Mexico Leads with 33% Surge in Global Wine Searches as Quality Scores Hit New Highs

Recent data from Wine-Searcher, a leading online database for wine and spirits, reveals several positive trends in the global wine industry despite ongoing concerns about declining consumption and economic challenges. The platform’s latest figures show that interest in wine is not only holding steady but growing in some key markets.

In 2025, searches for wine on Wine-Searcher increased by about 2 percent compared to the previous year. The United States continued to lead in search activity, accounting for roughly 45 percent of all searches—a 2.1 percent rise from 2024. Other countries also showed notable growth: Brazil saw an 18.1 percent increase, Canada was up by 8.7 percent, and Mexico experienced a significant 33 percent jump in search volumes. However, some traditionally strong markets like China and the United Kingdom saw declines of 4.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively.

The availability of wine has also expanded. Wine-Searcher now lists 18.3 million offers from sellers in 120 countries, reflecting a broadening global market. While the top ten wine markets still account for about 85 percent of all offers, the data suggests that access to a diverse range of wines is improving worldwide.

Quality appears to be on the rise as well. The Wine-Searcher score, which aggregates ratings from multiple critics, has shown an upward trend. Among Old World producers with at least 1,000 scored wines, Austria leads with an average score of 91.5, followed by Germany at 91.32 and Switzerland at 90.62. Italy and France also remain strong, with average scores above 90. Spain, Portugal, and Greece round out the top Old World countries.

In the New World category, Australia tops the list with an average score of 90.87, followed by New Zealand at 90.68 and the United States at 90.38. Argentina, South Africa, and Chile are also among the highest-scoring producers.

Year-over-year improvements were noted in major wine-producing countries such as the United States, France, Italy, and Spain. These increases are attributed to both better winemaking practices and broader coverage by critics.

A closer look at regional performance shows France’s Burgundy region remains a leader with appellations like Romanée-Conti and Montrachet scoring averages of 94.4 and 93.85 respectively. Alsace has also emerged as a standout region, with three appellations—Clos Jebsal (94.42), Clos Saint Urbain (93.98), and Clos Sainte Hune (93.88)—ranking among the highest scorers.

While challenges remain for the global wine industry—particularly regarding consumption rates—the data points to areas of resilience and potential recovery. Increased consumer interest in several markets, greater availability of quality wines, and rising critical scores suggest that there are reasons for cautious optimism within the sector as it navigates ongoing changes and uncertainties.