IWSC Gold Medal Winning White Wines: Judges' Favourites
What made these Gold medal winning whites stand out in 2025?
Whilst red wines often take centre stage, many of this year's IWSC judges found themselves captivated by the white wine flights, with categories like Chardonnay, Riesling and Albariño sparking particular enthusiasm. In total, 1,243 still white wines were tasted during the London Judging, drawn from 31 countries and across 154 grape varieties. Of these, an impressive 79% were awarded medals, underscoring the global strength and consistent quality of white wine production in 2025.
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That said, only 12 white wines received the coveted Gold medal placing them among the very best examples of their type. These top performers were celebrated for their elegance, vibrancy and expressive detail.
Alsace Rieslings were one area that wowed the judges this year with two recieving gold medals. Judge Clara Rubin commented the there were "some incredible examples of this year. The 2021s are tasting really well and all the more proof that we need patince for great wine. These things can't be rushed."
France may have led the white wine Gold count, but this year's top-scoring wines revealed international excellence across continents. Spain's Paco & Lola Prime Lías Albariño 2021 (95 points) from Rías Baixas impressed with vibrant citrus and saline finesse, setting the benchmark for the variety. South Africa's Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (95 points) from Elgin showcased layered tropical fruit, precise acidity and cool-climate elegance. New Zealand's Awatere River AR Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (95 points) earned praise for its aromatic lift, clarity and balance, whilst Cedar Creek Estate Winery's Aspect Riesling 2022 (95 points) from British Columbia brought purity and tension in equal measure, proving the Okanagan Valley's growing reputation for world-class whites.
English wines have had one of their strongest showings to date at this year's IWSC and one still Chardonnay reached the standard for Gold. It was Gusbourne's Single Vineyard Commanders Chardonnay 2022 which David Kermode described as Lovely nose, nutty, with meadow flowers and apple orchard character, round, well integrated oak, juicy medlar fruit acidity, complex and complete, quite intense, with a long orchard fruit finish."
These were whites with clarity and character, expressive without being overwrought, and always confident in their identity. Whether you're looking to explore something new or revisit a classic, the IWSC's Gold medal white wines from 2025 offer a world of flavour worth discovering.
Explore the full list of white wine winners below. The full IWSC results can be accessed on our website.
Whilst red wines often take centre stage, many of this year's IWSC judges found themselves captivated by the white wine flights, with categories like Chardonnay, Riesling and Albariño sparking particular enthusiasm. In total, 1,243 still white wines were tasted during the London Judging, drawn from 31 countries and across 154 grape varieties. Of these, an impressive 79% were awarded medals, underscoring the global strength and consistent quality of white wine production in 2025.
,
That said, only 12 white wines received the coveted Gold medal placing them among the very best examples of their type. These top performers were celebrated for their elegance, vibrancy and expressive detail.
Alsace Rieslings were one area that wowed the judges this year with two recieving gold medals. Judge Clara Rubin commented the there were "some incredible examples of this year. The 2021s are tasting really well and all the more proof that we need patince for great wine. These things can't be rushed."
France may have led the white wine Gold count, but this year's top-scoring wines revealed international excellence across continents. Spain's Paco & Lola Prime Lías Albariño 2021 (95 points) from Rías Baixas impressed with vibrant citrus and saline finesse, setting the benchmark for the variety. South Africa's Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (95 points) from Elgin showcased layered tropical fruit, precise acidity and cool-climate elegance. New Zealand's Awatere River AR Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (95 points) earned praise for its aromatic lift, clarity and balance, whilst Cedar Creek Estate Winery's Aspect Riesling 2022 (95 points) from British Columbia brought purity and tension in equal measure, proving the Okanagan Valley's growing reputation for world-class whites.
English wines have had one of their strongest showings to date at this year's IWSC and one still Chardonnay reached the standard for Gold. It was Gusbourne's Single Vineyard Commanders Chardonnay 2022 which David Kermode described as Lovely nose, nutty, with meadow flowers and apple orchard character, round, well integrated oak, juicy medlar fruit acidity, complex and complete, quite intense, with a long orchard fruit finish."
These were whites with clarity and character, expressive without being overwrought, and always confident in their identity. Whether you're looking to explore something new or revisit a classic, the IWSC's Gold medal white wines from 2025 offer a world of flavour worth discovering.
Explore the full list of white wine winners below. The full IWSC results can be accessed on our website.
| Score | Producer | Wine Name | Region | Country |
| 95 | Awatere River | AR Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | Marlborough | New Zealand |
| 95 | Cedar Creek Estate Winery | Aspect Riesling 2022 | British Columbia | Canada |
| 95 | Domäne Baumgartner | Grand Reserve Ried Schatzberg Grüner Veltliner 2023 | Niederösterreich | Austria |
| 95 | Gabriel Meffre | La Châsse du Pape 2024 | Rhône | France |
| 95 | Paco & Lola | Prime Lías Albarino 2021 | Galicia | Spain |
| 95 | Tokara | Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | Western Cape | South Africa |
| 95 | Cave de Ribeauvillé | Riesling 2021 | Alsace | France |
| 95 | Jean Bailly | Riesling 2021 | Alsace | France |
| 95 | Gusbourne | Single Vineyard Commanders Chardonnay 2022 | Kent | England |
| 95 | Kaiken | Ultra Chardonnay 2023 | Mendoza | Argentina |
| 95 | La Chablisienne | Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2022 | Burgundy | France |
| 95 | Domaine Marie & Fils | Vin Jaune 2018 | Jura | France |
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