Wine Masters Challenge 2026

XXVIII World Wine Contest 

23.24.25.26.27 May | Estoril, Portugal

Article 1: Organization

1.1

  • Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva (Menu Magazine), head office at Rua de Ambriz, nº 29 - 3º B - 2775-032 Parede - Portugal, Legal Person nº 275992756, INPI Record nº 518318, promotes the event entitled “Wine Masters Challenge - XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026”, open to all brands complying with international standards.

Article 2: Official Registration Form

2.1-

Participants can register via the official site:https://www.winemasterschallenge.co.uk” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>www.winemasterschallenge.co.uk or by paper form with proof of bank transfer.

2.2-

  • Companies may register brands using the online registration process on the official site.

2.3-

  • The organizer is not responsible for wrongful use caused by viruses in users' systems.

2.4-

  • Online registrations are officially recognized only after confirmation by the organization.

2.5-

  • Each competing brand must use the appropriate registration form. Photocopies of the form are allowed.

2.6-

  • Samples must be delivered by 30 April 2026.

2.7-

  • There is no limit for the number of samples submitted to the Contest.

Late registrations incur an additional fee of 5%. For information: Email: marketing@winemasterschallenge.co.uk — Tel: +351 912 822 068 / +351 915 512 051.

2.7-

  • No limit on number of samples submitted.

Article 3: Samples

3.1-

  • Required volume: 2.250 liters (3 × 750 ml?) — original text states (3X350 ml). Please verify intended bottle sizes.

3.2-

  • Samples must be dispatched in the same retail conditions; erased or handwritten labels will not be accepted.

3.3-

  • All participation costs (transportation, customs duties, etc.) are the competitor's responsibility.

3.4-

  • Non-EU participants should participate via a European representative if available; otherwise they may be subject to customs duties.

3.5-

Send samples and documentation to:
Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva
(Wine Masters Challenge -XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026)
Secretariado Internacional (Samples + Documentation)
Rua de Ambriz, nº 29 – 3º B
2775-032 Parede
Portugal

Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva (Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026) Secretariado Internacional (Samples + Documentation) Rua de Ambriz, nº 29-3º B – 2775.032 Parede – Portugal

Article 4: Infractions

4.1-

  • Non-compliant labels or information (with international law or origin country law) are considered infractions.

4.2-

  • Offenders will be excluded with no reimbursement of registration fees.

4.3-

  • Each box exterior must be marked “Wine Masters Challenge - XXVIII World Wine Contest” and accompanied by laboratory analysis from an officially recognized laboratory of the origin country.

4.4

  • Registrations must be delivered free of charges (bank transfer, transport, customs). Documents must be sent in waterproof envelopes.

4.5

  • Samples must be sent with confirmation of registration payment by bank transfer.

Article 5: Members of the International Jury

5.1-

  • The international jury comprises qualified experts from 24 countries, totaling 213 members.

5.2-

  • Tasting is undertaken in compliance with international standards and computerized technology.

5.3-

  • A qualified expert shall be designated for each participating country to act as part of the jury.

Article 6: Prizes

6.1-

  • Awards: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Recommended Medal (with diplomas).

6.2-

  • If winners are not present at the ceremony, prizes will be sent by webmail.

6.3-

  • The organization holds registered rights to self-adhesive medal stamps, available on request via the executive committee.

6.4-

  • Winners may purchase stamps for their awarded medal.

6.5-

  • Requests via a specific form on the official website; stamps sold in rolls of 1,000 (minimum).

Article 7: Quantities by Categories (A–E)

7.1

  • Stamps sold in 1,000-stamp rolls (minimum quantity).
Category Quantities Quantities
7.2- Category A 1.000 / 24.000 75 Euros each / 1000
7.3- Category B 25.000 / 49.000 60 Euros each / 1000
7.4- Category C 50.000 / 74.000 45 Euros each / 1000
7.5- Category D 50.000 / 74.000 30 Euros each / 1000
7.6- Category E + 100.000 25 Euros each / 1000
  • Penalty for unauthorized reproduction fixed at 250.000 Euros plus 23% VAT.

7.7 -

  • Payment in advance.

7.8 -

  • Organization will inform collection period by email after request period ends.

7.9 -

  • Unauthorized reproduction or improper use of medal stamps is strictly prohibited.

7.10 -

  • Protected by law (™ / INPI registo 518318).

7.11-

  • Penalty for infringement: fixed irreducible fine of €250,000 + 23% VAT, plus damages and court fees; Cascais Court (Portugal) selected for disputes.

Article 8: Award Notification

8.1

  • Winners will be notified by email no later than 30 July 2026.

8.2

  • Each winning brand receives a diploma identifying product name, company and country.

