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Paz Levinson, the highly esteemed Argentine sommelier, is set to elevate her already significant involvement with the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) by stepping into the prestigious role of Resident Co-Chair for the 2027 competition. This appointment represents a pivotal moment in her illustrious career and underscores her decade-long dedication to the DWWA, where she has consistently served on judging panels, most recently as Regional Chair for Argentina and the Rest of South America (excluding Chile). Her new position places her at the heart of the competition’s ultimate decision-making processes, working alongside a distinguished panel of industry luminaries.
The Prestigious Appointment: Shaping Global Wine Standards
The Resident Co-Chair is a highly coveted, annually rotating role designed to bring fresh perspectives and specialized expertise to the highest echelon of DWWA judging. In this capacity, Levinson will join the permanent Co-Chairs—Andrew Jefford, Beth Willard, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, and Ronan Sayburn MS—to collectively oversee every stage of the rigorous judging process and act as the final arbiters of award decisions. This team is responsible for upholding the integrity and unparalleled quality standards that define the DWWA, ensuring that only the most exceptional wines receive recognition on the global stage. Levinson’s selection for this critical role, succeeding Caro Maurer MW who held the inaugural position in 2026, highlights her profound knowledge, discerning palate, and invaluable experience in the international wine community.
Her appointment is not merely a personal achievement but a significant nod to the growing influence of South American expertise within the world of fine wine. As Levinson herself expressed, "It is a great honour and it makes me feel that more than ten years of hard work are paying off." This sentiment reflects the immense dedication required to reach such a pinnacle in the wine industry. To mark this momentous occasion, Levinson shared her ideal celebration: "I would love to celebrate with Champagne," she mused, envisioning a toast at a chef she admires’ restaurant, perhaps with a bottle of Olivier Horiot’s Métisse Brut Nature, a wine she praises for its "profound, balanced and subtly oxidative, with a strong gastronomic character." This choice itself speaks volumes about her sophisticated understanding of wine and its role in culinary experiences.
A Decade of Dedication: Levinson’s Journey at DWWA
Paz Levinson’s relationship with the Decanter World Wine Awards spans more than a decade, during which she has consistently contributed her expertise to the competition. The DWWA, established in 2004, has grown to become the world’s largest and most influential wine competition, attracting thousands of entries from across the globe each year. Its rigorous judging process, involving hundreds of expert judges, is renowned for its impartiality and commitment to identifying wines of true quality. Levinson’s long-standing tenure as a judge, meticulously assessing "flight after flight" alongside her peers, has provided her with an intimate understanding of the competition’s methodology and its overarching philosophy.
Her previous role as Regional Chair for Argentina and the Rest of South America (excluding Chile) was instrumental in refining her regional specialization and leadership skills within the DWWA framework. In this capacity, she was responsible for leading panels, ensuring consistency in judging standards, and providing nuanced insights into the unique characteristics of wines from these burgeoning regions. This experience has equipped her with a comprehensive perspective on both the global and regional dynamics of wine quality, making her an ideal candidate to contribute to the final decisions at the Co-Chair level. Her progression from regional expert to a central figure in the awards’ ultimate determinations exemplifies the meritocratic nature of the DWWA and its commitment to recognizing exceptional talent.
From Buenos Aires to Global Acclaim: A Sommelier’s Illustrious Career
Paz Levinson’s journey to becoming one of the world’s most respected sommeliers is a testament to her unwavering passion, intellectual curiosity, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her career began in her native Argentina, where she quickly established herself as a formidable talent.
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Early Career and Recognition in Argentina: Levinson honed her skills as head sommelier at several prestigious Buenos Aires restaurants, including Restó, while simultaneously pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in literature – a background that undoubtedly enriches her descriptive abilities and analytical approach to wine. In 2006, she earned her professional sommelier diploma from the Centro Argentino de Vinos y Espirituosas (CAVE), where she later taught for five years, sharing her burgeoning knowledge with aspiring wine professionals. Her exceptional talent was recognized early, as she became the first Argentine to pass the demanding Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier examination, a rigorous test of knowledge, service, and tasting ability. This was followed by being named Best Sommelier of Argentina in both 2010 and 2014, solidifying her status as a national icon in the wine world. Her crowning achievement in competitive sommelierie came in 2016 when she finished an impressive fourth at the A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World contest, held fittingly in Mendoza, Argentina – a remarkable feat that placed her among the global elite.
