BIBENDA | ROME, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
While the Academy Awards are being presented in Los Angeles, Rome is preparing to celebrate the Wine Oscars.
Just as the film industry honors its top talents with the Academy Awards, the wine sector also has its own prestigious recognitions: the Wine Oscars. The winners were chosen by passionate wine lovers who voted for their favorites among the various nominations established by the Wine Oscar Academy of Bibenda and the Italian Sommelier Foundation, founding members of the Worldwide Sommelier Association, dedicated to spreading wine culture on an international scale. The 2025 edition, scheduled for May 25 in Rome at the National Headquarters of the Italian Sommelier Foundation at the Rome Cavalieri, will have a special significance: the event coincides with the 25th anniversary of the award.
Oscar Bibenda: A New Selection Format
After the great success of the previous edition, which placed Champagne in the spotlight with the participation of 20 prestigious Maisons, the 2025 Wine Oscars introduces an innovative format. The Academy of Bibenda and the Italian Sommelier Foundation, through the work of an expert tasting team, selected nine wines for each of the six competing categories, but left the final decision in the hands of wine enthusiasts. Thanks to an interactive voting system on the official website, the public had the opportunity to elect three winners per category, determining the Wine Oscars 2025. This selection saw renowned wineries competing alongside new discoveries: from the most celebrated sparkling wines to rosés from small appellations, as well as prestigious Piedmontese reds and outstanding dessert wines, in a competition featuring labels from across the Italian peninsula. After two weeks of voting and countless shares on social media and industry publications, the Wine Community has chosen its winners, who will be the stars of the grand tasting event on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The internal jury reserved the right to award prizes in the Oscar Champagne and Oscar Grappa categories, along with the Special Jury Award, which includes excellence from Distilleria Castagner, the historic Nonino, and AB Selezione Italian Spirits.
(Oscars awarded to the Best 30 Restaurants in Italy 2024, according to BIBENDA)
A Sensory Experience Led by Top Experts
The tasting will unfold in eight stages, featuring 21 wines and 3 spirits, each presented by esteemed instructors from the Italian Sommelier Foundation, guiding participants through a journey of unique aromas and flavors.
Among the distinguished winners are Ferrari, Elena Walch, Feudi di San Gregorio, Gaja, Tenuta San Guido, Franz Haas, and Maison Gallimard, just a few of the wineries honored at the 2025 Wine Oscars – XXV International Wine Award. Created in 1999 by Franco M. Ricci, president of the Italian Sommelier Foundation, the award has always followed a format inspired by the Academy Awards. However, for the first time in its history, there will be three winners per category, all receiving the prestigious Wine Oscar statuette.
An Event Not to Be Missed
The 2025 Wine Oscars promises an unforgettable experience, capable of exciting and engaging all wine lovers. To participate in the grand tasting event on May 25, reservations are mandatory on www.bibenda.it. Seats are limited!