Ciorchinii, the “new chapter” launched by the famous Michelin guide. Only a narrow category can achieve the third level of the award

After “stars” for restaurants and “keys” for hotels, the Michelin Guide extends its influence in the world of wines with the launch of “Michelin clusters”, a new reward dedicated to wine domains, the international director of this gastronomic guide, Gwendal Poullennec, announced on Tuesday, according to AFP.

“We are opening a new chapter to offer foodies a new landmark to celebrate viticultural talents,” Poullennec said in a press conference.

This distinction will have three levels: one cluster for “high quality” producers, two clusters for “excellence” domains and three clusters for “exceptional” producers.

As in the case of restaurants and hotels, the mention “recommended”, for wine domains that have not yet obtained a cluster, will complete this award system, notes Agerpres.

To establish the hierarchy, five criteria are evaluated: the quality of the agronomy, the reflection of the “work in the vineyard”, the technical mastery in the cellar, the identity of the wine – measuring its “inimitable” character, its “balance”, its “promise of harmony” – and its constancy over several harvests.

The visits and evaluations will be carried out by a team of paid experts, to guarantee the independence of the new distinction, the director of the Michelin Guide stated.

“It's about an approach that doesn't claim to be exhaustive,” assured Gwendal Poullenec.

The first Michelin clusters will target wines from the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions and will be unveiled in 2026 in two separate events, the dates of which have not yet been announced.

The Michelin Guide then plans to expand its selection to other wine regions in France and around the world in the years to come. This content will be available on Michelin's digital platforms.

A year after handing out its first Michelin keys for the best hotels, this guide thus continues its diversification.

His foray into the wine universe is not a completely new one, recalled Gwendal Poullennec.

Already in 1990, the first recommendations of the “red guide” took into account the quality of the wine served in restaurants. Later, Michelin-starred restaurants were paired with local wine suggestions. Since 2004, an icon has signaled outstanding wine menus, supplemented in 2019 with a sommelier award.

The Michelin Group also bought, in 2016, the Parker Guide, considered a world reference in the universe of specialized wine criticism, which allowed it to acquire “a know-how complementary to that of our teams”, stated Gwendal Poullennec.

The Parker guide will continue to exist under its own brand, Michelin Group CEO Florent Menegaux confirmed in October.