Article 9: Payments

  • Company: Gonçalo Horta Poeira e Silva
  • Bank: Millennium – BCP
  • IBAN: PT50 0033 0000 4577 0744 4660 5
  • NIB: 0033 0000 4577 0744 4660 5
  • BIC/SWIFT: BCOMPTPL

Article 10: Exemption from Customs Duties

Exemption within the European Union is foreseen for the following countries:

10.1

  • Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania

Article 11: Programme

Exemption within the European Union is foreseen for the following countries:

11.1 -

  • Testing sessions will take place on 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 May 2026 in Estoril.

Article 12: Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

Exemption within the European Union is foreseen for the following countries:

12.1 -

  • Partic

Le chatbot a écrit :

12.2 -

  • If any provision is found illegal or invalid, remaining provisions remain effective.

12.3 -

  • This contract reflects the agreement of both parties.

12.4 -

  • Laws of the Portuguese Republic apply.

12.5 -

  • Disputes resolved by the district Court of Cascais (Portugal), renouncing other jurisdictions.

12.6 -

  • The losing party bears all dispute-related expenses, including legal counsel fees.

Article 13: Categories

ROSE WINES

Sweet • Medium Sweet • Dry • Medium Dry • EU Produced

WHITE WINES

Dry • Medium Dry • Medium Sweet • Sweet • Varietal • Prestige • Regional • V.Q.P.R.D • D.O.C. • A.O.C.

FORTIFIED WINES

Dry • Medium Dry • Medium Sweet • Sweet • Prestige • EU Produced • D.O.C. – Regional • Vintage • Others

SPARKLING / CHAMPAGNE

Dry • Medium Dry • Medium Sweet • Sweet • Varietal • Brut • Extra Brut • Others

RED WINES

Prestige • Varietal • Regional • V.Q.P.R.D • D.O.C. • A.O.C. • EU Produced

BRANDY

AC • VS • VSOP • XO • Vintage • Hors d’Âge

Note: The Technical Committee reserves the right to suspend any category without the minimum number of registrations. Each brand will be tested four times: pre-selection (2) and final (2). This year introduces everyone's caste assessment.

Contacts

marketing@winemasterschallenge.com

Alternate contact: marketing@winemasterschallenge.co.uk

Article 1 
Organizer

1.1 – Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva (Menu Magazine), with its head office at Rua de Ambriz, nº29 – 3º B – 2775.032 Parede – Portugal, Legal Person nº 275992756 and Registration in INPI – Record nº 518318 (National Institute of Industrial Property) promotes the event entitled “Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026”, which is open to all brands complying with the international standards.

Article 2 
Official Registration Form

2.1 – Participants can register through our site www.winemasterschallenge.co.uk or through a paper form together with a document confirming the bank transfer.

2.2 – Companies will be able to register their brands on the official site as part of the means provided for online registrations.

2.3 – The organizer of the event shall not be responsible for the wrongful use by users who have a virus in their system and diffuse it in the network.

2.4 – Online records will only be officially recognized when the organization confirms the completion of the entire registration process.

2.5 – Each competing brand must use the appropriate registration form. Photocopies of the official registration form of the Contest are allowed.

2.6 – The samples submitted to the contest must be delivered by April 30.

2.7 – Registrations for the Contest outside the period established have an additional fee of 5%.

2.8 – Additional information requests may be submitted to marketing@winemasterschallenge.co.uk
Telephone: +351.912822068 / +351.915512051

2.9 – There is no limit for the number of samples submitted to the Contest.
Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest 23.24.25.26.27 May 2026 / Estoril / Portugal

Article 3 
Samples

3.1 – It is necessary a volume of 2.250 liters (3X350 ml) for each wine submitted to the Contest.

3.2 – The samples must be dispatched in the same conditions they are retailed and will not be accepted if erased or handwritten.

3.3 – All costs will be the competitor’s responsibility such as transportation, customs duties, and any other cost regarding the participation process.

3.4 – Non-EU participants should participate through their representation in Europe, if existent; otherwise they will be subject to customs duties.

3.5 – Samples must be sent to the following address:
Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva (Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026)
Secretariado Internacional (Samples + Documentation)
Rua de Ambriz, nº 29-3º B – 2775.032 Parede – Portugal

Article 4 
Infractions

4.1 – In case of lack of correction in the labels or in the information which does not comply with international law or the law of the country of origin.

4.2 – The participant shall be excluded from the Contest and shall not have any right to the reimbursement of the amount paid at the moment of registration.

4.3 – The outside of each box must be marked with the words Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest and must be accompanied by the corresponding laboratory analysis, issued by an officially recognized laboratory in accordance with the legislation in force in the country of origin.

4.4 – Registrations sent to the Contest must be delivered free of any charges. All documents must be sent in water-proof envelopes.

4.5 – The samples must be sent together with a document confirming payment of registration by bank transfer.

Article 5 
Members of the International Jury

5.1 – The members of the Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026 international jury are qualified experts from 24 different countries in a total of 213 members.

