veganism as a dietary choice. But what does this mean in the wine industry? Well, some wineries utilise egg white powder as a way of filtering their wines, as it settles out any remaining yeast cells or grape particles. Vegan wines rely on gravity and manual filters as an alternative. MMI has a fabulous selection of Vegan wines, however we have narrowed it down to a few favourites.
False Bay Chenin Blanc
Best Low/ No Wine
On the topic of health and well-being, more and more people are looking for low or no alcohol wines as alternatives. These are products with all the flavour and style of a wine, while making sure that the alcohol content id either low or non-existent, allowing you to fully enjoy your drink without any concern for your well-being. This is a fast-expanding segment and MMI is proud to announce that it now has a dedicated non-alcoholic segment! That said, we had to narrow down our choices to just a few.
(Yellowtail) Pure Bright Pinot Grigio
Head to MMI to learn more about all these delicious wines, and check out their IG here for more wine content.