Determined by gross sales performance at the country’s largest online wine marketplace, the Philippines’ bestselling wines of 2023 will also be available on sale in bundles at Winery.ph starting December 12

In a year filled with twists and turns, one thing remained constant: our love for good wine. As the local wine industry continues to mature within the Philippine market, Winery.ph once again brings to you a glimpse of what 2023 tasted like through the 4th Kavino Choice Awards.

Grounded in genuine consumer choices, these awards are a reflection of the actual purchasing and consumption habits of Filipino wine enthusiasts, or “Kavinos” as they’re called. Chris Urbano, the Managing Director and Chief Sommelier at Winery.ph, affirms the significance of the Kavino Choice Awards, stating, "These awards are backed by real sales data from real transactions. They're like a GPS for navigating the Philippine wine market’s tastes and preferences."

With an extensive collection of over 2,000 bottles, Winery.ph has cemented itself as the go-to spot for the FIlipino’s wine purchases. Now with a wider reach, through the opening of their Global Cellar Door, they’ve given Kavinos a chance to curate their experiences based on a diverse array of choices. This year, a total of 66 outstanding wines will be honored with the Kavino Choice Award, distributed across seven categories encompassing price range and wine type.

To celebrate these awards, a selection of the bestselling wines will be featured in exclusive bundles during Winery.ph's highly anticipated 12.12 Sale, from December 12 to 16, 2023.

Chris Urbano expresses his enthusiasm, stating, "By sharing these wines during our 12.12 sale, we get to stay true to our mission which is Vino for the Filipino. At the end of the day, we aim to provide customers with easy access to their all-time favorite wines."

Here are the winners of the Kavino Choice Awards of 2023:

 

Bestselling Value Reds

This category features red wines in the ₱500-₱1,999 price range:

1. Matsu El Picaro (Toro, Spain)
2. Lagarde Guarda DOC Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) 
3. Bread & Butter Merlot (Napa Valley, United States)
4. Santa Macarena Pinot Noir (San Antonio, Chile) 
5. Pra Vinera Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
6. Odfjell Armador Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley, Chile)
7. Gonzalez Byass Beronia Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
8. Beringer Founders' Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
9. Printhie Mountain Range Merlot (Orange, Australia)
10. Chrismont Sangiovese (King Valley, Australia)
11. Butcher's Cut Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) 
12. Ramon Bilbao Crianza Rioja Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)

When it comes to red wine, Spanish Tempranillo has been a favorite for Filipinos for years now–in fact, bottles such as Matsu El Picaro and Gonzalez Byass Beronia Reserva (from Toro and Rioja respectively) have been consistent bestsellers for at least three years! Outside of this region, however, Filipinos continue to show an interest in wines from the New World. “Many Filipinos continue to prefer styles of red wine that are more intense and fruit-forward, which is best seen in bottles from outside of Europe,” says Urbano. “But the greatest commonality we see is that they are gaining a deeper appreciation for regions with bang for buck—which you’ll find plenty of in Spain, Chile, and Argentina.”

 

Bestselling Value Whites

This category features white wines in the ₱500-₱1,999 price range:

1. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
2. Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
3. Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc (Maipo Valley, Chile)
4. Bread & Butter Chardonnay (Napa Valley, United States)
5. Knappstein Riesling (Clare Valley, Australia)
6. Marlborough Vines Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
7. Albariño Atlantico (Rias Baixas, Spain)
8. Mont Rocher Viognier (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
9. Charles Smith “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling (Columbia Valley, United States)
10. Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
11. Gustave Lorentz Pinot Gris (Alsace, France)
12. Chrismont La Zona Pinot Grigio (King Valley, Australia)

Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough continues to be the most popular style of white wine for Filipinos—possibly due to the burst of tropical fruits it presents alongside the varietal’s high acid and herbaceousness that makes it so food-friendly. “Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc in particular continues to be popular, and we see more interest in winemakers like Matua and Dog Point from the same region,” explains Urbano. “However, we’re seeing other styles slowly beginning to grow in popularity. Kung Fu Girl Riesling is also a consistent awardee, and we see Filipinos beginning to explore the varietal more, even finding alternatives like Albarino and Pinot Grigio.”

 

Bestselling Value Sparkling

This category features sparkling wines in the ₱500-₱1,999 price range:

1. Chandon Brut Sparkling NV (Mendoza, Argentina) 
2. Abbazia Moscato Rosé Dolce (Piedmont, Italy)
3. Chrismont Prosecco NV (King Valley, Australia)
4. Martini Asti Spumante (Asti, Italy)
5. Arthur Metz Crémant D'Alsace Brut (Alsace, France)
6. Brown Brothers Prosecco (Victoria, Australia)

 

“We’ve observed that, when they’re not buying something as luxurious as Champagne, Filipinos are actually quite adventurous when it comes to sparkling wine,” notes Urbano. “It’s likely that many buy sparkling wine because of its carbonation, rather than other preferences like specific tastes or styles—though we do see that Sparkling Moscato is popular, possibly for the fact that it is sweet.” Australian Prosecco is also growing in popularity.

 

Bestselling Rosé

This category features rosé wines in the ₱500-₱2,000 price range:

1. Château d'Esclans Whispering Angel (Cotes de Provence, France)
2. Brown Brothers Moscato Rosé (Victoria, Australia)
3. LEKO Rosé (Adelaide Hills, Australia)
4. Bread & Butter Rosé (Napa Valley, United States)
5. Minuty M Rosé (Cotes de Provence, France)
6. Villa Maria Blush (North Island, New Zealand)

 

“Rosé from Provence, France is easily the most popular in the world, and the Philippines is no exception,” says Urbano. Since this category was first introduced at the Kavino Choice Awards, international favorites Chateau d’Esclan’s Whispering Angel and the Minuty M Rosé have remained go-tos for Filipinos, followed by New World styles also verging on premium territory such as Bread and Butter Rosé. An interesting entry on the list is LEKO Rosé, which is a natural wine—low-intervention wine made only from unadulterated fermented grape juice—which was perhaps driven by a growing interest in the movevment within Metro Manila. 

