Latest news with #Decanter
Forbes
33 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Latest Wine Trends From The 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards
Five friends cheering with glasses of red wine. getty Decanter has just announced the results of its 22nd annual World Wine Awards. The DWWA is the largest and one of the most respected wine competitions globally. Below is a summary of the results from the world's leading wine regions and highlights of the industry's most significant trends. Renowned for its rigorous blind-tasting process, the DWWA sets a high bar for quality and consistency in the wine world. This year's event drew an impressive 16,000+ entries from 57 countries, all carefully evaluated by 248 leading experts, including a record 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine — the highest number of top-level judges in the competition's history. At the DWWA, medals signal excellence across different tiers: the top fifty wines worldwide earn the elite 'Best in Show', followed by Platinum and Gold medals, all awarded to wines scoring 95 points or higher. To put this in perspective, the 50 Best in Show winners represent just 0.30% of all wines judged this year. In addition, the competition awarded 137 Platinum and 732 Gold medals, highlighting truly exceptional wines from across the globe. Only about 5% of the wines entered reached this highest tier of excellence. Another noteworthy list is the Value Gold Top 30, which showcases high-quality wines priced under $20, reinforcing the idea that great wine can still be affordable. France once again led the medal count, securing 187 top-tier awards: 14 Best in Show, 33 Platinum, and 140 Gold. The Champagne region was the standout, producing 27 top-tier winners, including three Best in Show medals for vintage Champagnes. Italy also performed strongly, earning 138 top-tier medals, including two Value Golds for high-quality yet wallet-friendly Prosecco and Langhe wines. Spain continued its strong showing, with Sherry producers standing out: González Byass won two Best in Show awards, contributing to Spain's total of 105 top-tier medals: five Best in Show, 16 Platinum, and 84 Gold. Notably, Ribeira Sacra celebrated its first-ever Best in Show. In the UK, English sparkling wine producers continued to impress, winning a Best in Show for a magnum — a first for the DWWA — along with two Platinum and six Gold medals. Greece also enjoyed a historic year, with 20 top-tier medals and its first-ever Best in Show wins for wines from Peloponnese, Goumenissa, and Epanomi. Other European highlights included Portugal, which received five Best in Show awards, and Slovenia, which claimed its first Best in Show for an orange wine. Australia maintained its reputation for consistent quality, securing 80 top-tier medals, including four Best in Show. New Zealand added one Best in Show and 24 Gold medals to its tally. For the United States, results were equally outstanding. California led the charge, with two Best in Show awards — one of which went to Clos du Val for the second consecutive year. Judges praised the winery for its refined style and approachability. Oregon and Washington State also earned top-tier recognition, while Virginia and Pennsylvania continued to build momentum, each repeating their gold medal successes from the previous year. Assortment or various type of cheese, wine glasses and bottles on the table in a restaurant. getty In South America, Argentina achieved a record result, with a 50% increase in top-tier medals compared to last year, totaling 46 high-scoring wines, including two Best in Show awards. Eight of Argentina's awards were Value Golds, reinforcing its reputation for delivering excellent quality at competitive prices. Chile earned two Best in Show medals, including a first for the Secano Interior region, while Uruguay collected 14 medals overall, including three Golds. South Africa broke its record by achieving 45 Gold medals, the country's highest total to date. Worcester earned its first Gold for a sweet 100% Muscat Blanc, underscoring the diversity of the region's offerings. China reached a milestone with 13 top-tier awards, including its first-ever Best in Show medals — a significant achievement for the emerging wine market. Additional notable performances came from Japan, which secured eight top-tier medals; Austria, with 21 top-tier awards; and Croatia, which recorded its highest medal count to date, with 386 medals overall. Canada brought home two prestigious Platinum medals for its renowned sweet ice wines. The awards also marked some 