Global Wine Map is Redrawn

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) announced its 2025 wine results, revealing a global shift in the world of wine. This year, more than 12,000 wines from over 90 countries were judged by panels of experts in London. The results showed that quality wine is no longer limited to traditional regions. Wines from unexpected places such as Georgia, Japan, Canada, and England earned top honors alongside established producers from France, Italy, Spain, and Australia.

A Georgian qvevri wine and a Burgundian Chardonnay both received Gold medals, highlighting the diversity of styles recognized this year. English sparkling wines performed especially well, with one entry surpassing several top Champagnes and England achieving a 93% medal rate across its sparkling wine submissions. Japanese Chardonnays from Nagano and Hiroshima also impressed judges, earning praise for their quality and complexity.

Canada stood out in the sweet wine category, winning six of the 15 Bronze medals for icewines and securing 71 Bronze medals for red wines. Georgia continued to lead in orange wines but also gained recognition for its Saperavi reds. Other countries such as Mexico, Cyprus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Myanmar earned Bronze medals, signaling a broader acceptance of regional identity and quality over traditional hierarchies.

Judges noted a clear trend toward drinkability across all categories. Red wines from historically hot climates like Portugal and Argentina showed more balance and freshness than in previous years. Producers are picking grapes earlier and focusing on harmony rather than power. Champagne producers are moving toward Brut Nature styles with greater fruit clarity, while Italian Proseccos are being recognized for cleaner, drier expressions.

Silver medal winners were described by judges as “textbook examples” of their categories. These wines offer high quality at accessible prices and reflect their grape varieties and regions well. France led with 51 Silver medals for white wines, but Australia’s 16 Silver medals were highlighted as exceptional value.

Bronze medals were not seen as consolation prizes but as evidence of rising global standards. Judges awarded Bronze to about one-third of entries after tasting only 65 wines per day. Supermarket brands such as Asda, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco received multiple Bronze medals for their own-label wines. In red wines, judges observed that many producers who previously would not have medaled are now reaching Bronze level due to improved winemaking practices.

Innovation was another key theme in this year’s results. Orange wines have moved from niche to mainstream status, with Georgia still leading but Austria, Japan, and France also earning medals in this category. Sweet and fortified wines are evolving with new approaches to texture and balance. English rosé earned three Silver medals for quality that exceeded expectations.

The IWSC’s 2025 results show that the wine industry is becoming more open-minded and diverse. Quality is now found in many places beyond the traditional strongholds. While countries like Spain and Portugal continue to excel in fortified wines and France leads in still whites, new contenders are emerging with fresh perspectives.

Judges emphasized that great wine today is about more than technical skill; it is about expressing place, purpose, and personality. The competition’s results reflect a maturing industry where authenticity and innovation are valued alongside tradition. The full list of winners is available on the IWSC website for those interested in exploring how the global wine scene is changing.