The highly anticipated results of the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 will be unveiled on Wednesday, June 18, offering wine enthusiasts and industry professionals a definitive guide to exceptional bottles across an expansive range of styles.
Now in its 22nd edition, DWWA stands as the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Renowned for its rigorous and impartial judging process, the awards ensure that every medal—from Best in Show to Bronze—is a reliable mark of excellence for producers and consumers alike.
This year’s competition saw thousands of wines blind-tasted by 248 expert judges representing 35 countries. Among them were 72 Masters of Wine and 22 Master Sommeliers, guided by seasoned Regional Chairs and overseen by a panel of five Co-Chairs.
“Receiving a medal is significant,” said Sarah Jane Evans MW, one of the DWWA 2025 Co-Chairs. “Each wine is evaluated with immense care by professionals at the top of their field.”
The judging culminated in the awarding of 50 Best in Show medals, accounting for just 0.3% of all entries. In addition, 137 Platinum and 732 Gold medals were conferred. Wines reaching these elite levels underwent multiple rounds of tasting and re-evaluation to confirm their quality.
DWWA 2025 also emphasizes accessibility and value. The Value Gold category highlights high-quality wines priced under £15 per bottle. This year, the Value Gold Top 30 list expands on last year’s selection of 20 wines, showcasing outstanding options for budget-conscious consumers.
“The Value Gold award holds real significance, especially at a time when consumers are seeking both quality and affordability,” noted Tim Marson MW, a DWWA judge.
The 2025 edition also introduces a newly expanded Magnum category, now recognizing entries beyond the Champagne region.
Sustainability remains a core priority for the DWWA. All plastic and cardboard used during the judging process is recycled. Glass bottles are crushed and remelted for reuse within 30 days, while leftover wine is repurposed into gas that is reintegrated into the national energy grid.
The five Co-Chairs leading DWWA 2025 are Sarah Jane Evans MW, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Andrew Jefford, Ronan Sayburn MS, and Beth Willard.
As anticipation builds, the forthcoming results promise to spotlight the world’s finest wines and reflect the evolving values of quality, accessibility, and sustainability in today’s wine industry.
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