The rumor circulating for weeks has now been officially confirmed—and naturally, the announcement came straight from France.
The Michelin Guide, already the most influential global reference for restaurants (with its iconic stars) and hotels (with keys), is expanding once again. This time, its focus turns to the world of wine.
Beginning in 2026, Michelin will introduce a new rating system dedicated specifically to wineries: the Michelin Grapes, awarded on a scale from 1 to 3 bunches. This marks the first time in its 125-year history that Michelin will evaluate wine producers as standalone entities, placing winemakers, estates, and viticultural heritage on the same prestige level as haute cuisine and luxury hospitality.
A Strategic Move in a Challenging Moment for the Wine Sector
The announcement arrives at a time when the global wine industry faces declining consumption, oversupply pressures, and growing economic uncertainty. In this context, Michelin’s decision reads as both a bold expansion and a characteristic example of French cultural leadership—some would say chauvinism—with national institutions moving in coordinated strength to reaffirm France’s influence in the wine world.
Regardless of motives, the introduction of the Michelin Grapes is poised to reshape how producers are perceived and valued internationally.
How “Michelin Grapes” Will Be Awarded: Five Core Criteria
Michelin inspectors will evaluate wineries based on five rigorous criteria, establishing a new global standard of excellence for viticulture and winemaking:
1. Agronomic Quality
Assessment of soil vitality, vineyard balance, biodiversity, and overall care of the vines—factors directly tied to wine quality and long-term sustainability.
2. Technical Mastery
A precise evaluation of the winemaking process. Michelin seeks accuracy, rigor, and purity in execution, with wines that faithfully express their grape varieties and terroir without faults.
3. Identity
The ability of the winery to reflect authenticity, sense of place, cultural heritage, and personality. A producer must demonstrate a distinctive voice and style.
4. Balance
Harmony among key structural components—acidity, tannin, alcohol, sweetness, and oak. A technically flawless equilibrium is essential for higher distinctions.
5. Consistency
Wines must demonstrate quality over multiple vintages, even during challenging years. The guide will reward producers who achieve depth, complexity, and age-worthiness across time.
These five pillars align closely with Michelin’s historical values: discipline, authenticity, excellence, and long-term reliability.
A New Global Benchmark for Wineries
Michelin’s official press release describes the new system as “a benchmark for discovering and showcasing winemaking talent around the world.” The guide explicitly aims to highlight both the vineyards and the people behind them—producers, families, and teams whose skills embody tradition, innovation, and craftsmanship.
According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide:
“This benchmark is designed for both the curious enthusiast and the discerning expert. It recognizes the men and women building the most rigorous and high-quality vineyards around the world.”
What Each Michelin Grape Rating Means
⭐ 3 Bunches (Michelin Grapes)
Exceptional producers. Wine lovers can rely on their bottles with absolute confidence, regardless of the vintage. These wineries represent the pinnacle of global excellence.
⭐ 2 Bunches
Producers who stand out for quality and consistency, clearly positioned among the best in their region.
⭐ 1 Bunch
Very good producers creating wines with character and style, particularly strong in top vintages.
⭐ Selected
Reliable producers offering well-made wines that deliver a recognised level of quality, regularly reviewed by inspectors.
The First Regions: Burgundy and Bordeaux Lead the Way
Predictably, the inaugural selections in 2026 will begin in France, focusing on the country’s most emblematic regions—Burgundy and Bordeaux. However, Michelin has already indicated that the program will quickly expand to other world-class regions, including Italy, Spain, the United States, Germany, Australia, and beyond.
Given Michelin’s institutional influence, the “Michelin Grapes” distinction is expected to become a major asset for wineries seeking international recognition, tourism visibility, and strengthened positioning in global markets.
What About The Wine Advocate?
Interestingly, Michelin has so far made no reference to the implications this new system might have for The Wine Advocate, the prestigious magazine founded by Robert Parker and now fully owned by the Michelin group.
This raises a critical question within the industry:
Could Michelin’s new winery rating system eventually complement—or even replace—the 100-point scoring model created by Parker, which has dominated global wine communication for decades?
Only time will tell, but the introduction of the Michelin Grapes suggests a long-term ambition: to unify the assessment of wine, gastronomy, and hospitality under one cohesive global standard.
Source: WineNews