A New Era of Expertise: Paz Levinson Named Resident Co-Chair for Decanter World Wine Awards 2027

The global wine community turned its gaze toward London this week as the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA)—the world’s most influential and rigorous wine competition—announced the appointment of Paz Levinson as the Resident Co-Chair for the 2027 edition. Levinson, an Argentinian luminary who has ascended to the absolute pinnacle of the international sommelier circuit, will step into a role that acts as a vital bridge between the competition’s judging panels and its executive strategy.

This appointment is not merely a professional milestone for Levinson; it marks a significant shift in the DWWA’s commitment to integrating diverse, global perspectives at the highest level of its governance. By choosing a leader whose career spans from the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza to the three-Michelin-star dining rooms of France, Decanter has signaled a clear intent to prioritize technical excellence alongside a deep, nuanced understanding of terroir.

The Architecture of Expertise: Who is Paz Levinson?

To understand the weight of this appointment, one must examine the trajectory of a career defined by relentless intellectual curiosity and a refusal to settle for conventional success. Paz Levinson is currently the Executive Head Sommelier (Cheffe Sommelière Exécutive) at Maison Pic, the legendary culinary institution led by Anne-Sophie Pic. In this role, she oversees one of the most prestigious wine cellars in the world, curating experiences for the most discerning palates.

However, Levinson’s influence extends far beyond the service floor. She operates as a high-level consultant and a tireless educator, working with organizations such as Wines of Argentina to elevate the profile of her homeland’s viticulture on the world stage. Her approach is pedagogical, blending the practical demands of restaurant management with a rigorous, academic study of wine.

The Path to Global Recognition

Levinson’s journey began in her native Argentina, a country where she fundamentally reshaped the role of the sommelier. After graduating from the Centro Argentino de Vinos y Espirituosas (CAVE) in 2006, she did not merely enter the industry; she helped define it. She served as head sommelier at top-tier establishments, most notably Restó, while simultaneously dedicating five years to teaching at CAVE.

Her intellectual depth is further evidenced by her BA in Literature—a background that many of her colleagues credit for her unique ability to describe wine. She possesses an uncanny capacity to translate the sensory experience of a wine into a narrative that resonates with both novices and experts. She was also the first Argentinian to pass the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier certificate, a testament to her technical mastery and discipline.

A Chronology of Excellence: From Mendoza to Paris

The timeline of Levinson’s career reads like a masterclass in professional progression. Each step served as a building block, moving her closer to the global authority she wields today.

• 2006: Graduates from CAVE; begins her teaching tenure and establishes her reputation in Buenos Aires’ fine dining scene.
• 2010: Named "Best Sommelier of Argentina" by the Argentinean Association of Sommeliers—an honor she would repeat in 2014.
• 2015: Achieves a massive regional milestone by winning the ASI & APAS Best Sommelier of the Americas competition.
• 2016: Demonstrates her global standing by placing fourth at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition in Mendoza, solidifying her status as a top-five sommelier globally.
• Post-2016: Moves to France, joining the three-Michelin-star team at Hotel Le Bristol under the mentorship of Marco Pelletier. This move marked her transition from a regional expert to a central figure in the European culinary scene.
• Present Day: Continues to lead at Maison Pic, while contributing to world-class platforms like GuildSomm, effectively shaping the global sommelier discourse.

The Evolution of the DWWA Resident Co-Chair Role

The position of Resident Co-Chair is a relatively recent innovation for the Decanter World Wine Awards. Introduced in 2026, the role was designed to provide a "dynamic anchor" for the competition. Unlike permanent chairs, the Resident Co-Chair serves a one-year term, allowing the competition to rotate leadership and incorporate fresh, specialized insights each year.

Paz Levinson takes over the mantle from Caro Maurer MW, who served as the inaugural holder of the title. The transition is seamless yet transformative. Where Maurer brought a deep institutional knowledge of the Master of Wine program and European markets, Levinson brings a fusion of Old World prestige and New World dynamism.

