IWC Trophy Winners 2026

From Queen's Provençal rosé and Jack Ma's Bordeaux estate to 98-point Champagne, four-Trophy Burgundies, powerhouse Australian Shiraz and an extraordinary 80-year-old Tawny Port, the Trophy winners of the International Wine Challenge 2026 reveal a wine world that is increasingly global, culturally connected and stylistically diverse.

Among the competition's most talked-about successes was Queen Côtes de Provence Rosé 2025, produced by Les Caves du Commandeur and submitted by Watermill Wines, which claimed the Provence Rosé Trophy. Judges praised its pale pink hue, fresh redcurrant and citrus aromas, tissue-paper-soft texture and "pure Provence vibes". The wine forms part of the recently launched Queen wine project, involving members of the legendary British rock band, with drummer Roger Taylor playing an active role in shaping the blend. Combining global cultural recognition with classic Provençal rosé winemaking, the project reflects the growing intersection between music, lifestyle and premium wine.



In Bordeaux, Montesours 2024 from Château de Sours secured the Bordeaux Blanc Trophy. The estate, owned by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has become one of Bordeaux's more intriguing modern investment stories. Judges described the wine as rich, ripe and textured, with layers of citrus and spice, calling it a powerful yet understated expression of Sauvignon Blanc.

At the rarest end of the competition, Menin Porto Tawny 80 Anos NV won both the Tawny Port Trophy and the Port Trophy. Awarded 98 points, it impressed judges with classic aromas of treacle, toffee, fig and prune, alongside flavours of apricot and cocoa nib. It stood out as one of the most remarkable wines in the competition, showcasing decades of ageing and blending expertise from Portugal's Douro Valley.

France secured the highest number of Trophies overall, led by Burgundy and Champagne, while Burgundy emerged as the competition's strongest Trophy-winning region. One of the most decorated wines of IWC 2026 was Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Domaine du Pavillon 2024 – Maison Albert Bichot, which won four Trophies: the Corton-Charlemagne Trophy, White Burgundy Trophy, French White Trophy and International Chardonnay Trophy. Judges highlighted its smoky citrus nose, spice, toasted nuts, stone fruit character and elegant balance.



Burgundy also delivered standout winners, including Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot 2023 – La Chablisienne, Pommard 1er Cru "Les Chaponnières" 2024 – Prosper Maufoux, Gevrey-Chambertin 2023 – Morin Père & Fils and Corton Les Maréchaudes Grand Cru 2024 – Domaine du Château de Meursault.

Champagne produced some of the competition's highest-scoring wines. Rare Magnum 2012 won both the Classic Blend Vintage Champagne Trophy and the Champagne Trophy with 98 points. Judges praised its layered citrus and hazelnut character, remarkable length and balance of power and finesse. Rare Rosé 2014 also won the Rosé Champagne Trophy, while Laurent-Perrier Héritage NV, Henriot L'Inattendue Chardonnay Grand Cru 2018 and Canard-Duchêne Blanc de Blancs Iconic NV added further depth to Champagne's Trophy haul.

Australia delivered one of the strongest national performances of the competition, particularly through South Australia and Tasmania. Beresford Classic Shiraz 2023 was among the most decorated wines of IWC 2026, winning four Trophies: the South Australian Shiraz Trophy, Australian Shiraz Trophy, Australian Red Trophy and International Syrah Trophy. Judges described it as powerful yet beautifully composed, with blackcurrant, menthol and sweet fruit underpinned by substantial but balanced tannins.

Other Australian Trophy winners included Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, winner of both the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy and International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy; Tolpuddle Chardonnay 2024, winner of the Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy and Australian White Trophy; MMAD Vineyard Grenache 2024, winner of the Australian Grenache Trophy; Morris Classic Muscat NV, winner of the Australian Fortified Trophy; and House of Arras Grand Vintage 2017, winner of the Australian Sparkling Trophy.

Spain delivered a particularly strong performance across Rioja, Jerez, Galicia and a range of regional styles. Imaz Gran Reserva 2019 – El Coto de Rioja won the Rioja Gran Reserva Trophy, Rioja Trophy and Spanish Red Trophy, with judges praising its classic raspberry, cedar, spice and cassis profile.

Jerez was another major strength, with Tabajete VORS Palo Cortado NV winning both the Palo Cortado Trophy and Sherry Trophy, alongside further Trophy wins for Tabajete VORS Oloroso NV, Emilio Lustau Amontillado del Castillo Almacenista Antonio Caballero y Sobrinos NV, Lustau Cream 30 YO VORS NV and Lustau Pedro Ximénez VORS 30 YO NV.

