Bronze medals don’t tell the whole story – but they do reveal practical trends. At the IWSC 2025, red wines claimed 1,015 Bronze medals across 29 countries, and the patterns emerging from these results suggest fundamental shifts in both quality and style that producers and buyers should notice.
Rising Standards Across the Board
Perhaps the most significant trend isn’t about specific wines – it’s about the sheer volume of quality. “When it comes to bronze medal-winning wines, the key trend that I’ve seen is actually the increased amount of bronze medal-winning wines,” explains Alistair Cooper MW. “We’ve seen an increase in wines that previously scored no medal. We’ve seen the bar raised in several countries, which is positive.”
This quality evolution spans the globe. Italy led with 154 medals (15%), followed closely by Australia (135 medals, 13%), France (116 medals, 11%) and Spain (112 medals, 11%). But the real story lies in the breadth: Argentina earned 98 medals, Portugal claimed 83, and Canada secured 71 – suggesting that excellence in red winemaking has genuinely globalised.
The Drinkability Factor
What’s driving this quality surge? According to Cooper, it’s a fundamental shift toward drinkability. “In the past, some excessive oak use or extraction in the winery may have marked certain regions out. That move towards greater drinkability at the bronze medal level has been great.”
Dirceu Vianna Junior MW, focusing on Portuguese Bronze winners, echoed this observation: “The trends I’ve seen are very positive. These sunny, hot-climate wines are now more harmonious. People are picking a little earlier to preserve freshness, extracting less, and using less oak. The wines are more drinkable.”
This shift toward freshness and harmony isn’t confined to Portugal. The varietal breakdown tells a compelling story: while Cabernet Sauvignon led with 124 medals (12%), the diversity is striking. Pinot Noir claimed 95 medals, Malbec earned 88, and crucially, food-friendly varieties like Sangiovese (39 medals), Grenache (52) and Barbera (12) all performed strongly.
Global Consistency and Local Character
The vintage patterns reveal producers adapting to both climate and market demands. Recent years dominated the medal count – 2022 led with 287 medals (29% of entries), followed by 2023 with 262 medals (26%) – but crucially, these fresh vintages maintained strong average scores above 87 points.
Vianna Junior noted this trend’s commercial relevance: “The trends that I’ve seen this year for the bronze medal-winning categories are exactly what the markets are looking for. I’m talking about the UK market, because there are some markets – maybe Asia or South America – where richer, fuller body wines are still sought after. But in general terms, in Europe, the USA and Canada, people are looking for freshness, and this is exactly what the wines are delivering.” Consistency is equally striking. Bodegas Ramón Bilbao, Gemtree Wines, Le Clos Jordanne and De Bortoli all collected multiple Bronzes with average scores close to 89, proving Bronze recognition is rarely a one-off.
The Big Bronze Picture
For Vianna Junior, Bronze medals represent something essential: “A bronze medal, it’s a wine that gives the consumer pleasure.” In an increasingly competitive global market, that pleasure principle, combined with rising technical standards and improved drinkability, suggests Bronze winners are wines that matter commercially, not just critically.
Explore the list of high-scoring Bronze medal red wines below, or check out our full results here.
ScoreProducerEntry NameCountry of OriginRegion89Bodegas BianchiEnzo Biannchi Gran Corte 2021ArgentinaMendoza89Bodegas BianchiParticular Merlot 2022ArgentinaMendoza89Cepas ArgentinasInacayal Select Organic Malbec 2023ArgentinaMendoza89Cepas ArgentinasOrfila Reserva Malbec 2023ArgentinaMendoza89Chakana WinesMalbec 2022ArgentinaMendoza89El EnemigoBonarda 2022ArgentinaMendoza89Finca DeceroRemolinos Vineyard Syrah 2022ArgentinaMendoza89KaikenUltra Malbec 2022ArgentinaMendoza89Luigi BoscaSelección Malbec 2024ArgentinaMendoza89Pernod Ricard – ArgentinaEtchart Single Vineyard Petit Verdot 2024ArgentinaSalta89Mr RiggsThe Chap 2020AustraliaMulti-Regional Blend89De BortoliDeen Cabernet Sauvignon 2019AustraliaNot Applicable89De