The Michelin Guide Announces It Will Now Rate Wineries
The Michelin Guide has spent over a century shaping how people decide where to eat, travel, and spend money. Its ratings influence reservations, tourism flows, and restaurant economics across nearly 70 countries. When Michelin adjusts its scope, industries tend to feel it quickly. Something new is in motion, and it touches one of the most tradition-heavy corners of the food world. Wine has always had its own set of rules, with its own critics, scales, and hierarchies, but those rules are about to face a serious test.
The Michelin Guide has confirmed that it will begin rating wineries using a system called Michelin Grapes. Instead of stars, wineries will receive one to three grapes, along with a “Selected” designation for dependable producers. The rollout is scheduled to begin in France in 2026, starting with Bordeaux and Burgundy, with further expansion expected thereafter.
This is not a side project because Michelin has steadily expanded its guide empire, adding hotel ratings through Michelin Keys and launching new regional guides at a rapid pace. Wine aligns with this strategy, given the overlap between dining, travel, and tasting experiences.
How Wineries Will Be Judged
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Michelin Grapes focuses on five criteria. Inspectors evaluate agronomy, technical mastery, identity, balance, and consistency. This means paying attention to vineyard health, winemaking precision, the expression of place, structural harmony, and consistent performance across multiple vintages.
The inspections will be handled by seasoned wine professionals, including sommeliers, critics, and former winemakers. But these visits will not be anonymous, a notable shift compared to Michelin’s restaurant process. The goal is to gain a holistic view of a winery, rather than making a quick judgment based on one bottle or year.
Wine has spent decades relying on point scores, especially the 100-point system introduced in the late 1970s. The scale became shorthand for quality but also created confusion and fatigue. Small numerical gaps rarely translate into meaningful differences for everyday drinkers. Michelin’s grape system simplifies the message. Fewer tiers, broader categories, and a focus on producer reliability could make it easier for consumers to understand.
The clarity arrives at a moment when wineries face declining interest among younger buyers and rising competition for attention across food and beverage culture. Industry leaders have already pointed to the potential appeal for drinkers under 60, a group for whom wine has struggled to consistently engage. Michelin’s name recognition holds importance beyond traditional wine circles.
Power Alteration in Wine Criticism
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Michelin’s move also raises questions about authority. The company acquired the Wine Advocate in 2019, the publication most closely associated with the 100-point scale. Running two systems under one corporate roof suggests a long-term recalibration of influence.
The grape ratings emphasize consistency and identity over chasing peak scores. That approach could reward producers who prioritize balance and place rather than style trends designed to impress critics. It also positions Michelin as a central filter for both dining and drinking decisions.
What Comes Next for Wine Regions
Michelin has not confirmed when California wineries will be reviewed, though Napa, Sonoma, and other major regions are widely expected to follow France’s lead. The company has acknowledged that tourism boards and regional groups sometimes fund inspector visits, while maintaining that these payments do not influence the outcomes.