English wines achieved a record-breaking performance at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), securing the highest percentage of gold medals per entry among all competing nations. Experts have described the improvement as remarkable, highlighting the growing quality and confidence in English winemaking.
Record Gold Medal Haul
In 2025, English wines won 25 gold medals, a significant increase from 10 in the previous year. While England ranked ninth overall in the country rankings, with France maintaining its lead, 16% of all English entries earned gold medals—the highest percentage of any country.
Kent emerged as the best-performing region in England, winning 12 gold medals, largely driven by sparkling wines and chardonnay. The judges noted that the success underscores England's rise as a world-class wine-producing country.
Expert Insights
Sam Caporn, a master of wine, attributed the success to several factors. “For many of the top producers, the vines are getting older, which leads to greater quality. Nyetimber’s first vintage, for example, was in 1992—over 30 years ago,” she said. She also pointed to longer maturation periods: “Wiston won a trophy for their Cuvee 2009 Magnum, and reserve wines are gaining complexity with every year.”
Oz Clarke, co-chair of the IWC, remarked: “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 that English wines are being judged alongside the world’s best and are winning on quality alone.”
Climate and Innovation
Climate change is playing a role, with vineyards in southern England experiencing more sunny days and warmer weather. However, extreme weather such as drought can threaten crops. Caporn noted that newer producers are learning from predecessors, understanding microclimates and soils, and using diverse clones and rootstocks for better blending. “It’s a really exciting time for English wine, with appreciation for newer regions like the Crouch Valley in Essex. Still wines are also coming into their own, not just sparkling,” she added.
Supermarket Success
Supermarket wines performed exceptionally well, with bargain bottles from Aldi, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s winning gold medals. Examples include M&S Champagne Delacourt Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2017, Aldi’s Exceptional Botrytis Riesling 2017, and Tesco Finest Barolo 2021.
Global Competition
France led the overall rankings with awards for champagne and burgundy. Spain impressed with sherries and rioja, while Portugal won for its port. England’s performance, however, highlighted its growing stature in the wine world.
