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 Score | Producer | Entry Name | Country of Origin | Region |
94 | Domaine Bousquet | Gaia Organic Malbec 2023 | Argentina | Mendoza |
94 | Bodega Claroscuro | Gran Malbec 2021 | Argentina | Mendoza |
93 | Bodega Claroscuro | Cabernet Franc 2022 | Argentina | Mendoza |
93 | Domaine Bousquet | Lalande Organic Cabernet Franc 2024 | Argentina | Mendoza |
93 | Bodegas Salentein | Portillo Malbec 2024 | Argentina | Mendoza |
94 | d'Arenberg Wines | The Dead Arm Shiraz 2020 | Australia | South Australia |
94 | Willunga 100 | Trott Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache 2023 | Australia | South Australia |
93 | Tasmanian Vintners | Strelley Farm Pinot Noir 2024 | Australia | Tasmania |
93 | The Wine Umbrella | Co-Syrah 2020 | Canada | British Columbia |
93 | Viña Casas Patronales | Sabio 2021 | Chile | Maule Valley |
93 | Viña Casa Silva | Terroir De Familia Carmenere 2024 | Chile | Colchagua Valley |
93 | Viña Casas Patronales | Vigno 2022 | Chile | Maule Valley |
94 | Château Philippe Le Hardi | Mercurey Les Cheneaults 2022 | France | Burgundy |
93 | Asda | Extra Special 2022 Côte de Beaune Village | France | Burgundy |
93 | Maison Johanès Boubée | Palais St Vigni 2023 | France | Rhône |
93 | Kindzmarauli Marani | 2020 | Georgia | Kakheti |
93 | Lopota | Chateau Buera Reserve Saperavi 2020 | Georgia | Kakheti |
93 | Kindzmarauli Marani | Qvevri Cabernet Saperavi 2019 | Georgia | Kakheti |
94 | Golan Heights Winery | Yarden Petit Verdot 2021 | Israel | Galilee |
94 | Belpoggio | Brunello di Montalcino 2020 | Italy | Tuscany |
93 | La Togata | Brunello di Montalcino 2020 | Italy | Tuscany |
93 | La Togata | Seconda Stella A Destra 2020 | Italy | Tuscany |
93 | Suntory | Iwadarehara Merlot 2020 | Japan | Nagano |
94 | Sacred Hill | Reserve Pinot Noir 2023 | New Zealand | Central Otago |
93 | Treasury Wine Estates | Black Grape Society The Grand Master Pinot Noir 2022 | New Zealand | Central Otago |
93 | Trinity Hill | Homage Syrah 2018 | New Zealand | Hawke's Bay |
93 | Saint Clair Family Estate | Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2022 | New Zealand | Marlborough |
94 | Vicente Faria Vinhos | Animus Reserva 2022 | Portugal | Douro |
94 | Herdade da Fonte Coberta | Bolota Dourada Reserva 2022 | Portugal | Alentejano |
94 | Cabriz | Reserva 2019 | Portugal | Dão |
94 | Casa Ermelinda Freitas | Terras Do Pó Reserva 2022 | Portugal | Peninsula De Setubal |
93 | Casa Ermelinda Freitas | Dona Ermelinda Reserva 2022 | Portugal | Palmela |
93 | Herdade do Freixo | Family Collection 2019 | Portugal | Alentejo |
93 | Quinta do Pégo | Grande Reserva 2019 | Portugal | Douro |
93 | Ravasqueira Vinhos | Ponte De Xisto 2022 | Portugal | Douro |
93 | Borges | Reserva 2021 | Portugal | Dão |
94 | Jordan | The Prospector Syrah 2022 | South Africa | Western Cape |
94 | Altos de Rioja Viticultores y Bodegueros | Altos R Pigeage 2021 | Spain | Rioja |
94 | Bodegas Paniza | Castillo Montanez Reserva Tempranillo 2020 | Spain | Aragon |
94 | Bodegas Altanza | Crianza 2021 | Spain | Rioja |
94 | Durón | Cueva Del Raposo 2020 | Spain | Castilla y Leon |
94 | Beronia | Edición Limitada Crianza 2021 | Spain | Rioja |
94 | Asda | Extra Special Marques Del Norte 2019 | Spain | Rioja |
94 | Bodegas de Familia Burgo Viejo | Finca Los Principes Reserva 2021 | Spain | Rioja |
94 | J. Garcia Carrion | Marqués de Carrión Crianza 2018 | Spain | Rioja |
94 | Bodegas Tarón | Pantocrator Reserva 2015 | Spain | Rioja |
93 | Bodegas Principe de Viana | 1423 Vendimia Seleccionada Reserva 2020 | Spain | Navarra |
93 | Grupo Solar De Samaniego | 7 Cepas Reserva 2020 | Spain | Rioja |
93 | Rioja Vega | Con Gracia Graciano 2020 | Spain | Rioja |
93 | Rioja Vega | Crianza 2021 | Spain | Rioja |
93 | El Coto de Rioja | Crianza 2021 | Spain | Rioja |
93 | Bodegas Altanza | Reserva 2019 | Spain | Rioja |