The best wines are a product of place, time, and passion – whether they are from the sunny hills of Tuscany or vineyards perched on top of the Argentinian mountains.
The Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is the world's largest wine competition and one of the most prestigious.
This year marks the 22nd edition of the DWWA. Wines from 57 countries were evaluated by 248 top wine experts – the most in the competition’s history.
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The rigorous blind-tasting process involving more than 18,000 wines resulted in winners that stand out at every level, be it traditional wines or rising stars from emerging regions.
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We explore some of the best wines around the globe, ranging from budget-friendly bottles to coveted classics. The wines have been selected by editors at Decanter, MoneyWeek’s sister publication.
The full list of winners can be found on Decanter’s website.
The best wines of 2025
France
French wines are regarded as some of the best in the world, so it’s no surprise that the region has topped the medal count this year, with 187 top-tier awards, and 27 top awards for Champagne.
Some of this year’s winners include:
Barons de Rothschild Rare Collection Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2014
Award: Best in Show (97 points)
A luxurious Champagne with bright citrus and seaweed notes. You don’t need to hurry to drink this 2014 vintage, so it’s perfect for celebrations.
Jean-Marc Brocard, Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2023
Award: Best in Show (97 points)
A refined white wine from Burgundy with a beloved sour note to the fruit. It has delicate mineral flavours and crisp acidity, making it an ideal pairing with seafood or light dishes.
Domaines Bonfils, Château Vaugelas V, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Award: Value Platinum (97 points, under £15)
A vibrant red from southern France with scintillating damson, blueberry and sweet cherry flavours over an earthy and peppery spice.
Italy
Italy strengthened its position in the Decanter World Wine Awards this year with 138 top-tier medals, underscoring its depth and innovation in regions like Tuscany, Piedmont and Sicily.
Here are a few Italian favourites:
Tenuta Meraviglia Maestro di Cava, Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany 2020
Best in Show, 97 points
An opaque, black-red wine from coastal Tuscany with soft leather poise behind layers of dark fruit and an intense spice. This adventurous 2020 vintage is alluring on the nose and pairs well with pasta or grilled meats.
Tenuta Roletto, Erbaluce di Caluso, Passito, Piedmont 2013
Gold, 95 points
This white from Piedmont is perfect for sweet tooths, with notes of caramel, butterscotch, and dried fruits soaking in velvety sweetness.
Spain
Spain continues to surprise with its versatility across fortified, red, white and sparkling wines, achieving 105 top-tier medals.
Don Bernardino, La Capona Amandi, Ribeira Sacra 2019
Best in Show, 97 points
A powerful red from Ribeira Sacra made from the Mencía grape. Passed in oak for two years, peppery red fruits dominate the aromas of this 2019 wine, leaving a herbal and root-spice flavour in the mouth.
González Byass Del Duque VORS Amontillado, Sherry NV
Platinum, 97 points
This beautifully aged and rare Sherry is a deep orange amber, with aromas of sun-dried figs and herbs. It’s a “remarkable” drink with depth on the palate, and goes fantastically with tapas or cheese.
Bodegas Martinez Paiva, Brut Nature, Cava 2020
Gold, 95 points
Spain’s traditional method sparkling wines are an ideal example of excellent taste at good value. Brimming with aromas of baked apple, plum and honeysuckle, this 60-40 blend of Macabeo and Chardonnay grapes is perfect for casual gatherings.
Notable mentions
Sugrue South Downs, The Trouble With Dreams, Sussex 2009 (magnum)
Best in Show, 97 points
An elegant English sparkling wine with a magnificent blend of three classical Champagne varieties and 15 years in the glass. The result? A creamy texture full of spirit. It’s a real showstopper for special occasions.
Anhydrous, Santorini, Aegean Islands, Greece, 2019
Best in Show, 97 points
Greece achieved a breakout year with 20 top-tier medals. This white wine from Santorini is the first time the ‘Best in Show’ award has gone to a wine older than four years. Judges commented: "Is Santorini Assyrtiko a white that improves in the bottle? It’s remarkable how a wine which makes so few aromatic allusions can nonetheless command the attention as Santorini invariably does.”
This blend has a slightly richer straw-yellow than usual and is unique.
New world highlights
Craggy Range, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2024
Best in Show, 97 points
This Martinborough Pinot Noir is an uncompromisingly dark wine bursting with bright and bold aromas of red fruits that are beautifully balanced. It’s a perfect match for roast chicken or pork.
Bemberg Estate Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2022
Best in Show, 97 points
This is a great wine to try from Gualtallary in Argentina, a location once seen as cold for reds. Three decades later, it’s one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. The midnight black blend is smooth and aromatic with a creamy blackcurrant lift. It’s a wealthy choice.
Antiyal, Viñedo Escorial Organic Carmenère, Maipó Valley 2020
Best in Show, 97 points
This red wine from Carmenère has notes of cherry and plum fruit, savoury tannins, and none of the green tones from the past. It’s a Chilean classic, ready to enjoy with food.
Fine wines under £15
An award-winning wine doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. In the World Wine Awards, Decanter rounded up a few budget-friendly picks under £15, which you may even find on supermarket shelves.
See the full list of award-winning wines under £15.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or looking to invest in fine wine, the next time you’re shopping, make a note to look for a DWWA medal on a wine bottle – or search through Decanter’s results. You might just find your next favourite.
