Chris Ashton, owner of The International Wine Challenge 2025 said he was thrilled with the results. Photo: Ben Etridge

The International Wine Challenge has unveiled its 2025 medal and trophy results to some surprise, with ‘new world’ wines rising to challenge the long-standing dominance of the ‘old world’.

This year’s International Trophy winners turned expectations upside down, with New Zealand claiming the crown for Merlot and Syrah, South Africa taking top honours for Cabernet Sauvignon and Australia winning big with the world’s best Chardonnay.

Chris Ashton who owns and operates the International Wine Challenge said he was delighted with the results.

“Most people would assume that the top Merlot would be from Bordeaux, the best Syrah from the Rhône and the finest Chardonnay from Burgundy, but when you put wines from over 35 countries head-to-head and get them blind tasted by nearly 250 of the world’s best palates the results can be truly eye-opening.”

Among the most notable developments this year has been England’s rise as a serious player on the global wine stage. Known traditionally for its sparkling wines, England is now turning heads with whites and reds too. Devon-based winery Lyme Bay took home four trophies for its still wines including the English White Trophy and English Red Trophy, the first time ever that the same English winery has won both the white and the red trophies in the same year. England came in at ninth place in the overall rankings, clinching a record-breaking 15 gold medals.

Top 10 country rankings by medals

Medals were awarded to 36 winemaking countries following the blind tasting, which was conducted last month by an international panel of nearly 250 experts.

This year, more medals were awarded than in any other year of the competition. “The wines get better every year and there’s always something new to taste,” said co-chair Helen McGinn.

“Highlights include English wines, hidden gems from Spain and Italy and New Zealand reds—so good! It’s an honour and a privilege to shine a light on such brilliant wines.”

The list offers a snapshot of global wine industry trends and shows top scoring producers, identifies emerging regions, and acts as a barometer for tracking the global wine trends. The full list of medal and trophy winners in the 2025 International Wine Challenge can be viewed here.

Number 1: France still the epicentre of fine wine

France has extended its winning streak with a commanding lead in this year’s competition with 94 Gold medals, 402 Silver and 379 Bronze.  Its leading regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne not only outshone the global field, but each region individually scored more Gold and total medals than most entire countries.

France highlights: 

This year Maison Albert Bichot was the undisputed star from France. The historic house (established in Beaune in 1831) was awarded seven Gold medals and 11 trophies for four of its wines:

• Chablis Grand Cru Les Vaudésirs Domaine Long-Depaquit 2023 (Chablis Trophy)
• Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes Domaine du Pavillon 2023 (French Chardonnay Trophy, French White Trophy)
• Echézeaux Grand Cru Domaine du Clos Frantin 2023 (Echézeaux Trophy)
• Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Hospices de Beaune Cuvée Cyrot Chaudron 2023 (International Pinot Noir Trophy, French Red Trophy)

Other trophies of note for France were a win for Champagne Lanson for its Le Clos Lanson Blanc de Blanc 2010 (Champagne Trophy and Vintage Champagne Trophy). The Non Vintage Champagne Trophy went to Champagne Henriot for its Henriot Cuve 38 – La Réserve Perpétuelle Blanc de Blancs Edition 6.

Number 2: Spain moves up a place

Climbing to second place in the global rankings, Spain took home 32 Golds, 242 Silvers, and 202 Bronzes.  Leading the charge was Jerez (Sherry) which won 20 of Spain’s 34 Golds and claimed more trophies than any other Spanish region with six in total. Not far behind, Rioja continued to prove its pedigree collecting five trophies of its own.

Spain highlights: 

• The Spanish Red Trophy and the Rioja Trophy was won by Rioja Vega for its Con Gracia de Rioja Vega 2020
• The Sherry Trophy was awarded to Emilio Lustau for its Amontillado Botaina Edicion Limitada En Rama

Number 3: Australia leads the way for New World wines 

Australia clinched third place this year and impressed the judges with its breadth from elegant Bordeaux style blends from Margaret River to vibrant cool-climate Pinot Noirs from Tasmania. They also noted standout entries across fortified and sparkling.  With 51 Golds, 220 Silvers and 122 Bronzes, the judges confirmed Australia as the leading ‘new world’ wine nation.

“Not so long ago, the words ‘cool-climate Australia’ would have been an oxymoron,” said co-chair Peter McCombie MW, “but some of our favourite Australian wines in this year’s competition came from cool-climate regions. Stylish, mineral Chardonnays from maritime zones and fresh, succulent Pinot Noirs, notably from Tasmania, were among the highlights.”

