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Evan Lee Salim
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Basiran
The world of fine wine is often defined by its traditions, but its future is shaped by the visionaries who bridge the gap between historic excellence and modern innovation. For Paz Levinson, the appointment as Resident Co-Chair of the 2027 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) represents the pinnacle of a storied career—a journey that has taken her from the bustling gastronomic scene of Buenos Aires to the Michelin-starred dining rooms of Paris. As she prepares to step into this influential role, the global wine community looks toward a new chapter in one of the industry’s most prestigious judging panels.
A Legacy of Excellence: The Appointment
For more than a decade, Paz Levinson has been a cornerstone of the Decanter World Wine Awards. Having served as the Regional Chair for Argentina and the Rest of South America (excluding Chile), her expertise has been instrumental in elevating the recognition of South American viticulture on the international stage.
The Resident Co-Chair position, which rotates annually, is a role of significant gravity. Levinson succeeds Caro Maurer MW, who served as the inaugural Resident Co-Chair in 2026. In this capacity, Levinson will work in lockstep with the esteemed permanent Co-Chairs: Andrew Jefford, Beth Willard, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, and Ronan Sayburn MS. Together, this quintet serves as the final arbiters of the competition, overseeing every critical stage of the evaluation process, from initial flight assessment to the crowning of the "Best in Show" wines.
"It is a great honour and it makes me feel that more than ten years of hard work are paying off," Levinson remarked upon the announcement. Her appointment is not merely a recognition of past service; it is a strategic move by the DWWA to integrate a high-level sommelier’s perspective into the final executive decisions of the competition.
A Global Sommelier’s Odyssey: Chronology of a Career
To understand the weight of Levinson’s appointment, one must look at the path that led her to the top of the sommelier profession. Born and raised in Argentina, Levinson’s career began in the heart of Buenos Aires, where she balanced the rigors of the restaurant floor with a Bachelor’s degree in Literature.
- 2006: Earned her professional sommelier diploma from the Centro Argentino de Vinos y Espirituosas (CAVE), where she would later spend five years as a faculty member, shaping the next generation of Argentine sommeliers.
- 2010–2014: Named the Best Sommelier of Argentina, cementing her status as the leading voice in her country’s wine scene.
- 2016: A pivotal year that saw her finish fourth at the A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World contest, held in the spiritual home of Malbec: Mendoza.
- International Ascent: Having already moved to France, she joined the team at Hotel Le Bristol in Paris, working alongside the legendary Marco Pelletier. She later made history as the first woman to hold the position of Executive Beverage Director for the Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant group, managing complex wine programs across multiple Michelin-starred establishments.
Her professional journey is marked by an insatiable curiosity. Beyond her work in restaurants, she has been a tireless advocate for her home country, co-founding Argentina Reloaded—a series of global events designed to showcase the nuance and diversity of Argentine wines—and co-authoring the 2023 book Crónicas del Vino Argentino, a travelogue and study of the country’s diverse winemaking regions.
The Sommelier’s Perspective: Philosophy and Methodology
Levinson’s approach to the Decanter judging table is informed by the "restaurant floor reality." Unlike many critics who view wine in isolation, a sommelier must consider the context of service: the price point, the food pairing potential, and the evolving palate of the modern consumer.
"I believe I can bring the perspective of someone who works with wines across different restaurants and markets," Levinson explains. "In the restaurant industry, the constant pursuit of quality, value for money, and relevance is essential. You aren’t just tasting a wine; you are evaluating its place in a guest’s experience."
This commitment to "gastronomic character" is central to her judging philosophy. When asked about her favorite wines, she points to the work of Olivier Horiot, specifically his Métisse Brut Nature Champagne, which she praises for being "profound, balanced and subtly oxidative." It is this appreciation for complexity and structure that she brings to the DWWA.
For Levinson, a "great" wine is one that demands attention. "When I taste a wine, I can often recognize very quickly on the nose the potential for greatness," she says. "But the true test is the palate. The wines that stop a panel in its tracks are those that possess distinct personality. They don’t just meet a technical standard; they stand out from the crowd."
Data-Driven Progress: The Rise of South American Wine
Levinson’s tenure as Regional Chair has provided her with a unique vantage point on the evolution of South American wine. Over the last decade, she has witnessed a tectonic shift in quality and technique.
"Ten years ago, it was relatively easy to eliminate wines that didn’t meet the standard," she recalls. "Today, that is no longer the case. The level of precision in the vineyard and the cellar has increased dramatically. We are seeing more balance, better use of oak, and a more sophisticated understanding of terroir."
This observation is supported by the data from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards. Brazil, in particular, delivered a historic performance, securing 225 medals, including its highest-ever tally of Gold and Silver awards. Levinson views this as a validation of the continent’s commitment to quality over quantity. She believes that the role of the judge is to provide visibility to these emerging regions, ensuring that exceptional wines that might otherwise be overlooked receive the international acclaim they deserve.
The 2027 Outlook: A New Standard of Judgment
The 2027 competition will see a transition in the regional leadership for South America. While Levinson moves to the Co-Chair position, the panels for Argentina and the Rest of South America (excluding Chile) will be led by Regine Lee MW, managing director of UK importer Indigo Wines, and Eduardo Milan, a Brazil-based wine consultant and former Wine Editor of Revista ADEGA.
This continuity of expertise ensures that the high standards set during Levinson’s tenure will persist. As Resident Co-Chair, Levinson is particularly excited about the final, most demanding stage of the competition: the Best in Show selection.
"This opportunity allows me to follow the entire selection process through to the very end," she notes. "Seeing the bigger picture—understanding how the final results come together after thousands of wines have been assessed—is incredibly rewarding. It provides a synthesis of everything we do."
Implications for Producers
For wineries considering entering the 2027 Decanter World Wine Awards, Levinson’s presence in the final decision-making room offers a layer of professional assurance. The DWWA judging process is one of the most rigorous in the world, with wines tasted blind in groups categorized by style, region, vintage, and price.
Levinson’s advice to producers is grounded in transparency. "Receiving direct, honest, and fair feedback is extremely valuable for any producer," she asserts. For a winery, the feedback provided by a panel of this caliber—chaired by someone who understands the nuances of global consumption—is arguably as valuable as the medal itself.
Looking Ahead
As the wine industry navigates a period of climate uncertainty, changing consumer habits, and a global shift toward more sustainable viticulture, the role of a leader like Paz Levinson becomes even more critical. Her focus on "natural evolution" in winemaking, particularly within the French and South American sectors, suggests that the 2027 awards will be heavily focused on wines that express a sense of place without sacrificing the "deliciousness" that she considers the final litmus test of any great bottle.
The 2027 Decanter World Wine Awards will open for entries on 4 November 2026. With Paz Levinson joining the helm, the competition is poised to continue its mission of identifying the world’s most exceptional wines. Whether it is a classic vintage or an emerging discovery from a corner of the world previously underrepresented, the 2027 panels will be searching for that singular, "Wow!" moment that defines the very best of the vine.
For those in the industry, the message is clear: the bar has been set high, and the upcoming competition promises to be a showcase of global quality, judged by those with the most refined palates in the business. As Levinson prepares to take her seat at the head of the table, the wine world waits with anticipation to see what new discoveries will emerge from the 2027 assessment.