BortoliWinemakers Selection Shiraz 2022AustraliaNot Applicable89Brands LairaBlockers Cabernet Sauvignon 2022AustraliaSouth Australia89Gemtree WinesCinnabar Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro 2024AustraliaSouth Australia89Gemtree WinesDragon’s Blood Shiraz 2023AustraliaSouth Australia89Gemtree WinesUncut Shiraz 2023AustraliaSouth Australia89Golden AmritaGolden Amrita Single EstateAustraliaSouth Australia89Heirloom VineyardsLioness Shiraz 2023AustraliaSouth Australia89Heirloom VineyardsRed Queen Shiraz 2022AustraliaSouth Australia89Independent Beverage PartnersThe Roaming Vintners Shiraz 2022AustraliaSouth Australia89KilikanoonAttunga 1865 Shiraz 2020AustraliaSouth Australia89KilikanoonDuke Reserve Grenache 2021AustraliaSouth Australia89KilikanoonMorrison Shiraz-Cabernet 2020AustraliaSouth Australia89Paragon Wine EstatesKrondorf Founders View Grenache 2023AustraliaSouth Australia89Paragon Wine EstatesKrondorf Stone Altar Old Vine Grenache 2024AustraliaSouth Australia89Paragon Wine EstatesRiddoch The Wine Grower Shiraz 2021AustraliaSouth Australia89Sister’s RunBethlehem Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2022AustraliaSouth Australia89Willunga 100Smart Vineyard Clarendon Grenache 2023AustraliaSouth Australia89Wirra WirraChurch Block Grenache-Shiraz 2024AustraliaSouth Australia89Zonte’s FootstepBlackberry Patch Cabernet 2022AustraliaSouth Australia89Coles LiquorBeyond The Wilderness Pinot Noir 2024AustraliaTasmania89Tolpuddle VineyardPinot Noir 2023AustraliaTasmania89De BortoliPhi Grenache Amphora Freemans Bridge 2022AustraliaVictoria89De BortoliWoodfired Cabernet Sauvignon 2021AustraliaVictoria89Morris WinesClassic Muscat NVAustraliaVictoria89Morris WinesClassic Tawny NVAustraliaVictoria89Vinícola GuaspariSyrah Vista Do Chá 2019BrazilSerra Da Mantiqueira89Vitivinícola JolimontIntendente 2015BrazilSerra Gaucha89CedarCreek Estate WineryAspect Block 2 Pinot Noir 2022CanadaBritish Columbia89CedarCreek Estate WineryAspect Pinot Noir 2022CanadaBritish Columbia89Culmina Family Estate WineryHypothesis 2019CanadaBritish Columbia89Mission Hill Family Estate WineryTerroir Collection Cabernet Franc 2022CanadaBritish Columbia89Stoneboat VineyardsEstate Pinot Noir 2022CanadaBritish Columbia89Unsworth VineyardsSaison Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022CanadaBritish 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2023FranceCentral Otago89Domaine de la LauseSyrah 2023FranceLanguedoc-Roussillon89Maison CastelMerlot 2024FranceLanguedoc-Roussillon89Château AngueirounEnkhelis 2022FranceProvence89Domaine Duclaux2020FranceRhône89Julie RouffignacTesco Finest Signargues 2023FranceRhône89Ktima PavlidisThema 2023GreeceMacedonia89Il CascinoneRive Barbera 2021ItalyPiedmont89Cantine San MarzanoM&S Notte Stellata Primitivo 2023ItalyPuglia89Antico Borgo La TorreIl Calanco 2020ItalyTuscany89Fattoria La ViallaL’abbandonato Riserva 2021ItalyTuscany89Fattoria dei Barbi2019ItalyTuscany89Marchesi FrescobaldiTenuta Calimaia 2021ItalyTuscany89MeliniTesco Finest 2019ItalyTuscany89Piccini2020ItalyTuscany89Sensi Vigne e ViniDalcampo 2023ItalyTuscany89Vignaioli Morellino di ScansanoVigna Benefizio 2023ItalyTuscany89Farina2023ItalyVeneto89FarinaAlessandro 2023ItalyVeneto89Santa SofiaSuperiore 2022ItalyVeneto89Tenuta Sant’AntonioLilium Est 2015ItalyVeneto89Sapporo BreweriesGrande Polaire Meritage 2022JapanNagano89SuntorySUNTORY FROM FARM Iwadarehara Cuvée Spéciale Merlot 2020JapanNagano89Takahata WineryHaut-Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon 2020JapanYamagata89Fautor WineryBarbaro Syrah-Tempranillo-Cabernet Sauvignon-Saperavi 2020MoldovaValul Lui Traian89Myanmar Vineyard EstateAythaya Fortified NVMyanmarNot Applicable89Mora WinesRua Pinot Noir 2023New ZealandCentral Otago89Marisco VineyardsEmma Marris Pinot Noir 2023New ZealandMarlborough89Saint Clair Family EstatePioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Pinot Noir 2023New ZealandMarlborough89Herdade da Fonte CobertaReserva 2021PortugalAlentejano89Herdade do FreixoTerroir 2021PortugalAlentejano89Ravasqueira VinhosGuarda Rios 2024PortugalAlentejano89Ravasqueira VinhosLagar 2024PortugalAlentejano89Ravasqueira VinhosRAV 2024PortugalAlentejano89Adega de BorbaGrande Reserva 2021PortugalAlentejo89Quinta do Pégo475 Years Anniversary Edition