Which Wines Rise to the Top of the World in 2025

The global wine industry in 2025 has seen a remarkable shift, with the year’s top-rated wines reflecting both tradition and innovation. This meta ranking, compiled by Vinetur, is based solely on scores and awards published throughout the year by leading international guides and competitions. The methodology involved cross-referencing thousands of tasting notes and results from January to November 2025, using sources such as Wine Spectator, James Suckling, Vinous, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), International Wine Challenge (IWC), and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

Château Giscours 2022 from Margaux, Bordeaux, stands out as the defining wine of 2025. It achieved the number one spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 and was also ranked eighth by James Suckling. The 2022 vintage in Bordeaux was marked by extreme heat and drought, yet Giscours managed to produce a wine with vibrant freshness and refined tannins. The technical team decided not to make a second wine that year due to the exceptional quality of the fruit, resulting in a large production that made the wine widely available. Priced between $68 and $85 at release, it offered significant value for a Grand Cru Classé.

In Chile, Clos Apalta 2021 from the Apalta Valley solidified its reputation as the top New World wine. It was ranked sixth by Wine Spectator and received a perfect 100 points from James Suckling for the fourth time. The 2021 vintage benefited from cooler conditions that preserved natural acidity and avoided common flaws in Carmenère-based wines. The result was a complex wine with integrated tannins and a long finish.

Tasmania’s Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 marked a turning point for Australian white wines. It won Champion White Wine at the IWC and was recognized as the best international Chardonnay. The vineyard’s cool maritime climate and silica-rich soils contributed to a wine with sharp acidity and mineral tension, moving away from the buttery style once associated with Australian Chardonnay.

Château Figeac 2022 from Saint-Émilion became the most awarded wine of the year, earning perfect scores from Robert Parker, Jeb Dunnuck, and Decanter. Its blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon provided structure and freshness despite the hot vintage. Figeac’s rise to Premier Grand Cru Classé “A” status was validated by this critically acclaimed release.

Italy maintained its strong presence with Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2022 from Bolgheri receiving high marks across several guides. The vintage produced a concentrated wine with deep fruit flavors and Mediterranean herbal notes. Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Il Poggio 2020 also made headlines after being named Vinous’ top wine of the year. This single-vineyard Sangiovese demonstrated structure and aging potential comparable to top reds worldwide.

The United States saw California’s Sonoma Coast emerge as a leader in cool-climate varieties. Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL 2023 ranked second on Wine Spectator’s list, while Williams Selyem Pinot Noir 2023 also featured prominently. These wines reflected a shift away from Napa Valley’s warmer styles toward fresher profiles favored by critics.

Other notable entries included Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2016 from Sussex, England, which won Champion Sparkling Wine at the IWC—an achievement that signals England’s growing influence in sparkling wines. Changyu Noble Dragon N188 2022 from Shandong, China earned Best in Show at DWWA, highlighting China’s progress in technical quality.

The rankings also revealed broader trends: Bordeaux’s 2022 vintage defied expectations by producing fresh wines under extreme conditions; California’s focus shifted toward Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from cooler regions; Italy’s Gran Selezione category gained credibility; Chile moved beyond value wines to compete at the highest level; Tasmania set new standards for Chardonnay; South Africa’s new wave producers gained international recognition; and China emerged as a serious contender.

The consolidated ranking for 2025 placed Château Giscours at the top, followed by Château Figeac, Clos Apalta, Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay, Castello di Monsanto Vigna Il Poggio, Château d’Issan (Margaux), Sassicaia (Bolgheri), Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs (England), Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL (Sonoma), and Van Loggerenberg Syrah Graft (South Africa). Other regions such as Spain’s Ribera del Duero (Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5°) and Hungary’s volcanic whites also received recognition.

This year’s results show that excellence in winemaking is no longer confined to traditional strongholds. Wines from diverse climates and regions now compete on equal footing with established names. For consumers and collectors alike, these findings suggest looking beyond classic regions to discover some of the world’s most exciting wines in unexpected places.