5.2 – The testing of each brand of wine is undertaken in compliance with international standards and with computerized technology.

5.3 – A qualified expert shall be designated for each participating country to act as a member of the international jury.

Article 6
Prizes

6.1 – Prize-winning brands will be distinguished with the following medals and diplomas: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and the Recommended Medal.

6.2 – If the awarded brands fail to be present at the Prize Awards Ceremony, the prizes shall be sent by webmail.

6.3 – Wine Masters Challenge – XXVIII World Wine Contest 2026 holds the registered rights to the self-adhesive stamps for application on the bottles of each prize-winning wine; these shall be provided by request to the executive committee of the contest through a specific form.

6.4 – Each prize-winning brand shall have the possibility of acquiring stamps for the medal won.

6.5 – Requests shall be put forward through a specific document available on the official site of the event with the following categories and costs.

6.6 – The stamps are sold in 1,000-stamp rolls; this is the minimum quantity available.

Article 7 
Quantities by Categories A-B-C-D-E

7.1 – The stamps are sold in 1,000 stamp rolls, this being the minimum quantity available.

7.2 – Category A 1,000 / 24,000 = 75 Euros each / 1000
7.3 – Category B 25,000 / 49,000 = 60 Euros each / 1000
7.4 – Category C 50,000 / 74,000 = 45 Euros each / 1000
7.5 – Category D 75,000 / 99,000 = 30 Euros each / 1000
7.6 – Category E + 100,000 = 25 Euros each / 1000

7.7 – Payment shall be made in advance.

7.8 – After the period of time established to request the stamp rolls, the organization shall inform via email about the period for collection.

7.9 – Any reproduction, unauthorized copy of the original for improper use, and use of the different categories of self-adhesive medals awarded by the organization is strictly prohibited.

7.10 – They are protected by law (™ / INPI nº 518318) at the Wine Masters Challenge – World Wine Contest, which takes place annually in Estoril, Portugal.

7.11 – Penalty: Irreducible fine of 250,000 Euros plus 23% VAT, in addition to indemnities for damages and court fees; the Cascais Court, Portugal, shall have jurisdiction.

Article 8 
Award Notification

8.1 – Companies holding the prize-winning brands shall be notified through email no later than 30.07.2026 after the contest.

8.2 – Each prize-winning brand will be awarded a diploma identifying the product, company, and country.

Article 9 
Payments

9.1 – Payment must be made through bank transfer to Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva (Legal Person PT 275992756 – Portugal).

9.2 – All fees regarding bank transfers and other expenses shall be paid by the participant.

9.3 – If the amount paid is not correct, participants will be informed via email for immediate adjustment, under penalty of exclusion.

9.4 – Registration costs must be transferred to the official bank of the event:

Company: Gonçalo Horta Poeira & Silva
Bank: Millennium – BCP
NIB: 0033 0000 4577 0744 4660 5
IBAN: PT50 0033 0000 4577 0744 4660 5
BIC/SWIFT: BCOMPTPL

Article 10 
Exemption from Customs Duties

Exemption is foreseen within the EU for the following countries:
Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania

Article 11
Programme

11.1 – Testing sessions will take place on 23,24,25,26,27 May in Estoril.

Article 12 
Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

12.1 – Participants accept all regulations and participation rules.

12.2 – The decision of the jury is not subject to appeal.

12.3 – If any provision is deemed illegal or invalid, the rest remains enforceable.

12.4 – This contract reflects the agreement of both parties.

12.5 – Portuguese law applies.

12.6 – Disputes will be resolved by the District Court of Cascais, Portugal.

12.7 – The losing party shall bear all expenses, including legal fees.

Article 13
Categories

ROSE WINES
Sweet . Medium Sweet . Dry . Medium Dry . EU Produced

WHITE WINES
Dry . Medium Dry . Medium Sweet . Sweet . Varietal . Prestige . Regional . V.Q.P.R.D . D.O.C. . A.O.C.

FORTIFIED WINES
Dry . Medium Dry . Medium Sweet . Sweet . Prestige . EU Produced . D.O.C. – Regional . Vintage . Others

SPARKLING WINES, CHAMPAGNES, ASTIS, CAVAS, CREMANT
Dry . Medium Dry . Medium Sweet . Sweet . Varietal . Brut . Extra Brut . Others

BRANDY
AC . VS . VSOP . XO . Vintage . Hors D’Age

RED WINES
Prestige . Varietal . Regional . V.Q.P.R.D . D.O.C. . A.O.C . EU Produced

Note: The Technical Committee reserves the right to suspend any category without minimum registrations. Each brand will be tested four times: pre-selection (2) and final (2).

This year, we are introducing everyone’s caste assessment.

Welcome to Estoril 2026
marketing@winemasterschallenge.com
+351.912 822 068