The Red Wine Regions Winning Big in 2025

Wine news

Wed 9 Jul 2025

By Gosia Young

Red wine's traditional powerhouses faced unexpected competition at IWSC 2025, with emerging regions challenging established hierarchies and forgotten grapes finding their voice. Our Silver medal results tell a story of a category in transition, where quality no longer follows predictable patterns.

Spain Leads the Charge

Spain claimed the top spot with 51 Silver medals, but the real story lies in where these wines originated. Beyond the expected Rioja excellence, Navarra and Castilla y León emerged as serious contenders, with Tempranillo and Garnacha proving that Spain's regional diversity runs deeper than many realise.

The Languedoc Moment

France's 47 Silver medals were dominated by an unlikely hero: Languedoc-Roussillon claimed 16 medals, outperforming prestigious Bordeaux (7 medals) by more than double. This southern French region's value-driven approach is clearly paying dividends, whilst the Rhône's Syrah-based blends secured 9 medals, proving that terroir expression trumps reputation.

Unexpected New World Players

The most compelling narrative emerged from unexpected quarters. Canada and Japan each secured 13 Silver medals - signalling a seismic shift in global red wine quality. Canada's elegant reds from British Columbia and Ontario are finding their voice, whilst Japan's precise Pinot Noir and Koshu-based blends from Yamanashi and Nagano are redefining what we expect from Japanese viticulture.

Georgia's 11 medals for inky, age-worthy Saperavi continue to challenge preconceptions, whilst Mexico's 4 medals from bold Baja California reds suggest North American wine geography is expanding beyond traditional boundaries.

The Grape Hierarchy

Cabernet Sauvignon's dominance remained unshaken with 79 Silver medals globally, but Syrah's 52 medals showcased stylistic breadth from Rhône to Barossa. Pinot Noir (45), Tempranillo (44) and Merlot (40) rounded out the top five, proving that classic varieties still drive quality.

The established order also held strong: Australia (48 medals), Italy (45 medals) and Portugal (42 medals) demonstrated that experience still matters. Australia's Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon shone across classic and emerging regions, whilst Italy balanced northern classics with southern gems like Nero d'Avola and Aglianico. Portugal's impressive medal count highlighted the rising status of dry red blends beyond the country's fortified wine reputation.

As IWSC judge Alex Hunt MW noted, "When it comes to awarding medals, what we're really looking for is expression of the grape... the purity of the raw material. That's what should be doing 90% of the work." This year's Silver medal winners prove that when grape, place and precision converge, excellence can emerge from anywhere.

The following are the red wines awarded 94 and 93 points in this year's competition, grouped by region. To explore the full list of Silver medal visit our website.




Primary ScoreProducerEntry NameCountry of OriginRegion
94Domaine BousquetGaia Organic Malbec 2023ArgentinaMendoza
94Bodega ClaroscuroGran Malbec 2021ArgentinaMendoza
93Bodega ClaroscuroCabernet Franc 2022ArgentinaMendoza
93Domaine BousquetLalande Organic Cabernet Franc 2024ArgentinaMendoza
93Bodegas SalenteinPortillo Malbec 2024ArgentinaMendoza
94d'Arenberg WinesThe Dead Arm Shiraz 2020AustraliaSouth Australia
94Willunga 100Trott Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache 2023AustraliaSouth Australia
93Tasmanian VintnersStrelley Farm Pinot Noir 2024AustraliaTasmania
93The Wine UmbrellaCo-Syrah 2020CanadaBritish Columbia
93Viña Casas PatronalesSabio 2021ChileMaule Valley
93Viña Casa SilvaTerroir De Familia Carmenere 2024ChileColchagua Valley
93Viña Casas PatronalesVigno 2022ChileMaule Valley
94Château Philippe Le HardiMercurey Les Cheneaults 2022FranceBurgundy
93AsdaExtra Special 2022 Côte de Beaune VillageFranceBurgundy
93Maison Johanès BoubéePalais St Vigni 2023FranceRhône
93Kindzmarauli Marani2020GeorgiaKakheti
93LopotaChateau Buera Reserve Saperavi 2020GeorgiaKakheti
93Kindzmarauli MaraniQvevri Cabernet Saperavi 2019GeorgiaKakheti
94Golan Heights WineryYarden Petit Verdot 2021IsraelGalilee
94BelpoggioBrunello di Montalcino 2020ItalyTuscany
93La TogataBrunello di Montalcino 2020ItalyTuscany
93La TogataSeconda Stella A Destra 2020ItalyTuscany
93SuntoryIwadarehara Merlot 2020JapanNagano
94Sacred HillReserve Pinot Noir 2023New ZealandCentral Otago
93Treasury Wine EstatesBlack Grape Society The Grand Master Pinot Noir 2022New ZealandCentral Otago
93Trinity HillHomage Syrah 2018New ZealandHawke's Bay
93Saint Clair Family EstatePioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2022New ZealandMarlborough
94Vicente Faria VinhosAnimus Reserva 2022PortugalDouro
94Herdade da Fonte CobertaBolota Dourada Reserva 2022PortugalAlentejano
94CabrizReserva 2019PortugalDão
94Casa Ermelinda FreitasTerras Do Pó Reserva 2022PortugalPeninsula De Setubal
93Casa Ermelinda FreitasDona Ermelinda Reserva 2022PortugalPalmela
93Herdade do FreixoFamily Collection 2019PortugalAlentejo
93Quinta do PégoGrande Reserva 2019PortugalDouro
93Ravasqueira VinhosPonte De Xisto 2022PortugalDouro
93BorgesReserva 2021PortugalDão
94JordanThe Prospector Syrah 2022South AfricaWestern Cape
94Altos de Rioja Viticultores y BodeguerosAltos R Pigeage 2021SpainRioja
94Bodegas PanizaCastillo Montanez Reserva Tempranillo 2020SpainAragon
94Bodegas AltanzaCrianza 2021SpainRioja
94DurónCueva Del Raposo 2020SpainCastilla y Leon
94BeroniaEdición Limitada Crianza 2021SpainRioja
94AsdaExtra Special Marques Del Norte 2019SpainRioja
94Bodegas de Familia Burgo ViejoFinca Los Principes Reserva 2021SpainRioja
94J. Garcia CarrionMarqués de Carrión Crianza 2018SpainRioja
94Bodegas TarónPantocrator Reserva 2015SpainRioja
93Bodegas Principe de Viana1423 Vendimia Seleccionada Reserva 2020SpainNavarra
93Grupo Solar De Samaniego7 Cepas Reserva 2020SpainRioja
93Rioja VegaCon Gracia Graciano 2020SpainRioja
93Rioja VegaCrianza 2021SpainRioja
93El Coto de RiojaCrianza 2021SpainRioja
93Bodegas AltanzaReserva 2019SpainRioja