Is it possible to create a reliable ranking of the best Polish wines? Unfortunately, we must begin with some bad news. The idea of a “best wine” is inherently subjective, as everyone has different tastes. What one person sees as a masterpiece might not appeal to another. However, that doesn’t mean we’re helpless. In this article, we’ll suggest how you can consciously and effectively create your own list of the best Polish wines.
Where to find information about good Polish wines?
1. User ratings on platforms like Vivino
Vivino.com is the most popular platform collecting consumer wine ratings. It allows users — from amateur enthusiasts to trained sommeliers — to review wines. When many ratings are collected, the average can be somewhat representative, but it’s important to remember:
- The ratings are highly subjective – some value balance, others just whether it “tastes good.”
- Not all users apply the same criteria – experience and sensory sensitivity vary.
As a result, Vivino rankings are better understood as popularity charts, not quality assessments.
Unfortunately, as the screenshot shows, there is a difficulty in easy finding of information about Polish wines on Vivino. The Vivino rankings that do include Polish labels are usually based on only a few (sometimes just a dozen) reviews:
On other wine-related platforms (e.g., Wine-Searcher.com or CellarTracker.com), the situation is similar — few listings, even fewer Polish wines, and almost no ratings.
2. Expert reviews
More valuable are professional wine ratings, published in outlets like Ferment Magazine or on Enoportal.pl. These type of reviews often use the 100-point scale, with the following general rules:
- 80 points – technically sound wine.
- 85 points or more – wines with added value: aromatic and taste balance, varietal character, technical precision.
- 90+ points – outstanding wines worth special attention.
If you’re searching for the “best Polish wine,” expert scores are a great place to start — based on clearly defined criteria and years of tasting experience.
3. Wine competition results
Perhaps the most tangible indicator of quality is success in wine competitions. These evaluations also follow the 100-point scale, and gold medals are often awarded to wines that exceed a specific score threshold (typically around 85 points).
Importantly:
- Medals result from expert assessment by judging panels.
- Gold medals from multiple competitions are a strong indicator of consistent excellence.
- At Polish.Wine, we collect both domestic and international wine competition results — likely the most comprehensive database of Polish wine accolades available.
Below, you’ll find two rankings:
The most awarded Polish wines (regardless of vintage):
- Nestor (Winnica Piwnice Antoniego), Seyval Blanc (Winnica Turnau), Traditio Brut (Winnica Aris) - 21 awards
- Solaris (Winnica Turnau) - 19 awards
- Hibernal (Winnica Turnau), Pinot Blanc (Winnica Ingrid) - 17 awards
- Brzask (Winnica Piwnice Antoniego), Johanniter (Winnica Turnau), Pinot Noir (Winnica Ingrid) - 16 awards
- Cane Nero (Winnica Zagardle), Johanniter & Solaris (Winnica Folwark Pszczew), Rose (Winnica Turnau), Solaris Nobilis (Winnica Saganum) - 15 awards
The best vintages of Polish wines (specific year included):
- Traditio Brut 2020 (Winnica Aris) - 9 awards
- Traditio Brut 2021 (Winnica Aris) - 8 awards
- Regent 2021 (Winnica Celtica) - 7 awards
- Monarcha 2023 (Winnica Piwnice Antoniego), Pinot Noir Brut 2021 (Winnica Aris), Późny Zbiór 2022 (Winnica Aris), Swenson Red 2017 (Winnica Zagardle) - 6 awards
- Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Brut 2021 (Winnica Aris), GostArt 2016 (Winnica Gostchorze), Nestor 2022 (Winnica Piwnice Antoniego), Riesling Sec 2021 (Winnica Aris), Solaris 2018 (Winnica Ingrid), White Pearl 2022 (Winnica Nobilis) - 5 awards
Polish wines with the highest score in the wine contest:
- 99 pkt.:
- 97 pkt.:
- 96.75 pkt.:
- 96 pkt.:
- Cabernet Cortis Rose 2019 (Winnica Dom Jantoń) w International PIWI Wine Award
- Hibernal 2016 (Winnica Turnau) w PAR Wine Award International
- Hibernal 2017 (Winnica Turnau) w PIWI Wine Award
- Hibernal 2018 (Winnica Turnau) w PIWI Wine Award
- Johanniter Ice Wine 2016 (Winnica Turnau) w PAR Wine Award International
- Johanniter Ice Wine 2016 (Winnica Turnau) w PIWI Wine Award
- Perle Seyval Blanc 2020 (Winnica Turnau) w International PIWI Wine Award
- Solaris 2021 (Winnica Turnau) w PIWI Wine Award International
- Solaris Późny Zbiór 2019 (Winnica Dom Jantoń) w International PIWI Wine Award
- Solaris Szlachetny Zbiór 2021 (Winnica Turnau) w PIWI Wine Award International
Conclusion: your own ranking
One thing is certain: everyone’s list of the best Polish wines will be different. But by exploring ratings, expert reviews, and medal winners, you can build your own selection — thoughtful, accurate, and aligned with your taste.
We encourage you to explore the world of Polish wine — and if you find your perfect bottle, let us know!
