Winery.ph Reveals the Philippines’ Favorite Wines of 2021 (Kavino Choice Awards)

December 12, 2021

The winners are determined by the gross sales performance on Winery.ph, the country’s largest online wine marketplace, and will be available on sale in bundles starting December 12.

As interest in wine continues to grow and develop in the Philippines, there is a question that is often asked: Given the country’s unique climate and culinary scene, what wine does the ordinary Filipino drinker love?  The answer lies in numbers. Today, Winery.ph is offering a fascinating insight into the Filipino palate by revealing the best-selling wines as purchased by real Filipino customers online at the 2nd Kavino Choice Awards.

The Kavino Choice Awards, named for the online wine marketplace’s term for its community of ‘fellow wine drinkers,’ are determined by each wine’s popularity among its customers. Winery.ph is the country’s largest in-stock collection of wine online at over 2,000 different bottles, giving it more insight into Filipino taste.

This year, a total of 54 wines will receive the coveted Kavino Choice Award across five categories of wine type and price range. The winning wines have all been certified by thousands of Filipino consumers as being of great quality and value for money. To celebrate, a selection of these best-selling wines will be on sale in bundles at Winery.ph’s 12.12 Sale from December 12 to 14, 2021.

“The Kavino Choice Awards are an important milestone for the Philippine wine market,” says Chris Urbano, Winery.ph Managing Director and Chief Sommelier. “It’s the only real data-backed picture of what Filipino wine drinkers actually enjoy, not what foreign wine critics and importers think we should enjoy and place on supermarket shelves.”

Urbano adds, “By making these favorites part of our 12.12 Sale, we wanted to give our customers the opportunity to not just stock up on wines they love, but to also discover ones they might have missed out on. Our mission is Vino for the Filipino, and this means helping to unearth the Philippines’ own unique wine palate and empower our customers with the confidence  to drink and enjoy wine on their terms.”

Here are the winners of the Kavino Choice Awards of 2021:

Value Reds Under ₱1,000

1. Dealto Crianza (Rioja, Spain)
2. Matsu El Picaro (Toro, Spain)
3. Amnesia Red (Alentejo, Portugal)
4. Aloe Tree Shiraz (Western Cape, South Africa)
5. Gonzalez Byass Beronia Crianza (Rioja, Spain)
6. Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Noir (California, USA)
7. Mont Rocher Carignan (Herault, France)
8. Jack Estate M-R Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra, Australia)
9. Mitolo The Nessus Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia)
10. Guadalupe Red (Alentejo, Portugal)
11. Pepperwood Grove Cabernet Sauvignon (California, USA)
12. Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Valley, Chile)

A strong preference for Spanish and Portuguese wines can be seen among the top 12 wines under the Value Red Wines category. “The range has been dominated by wines from the Iberian Peninsula over the past few years,” says Urbano. “This underscores the great value for money to be had from the Spain and Portuguese wine industries, and reflects that fruit-forward wine styles appeal to the Filipino palate. It definitely helps that these pair extremely well to any Spanish-inspired dishes like Relleno, Litson, or Menudo — key influences on modern Filipino cuisine.”

Value Whites Under ₱1,000

1. Mayfly Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
2. Printhie Mountain Range Sauvignon Blanc (Orange, Australia)
3. Montsable Chardonnay (Pays d’Oc, France)
4. Amnesia White (Alentejo, Portugal)
5. Kung Fu Girl Riesling (Columbia Valley, USA)
6. Rooks Lane Chardonnay (Murray Darling, Australia)
7. Aloe Tree Chenin Blanc (Western Cape, South Africa)
8. Deakin Estate Moscato (Murray Darling, Australia)
9. Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay (California, USA)
10. Mont Rocher Viognier (Pays d’Oc, France)
11. The Ned Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
12. Spy Valley Satellite Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc continues to reign supreme as the most sought-after white wine style in the Philippines, followed by Chardonnay. Urbano points out, however, that there are a few surprise varieties beginning to pick up traction — particularly Viognier, Chenin Blanc, and Riesling. “It’s great to see that customers are starting to gain an appreciation for other white wine styles as the market develops,” says Urbano. “It shows a real openness to trying new things.” 

Premium Reds Between ₱1,000 and ₱2,500

1. Gonzalez Byass Beronia Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
2. Dealto Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
3. Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand)
4. All Saints Sangiovese Cabernet (Rutherglen, Australia)
5. Quinta do Quetzal Reserva Red (Alentejo, Portugal)
6. Pra Vinera Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (California, USA)
7. Château La Gurgue Margaux Bordeaux Blend (Bordeaux, France)
8. St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County, USA)
9. Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mouton Cadet Reserve (Medoc, France)
10. Claymore “Dark Side of the Moon” Shiraz (Clare Valley, Australia)
11. Batasiolo Barolo Nebbiolo (Piedmont, Italy)
12. Kaiken Ultra Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) 

The Premium Reds category follows a similar pattern to Value Reds, with wines from the Iberian Peninsula proving popular. “Unsurprisingly, the Rioja region in Spain is again well-represented here, moving higher in price point from the younger Crianzas to the aged Reservas,” says Urbano. At this price point, there are also a lot more entries from France, Italy, and the USA, showing the high perceived value of wines from the iconic wine regions of these countries.

