Rosé and Orange Bronze Winners: Commercial Potential Beyond the Hype

The rosé revolution may be old news, but the commercial story is far from over. At the IWSC 2025, rosé and orange wines claimed 169 Bronze medals between them - 156 for rosé, 13 for orange - revealing genuine marketplace potential that astute buyers and producers should notice.

Rosé: From Trend to Trade Staple

French rosé dominated the Bronze count with 66 medals (42% of the category), led by Provence with 42 regional medals. But dig deeper and the commercial picture becomes more interesting. Spain claimed 20 medals, Italy secured 21 and producers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada collectively earned 19 - suggesting that quality rosé has real global reach.

The varietal breakdown supports this. While Grenache led with 39 medals (25% of rosé Bronzes), the diversity is notable: Pinot Noir (15), Garnacha (12), Merlot (12), and Pinot Grigio (9) performed strongly, alongside regional varieties such as Touriga Nacional and Caladoc. It’s no longer just about pale Provence - rosés that express their origins while appealing to a wide audience are taking centre stage.

Major retailers also performed well. Asda secured 10 Bronze medals with an average score of 88.3 points, demonstrating that strong quality can be achieved at volume. Torres Icons, Cavit and Les Chais du Sud each earned three medals, all with average scores above 88, signalling consistent quality across different market segments.

Orange Wines: Niche Today, Opportunity Tomorrow

Orange wines may have earned just 13 Bronze medals, but the geographic spread shows a style on the rise. Georgia led with 5 medals (38%), followed by France (3), Japan (2), and one medal each from Ukraine, the USA and England - proof that skin-contact whites are now a global interest, not just the domain of Georgian qvevri or Italian amphora.

The standout producer was Teliani Valley, with four entries averaging 87.75 points - evidence that quality and scale are not mutually exclusive in this category. Meanwhile, the varietal list - featuring Mtsvane Kakhuri, Rkatsiteli, Koshu and Grenache Blanc - underscores the breadth of grapes now being used for orange styles.

The Marketplace Reality

Both categories show commercial promise, reinforced by their Bronze success. Rosé’s 2023–2024 vintages dominated, with average scores above 87, perfectly aligning with consumer demand for fresh, early-drinking wines. Orange wine vintages ranged from 2020 to 2024, reflecting both current drinkability and cellar potential - ideal for different channels and pricing strategies.

Regional distribution also matters. While established origins led - Provence for rosé, Kakheti for orange - strong medal showings from England, Canada, New Zealand and Ukraine point to increasing global legitimacy. For importers and buyers, this translates to greater sourcing flexibility and a broader pricing ladder.

For buyers seeking distinction without undue risk, the IWSC’s 2025 Bronze rosé and orange wines are a savvy place to start.

Explore the list of 89 points-scoring Bronze medal rosé and orange wines below, and head to our results page to see the complete list of Bronze medal-winning rosé and orange wines.