Torres: The World's Most Admired Wine Brand?

(Wine-Searcher) - Wine industry professionals cast their votes for the most admired wine brands, Zara Tempest Coleman reports.

Spanish brand Torres is the most admired wine brand in the world, a recent poll suggests.

After coming close to the top spot in the Drinks International poll for the past three years, the Spanish family-owned brand has snatched the title from last year’s winner Casillero del Diablo. Owned by Chilean giant Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo remained a hot contender, dropping just one place to second.

Now at number three is first growth Bordeaux estate Château Latour, and in fourth place is Super Tuscan Tignanello, jumping up 28 spots this year.

More than 200 wine professionals around the world participated in the voting process. The criteria for the 2014 survey, published in the March edition of Drinks International included, "the wine should of consistent of improving quality" and "it should have a strong appeal to a wide demographic."

The fifth and sixth berths are occupied by Australian brand Penfolds and Sauternes legend Château Yquem, while the remaining top 10 slots are held by Château Margaux, Cloudy Bay, Guigal and Vega Sicilia respectively.

Estates in the 1855 classification are well represented in the list with all five first growths appearing in the top 40.

The first to appear is Château Latour, which is now owned by wine tycoon Bernard Magrez according to the magazine. The actual owner, Francois Pinault, will be surprised to hear he is no longer in charge! It is suggested that its move into third place is a result of its bold move to withdraw from the en primeur system.

Interestingly – and perhaps not surprisingly – a number of the year’s winners also feature in Wine-Searcher’s list of 100 Most Searched-For Wines.