Decanter Retailer Awards 2023 Shortlist announced

September 12, 2023 News

Unveiling the Decanter Retailer Awards 2023 Shortlist – your go-to guide for the finest wine shops, top online retailers, wine specialists, and exceptional wine services in the UK.

After the resounding success of the 2022 edition, where outstanding retailers were celebrated for their commitment to providing unparalleled wine choices and exceptional consumer experiences, the anticipation has been palpable for this year’s Decanter Retailer Awards (DRA) results.

The 2023 edition of Decanter Retailer Awards was led by a judging panel of seven independent experts who thoroughly reviewed and discussed entries.

The long and never easy, yet pleasant and exciting judging process ‘perfectly orchestrated by Peter Richards MW‘ – the DRA Chairman – as Master of Wine and fellow judge Simon Field mentioned.

Scroll down to see the 2023 Shortlist

Judging process highlights

Highlighting the strength, depth and breadth of the UK retail sector, wine educator, writer and MW student Leona De Pasquale noted that ‘while unanimous decisions were often reached, some entries required extensive deliberations and votes were required due to exceedingly tight competition. This underscores the vibrant and remarkable wine scene that UK consumers are fortunate to enjoy’.

Impressed by the high quality of entrants she added ‘while reviewing entry forms and achievements of retailers over the past year, I found myself pondering, “What more could this retailer possibly accomplish in one year? They have seemingly exhausted all avenues of excellence!”

New categories

This year saw the opening of new categories which highlight the current wine industry and consumers trends including: Own Brand Wine Range, Best wine buyers and categories recognising excellence amongst UK wineries.

Excited and impressed by the quality of entries, long standing DRA judge Laura Clay commented ‘it was thrilling to read the entrants for our new categories of UK Cellar Door and UK Winery Wine Club. I couldn’t help but feel proud as I reached for my diary to fill my weekends with visits.’

As part of evaluating the entries for Best Wine Buyer and Buying Team she added ‘these people are often the unsung heroes and heroines of our wonderful business. It is they who ensure that we have the diversity, quality and value on our wine shelves and they work supremely hard in doing so.’

The judges also noted this year’s winners and runners-up in the new wine buyer categories are people that are ‘very good role model for people who want to work in the wine trade. A wonderful story and case study for people to see!’.

The 2023 Shortlist and charity support

After a thorough and long judging process of our reviewing, revisiting and evaluating entries, the wine retailers that have been shortlisted on this year’s DRA list have been announced and Simon Field MW summing it up: ‘I feel that the results reflect the depth in the UK retail sector and provide a good balance between younger outlets and the more traditional retailers’.

In support of the drinks industry, and for a fourth year running, revenue from the Decanter Retailer Awards 2023 will be donated to UK drinks industry charities. Learn more about last year’s donation here.

Below discover this year’s Shortlist, with outstanding retailers to support and celebrate across the nation…

Final results will be announced on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th September at 11am BST on @Decanter and @Decanterawards Instagram stories and Twitter, followed by full results on Decanter.com and in Decanter magazine’s October 2023 Issue, on sale 5th October.