Both New Zealand and Australian wines were highlights at this year's International Wine Challenge in the United Kingdom.
The International Wine Challenge, the world's most influential, impartial and rigorously judged global wine competition, has announced the highest scoring wines in the competition from across Australia and New Zealand. Whilst nine countries earned a position in the top ranks, Australia and New Zealand shone bright.
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. It also claimed three places in the International Wine Challenge top Champion wines, more than any other country in the 2025 challenge.
Renowned Marlborough estate Villa Maria shone with its Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc 2024, which secured both the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy and the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy. Judges hailed it as a ‘cracking Sauvignon Blanc’ with ‘all the chilly thrill of Awatere’s blustery seaside gales’.
While the nation is famed for its Sauvignon Blanc, two standout reds also dazzled the panel. Church Road from Hawke’s Bay, with over 125 years of heritage, collected three trophies, including the prestigious International Merlot Trophy, for its 1 Merlot 2021, praised as ‘youthful’, ‘impressive’, and ‘spicy’.
Meanwhile, Glenora Estate from Waiheke Island, known for its Bordeaux blends and Syrah wines, earned the International Syrah Trophy for its ‘succulent and smooth’ Syrah 2024.
"This year’s competition saw a record number of medals awarded, showcasing the remarkable
"Australia and New Zealand both achieved an incredible amount of both medals and trophies and to claim 14 places in the top wines from the competition between them is an extraordinary honour. The wines featured in this list truly represent the very best of the best in the world."
“Not so long ago, the words ‘cool climate Australia’ would have been an oxymoron, 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,” said Co-chair Peter McCombie MW.
Australia came third to France and Spain in its haul of medals this year and impressed the judges with its remarkable breadth from elegant Bordeaux-style blends from Margaret River to the vibrant cool-climate Pinot Noirs from Tasmania. There were standout entries across fortified and sparkling, too. With 51 Golds, 220 Silvers and 122 Bronzes, Australia firmly held its title as the leading ‘new world’ nation.
Excitingly, Australia reclaimed its Champion White Wine title with Tasmanian producer Tolpuddle Vineyard taking home the sought-after title of Champion White Wine for its Chardonnay 2023, claiming back the title after last winning the award for its Chardonnay in 2020. Judges praised it for its ‘ethereal yet confident character, with beautifully integrated spice notes and cool fruit’.
Earlier this year, the same wine won four trophies, including the International Chardonnay Trophy and Australian White Trophy, with judges praising the winning wine as ‘confident’, ‘complex’, and ‘alluring’.
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