Reserva 2019PortugalDouro89Quinta do PégoSignature 2019PortugalDouro89Vicente Faria VinhosQuinta Vale Santa Luzia Reserva 2022PortugalDouro89Vicente Faria VinhosVicente Touriga Nacional 2020PortugalDouro89Carvalho do LoboQuinta Da Cerca Reserva Especial 2021PortugalDão89Passarela Sociedade de VinhosPai D’Aviz 2023PortugalDão89Passarela Sociedade de VinhosPedra Do Gato Premium 2023PortugalDão89DFJ VinhosEscada Touriga Nacional 2023PortugalLisboa89DFJ VinhosPortada Winemakers Selection 2022PortugalLisboa89Parras WinesCastelo Do Sulco Reserva 2022PortugalLisboa89Casa Ermelinda FreitasRocksand Shiraz 2023PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89Casa Ermelinda FreitasVinha Da Valentina Reserva 2022PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89Casa Ermelinda FreitasVinha Do Torrão Reserva 2022PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89St. Isidro de PégoesMerlot 2018PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89St. Isidro de PégoesRovisco Pais Premium 2021PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89St. Isidro de PégoesSyrah 2021PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89St. Isidro de PégoesTouriga Nacional 2023PortugalPeninsula De Setubal89Sogevinus Fine WinesBurmester 30 YO Tawny NVPortugalPort89Sogevinus Fine WinesKopke Colheita 2015PortugalPort89Sogrape VinhosSandeman 30 YO Tawny NVPortugalPort89Symington Family EstatesTesco Finest Vintage Port 2013PortugalPort89Symington Family EstatesTesco Tawny Port NVPortugalPort89LacertaLimited Edition Feteasca Neagra 2020RomaniaMuntenia – Oltenia89Carmen StevensAngel’s Selection Shiraz 2023South AfricaWestern Cape89Niel Bester WineVennan Fieldblend 2022South AfricaWestern Cape89Viñas del VeroSecastilla Garnacha 2020SpainAragon89Torralba AgricolaNegra 2023SpainBalearic Islands89Bodegas La BallesteraClub De La Barrica 2023SpainCastilla La Mancha89Felix Solis AvantisViña Albali Reserva 2019SpainCastilla La Mancha89Bodegas Finca La CapillaCrianza 2020SpainCastilla y Leon89Entrecanales Domecq E HijosSecreto 2021SpainCastilla y Leon89Finca MuseumLa Renacida 2022SpainCastilla y Leon89Finca MuseumVinea Crianza Tempranillo 2022SpainCastilla y Leon89AltavinsDomus Pensi 2020SpainCatalunya89AltavinsSelecció Carinyena 2020SpainCatalunya89Bodegas AgronavarraCastillo De Ennego Gran Reserva 2017SpainNavarra89Bodegas AgronavarraEl Canto Del Carretero Garnacha 2023SpainNavarra89Baron de LeyGran Reserva 2018SpainRioja89Baron de LeyReserva 2020SpainRioja89Baron de LeyReserva 2021SpainRioja89Baron de LeyTesco Finest Viña Del Cura Gran Reserva 2017SpainRioja89Bodega Cuatro RayasCuarenta Vendimias 2021SpainRioja89Bodegas Criadores de Rioja S.L.Espartero Reserva 2018SpainRioja89Bodegas Ramón BilbaoEdición Limitada Garnacha 2022SpainRioja89Bodegas Ramón BilbaoEdición Limitada Tempranillo 2022SpainRioja89Bodegas Ramón BilbaoLímite Sur Garnacha 2021SpainRioja89Bodegas Ramón BilbaoMirto 2019SpainRioja89Bodegas TarónCepas Centenarias 2021SpainRioja89Bodegas de Familia Burgo ViejoFinca Los Principes 2024SpainRioja89Bodegas de Familia Burgo ViejoFinca Los Principes Gran Reserva 2017SpainRioja89Bodegas de Familia Burgo ViejoOrganic Garnacha 2024SpainRioja89Bodegas de Familia Burgo ViejoOrganic Graciano 2024SpainRioja89Cosme PalacioGlorioso 2018SpainRioja89Cosme PalacioGlorioso 2021SpainRioja89Fincas de AzabacheTunante Tempranillo 2024SpainRioja89Grupo Solar De SamaniegoCabeza De Cuba Crianza 2021SpainRioja89Marqués de CáceresLa Halconera Maturana 2021SpainRioja89Rioja VegaGran Reserva 2018SpainRioja89BVC BodegasToro Loco Tempranillo-Bobal 2024SpainValencia89Deutsch Family Wine and SpiritsJosh Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir 2023USACalifornia89Truchard VineyardsCabernet Sauvignon 2022USACalifornia89AsdaExtra Special Chateau Leboscq 2016United KingdomBordeaux89Marks & SpencerCollection 2021United KingdomBordeaux89Bodegas PortiaTesco Finest Ebeia 2023United KingdomCastilla y Leon89AsdaLa Moneda Malbec 2022United KingdomCentral Valley89Vagabond WinesPinot Noir 2023United KingdomEssex89The B58 WineryB58 Red 2023United KingdomHampshire89GusbourneSingle Vineyard Boot Hill Pinot Noir 2022United KingdomKent89Sainsbury’sTaste The Difference 2023United KingdomLanguedoc-Roussillon89Marks & 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