Premium Whites Between ₱1,000 and ₱2,500

1. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
2. Cloudy Bay Chardonnay (Marlborough, New Zealand)
3. Chrismont La Zona Pinot Grigio (King Valley, Australia)
4. Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc (Martinborough, New Zealand)
5. Cape Mentelle Chardonnay (Australia)
6. Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, USA)
7. Gustave Lorentz Gewürztraminer (Alsace, France)
8. Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
9. Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Marnes Et Caillottes Sancerre (Loire Valley, France)
10.  Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo Reserva Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley, Chile)
11. Sons of Eden Freya Riesling (Barossa Valley, Australia)
12. Ferro13 The Lady Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie, Italy)

New Zealand remains the dominant choice for the popular Sauvignon Blanc, with interest growing for the Sancerre style of the varietal. “There are also signs that Pinot Grigio is becoming a new It grape in the wine market,” adds Urbano, “while fruitier, off-dry Riesling and Gewürztraminer are starting to find favor, perhaps because of their great potential for pairing with spicy Asian food.”

Sparkling Wines Under ₱1,500

1. Chandon Brut Sparkling NV (Mendoza, Argentina)
2. Aimery Crémant de Limoux Grande Cuvée 1531 NV (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
3. Sassetti Livio Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore Brut NV (Veneto, Italy)
4. Deakin Estate Azahara Sparkling Chardonnay / Pinot Noir (Murray Darling, Australia)
5. Valdivieso Sparkling Brut Rosé NV (Central Valley, Chile)
6. Gustave Lorentz Crémant d' Alsace Brut NV (Alsace, France)

Winery.ph’s top-selling Sparkling Wines Under ₱1,500 showcased a wide range of varieties from around the world. Popular with customers are Italian Prosecco for its value for money and New World sparkling Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for their fruitiness. Regions like Chile and Argentina also make the cut as bestsellers. “This list proves that you don’t have to spend much to enjoy terrific sparkling wines,” says Urbano. “Our awards showcase delicious wines without the price tags of top-of-mind French Champagnes.”

Whether you’re stocking up on your favorites or looking for something new to excite your taste buds, these Kavino Choice Award winners are not to be missed at Winery.ph’s 12.12 Sale, where they will be bundled together for great deals! Get updates and wine drinking tips by following Winery.ph on Facebook and Instagram (@winery.ph) — and for even more great deals on your favorite wines, visit Winery.ph.

Selection Criteria for the 2nd Kavino Choice Awards:

1. Only products listed on the Winery.ph online marketplace for at least 6 months of the calendar year are eligible for consideration
2. Award coverage is limited to wines with regular single bottle selling price of ₱300-2,500
3. Selection is made on the basis of average monthly gross sales value
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

Also in Winery.ph Blog

Chandon Holiday: The Season For Sparkling Wine

November 13, 2023

It's that time of the year — trees are being put up decorated left and right, you can hear Jose Mari Chan blasting in malls, and of course, the preparation for gift giving and reunions are on their way. As the festive season sweeps in, the Philippines gets adorned in holiday cheer, and what better way to elevate the excitement than with a glass of effervescent bubblies? While luxury sparkling wines such as Moët & Chandon's Champagne or Veuve Clicquot often grace special occasions, there's a new option that's ready to redefine your holiday traditions: Chandon.

View full article →

5 Sparkling Wines You Probably Didn't Know

November 05, 2023

As the holiday season comes closer, we're here to bring you wines that will give you the same festive bubbly that will not break the bank and be something new that you might not have tried yet! While Champagne and Prosecco are often the go-to choices, the world of sparkling wines is a treasure trove of options waiting to be explored. In this guide, we will introduce you to an expanded list of sparkling wines to enliven your holidays with a touch of elegance and a dash of excitement, all while staying budget-friendly.

View full article →

1800 Tequila: A Toast to Hard-Work and Passion

October 23, 2023

Tequila is more than just a drink; it's a product of culture, tradition, and an enduring legacy. In the world of tequila, few brands stand as tall as 1800 Tequila. In this blog post, we'll embark on a journey to explore the rich history and terroir that have made 1800 Tequila an iconic name in the spirits industry. From its humble beginnings to the innovative production methods, we'll delve into what makes this tequila brand exceptional. 

1800 Tequila boasts a legacy that spans over 200 years. Its story begins in the early 18th century, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, where the agave plant thrives. The name "1800" is a nod to the year 1800, when the first premium tequila was aged in oak barrels.

View full article →