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International Ascent and Michelin-Starred Establishments: By the time of her international competitive success, Levinson had already expanded her horizons to France, a pivotal move that propelled her career onto the global stage. She worked alongside the renowned Marco Pelletier at Hotel Le Bristol’s illustrious three-Michelin-star restaurant in Paris, an environment demanding the highest standards of wine service and selection. Her expertise then led her to Groupe Pic, the culinary empire of celebrated chef Anne-Sophie Pic. Here, Levinson broke new ground, becoming the first woman to hold the demanding role of Executive Beverage Director across all of Anne-Sophie Pic’s acclaimed restaurants, a testament to her leadership and unparalleled expertise in managing complex beverage programs.
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Advocacy and Literary Contributions: Beyond the restaurant floor, Levinson has been a tireless advocate for Argentine wine and a respected voice in wine literature. She co-founded Argentina Reloaded, an innovative series of events dedicated to showcasing the diversity and quality of Argentine wine in the world’s leading gastronomic capitals, including Paris, London, and New York. This initiative has been crucial in elevating the international perception of Argentina’s viticultural landscape beyond its traditional Malbec strongholds. Furthermore, in 2023, she co-authored Crónicas del Vino Argentino, a compelling portrait of the country’s winemakers derived from an extensive road trip across its diverse wine regions. This literary contribution not only shares her profound insights but also provides a vital resource for understanding the nuances of Argentine viticulture.
The Sommelier’s Edge: A Unique Perspective on Judging
Levinson’s extensive background as a sommelier, deeply rooted in the daily realities of restaurant service and wine procurement, provides a unique and invaluable perspective to the DWWA judging panel.
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Championing Quality and Value: She emphasizes, "I believe I can bring the perspective of someone who works with wines across different restaurants and markets, where the constant pursuit of quality, value for money and relevance is essential." This insight is critical for a competition like DWWA, which aims to guide both consumers and trade professionals. Her practical experience in curating wine lists means she understands not just academic quality, but also the commercial viability and consumer appeal of a wine. The decision-making process for selecting new releases for a wine list, she explains, demands "curiosity, an open mind, and, above all, a commitment to quality" – principles that directly translate to the integrity of the judging table. This blend of critical analysis and market awareness ensures that DWWA award winners are not only technically excellent but also commercially relevant.
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The Evolving Landscape of Wine: Levinson’s forward-thinking approach is also evident in her stated interest in "the current evolution of natural wines," particularly those emerging from France. This focus highlights her commitment to staying abreast of contemporary trends and acknowledging the increasing diversity within the global wine industry. Her ability to appreciate and assess a broad spectrum of wine styles, from traditional to avant-garde, further enriches the DWWA’s comprehensive judging philosophy.
South America’s Rising Star: A Witness to Regional Progress
Through her dedicated work judging South American wines, Paz Levinson has been a first-hand witness to the remarkable progress and qualitative evolution of the continent’s wine industry over the past decade.
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Brazil’s Remarkable Evolution: Her observations reveal a dramatic shift: "Ten years ago, I remember it was relatively easy to eliminate wines or find entries that did not quite meet the standard for a medal," she recalls. Today, the landscape is entirely different, with wines demonstrating significantly improved balance, winemaking precision, and regional expression. Brazil, in particular, has captivated her attention. She notes that "many are genuinely exciting wines that surprise the entire panel." This qualitative leap is clearly reflected in the DWWA 2026 results, where Brazil secured an impressive 225 medals, including its highest-ever totals of Gold and Silver awards. This data underscores a profound transformation in Brazilian viticulture, moving beyond volume production to focus on wines of distinct character and quality. Levinson’s role has been instrumental in identifying and championing these emerging stars, bringing them to the attention of the global wine community.
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The Essence of Discovery: For Levinson, one of the greatest joys of judging lies in this sense of discovery: unearthing wines that "may otherwise go unnoticed." She articulates the core mission of the DWWA judges: "Our role is to recognise their quality, bring them to light and give them the visibility they deserve." This ethos perfectly aligns with the DWWA’s objective of providing a global platform for producers, regardless of their size or established reputation, to have their wines assessed fairly and rigorously.
