Michelin Guide to launch wine estate rating system Michelin Grapes

The Michelin Guide announced a new wine estate rating system called Michelin Grapes, featuring one, two, or three Grapes plus a “Selected” category, with professional wine inspectors evaluating producers on five criteria including agronomy, technical mastery, and consistency across vintagesmichelin.

The wine rating system, debuting in 2026 with Burgundy and Bordeaux as the first regions, marks Michelin’s expansion beyond its 1926-launched restaurant Stars and 2024-introduced hotel Keys distinctionsmichelin.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said the new reference is designed for both casual enthusiasts and experts to discover producers worldwide, with Three Grapes recognizing exceptional producers reliable in any vintagethedrinksbusiness.

Michelin Guide Unveils Wine Estate Rating System with Three-Tier Grape Distinction

The Michelin Guide announced Monday the launch of Michelin Grapes, a new wine estate rating system that mirrors the company’s prestigious restaurant stars and hotel keys, marking its most ambitious expansion into the wine industry despite already owning Robert Parker Wine Advocate.michelin

The three-tier distinction—awarding One, Two, or Three Grapes, along with a “Selected” category—will debut in 2026 focusing on France’s Burgundy and Bordeaux regions, with wine inspectors employed by Michelin making collective evaluations based on five universal criteria: quality of agronomy, technical mastery, identity, balance, and consistency across vintages.thedrinksbusiness

Expanding Beyond Restaurants and Hotels

The wine rating system represents Michelin’s latest brand extension following the April 2024 introduction of Michelin Keys for hotels, which now recognizes more than 2,400 properties globally. According to the Michelin Guide, the company has celebrated excellence in gastronomy and hospitality for 125 years, with restaurant stars introduced in 1926.awardtravel

“After having oriented wine-lovers towards the finest tables in more than 70 destinations and to the world’s most elegant hotels, the Michelin Guide is delighted to open a new chapter with the world of wine,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide. “This new reference is designed for both the curious amateur and the most ardent expert.”maxim

Rating System and Methodology

Under the new system, Three Grapes will recognize “exceptional producers” whose wines remain reliable in any vintage, according to the Michelin Guide. Two Grapes will identify “excellent producers” who distinguish themselves through quality and consistency within their peer group and region, while One Grape will highlight “very good producers” known for wines of character, particularly in strong vintages.maxim

Wine inspectors, described as seasoned professionals including former sommeliers, specialized critics, and production experts, will conduct assessments following a rigorous methodology with panel reviews and editorial supervision. Michelin emphasized the independence of its approach, though questions have emerged about potential conflicts given the company’s “pay-to-play” model for restaurant guide coverage in some markets.thedrinksbusiness

The evaluation will assess five criteria consistently across all wine regions: soil vitality and vine care, technical winemaking skills, wines that express sense of place and culture, harmony among wine components, and quality maintained across multiple vintages.michelin