The MICHELIN Guide, long having been the go-to for representing quality and high craft in the fields of gastronomy and hospitality, has announced the launch of The MICHELIN Grape.

This new initiative will explore and showcase premier wine estates globally, paying specific attention to their location, character, and measuring their overall standard.

The assessment will hinge on five key points:

• Quality of Agronomy
  • Agronomy is the science of soil management and crop production. This measure will evaluate the vitality of an estate's soil, the balance of the vine stocks and the care provided for the vines.
    
    
• Technical Mastery
  • An inspection process prioritises technical mastery within the cellar, making sure production methods are exacting and rigorous. Wines should be flawlessly executed and fully developed, serving as an utmost expression of both the vine type and the distinct terroir from their point of origin.

• Identity
  • The Guide will highlight winemakers who craft wines that express the personality, the sense of place and the culture behind them.

• Balance
  • An evaluation of how well the wine's acidity, tannins, oak, alcohol and sweetness come together.

• Consistency
  • Wines will also be evaluated across multiple vintages to make sure they uphold consistent excellence even when facing the most challenging production years. The Guide specifically champions those wines that showcase greater depth, complexity, and refinement as they mature over time.

Using three benchmarks, the assessment highlights not only the unique knowledge and passion passed down through generations but also the successful integration of innovative techniques and contemporary practices.

Dedicated wine inspectors will categorise estates as having either One, Two or Three Grapes, or include them in an additional selection of recommended vineyards.

• One Grape
  • Very good producers who craft wines of character and style, especially in the best vintages.
    

• Two Grapes
  • Excellent producers who stand out as exceptional within their peer group and region for both quality and consistency.
    

• Three Grapes
  • Exceptional producers. Whatever the vintage, wine lovers can turn to the estate’s creations with complete confidence.

•  Selected
  • Dependable producers who have been chosen for regular review, producing well-made wines that deliver a quality experience.
    

Wine Inspectors will be solely employed by the Michelin Group and make their recommendations collectively and with complete independence.

The team is composed of a mix of seasoned wine specialists and carefully selected new Inspectors. Crucially, all members were chosen not solely for their formal qualifications, but also for their proven ability to assess a vineyard with unwavering rigor and absolute integrity.

Their assessments will also follow a rigorous methodology including but not limited to a panel review process and editorial supervision.

The MICHELIN Grapes project will have its first selection released in 2026, focusing on the two esteemed, legendary wine producing areas of Burgundy, and the region around Bordeaux. 

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team