Wynn wine awards highlight push to elevate Chinese labels on global stage

The 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards returned to Macau this year with an impressive international judging panel, participation from various wineries across China, and a clear focus on positioning Chinese wines within the global premium market.

Held at Wynn Palace on April 24, the ceremony brought together more than 200 wine professionals, including producers, Masters of Wine, media representatives and industry experts.

A total of 36 trophies were awarded after blind tastings of more than 800 wines from around 180 Chinese wineries, evaluated under an internationally recognized 100-point system.

The top accolade, “Best Wine of China”, went to Amethyard Petit Manseng Sweet White Wine 2024 from Hebei, which also received additional category honours. Other notable winners included He Lan Hong Dry Red Wine 2019 from Ningxia and Shangri-La Sacred Land Red Wine 2019 from Yunnan, reflecting the geographic and stylistic diversity of China’s wine production.

Organizers said this year’s results underscore the increasing maturity of China’s wine industry, with entries spanning established and emerging regions and showing greater variation in grape varieties, winemaking approaches and terroir expression.

Now in its third year, the awards are positioned as more than a competition. Wynn has framed the initiative as a long-term platform to align Chinese wine production with international evaluation standards while expanding its visibility in global markets.

The judging panel included 23 international experts, among them 11 Masters of Wine,two Master Sommeliers, and one industry expert with dual MW and MS certifications, who conducted blind tastings throughout the week in March.

Following the ceremony, Wynn hosted a series of celebratory dining events across its restaurants and bars, featuring a 20-hands gala dinner created by chefs from multiple cuisines, including Cantonese, Japanese, Italian and Western steakhouse concepts. The dishes were paired with selected award-winning wines under the “Wynn Sommelier’s Choice” programme, designed to introduce Chinese labels in a fine-dining context.

President, vice chairman and executive director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Linda Chen said the initiative aims to combine international standards with Chinese wine production to support broader industry development.

She noted that the programme aligns with Macau’s economic diversification strategy and its role as a platform for cultural and commercial exchange.

“The Awards helps bring the Chinese gastronomy and beverages to a global stage and injects new momentum into Macau’s moderate economic diversification and sustainable development,” Chen said .

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office said the event contributes to Macau’s positioning as a “Creative City of Gastronomy” and supports the development of food-and-beverage-related tourism products.

Beyond Macau, Wynn announced plans to expand promotional activities for winning wines through its global network. These include wine dinners, tasting events and retail integration across key markets such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as new international destinations.

Organizers said the goal is to build sustained exposure for Chinese wine brands and strengthen their competitiveness abroad by linking producers with sommeliers, buyers and hospitality partners.

A post-awards forum titled “Beyond the Awards – Charting the Future” also brought together winemakers and industry professionals to discuss long-term challenges, including branding, distribution and export strategies.

Moving forward, Chen concluded, “We look forward to powering the future of China’s service industry by driving greater awareness around China’s diverse cultures and industries across the world, setting the stage for Hong Kong and Macau to be a ‘window to the world’ for all of China, and collaborating with more Chinese brands to shine on the global stage.” MDT Review