Michelin Expands Culinary Empire With New 'MICHELIN Grapes' Wine Ratings
The Michelin Guide is expanding into the wine industry with a new rating system called MICHELIN Grapes, evaluating wineries from one to three grapes based on overall quality and consistency.
The prestigious Michelin Guide, famous for its restaurant stars, is expanding its culinary expertise into the world of wine by introducing a new rating system called MICHELIN Grapes. Instead of stars, the guide now evaluates wineries and wine estates, awarding them from one to three grapes based on a comprehensive assessment.
Unlike traditional wine ratings that often focus on individual bottles and specific vintages, the new system evaluates the winery as a whole. The evaluation is based on five core criteria: viticultural quality, technical mastery in winemaking, identity and regional reflection, balance, and consistency across multiple years.
The Expansion to France and the United States
The first two lists, published in France, included a total of 177 wineries. The Burgundy debut featured 94 wineries, while the Bordeaux list added 83. Nine wineries in each region achieved the maximum rating of three grapes, including famous estates such as Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château d'Yquem.
Michelin recently announced that the new rating will expand to the United States on April 23, 2027, focusing on the Napa Valley in Northern California. This will mark the first time Michelin grapes are awarded outside of Europe, offering a new standard for wine enthusiasts worldwide.
