The Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2022 | Wine Enthusiast
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The Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2022

The Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2022
Photography by Joel Goldberg and Prop Styling by Charlotte Havelange Photography by Joel Goldberg and Prop Styling by Charlotte Havelange

Our reviewers went on a hunt for discoveries this year and were not disappointed. Out of 21,000 blind-tasted wines reviewed and scored, thousands of bottles were outside the mainstream of wine retail offerings—and a good portion of those received high scores. The Enthusiast 100 puts the best of those discoveries front and center, calling out a savory, brambly Australian Pinot Noir from Giant Steps as the No. 1 wine of the year and a Barolo with scents of pressed roses and pine forest from G. B. Burlotto as No. 2. Wines with high scores and lower prices got special attention, because affordability is an exciting proposition for everyone and can mean wider access. Look for 22 wines at $25 and under, including a racy Spanish Albariño from Rias Baixas and a bone-dry, violet-scented Italian Lambrusco. These 100 offerings were the most exciting wines of 2022, selected because they were compelling and delicious, had outstanding quality-to-price ratios and are broadly available for purchase. The products of 17 different countries from around the world are included here, from Austria to Canada, Lebanon to South Africa. But we veered away from California Cabernet, Bordeaux and Burgundy in order to include more diverse offerings of often overlooked varieties—like Nebbiolo, Riesling, Tempranillo, Grüner Veltliner and Vidal Blanc—from often overlooked regions. We hope The Enthusiast 100 lures you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown—that you open yourself to new varieties, styles and appellations and gain a better appreciation for wine’s delightful diversity.

Click here for a downloadable PDF of our Enthusiast 100 of 2022.

Were you named in this list? Congrats! Learn more about reprints, badge licensing, plaques, posters and other opportunities here.

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What Is Blind Tasting?

All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.

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About The Scores

*Products deemed unacceptable (receving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.

98-100

Classic
The Pinnacle of quality

94-97

Superb
A great achievement

90-93

Excellent
Highly recommended

87-89

Very Good
Often good value; well recommended

83-86

Good
Suitable for everyday consumption, often good value

80-82

Acceptable
Can be employed