Strategic Succession: New Leadership for South American Panels
With Levinson transitioning to her Co-Chair role, the panels for Argentina and the Rest of South America (excluding Chile) will be entrusted to two highly capable Acting Regional Chairs for DWWA 2027. Regine Lee MW, managing director of the esteemed UK importer Indigo Wines, brings a wealth of market insight and an extensive understanding of international wine trade. Joining her is Eduardo Milan, a Brazil-based wine consultant and former Wine Editor of Revista ADEGA, whose deep regional expertise will be invaluable. This thoughtful succession plan ensures continuity and maintains the high standard of regional specialization that the DWWA is known for, allowing Levinson to focus on her broader responsibilities while her former regions remain in expert hands.
The DWWA Judging Process: Upholding Excellence
The Decanter World Wine Awards are globally recognized for their stringent and transparent judging process, a system designed to provide objective and credible evaluations.
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Defining "Great Wine": When asked what constitutes a great wine, Levinson’s answer reflects her seasoned expertise. "When I taste a wine, I can often recognise very quickly on the nose the potential for greatness," she states, highlighting the immediate sensory impact. Aroma and color serve as initial indicators, with the palate subsequently confirming these early impressions. Ultimately, for Levinson, a great wine must be "delicious." Beyond mere technical correctness, it is the wines that elicit an immediate, visceral reaction from the panel – those that make judges collectively exclaim, "Wow!" – that truly stand out. These are wines possessing "character and personality," distinguishing themselves "from the crowd rather than getting lost among a sea of similar wines." This emphasis on distinctiveness and emotional resonance underscores the artistic as well as scientific dimensions of wine evaluation.
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The Rigor of Blind Tasting: The DWWA’s methodology is built on a foundation of absolute impartiality. Wines are tasted blind, removing any preconceptions based on label, producer, or price. They are assessed under ideal conditions, utilizing excellent glassware, by panels composed of highly qualified experts—Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and other leading industry professionals. In the initial judging rounds, wines are meticulously grouped alongside their peers by region, style, vintage, and price band, ensuring a level playing field. This systematic approach allows for fair comparisons and ensures that quality is judged on its own merits.
The Broader Impact and Future Outlook
Paz Levinson’s appointment as Resident Co-Chair represents a significant stride for the DWWA in its ongoing mission to foster diversity and global representation at the highest levels of wine assessment. Her unique blend of Latin American heritage, extensive experience in both restaurant and competitive sommelierie, and deep understanding of global wine markets offers a fresh perspective to the Co-Chair team. Having already participated in Platinum judging, where wines that have achieved Gold medals are re-evaluated for even higher distinctions, Levinson will now join the Co-Chairs in making the ultimate Best in Show selections—the very pinnacle of the awards.
"This opportunity allows me to follow the entire selection process through to the very end," she explains, emphasizing the comprehensive oversight her new role provides. "Being able to see the bigger picture and understand how the final results come together is incredibly rewarding." This holistic understanding of the judging process, from initial assessment to final award, will further strengthen the integrity and credibility of the DWWA.
For producers considering entering the competition, Levinson’s advice is clear and direct. The benefits extend beyond potential medals; receiving "direct, honest and fair feedback is extremely valuable for any producer." The DWWA offers an unparalleled opportunity for wines to be critically assessed by a global panel of experts, providing invaluable insights for quality improvement and market positioning.
In 2027, Paz Levinson will play a pivotal role in identifying and celebrating the Decanter World Wine Awards’ most exceptional wines. Her discerning palate and extensive experience will undoubtedly help uncover the next generation of "Wow!" wines, bringing them the global recognition they deserve. The opportunity for producers to have their wines evaluated by such an esteemed professional, and potentially earn one of the world’s most respected wine accolades, is immense.
Entries for Decanter World Wine Awards 2027 open on 4 November 2026. Interested producers can find all dates and details at enter.decanter.com and sign up to the DWWA newsletter to receive all updates and information.
For those eager to follow her journey and insights, Paz Levinson can be found on Instagram at @pazlevinson or via her website.