'firsts' this year: Denmark received its first medal, a Bronze. Uzbekistan made its debut with Silver and Bronze medals, Mexico repeated its Gold medal performance from last year, and Armenia returned to the spotlight with three Golds. The DWWA continues to reflect broader trends in the wine industry. Orange wines gained further recognition, with 87 medals awarded, including Slovenia's first-ever Best in Show for this style of wine. Fortified wines also excelled, with four Best in Show medals split evenly between Sherry and Port. Platinum medals in this category increased from 17 to 20, with standout entries from Australia, France's Languedoc-Roussillon, Portugal, and Spain. Additionally, heritage and lesser-known grape varieties received increased attention. Argentina earned its first Gold medal for a 100% Criolla wine, while Italy secured its first Gold for an Erbaluce di Caluso bottling. The Decanter World Wine Awards continue to showcase the diversity, quality, and innovation taking place in wineries worldwide. For American wine enthusiasts, the strong showing by domestic producers — particularly those from California, Oregon, and Washington — reinforces the West Coast's reputation as a leader in premium winemaking. Visit the Decanter website for a complete list of this year's medalists, tasting notes, and more details on each award-winning wine. Whether you're seeking iconic labels or exploring new regions and varietals, the DWWA is an excellent guide to some of the world's best wines.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The World's 50 Best Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards
Three glasses with white, rose and red wine. Decanter has announced the results of its 22nd annual World Wine Awards (DWWA), the world's largest and one of the most respected wine competitions. Below is a snapshot of the 50 wines crowned Best in Show — recognized as the finest wines in the world for 2025 and exceptional choices for any cellar or tasting list. Celebrated for its rigorous blind-tasting standards, the DWWA upholds an exceptional benchmark for quality and consistency in the global wine industry. This year's awards attracted over 16,000 entries from 57 countries, meticulously judged by 248 renowned experts, including a record 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine — the highest number of elite judges in the event's history. Here are the world's 50 best wines according to Decanter, organized by wine style and country of origin. Knorhoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. A Classic South African Cab with blackcurrant, mint, and fine tannins. Dongfang Yuxing Winery Geruihong Yeguangbei 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ningxia, China. A concentrated Cabernet with bold cassis, firm tannins, and a touch of oak. Changyu Noble Dragon N188 2022, Cabernet Gernischt, Shandong. A smooth Chinese red with red plum, light spice, and a silky mouthfeel. André Lurton Château de Rochemorin 2022, Merlot, Pessac-Léognan. Ripe black cherry, cedar, and tobacco leaf highlight this structured Bordeaux. Château Ollieux Romanis Cuvée Prestige 2022, Carignan, Corbières-Boutenac. A rustic red wine with dark berries, dried herbs, and robust tannins. Albert Bichot Hospices De Beaune Cuvée Cyrot-Chaudron 2023, Pinot Noir, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru. A complex Burgundy with dark cherry, earth, and refined tannins. Domaine Du Mont Verrier Janin 2023, Gamay, Morgon. A juicy and bright Beaujolais with ripe red berries and floral undertones. Château La Borie 2023, Syrah, Côtes du Rhône Villages. A luscious red wine with blackberry fruit, pepper, and smooth tannins. Chateau La Croix Younan 2022, Merlot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. Rich and supple with plum, mocha, and fine oak integration. Chatzivaritis Estate Goumenissa 2021 (Xinomavro, Goumenissa): Savory Greek red with sour cherry, tomato leaf, and a firm structure. red wine with salami, cheeses, olives, figs and peppers in out door picnic setting Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Cannubi Barolo Riserva 2019, Nebbiolo. A powerful yet refined Barolo with rose petal, tar, and firm tannins. Diego Morra Del Comune Di Verduno 2021, Nebbiolo, Barolo. An elegant Barolo showing bright red cherry, licorice, and polished tannins. Tenuta Meraviglia Maestro Di Cava 2020, Cabernet Franc, Bolgheri Superiore. A bold Tuscan red with blackberry, graphite, and silky tannins. Donnachiara Taurasi 2021, Aglianico, Taurasi. A dark and brooding Aglianico with black plum, leather, and earthy spice. Quinta