Operational Changes for 2027

With Levinson stepping into the co-chair role, the DWWA has also adjusted its regional leadership for South America. Regine Lee MW and Eduardo Milan will step up as Acting Regional Chairs for Argentina and the broader South American territory for the 2027 competition. This delegation allows Levinson to focus on her overarching responsibilities as Co-Chair—overseeing the calibration of judging panels, ensuring consistency in scoring, and providing high-level guidance on global wine trends—while ensuring that the South American contingent remains in highly capable, specialized hands.

Supporting Data: Why Levinson?

The decision to appoint Levinson is rooted in a quantifiable need for diversity of thought in wine judging. Data from the DWWA archives indicates that the competition evaluates thousands of wines annually from every corner of the globe. As emerging regions in South America—such as Patagonia, Uco Valley, and Salta—continue to gain traction, the need for a chair who understands both the micro-climates of these regions and the expectations of the Parisian fine-dining market is critical.

Levinson’s background provides a rare "bicultural" advantage:

1. Technical Rigor: Her mastery of the Court of Master Sommeliers curriculum ensures that she approaches every wine with a standardized, objective rubric.
2. Cultural Fluency: Her tenure in France provides her with an intimate understanding of how world-class wines are categorized and valued in the most competitive markets in history.
3. Educational Pedagogy: As an educator, she is uniquely equipped to mentor younger judges and ensure that the scoring criteria at DWWA are applied with consistency across all panels.

Implications for the Global Wine Industry

The appointment of Paz Levinson carries several implications for the future of international wine competition and the broader industry.

1. The Validation of South American Viticulture

For the producers in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, Levinson’s presence at the helm of the DWWA is a significant vote of confidence. It suggests that the competition views South American wine not as an "up-and-coming" category, but as an established, world-class contender that requires the highest level of scrutiny and appreciation.

2. A New Standard for Mentorship

Levinson has long been a champion of the next generation of sommeliers. Her role as Co-Chair is expected to influence the makeup of the judging panels, with many industry analysts predicting a move toward more inclusive, diverse, and younger judging teams. By centering a woman of South American heritage in a position of such prestige, Decanter is actively dismantling the "old boys’ club" image that has historically plagued the fine wine industry.

3. The Convergence of Restaurant Service and Judging

Levinson’s day-to-day life is defined by the service of wine. This is a crucial distinction. Many judges are critics or writers who experience wine in a vacuum. Levinson experiences wine in the context of the table, the meal, and the customer. Her influence will likely push the DWWA to prioritize "drinkability" and "gastronomic compatibility" alongside the traditional sensory metrics of aroma, body, and finish.

Official Responses and Industry Outlook

While official press statements from the Decanter organization emphasize Levinson’s "unparalleled technical expertise and commitment to excellence," the informal response from the trade has been one of universal approval.

"Paz is the perfect choice for this moment," remarked one industry veteran following the announcement. "She represents the future of our craft. She has the discipline of a Master, the heart of a teacher, and the palate of someone who has spent her entire life chasing the absolute best in the cellar."

As the 2027 competition approaches, the eyes of the wine world will be on how Levinson shapes the judging process. Her ability to synthesize the complex, evolving landscape of global wine into actionable, clear-eyed feedback will be the hallmark of her tenure.

Conclusion: A Vision for 2027

As we look toward the 2027 Decanter World Wine Awards, the appointment of Paz Levinson serves as a reminder that the wine world is moving toward a more integrated, globally aware future. By leveraging her vast experience, her rigorous academic background, and her unwavering dedication to the craft of the sommelier, Levinson is poised to make the 2027 edition a landmark year.

Her appointment is more than a title; it is a declaration that the future of wine excellence will be defined by those who can bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, between the vineyard and the table, and between the diverse voices that make the global wine culture so vibrant. For the producers, the judges, and the consumers, the era of Paz Levinson at the Decanter World Wine Awards is a cause for optimism and a testament to the enduring power of expertise.