The London Wine Competition is proud to announce the results of its 2025 edition, spotlighting wines that excel not only in exceptional quality but also in delivering outstanding value and compelling packaging. By evaluating wines through the lens of real-world consumer appeal, the competition ensures that awarded wines resonate with both trade professionals and everyday wine enthusiasts.

Now in its eighth edition, the London Wine Competition has solidified its reputation as one of the world's most consumer-relevant wine competitions, offering producers a credible platform to gain international recognition in a competitive market.

Outstanding Performers in 2025

This year's competition recognized excellence across a diverse array of producers, styles, and countries. Leading the accolades were:

- Wine of the Year: 2022 Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay, New Zealand

- Best Wine by Quality: 1987 Saamo, Georgia

- Best Wine by Value: 2024 Elegido Tempranillo Red, Spain

- Best Wine by Packaging: 2021 Little Giant The Remarkables 105 y.o, Australia

- Winery of the Year: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa

- Red Wine Producer of the Year: Casa Santos Lima – Companhia das Vinhas SA. Portugal

- White Wine Producer of the Year: Anhydrous Winery, Greece

- Rose Wine Producer of the Year: Rose Wine Producer Of The Year, SCAV Chateau Leoube, France

- Non Alcoholic Wine Producer Of The Year: Vinolo Ltd, Spain

- Winery Of The Year France, SCEV Domaine du Château de Meursault

- Winery Of The Year Italy, Points Azienda Agricola Gini Sandro e Claudio Società Agricola Semplice

- Winery Of The Year South Africa, Hasher Family Wines

- Winery Of The Year Portugal, Casa Santos Lima – Companhia das Vinhas SA.

- Winery Of The Year Greece, Anhydrous Winery

- Winery Of The Year Austria, Weingut Jakob Stierschneider

- Best Indigenous Grape Wine: 1987 Saamo, Georgia,

- Own Label of the Year: Beyond the Wilderness Riesling from Coles Liquor, Australia

- Cabernet Sauvignon Of The Year: 2021 Trinity Hill Single Vineyard 'Prison Block' Cabernet Sauvignon, New Zealand

- Shiraz Of The Year: 2023 Jaraman Shiraz, Australia

- Pinot Noir Of The Year: 2023 Ernest, South Africa

- Merlot Of The Year: 2019 Trame Rosse, Italy

Wines from Australia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Georgia dominated major awards, with impressive entries also coming from France, Austria, Romania, the US, and Turkey, showcasing the global reach and growing influence of the competition.

An Unrivalled Judging Panel

The credibility of the London Wine Competition lies in the depth and diversity of its judging panel. This year's panel featured over 70 esteemed professionals, including:

Masters of Wine: 

- Claire Blackler MW
- Annette Scarfe MW
- Tim Triptree MW
- Emily Brighton MW
- David Gill MW
- Susan Hulme MW
- Sara Muirhead MW
- Martin Moran MW
- Annette Scarfe MW
- Demetri Walters MW
- Eric Zwiebel MS

Master Sommeliers: 

- Yves Desmaris MS
- Christopher Delalonde MS
- Kathrine Larsen Robert MS
- Matteo Montone MS

Trade Buyers and Industry Experts:

- Valeria Rodriguez AIWS, Head of Fine Wine at Bibendum Wine
- Joshua Castle, Group Head Buyer for Keeling Andrew, Noble Rot, and Shrine to the Vine
- Bianca Ford, Operations Director and Buyer at Yapp Brothers Ltd
- Frances Bentley, Wine Buyer at LWC Drinks
- Carla Bertellotti, Managing Director at Vinos Latinos
- Dafydd Morris, Director at Cheers Wine Merchants, UK
- Paul Grimwood, Buyer and Founder of Ultracomida-Spanish Wines
- David Harvey, Wine Importer at Raeburn Fine Wines
- Emma Penman, Wine Buyer at Waitrose
- Dan Belmont, Director & Wine Buyer at Good Wine Good People & GWGP Trade

Their combined expertise spans fine wine buying, hospitality, distribution, retail, and education. Each wine was tasted blind, scored on quality, then re-evaluated based on price and packaging to determine its total commercial viability.

“This competition continues to evolve and raise the bar. The calibre of judges we’ve assembled, from Master Sommeliers to major buyers and MWs, is truly extraordinary,” said Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network and Founder of the London Wine Competition.

 “We’re committed to helping producers connect with real-world markets — and for consumers and trade to feel confident that these wines over-deliver on every level.”

Judging Criteria

At the London Wine Competition, each wine is judged on three key criteria: Quality, Value, and Packaging—a comprehensive approach designed to mirror real-world buying behavior. The process begins with a blind tasting to evaluate quality, ensuring an unbiased assessment of the wine’s taste, balance, and structure. Once quality scores are recorded, judges are shown the retail price and asked to rate the wine’s value for money. Finally, the packaging is revealed and assessed for its shelf appeal and alignment with the wine’s market positioning.

Wines are evaluated by some of the most respected and influential trade professionals in the UK, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and senior wine buyers and directors. This rigorous and holistic judging process ensures that every winning wine is not only exceptional in taste but also offers strong commercial value and visual appeal—making it truly market-ready.

This rigorous judging format sets the London Wine Competition apart from traditional tastings. Having each wine reviewed by a Master Sommelier or Master of Wine adds an extraordinary layer of expertise—making a medal win here a true mark of excellence and market readiness.

Celebrating Real-World Relevance

The London Wine Competition's unique scoring system ensures that a wine's story doesn't end at the tasting glass — packaging and price are also given weight in addition to quality. This sets it apart as one of the few competitions to truly reflect the dynamics of how wine is bought, sold, and enjoyed today.

“I love the idea of judging the packaging — it makes a tremendous difference and it’s something producers can act on quickly,” said Susan Hulme MW.

 Mike Best MW echoed: “What makes the London Wine Competition special is its judging model — it’s about more than just technical precision.”

 “We were lucky to taste exceptional wines — Greek whites and Sicilian varieties were standouts,” added Chris Howells.

Full Results Now Online

The complete list of 2025 award winners, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, as well as all special category honours, is now available:

View the full list of winners for 2025

About the London Wine Competition

Organized by Beverage Trade Network, the London Wine Competition rewards wines that are not only exceptional in quality but also have strong commercial viability and standout packaging. It is judged entirely from the viewpoint of the consumer and trade buyer.

Media contact:

Malvika Patel
Editor, Beverage Trade Network
malvika@beveragetradenetwork.com

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