The “Aires de Garbet 2021” (Cavas del Castillo de Perelada), “Fino La Honda” (Osborne) and “Los Altares 2016” (Unión Vitivinícola) are among the wines distinguished in the “Alimentos de España” awards for the best wines of 2026, according to the granting order from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food published this Monday in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
These awards underline the quality of the Spanish wine sector and support wines protected by Denominations of Origin (DOP) and Protected Geographical Indications (IGP) recognized by the European Union.
The recognition for the best red wine of this call has been awarded to “Aires de Garbet 2021,” from the DOP Empordà, produced by Cavas del Castillo de Perelada, in Peralada (Girona). It is a monovarietal red wine of garnacha from the Garbet estate and aged in French oak barrels. The jury has valued the long trajectory of the winery, its commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability, support for rural areas, and its international projection.
For its part, “Los Altares 2016,” from the DOP Rioja, produced by Unión Vitivinícola de Cenicero (La Rioja), has been designated the best white wine of the year. Made from old viuras and other minority varieties from high-altitude vineyards, this white wine presents itself as a revision of the great aged wines of Rioja. The jury has highlighted the excellence of the winery, its presence in more than 140 countries, its innovative winemaking vocation, and its commitment to sustainability.
The award for the best rosé has gone to “Inurrieta Mediodía Rosado 2025,” from the DOP Navarra, produced by Inurrieta, in Falces (Navarra). This rosé, which combines cabernet sauvignon, merlot, graciano, garnacha, and syrah, stands out for its freshness, balance, and complexity. The tribunal has valued the winery’s commitment to R&D, sustainability, internationalization, and its role in the development of the rural environment.
In the sparkling category, the award has been given to “Cuvée D.S. 2019,” from the DOP Cava, produced by Freixenet. It is a cava that stands out for its aromatic complexity, creamy texture, and balance. The jury has recognized the international leadership of the brand, its investment in technological innovation, its sustainability strategy, and its contribution to the economic and social development of the area.
As for the best liqueur wine, the award has gone to “Fino La Honda,” from the DOP Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, of the Osborne Group, based in El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz). This generous wine, made with palomino fino grapes and subjected to a biological aging of about 12 years through the traditional criaderas and soleras system, has been distinguished for the trajectory of more than 250 years of the house, its international leadership, and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
The Ministry of Agriculture has specified that in this edition, 23 wineries participated (six in the red category, five in the white, three in the rosé, four in the sparkling, and five in the liqueur wine). All of them, according to the bases of the call, had previously managed to place among the five best scores of the international wine competition Bacchus, organized by the Spanish Union of Tasters in 2026.
The jury has been made up of representatives from the wine sector (Spanish Wine Federation, Spanish Conference of Regulatory Wine Councils, and Spanish Union of Tasters), along with members of the General Directorate of Food.
In addition to the organoleptic quality of the wines, accredited by the scores obtained in the international Bacchus 2026 competition, the tribunal has taken into account factors such as the commercial and innovative effort of the wineries, their contribution to local agriculture and the rural environment, respect for the environment, and their role in projecting the image of “Foods of Spain.”
Dining and Cooking