The Star of the “Best Value-for-Money Wine” Surprise Is Kooksoondang

2026 Global Wine & Food Trip Successfully Held
Results of the Blind Tasting for “Hidden Wines of the Year”
Portugal Alvarinho Tops White Wines
Red Wine Category Led by Vino H’s Verona Blend

(from the left) 'Soalheiro Granit 2024' and 'Villa Annone Rosso Verona 2023'

Traditional makgeolli producer Kooksoondang has once again created a stir. In a wine industry event where experts from the retail sector selected the “hidden gem wines” in the 50,000-won price range, “Soalheiro Granit” from Portugal’s Vinho Verde region, imported by Kooksoondang, took the top spot. Meanwhile, “Villa Annone Rosso Verona” from Italy’s Verona region, submitted by Vino H—an affiliate of Hyundai Department Store Group—was ranked first in the red wine category.

According to the results of the “2026 Global Wine & Food Trip” blind tasting held by The Asia Business Daily on August 27 at the Marriott Yeouido in Seoul, Kooksoondang’s “Soalheiro Granit 2024” received an average score of 85.7, earning the highest marks in the white wine segment. In the red wine segment, Vino H’s “Villa Annone Rosso Verona 2023” ranked first with an average score of 86.

The second annual blind tasting this year was highly competitive, with only marginal differences in scores determining the rankings—a testament to the overall high quality of all wines submitted. Experts who participated in the judging noted that the quality of the wines submitted has become “more advanced overall” compared to last year.

This blind tasting was held as a side event at the fifth annual Global Wine & Food Trip, designed to discover “hidden gem” wines currently available on the market. Nine wine buyers from major retailers (three department stores, three large supermarket chains, and three convenience store chains) served as judges, and a total of 14 wines were submitted by seven importers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.