Do Reguengo Cortes 2020, Touriga Nacional, Douro. An intensely flavored Portuguese red with dark berry, cocoa, and muscular tannins. Santos & Seixo Wines Da Casa Grande Reserva 2020, Touriga Nacional, Douro. A concentrated Douro red with cassis, vanilla, and a firm finish. Pago De Los Capellanes Doroteo 2020, Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero. A plush and powerful Ribera with ripe black cherry and cedar spice. Don Bernardino La Capona Amandi 2019, Mencia, Ribeira Sacra. A fresh Galician red with red currant, herbs, and a light earthy finish. Vall Llach Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada 2023, Carignan, Priorat. A dense and structured Priorat with black plum, mineral notes, and robust tannins. Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Margaret River. A flagship Margaret River Cab, layered with cassis, dark chocolate, and fine oak. Trentham Estate Reserve Shiraz 2023, Heathcote. A rich and peppery red wine with bold black fruits, balanced by earthy spice. Barossa Old Vine Company Shiraz 2022, Barossa Valley. A dense and opulent Barossa Shiraz with plum, licorice, and velvety tannins. Craggy Range Pinot Noir 2024, Martinborough. A Silky NZ Pinot with bright red berries, forest floor, and gentle oak. Clos du Val Cabernet Franc 2022, Stags Leap District. A California red with bright red fruit, herbs, and polished tannins. Kenwood Vineyards Six Ridges Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Alexander Valley. A bold Sonoma Cab with blackberry, mocha, and a structured finish. Beautiful Malbec vineyard. Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. Bemberg Estate Wines Pionero 2022, Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza. A plush, structured Malbec with ripe black fruit and a mineral backbone. Rutini Single Vineyard Malbec 2021, Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza. An intense red wine with concentrated dark plum, spice, and fine tannins. La Causa Del Itata La Causa Cinsault-País-Carignan 2022, Secano Interior. A fresh and lively wine with red berry fruit and a rustic herbal note. Antiyal Viñedo Escorial Organic Carmenère 2020, Maipó Valley. A vibrant Carmenère showing blackberry, green peppercorn, and soft tannins. Jean-Marc Brocard Bougros 2023, Chardonnay, Chablis Grand Cru. Classic Grand Cru Chablis is characterized by flinty minerality and ripe citrus flavors. Domaine Landrat-Guyollot Gemme Océane 2022, Sauvignon Blanc, Pouilly-Fumé. A fresh and zesty wine with citrus, gooseberry, and subtle smoky flint. Château Cavalier Cuvée Marafiance Rosé 2024, Grenache, Côtes de Provence. A pale and crisp wine with wild strawberry and delicate floral notes. Anhydrous Santorini 2019, Assyrtiko. A mineral-driven Assyrtiko with citrus peel and salty sea breeze notes. Ktima Gerovassiliou Single Vineyard Malagousia 2024, Epanomi. A fragrant and crisp with stone fruit, orange blossom, and vibrant acidity. Cantina Terlano Lunare Gewürztraminer 2023, Alto Adige. Perfumed and rich with lychee, rose petals, and a spicy finish. Soalheiro Alvarinho 2024 Vinho Verde. A crisp and zesty with lime, green apple, and a hint of salinity. Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Chardonnay 2024, Adelaide Hills. A crisp and elegant wine with notes of white peach, citrus zest, and subtle oak. Epernay: Sign of the Route Touristique du Champagne with in the background vineyards of the Champagne district Vallee de Marne, France. Rare Champagne Brut 2012, Chardonnay. Opulent yet precise, with toasted brioche, citrus cream, and a fine mousse. Lanson Noble Brut 2008, Chardonnay, Champagne. Mature and elegant, with notes of toasted nuts, dried fruits, and a fine, creamy texture. Barons De Rothschild Rare Collection Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut 2014, Chardonnay, Champagne. Razor-sharp acidity with lemon zest and subtle chalky minerality. Sugrue South Downs The Trouble With Dreams 2009, Chardonnay, Sussex. An elegant English sparkler with crisp apple, brioche, and delicate bubbles. Château Bastor-Lamontagne Sauternes 2022, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Bordeaux. Lusciously sweet, with notes of apricot, honey, and botrytis complexity. Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi Monemvasia-Malvasia 2012, Peloponnese. A lively, sweet Greek white with dried apricot, honey, and nutty notes. Donnafugata Ben Ryé 2023, Zibibbo, Passito di Pantelleria. An iconic Sicilian Passito, rich with dried figs, orange peel, and luscious sweetness. A carafe of Port wine with a wonderful view over the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. Menin Douro Estates 50-Year-Old Tawny Port NV. Decadent aged Tawny with notes of caramel, roasted nuts, and a long, lingering finish. Graham's Quinta Dos Malvedos Single Quinta Vintage Port 2018. A lush vintage Port with black fruit, fig, and velvety sweetness. González Byass Del Duque V.O.R.S Amontillado NV, Palomino, Sherry. Aged Amontillado with intense nutty, saline, and oxidative complexity. González Byass Tío Pepe Cuatro Palmas Amontillado NV, Palomino, Sherry. A rare, aged Fino with intense almond, dried fruit, and saline tang. Michel Tissot & Fils Château-Chalon 2017, Savagnin, Jura. A nutty, oxidative Jura white with layers of walnut, spice, and bracing acidity. Vinakoper Rumeni Muškat 2015, Yellow Muscat, Slovenska Istra, Aromatic orange wine with floral notes, mandarin, and a dry, textured palate. These 50 Best in Show wines were judged the world's best at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Many are surprisingly affordable. They present a wide range of aroma and flavor profiles. From dense, intensely aromatic reds to delicate whites, from sparkling to still, from sweet to fortified, there is a wine here that will suit any palate. Time to start tasting!
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE My job forces me to get through multiple bottles of wine a day... here's how I stop it killing me
Drinking on the job is usually grounds for firing, but for Clive Pursehouse, it's part of the gig. The 50-year-old from Seattle is one of America's top wine critics and US editor of Decanter magazine. Your browser does not support iframes.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Vergelegen's Estate White 2023 wins best South African white wine at the International Wine Challenge
Vergelegen's Estate White 2023 has won the trophy for the best South African white wine in the International Wine Challenge. Image: Supplied Vergelegen's Estate White 2023, renowned for its intense aromatics and flinty core, has won the trophy for the best South African white wine in the International Wine Challenge. This competition is widely regarded as the wine world's most influential, impartial and rigorously judged global event. The Estate White is sourced from the Somerset West estate's cooler, south-east-facing vineyards overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Elegant and refined with mineral overtones, it is dominated by notes of lemon, crushed rosemary and fresh apple. This outstanding wine has already been awarded 95 points by leading wine and lifestyle publication Decanter, 94 points by British wine master Tim Atkin, and 96 points by local publication South African wine estates have brought home 23 gold IWC medals this year, up from 15 gold medals in 2024. South Africa has also been ranked seventh among 15 top wine-producing countries in 2025, based on medals won. France remains the number one wine-producing country, but the latest IWC results have sent shockwaves through the industry, as bold 'new world' wines from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand challenge the long-standing dominance of the 'old world.' IWC owner Chris Ashton says: 'When you put wines from over 35 countries head to head and get them blind tasted by nearly 250 of the world's best palates, the results can be truly eye-opening.' Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer says: 'We are extremely proud that our Estate White has won an IWC trophy, one of the highest honours in the global wine industry. This accolade is a powerful testament to the passion, knowledge, and relentless pursuit of excellence by our entire team, from vineyard to cellar. 'I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to our viticulturists, winemakers, and support staff. This achievement belongs to all of you.' Cape Argus
Time Out
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Sommelier Day: 4 professionals who expand the boundaries of the craft
