English wines have achieved a record-breaking performance at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), winning the highest percentage of gold medals per entry of any country. The competition, which judges wines from around the world, awarded English wines 25 gold medals in 2025, up from 10 the previous year.
Reasons for Success
Sam Caporn, a master of wine, attributed the improvement to several factors. “One of them is that for many of the top producers, the vines are getting older, which leads to greater quality,” she said. “Nyetimber’s first vintage, for example, was in 1992, so over 30 years ago now.” She also noted that wines are being matured for longer, increasing complexity. “Wiston won a trophy for their Cuvee 2009 Magnum, and reserve wines are taking on more complexity with every year.”
Oz Clarke, co-chair of the IWC, praised the overall progress. “The improvement in English wine over the past decade has been remarkable. Growers now understand their vineyards far better, winemaking has become more precise, and there’s a real confidence about what England can achieve, particularly with sparkling wine. The results show just how far things have come: English wines are being judged alongside the world’s best and are winning on quality alone.”
Climate and New Regions
Climate change is playing a role, with more sunny days and warmer weather expected, especially in southern England. However, extreme weather like drought can threaten crops. Caporn highlighted the emergence of new regions: “Newer producers are learning from predecessors about microclimate and soil, using different clones and rootstocks for better blending options. The Crouch Valley in Essex is gaining appreciation, and still wines are coming into their own alongside sparkling.”
Supermarket Success
Supermarket wines performed exceptionally well, with bargain bottles from Aldi, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s winning gold medals. Notable winners include M&S Champagne Delacourt Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2017, Aldi’s Exceptional Botrytis Riesling 2017, and Tesco Finest Barolo 2021.
Overall Rankings
England ranked ninth overall in country medals, with France leading, followed by Spain and Portugal. However, 16% of English entries won gold, the highest percentage of any nation. Kent was England’s best region with 12 gold medals, driven mainly by sparkling wine and chardonnay. Judges described the results as proof of England’s “rise as a world-class wine producing country.”
