Bulgaria triumphs with Chardonnay Elenovo 2024 from Edoardo Miroglio Winery and wins the BIWC Grand Trophy for the Best Wine in the Balkans for 2026
Chardonnay Elenovo 2024 from the Bulgarian winery Edoardo Miroglio was declared the Best Wine in the Balkans for 2026. The decision of the expert jury of the 15th anniversary edition of the Balkans International Wine Competition (BIWC) became clear at the traditional award ceremony, called the “Balkan Wine Oscars”, held on the island of Hvar, Croatia.
The Balkan International Wine Competition was held on the Croatian island of Hvar, known for its thousand-year tradition in winemaking.
The 20 judges, including four Masters of Wine – Caroline Gilby MW, Elizabeth Gabay MW, Rod Smith MW, Pasi Ketolainen MW, determined the winners by category from a record 280 participating wineries. The chairman of the jury was Igor Lukovic from Serbia – a prominent wine journalist and wine judge.
For the fifth consecutive year, the award for Best Wine Personality in the Balkans was presented. The award was presented to Ivana Simjanovska from North Macedonia, who has been tirelessly contributing to the promotion of wines from the region for 15 years.
The next host country of the competition will be Montenegro. This was announced by Galina Niforu, Director of BIWC at the Awards Ceremony in Hvar.
The trophy for “Best Winery in the Balkans” was awarded to the Turkish Suvla winery, which won the most medals in the competition part.
Here is the full list of trophy winners in the different categories:
GRAND TROPHY BEST WINE IN THE BALKANS 2026 – Elenovo Chardonnay 2024, Edoardo Miroglio winery, BULGARIA
● Trophy for best white wine – Bulgaria, Edoardo Miroglio, Elenovo Chardonnay 2024
● Trophy for best red wine – Bulgaria, Gorun winery, Cuvee reserve Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc 2022
● Trophy for best rosé - Serbia, Ilic Nijemcevic winery, IG 2025
● Trophy for best sparkling wine – Slovenia, Vina Sanabor, Celestia 2020
● Trophy for best orange wine – Slovenia, Vinogradništvo in vinarstvo ČARGA 1767, Vinjav 2021
● Trophy for best dessert wine - Greece, Estate Argyros, Vinsanto 2025
● Trophy for best organic wine – Greece, Mikro Klima winery, Syrah & Grenach rouge 2024
● Trophy for the best special wine – Greece, Kechris winery, Tear of The Pine, Assyrtiko
● Trophy for the best semi-dry wine – Serbia, Salas gnezdo winery, Gnezdo Belo grasac & Sauvignon blanc 2025
● Trophy for the best semi-sweet wine – North Macedonia, Chateau Sopot, Povardarec 2025
● Trophy for the best white wine from local varieties – Croatia, Tomic vina, Posip 2025
● Trophy for the best rosé wine from local varieties – Greece, Dianthos, Xinomavro 2025
● Trophy for the best red wine from local varieties – North Macedonia, Chateau Kamnik, Singular Vranec Reserve 2022
● Trophy for the best dessert wine from local varieties – Greece, Korfiatis winery, Lassions 2019
● Trophy for the best label design - La Gora, Serbia
The remaining participants in the contested competition shared several platinum medals (for the first time in the competition), double gold, gold, silver and bronze awards.
The awards for the best wine by country - Best of Show - were announced at the Awards Ceremony.
Here are the Best of Show Trophies by country:
● Island of Hvar – Zlatan Otok winery, Zinfandel Plenkovic 2021
● Albania – Kantina Faba, Chardonnay 2025
● Bosnia and Herzegovina – Vinarija Fazan, Pinot Noir 2022
● Bulgaria – Bononia Estate, Bononia Gold Selection Premium White 2023
● Croatia – Hvar hills winery, Merlot 2022
● Greece - Monemvasia winery, CORAX Asprudia 2024
● Kosovo – Dualos winery, Merlot Barrique 2022
● Moldova – Fautor winery, Traminer orange 2023
● Montenegro –Vinarija Kekovic, Vranac 2023
● North Macedonia – Milev winey, Cabernet Franc 2022
● Romania – Crama La Salina, Chardonnay 2025
● Slovenia – Kralj vina, Refosco 2023
● Serbia – Vinarija Ralevic, Virgo Sauvignon Blanc 2021
● Turkey – Suvla winery, Kirte, CS & Syrah & Malbec 2022
For further information:
Galina Niforou
niforou@balkanswine.eu
0885 731 331