More and more people are talking about the role of the sommelier, but there are still those who think it's only about recommending wines in a restaurant. Spoiler: it goes way beyond that. Today, the sommelier is a strategist, an experience curator, and often also an artist, journalist, screenwriter, or content creator. They move fluidly between wineries, dining rooms, social media, and the press, and their work no longer just involves uncorking bottles: they also think, communicate, and connect. On Sommelier Day, we talk to four professionals who cross this craft with other passions. Because when wine meets writing, art, or mixology, new ways of telling stories, creating, and enjoying emerge. Maya García is a visual artist, consultant, and sommelier Maya García was born in Venezuela, where she studied Fine Arts. While attending university, she began working in restaurants to afford her art supplies. That's how she discovered her love for gastronomy and, in 2006, completed her sommelier training in her country. After nearly a decade working front of house, she moved to Argentina and shifted to the commercial side. For ten years she was part of the team at Mil Suelos, the winery of winemaker Alejandro Sejanovich, where she led the domestic market. Her background in the arts also enabled her to lead brand development and label design for wines such as Flora, Floralia, Cielo Arriba, and Buscado Vivo o Muerto. Her world is the world of ideas. In her creative space, Maya mixes and explores techniques such as collage, watercolor, sumi-e, embroidery on paper, and botanical art with pressed flowers. Her pieces navigate internal worlds from the organic, the dreamlike, and the symbolic, constructing a visual language charged with emotion, memory, and intimacy. Today she works as a consultant in communication, branding, and commercial strategy for small wine producers, and together with a group of colleagues she is developing an agency dedicated to gastronomic and communication curation for bars and restaurants across Latin America. For Maya, the intersection of art, wine, and narrative is not only possible: it is inevitable. Sorrel Moseley-Williams is a journalist and sommelier Sorrel Moseley-Williams knew from the age of seven that she wanted to be a journalist. But when opportunities arose to explore the gastronomic world and the dimension of wine joined the picture, she realized she also had to train professionally. She began sommelier studies in 2013 and since then both professions have harmoniously coexisted. She writes about wines and alcoholic beverages for international outlets such as Decanter and Drinks International, and is executive sommelier for the Niño Gordo group in Buenos Aires. Her work as a journalist takes her to unique corners of the world — South Korea, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Italy — and this year she began advising Bogotá's restaurant El Chato on service and pairing. She also produces wines under the label Sorol Wines with winemaker Mauricio Vegetti since 2021, as well as Dill & Tonic (a ready-to-drink gin) and Dill The Gin, a London Dry, since 2020. Since 2022, she serves as academy chair for 50 Best Bars in South America. In 2024 she founded Agencia 22, a platform gathering a talented group of sommeliers to boost gastronomic and beverage communication in Latin America. 'It's a luxury and a privilege to travel the world weaving a network of valuable links between sector professionals. And it's beautiful to amplify the message of good drinking and good eating,' says Sorrel, with her generous, critical, and deeply pleasure-connected outlook. Lucas Rothschild is a bartender, sommelier, and beverage specialist 'What if we combine books with cocktails?' a journalist friend proposed to Lucas Rothschild. In that blend of aromas and stories, Lucas discovered a new way to view his craft. Trained as a bartender, he found in sommelier skills a tool to deepen his work: a way of thinking about flavor from balance, context, and origin. He merges his experience in mixology, coffee, and wines with a particular passion for fermentation. That quest led him to work at prominent bars and restaurants such as Kona, Costa 7070, Anchoita, Chila, and CoChinChina (#22 on World's 50 Best Bars 2024). He also collaborated with Francis Mallmann and lived in Madrid, where he was sommelier at Fun Fun and bartender at Santería. Today, he is part of the commercial team for Dill & Tonic and SOROL Wines, and also works as a gastronomic consultant. His way of observing what's in a glass — whether wine, coffee, or spirits — is shaped by a holistic and cultural perspective, considering origin, history, and the people behind each drink. For Lucas, understanding what you drink is also a way of living. 'The more we know, the more we share, the wider the circle grows, and creative perception expands exponentially,' he explains. Mariana Gianella is a playwright, screenwriter, and sommelier Mariana Gianella began her professional journey in the performing arts. Playwriting and directing led her to writing, and that pursuit of crafts connected to sensitivity and nobility brought her closer to wine. In 2017, she trained as a sommelier at CAVE, and soon after began writing about gastronomy.
