Five winemakers were also named Winemakers of the Year in their respective categories, with winners from England, France, New Zealand, Spain, and Austria.
For the first time in the history of the Challenge, a sparkling wine from outside Champagne received the Champion Sparkling Wine title.
- Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2016 won the Daniel Thibault Trophy, with judges describing it as “a time capsule of a wine.”
- Nyetimber’s Head Winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, was named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year, the second time she has received this honour. She remains the only winemaker outside France, and the first woman, to have achieved the award.
- Newcomer Kingsthorne also gained recognition, with its Seyval Blanc Brut 2017 awarded Best Wine in First Year of Production.
France secured the highest number of Gold medals (94), with Burgundy highlighted as a standout region.
- Maison Albert Bichot won Champion Red Wine for its Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Hospices de Beaune Cuvée Cyrot Chaudron 2023.
- Technical Director Matthieu Mangenot was awarded Red Winemaker of the Year.
Australia reclaims Champion White Wine:
- Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 from Tasmania was awarded Champion White Wine, praised for its confidence, complexity, and balance.
New Zealand recognised with White Winemaker of the Year:
- Brent Marris, founder and winemaker at Marisco Vineyards, received the title White Winemaker of the Year. His Chardonnay 2023 and Pinot Noir 2023 also secured trophies in their categories.
Spain continues dominance in fortified wines:
- Bodegas Emilio Lustau Amontillado Botaina Edicion Limitada En Rama NV won Champion Fortified Wine.
- Lustau’s Cellar Master Sergio Martínez was named Fortified Winemaker of the Year for the sixth time.
Italy excels in sweet wines:
- Tenuta Di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano Riserva 2017 won Champion Sweet Wine, repeating its 2024 success.
Austria’s ongoing success in sweet winemaking:
- Hans Tschida, Weingut Angerhof Tschida, was once again named Sweet Winemaker of the Year. This is his fifth consecutive win and eleventh overall since 2010.
The IWC Champion Wines 2025 are:
- England: Nyetimber, Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2016 – Champion Sparkling Wine
- France: Maison Albert Bichot, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2023 – Champion Red Wine
- Australia: Tolpuddle Vineyard, Chardonnay 2023 – Champion White Wine
- Spain: Bodegas Emilio Lustau, Amontillado Botaina NV – Champion Fortified Wine
- Italy: Tenuta Di Capezzana, Vin Santo di Carmignano Riserva 2017 – Champion Sweet Wine
The IWC Winemakers of the Year 2025 are:
- England: Cherie Spriggs, Nyetimber – Sparkling Winemaker of the Year
- France: Matthieu Mangenot, Maison Albert Bichot – Red Winemaker of the Year
- New Zealand: Brent Marris, Marisco Vineyards – White Winemaker of the Year
- Spain: Sergio Martínez, Emilio Lustau – Fortified Winemaker of the Year
- Austria: Hans Tschida, Weingut Angerhof Tschida – Sweet Winemaker of the Year
Chris Ashton, Director of the International Wine Challenge, said: “This year’s competition saw more medals awarded than ever before, reflecting the exceptional standard of winemaking worldwide. To achieve a Champion title against such strong competition is a significant accomplishment.”
Now in its 41st year, the International Wine Challenge is regarded as the world’s most impartial and influential wine competition. Each wine is assessed blind over two rounds in London by an international panel, with results overseen by six co-chairs. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Commended) and Trophies for the best in each category.