Australia highlights: 

• The trophies for both Australian red and white wine went to the same producer, Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania, for its The Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir and The Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay. These two wines also won the Australian Pinot Noir Trophy and the Australian Chardonnay and International Chardonnay trophies respectively.
• Morris wines won several trophies for its fortified wines. Its Old Premium Rare Muscat won the Australian Fortified Trophy and the Muscat Trophy and its Old Premium Rare Tawny won the Rutherglen Fortified Trophy.
• Ponting Wines owned by former cricketer Ricky Ponting, bowled over the judges by winning the Australian Shiraz Trophy for its 127 Milestone 2022

Tolpuddle Vineyard co-founder Martin Shaw commented on the wins, giving credit to Tolpuddle’s winemaker Adam Wadewitz.

“When we bought the vineyard back in 2011, we couldn’t have imagined the international success and reputation that these wines have received,” said Shaw. “Adam Wadewitz is an exceptional winemaker who has captured the essence of the Tolpuddle site.”

The 2023 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay was awarded 98 points, with the judges describing the wine as “compelling and addictive”. The Chardonnay was awarded four trophies including: Best Australian White, Best Australian Chardonnay and Best Tasmanian Chardonay. Significantly, the Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay also won the International Chardonnay Trophy, which is awarded to the best Chardonnay in the competition.

The 2023 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir was awarded 96 points and awarded Best Australian Pinot Noir and Best Australian Red Trophy.

Number 4: Portugal’s still wines step into the spotlight

Long celebrated for its Port, Portugal is now turning global heads with the rising power of its reds and whites.  This year Portugal increased its medal haul to 43 Golds, 160 Silvers, and 164 Bronzes, securing a strong fourth-place finish on the leaderboard, with eight trophies for its fortified wines and another five for still wines.

Portugal highlights: 

• Fuga Doc Dão Vinho Tinto 2023 from historic producer Passarela Sociedade De Vinhos was awarded the Portuguese Red Trophy
• The Portuguese White Trophy was won by Esporão for its Bico Amarelo 2024, a Vinho Verde
• Dalva Porto Colheita 1985 from Granvinhos was awarded the Vintage Port Trophy and the overall Port Trophy

Number 5: Italy shines with rare Schioppettino wine

With a total of 332 medals, Italy reminded the world that its winemaking legacy is not only alive, but constantly evolving. Italy’s array of medal-winning wines came from across its many regions.

Italy highlights: 

• The Italian Red Trophy was awarded to a wine made from the rare Schioppettino grape variety, a dark-skinned grape native to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with Vigna Traverso taking home the prize with its Schioppettino Di Prepotto Fco 2019
• The Italian White Trophy was awarded to La Canosa Agr. Srl, Viridis Classico 2024, 100% Verdicchio from the Marche region

Number 6: New Zealand

New Zealand proved its growing dominance on the international winemaking scene, coming in at sixth place, winning 32 Gold medals, nine more than last year, as well as 121 Silvers, and 98 Bronzes.

• New Zealand won three out of the nine International Trophies with Church Road winning the International Merlot Trophy for Church Road 1 Merlot 2021, Glenora Estate Syrah 2024 won the International Syrah Trophy and the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy was awarded to Villa Maria Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024.

Number 7: South Africa

Winning 23 Gold medals, up from 15 last year, South Africa, came in seventh place, with a spread of red and white wines including Chardonnay, Semillon, Syrah, and Pinotage. The country was awarded the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy, claiming the award from Australia, alongside 111 Silvers, and 91 Bronzes.

• For the first time in five years, South Africa won an International Trophy with the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy being awarded to Le Grand Domaine, Grand Vin Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Number 8: Argentina

Argentina’s success continued as it remains the only country to have been awarded the International Malbec Trophy, winning 144 medals this year.

• The International Malbec Trophy was won by Argentinian producer Bodegas Fabre for its Phebus Gran Reserva Malbec 2023

Number 9: England 

Coming in at ninth place, England set a new benchmark for itself in 2025, with 15 Gold medals, up from 13 last year, alongside 59 Silvers and 43 Bronzes.

• Lyme Bay took home the English Red Trophy for its Pinot Noir 2021, as well as the English White Trophy for its Martin’s Lane Chardonnay 2020, the first time that the same producer has won both the red and the white trophy. Lyme Bay also won the English Pinot Noir Trophy and the English Chardonnay Trophy.
• Nyetimber won both the English Sparkling Trophy and English Blanc de Blancs Trophy with its Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum

Number 10: Chile

Chile clinched the final spot in the top 10 with 97 medals.

• Trophies were awarded to Viña Undurraga for it’s Altazor wine winning the Chilean Red Trophy

“There are always lots of entries that surprise!” said co-chair Sam Caporn MW. “There were wines from China, India, Brazil, showing huge promise—Turkey, Egypt, and Japan, and so it’s a great way to get an overview of the world of wine and to be able to reward those rising stars alongside those that are already more established.”

The full list of 2025 International Wine Challenge award winners released can be seen here.

The IWC Champion Wines for 2025, which are selected following a re-tasting by the IWC Co-Chairs of all the trophy-winning wines, will be revealed at the International Wine Challenge Industry Awards Dinner 2025 on Tuesday 9^th September.

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