The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has announced the results of Tranche 1 of the 2026 competition, marking the return of an early judging window aligned with southern hemisphere release cycles. This tranche gives producers the opportunity to submit wines at their optimal point of readiness — and provides the trade with an early look at the regions, producers and categories showing strong momentum this year.

Judging was conducted by the IWC Co-Chairs, Panel Chairs and Senior Judges, joined by major UK retail buyers and sommeliers from Tesco, M&S, Waitrose, Co-op, Morrisons, Fuller's, Enotria & Coe, and leading restaurants including etch. Bringing these commercial voices into the room ensures that the medal outcomes reflect not just technical quality, but the real-world considerations shaping consumer demand and trade buying decisions.

Tranche 1 awarded:
37 Gold • 191 Silver • 276 Bronze medals


A producer-first judging window with clear regional benefits

This tranche delivered particularly strong performances from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa, demonstrating how effectively these producers use the early judging schedule to present newly bottled releases, new vintages and category flagships.

The medal distribution — including 9 Golds for Australia and 7 for New Zealand — reflects a high level of readiness and technical consistency across these regions, even before the main judging window opens.

Conversely, European regions, which traditionally peak later in the year, still produced multiple Gold medals despite Tranche 1 sitting outside their usual release cycles. This is a sign of category maturity and structural strength in key appellations.


Strong momentum for English wine

The performance of English wines is one of the most notable outcomes of this tranche. England achieved four Gold medals, awarded to:

● Hundred Hills – Blanc de Blancs Library Release 2018

● Hundred Hills – Hillside No.3 2019

● Wyfold Vineyard – English Sparkling Brut 2018

● 1276 Wines – Chardonnay 2024

This is strategically significant for the trade. While English sparkling wine has built global recognition, the arrival of still Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at Gold level signals widening commercial potential. Categories that have historically been niche are now demonstrating structural depth, regional identity and strong release quality — positioning England as an increasingly relevant premium offering for both on- and off-trade lists.

Notable producers and factual highlights from Gold medal winners

Below is an expanded look at key producers and wines that achieved Gold, with factual context relevant to trade buyers, importers and distributors.


Australia (9 Golds)

A consistently strong showing from producers across Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania:

● Langmeil Winery – Rough Diamond Grenache 2024 (Barossa Valley; historic vineyards dating back to 1840s)

● Nugan Estate – Cookoothama Botrytis Semillon 2023 (Riverina; significant producer in NSW with strong export presence)

● Sidewood Estate – Owen's Chardonnay 2022 & Cassandra Cuvée 2018 (Adelaide Hills; premium cool-climate specialist)

● Stefano Lubiana Wines – Sasso Pinot Noir 2023 & Estate Pinot Noir 2024 (Tasmania; certified biodynamic, long-standing sparkling and Pinot Noir producer)

● Schubert Estate – The Lone Goose 2022 (Barossa Valley)

● Curtis Family Vineyards – Gladiator MV Shiraz 2021 (McLaren Vale)

● Beresford Wines – Classic Shiraz 2023 (McLaren Vale)

Trade signal: Australia continues to deliver premium quality across both volume-capable regions and boutique cool-climate sites.


New Zealand (7 Golds)

New Zealand's Golds span Marlborough, Central Otago and Waiheke Island — a balanced representation of the country's core export pillars.

● Nevis Bluff – Pinot Noir 2024 (Central Otago)

● Rockburn – Crimson Peak Pinot Noir 2024 (Central Otago)

● Mohua Wines – Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (Marlborough)

● Rapaura Springs – Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025 & Rohe Dillons Point 2025 (Marlborough; known for precise sub-regional expressions)

● Eva Pemper Wines – Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (Marlborough)

● Passage Rock – Reserve Syrah 2021 (Waiheke Island)

Trade signal: strong Pinot Noir consistency, continued depth in Sauvignon Blanc, and growing interest in alternative regional Syrah.


Argentina (4 Golds)

A mix of flagship Malbecs and high-altitude white wine production:

● Bodega Colomé – Colomé Estate Torrontés 2025 (Salta; vineyards up to 3,000m elevation)

● Trapiche – Trapiche Reserve Malbec 2024 (Mendoza; one of Argentina's largest and most internationally distributed wineries)

● Andeluna Cellars – Altitud Malbec 2023 (Uco Valley; high-elevation specialist)

● Aluvia Vineyard – Aluvia 2023 (Uco Valley)

Trade signal: diversification beyond Malbec and strong performance from high-altitude sites.


South Africa (3 Golds)

A notable mix of premium sparkling and structured reds:

● Quoin Rock Wines – Black Series MCC 2018 (Stellenbosch; méthode cap classique)

● Quoin Rock Wines – Shiraz 2022

● Warwick Estate – Trilogy 2021 (Stellenbosch; Bordeaux-style flagship blend)

Trade signal: MCC continues to gain traction as a premium alternative in sparkling portfolios.


France (3 Golds)

Gold medals spanned Burgundy, Champagne and the southern Rhône:

● Jean-Marc Brocard – Chablis Premier Cru Vau de Vey 2023

● Canard-Duchêne – Blanc de Blancs Iconic NV

● Laudun Chusclan Vignerons – Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues 2022

Trade signal: strong showings from established appellations underline enduring reliability in premium European sourcing.


Spain (3 Golds)

A mix of fortified heritage and Mediterranean production:

● Castillo de Monteviejo – Tabajete VORS Palo Cortado NV

● Castillo de Monteviejo – Tabajete VORS Oloroso NV
("VORS" denotes an average age of 30+ years.)

● Son Antem Alaró – Sa Tanca 2023 (Mallorca)

Trade signal: fortified categories continue to resonate with trade specialists.


Portugal (2 Golds)

● Henriques & Henriques – Single Harvest Malvasia 2001 (Madeira)

● Aldi UK – Fletcher's LBV Port 2021 (private-label success story)

Trade signal: strong reinforced value in both heritage and own-label fortified offerings.


Italy (1 Gold)

● Borgodangelo – Taurasi 2019 (Campania)

Trade signal: southern Italian red wines continue to gain visibility in premium segments.


Denmark (1 Gold)

● Dyrehøj Vingaard – Solaris Reserve 2024 (Røsnæs Peninsula)

Trade signal: northern Europe's emerging wine regions are beginning to show medal-level consistency.

Established producers continue to perform at benchmark level

Producers such as Trapiche, Langmeil, Jean-Marc Brocard, Canard-Duchêne, Henriques & Henriques, Warwick Estate and Quoin Rock secured Golds, reinforcing the reliability of established global leaders.

Retail own-label wines also performed strongly, with Aldi UK securing medals across fortified, sparkling, white, rosé and red categories — demonstrating the continuing improvement and commercial relevance of private-label sourcing.


A strong start to the 2026 competition

Tranche 1 gives the trade a clear early view of:

● which regions are entering the year with momentum

● which producers are delivering consistent medal-level quality

● where emerging commercial opportunities may lie

● how stylistic and regional diversity is evolving globally

With Tranche 2 judging opening next week, the full global picture will continue to develop as northern hemisphere releases enter the competition.

Explore all 2026 Tranche 1 results