 

Bestselling Premium Reds

This category features red wines in the ₱2,000- ₱7,000 price range:

1. Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
2. The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
3. Stags' Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
4. Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
5. Château Lagrange, Saint-Julien (Bordeaux, France)
6. Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)
7. Beringer Quantum Red (Napa Valley, United States)
8. DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, United States)
9. Tedeschi - Amarone de la Valpolicella Corvina DOCG
10. Pirramimma War Horse Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia)
11. Matsu El Viejo (Toro, Spain)
12. Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, United States)

 

“When Filipinos are shelling out money for red wine, the undisputed favorite is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon,” observes Urbano. In this more premium category, many will prioritize reliability, choosing well-established winemakers with some level of renown such as Joseph Phelps, Duckhorn, Stags’ Leap, and Caymus. Filipinos’ preference for the fruitier, more intense styles of red wine continues in this category.

 

Bestselling Premium Whites

This category features white wines in the ₱2,000- ₱7,000 price range:

1. Joseph Drouhin - Chablis Reserve de Vaudon Chardonnay (Burgundy, France)
2. Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, United States)
3. Joseph Mellot Silex La-Chatellenie Sancerre (Sancerre, France)
4. Cloudy Bay Chardonnay (Marlborough, New Zealand)
5. Josmeyer - Gewurztraminer Les Folastries (Alsace, France)
6. Joseph Mellot Grande Cuvée des Edvins, Pouilly-Fumé (Loire Valley, France)
7. Koerner 'Pigato' Vermentino (Clare Valley, Australia)
8. Domaine de Mauperthuis Chablis Premier Cru Montmains (Burgundy, France)
9. Giant Steps Chardonnay 2021 (Yarra Valley, Australia)
10. Château Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé Tête de Cuvée (Burgundy, France)
11. Pascal Jolivet Signature Blanc (Sancerre, France) 
12. VHS Wines ’Eighteen Views of Kuitpo Forest’ Gewürztraminer (Riveland, Australia)

 

“While Filipino wine drinkers generally have a preference for New World styles, we start to see a bigger interest in French wine as they look for premium white wines,” says Urbano. Sauvignon Blanc remains a favorite in this category, with many bottles from Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. It would also appear that the more acidic style of Chardonnay from Burgundy and the Loire Valley is the alternative of choice. Most notable, however, is the growing interest observed again in natural wine—with two entries, particularly Koerner ‘Pigato’ Vermentino and VHS Wines ‘Eighteen Views of Kuitpo Forest’ are both excellent examples of orange wine.

 

Bestselling Premium Sparkling

This category features sparkling wines in the ₱2,000- ₱7,000 price range:

1. Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial - 750ml (Champagne, France)
2. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV - 750ml (Champagne, France) 
3. Champagne Vincent Bliard Les Fondamentaux Brut (Champagne, France)
4. Pol Roger - Brut Reserve Pinot Noir Champagne (Champagne, France)
5. Etienne Calsac L'Echappee Belle Chardonnay NV (Champagne, France)
6. Champagne Duval Leroy Brut NV (Champagne, France)

This year marks the first time that Winery.ph is featuring Premium Sparkling Wines as a category, and it is entirely dominated by Champagne. Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial and Veuve Clicquot remain the two most popular Champagnes in the Philippines. “We are, however, seeing an interest in growers Champagne, which is made and bottled by the same people who grew the grapes,” says Urbano. “These are fantastic reflections of terroir and vintage, and the growing demand shows that Filipinos are becoming more discerning about who makes their Champagne.”

As the community of Filipino wine lovers grows, so does its tastes. Winery.ph is giving more Filipinos the chance to enjoy great wine by making these Kavino Choice Awardees at its annual 12.12 Sale. Whether you’re here to discover new varieties or revisit old favorites, you can shop these bestsellers as bundles now on the Winery.ph website or browse them in person at Winery.ph’s newly-opened Global Cellar Door showroom at 2247 Chino Roces Avenue, San Lorenzo, Makati. Shop now, before these fan favorites are gone! Get updates and learn more about wine by following Winery.ph on Facebook and Instagram (@winery.ph).

 

Selection Criteria for the 4th Kavino Choice Awards:

1. Only products listed on the Winery.ph online marketplace are eligible for consideration
2. Award coverage is limited to wines with regular single bottle selling price of ₱500-₱10,000
3. Selection is made on the basis of total gross value sales from Jan 1 to Nov 30, 2023
4. Sales volumes made under selective promotions (i.e. flash and clearance sales) are excluded from analysis and selection decision
5. Erratic purchases far above average order value are excluded from analysis

About Winery.ph 

Winery.ph was first conceived in 2016 by a passionate group of wine lovers who wanted to improve access to good-quality wine for Filipinos—today, it is the Philippine’s largest online marketplace for wines and spirits. With “Vino for the Filipino” as its mission, Winery.ph focuses on 1) offering the widest selection of wine from the world’s top region for the best possible prices; 2) reliably delivering its products nationwide (with same-day delivery in Metro Manila); and 3) allowing customers to shop with confidence with an empowering 100% Wine Quality Guarantee; and 4) sharing daily educational content by wine experts on its social media platforms to create a safe space for Filipinos to learn more.