The 2026 WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition once again brought together standout brands from across the industry, highlighting quality, craftsmanship, and innovation in both wine and spirits. Now in its second year powered by The Tasting Alliance, the competition continued to set a high standard for professional, credible evaluation—while demonstrating the value of bringing a proven competition framework to external organizations exploring the competitive tasting space.

For the second consecutive year, The Tasting Alliance partnered with WSWA to power the Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition at Access LIVE, extending our rigorous judging process beyond our core competitions. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to transparency, integrity, and meaningful results—ensuring that brands are evaluated by experienced industry professionals through a trusted, time-tested methodology. By applying The Tasting Alliance’s competition standards in new environments, we continue to help organizations like WSWA deliver a judging experience that brands can trust and leverage.

The 2026 competition welcomed more than 250 entries across wine and spirits, underscoring the continued demand for credible tasting platforms within the beverage alcohol industry. From emerging producers to established names, entrants sought expert feedback, third-party validation, and the opportunity to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Professional tasting competitions play a critical role in helping brands gain the visibility they deserve. Medals and accolades serve as powerful tools—supporting sales conversations, strengthening distributor relationships, and building consumer confidence at the point of purchase.

Beyond recognition, competitions like the WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition provide brands with:

• Objective, expert evaluation

• Industry-facing credibility

• Marketing assets that support long-term growth

In today’s competitive landscape, these benefits are more important than ever.

The Best in Show winners from this year’s competition will be showcased throughout the 2026 WSWA Access Live event, taking place February 2–5. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the brands behind the top-performing products and taste some of the very best wines and spirits from this year’s competition—bringing the results to life on the show floor.

To view the complete list of winners and competition results, visit the WSWA website for full details.

As the WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition continues to grow, The Tasting Alliance is proud to support platforms that elevate quality brands and create meaningful opportunities for recognition, discovery, and connection across the industry.