It is a welcome return to the top slot for the major Spanish wine producer. It came top in the 2015 survey. Founded in 1870, the still family owned company is now managed by the fifth generation of the family.
Published this week, the annual survey supplement accompanies the April issue of Drinks International. The academy of judges are asked to vote in the annual survey for the brands they most admire based on: consistent and/or improving quality; it should reflect its region or country; it should be well marketed and packaged and have broad appeal among wine consumers.
The judges are drawn from a broad spectrum of the global wine trade, including: commercial buyers, importers, wine professionals, masters of wine, journalists and wine educators.
Torres’s major wines include: Viña Sol, Sangre de Toro, Mas La Plana, Viña Esmeralda,, Celeste, Altos Ibéricos, Gran Coronas, Milmanda and Natureo, its 0.5% low alcohol wine.
Last year, Treasury Wine Estates’ iconic Penfolds brand knocked Torres into the number two slot. This year, Penfolds has gone down to number three, with previous Most Admired Wine Brands winner, Chile’s Concha y Toro, moving up to number two. New Zealand’s Villa Maria came fourth and Chjile’s Errazuriz came fifth.
This year’s list has 18 brands going up, with Château Petrus, the highest climber moving up 22 places to number 14. Bordeaux neighbour, Château Margaux rose 20 places to number nine. Ahead of Petrus at 13 is the highest entry, New Zealand’s Felton Road.
There are six new entries for 2017, including ‘Super Tuscan’ Sassicaia at 15, Sandeman at 38, bringing the number of port brands to four in the top 50 and Spanish cava brand, Freixenet at 39.