Spain also secured standout white and regional wins through Albanta 2025 – Bodegas Altos de Torona, winner of both the Galician White Trophy and Spanish White Trophy, and Alba Blanca Menorca 2025, winner of the Menorca White Trophy.

Portugal demonstrated exceptional strength across Port, Madeira, fortified wines and still reds. Alongside Menin's 80-year-old Tawny, standout wines included D'Oliveiras Verdelho 1981, winner of both the Verdelho Trophy and Madeira Trophy; Taylor's Single Harvest 1976, winner of the Single Harvest Port Trophy; Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port 2018, winner of the Vintage Port Trophy; Dalva Porto Colheita White 2015, winner of the White Port Trophy; and Lua Cheia Reserva 2021, which claimed both the Douro Red Trophy and Portuguese Red Trophy.

The results reinforced Portugal's remarkable breadth across aged fortified wines, Port, Madeira and increasingly high-quality still wines.

New Zealand once again confirmed its strength across Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, sparkling and sweet wines. Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir 2024 was one of the competition's most successful wines, winning four Trophies: the Martinborough Pinot Noir Trophy, New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy and International Pinot Noir Trophy.

Marlborough also performed strongly through Delta Sauvignon Blanc 2025, winner of the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, New Zealand White Trophy and International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy. Other standout winners included Rockburn Crimson Peak Pinot Noir 2024, Passage Rock Reserve Syrah 2021, Emma Marris Chardonnay 2024, Diamond Heart Waihopai Cuvée 2020 and Exceptional Botrytis Riesling 2017.

England continued its rise as a serious sparkling wine producer, with Trophy winners across still white, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, non-vintage, vintage rosé and classic blend categories. Wiston Estate Vintage Cuvée Magnum 2009 was among the standout English wines, winning both the English Sparkling Classic Blend Trophy and the English Sparkling Trophy with 97 points. Judges described it as amazingly youthful, showing white flowers, citrus, toast, lemon peel and impressive purity.



Hundred Hills Blanc de Blancs "Library Release" 2018 won the English Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Trophy, while The Grange White From Black 2019, Chapel Down Rosé NV, Bolney Cuvée Rosé 2016, Everflyht Cuvée Edition 3 NV and 1276 Wines Chardonnay 2024 further demonstrated the breadth of English Trophy success.

Italy delivered a particularly strong and diverse line-up of Trophy winners across red, white, sweet and sparkling styles. Barolo Ravera 2022 – G.D. Vajra won both the Barolo Trophy and Italian Red Trophy, with judges praising its floral character, expressive cherry and strawberry fruit, silky texture and substantial yet finely handled tannins.

Franciacorta Pas Dosé Épique 2016 – Derbusco Cives won both the Franciacorta Trophy and Italian Sparkling Trophy, underlining the growing quality and international potential of Italy's traditional-method sparkling wines. Italy also secured Trophy wins for Borgodangelo Taurasi 2019, Tenuta di Capezzana Vinsanto Capezzana Riserva 2018, Bisol1542 Crede Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2025 and Broglia Gavi DOCG del Comune di Gavi Villa Broglia 2024.

Argentina enjoyed major success through Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Huentala Calizo Albar Block 06 Malbec 2023 won the Mendoza Malbec Trophy, Argentinian Malbec Trophy and Argentinian Red Trophy. Judges praised its powerful blackcurrant fruit, thyme and earthy character, alongside concentrated plum and spice flavours balanced by remarkable freshness.

Argentina also secured Trophy wins through Trivento Golden Reserve Cabernet Franc 2024 and HJ Fabre Patagonia Barrel Selection Malbec 2025, highlighting the strength of both Mendoza and Patagonia.

Beyond the traditional wine powerhouses, this year's Trophy winners demonstrated the increasingly global spread of fine wine excellence. Japan won the Japanese White Trophy with Chânmoris Kankitsu-Ka Katsunuma Koshu 8600 Bottles 2025; China secured the Chinese Red Trophy with Domaine Franco-Chinois Réserve 2019; Georgia delivered both white and red Trophy winners through Glekhuri Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2025 and Salome 2020; Greece won the Greek White Trophy with Orycton Santorini 2024, while Hungary claimed the Hungarian Sweet Trophy with Royal Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2018.

Meanwhile, Lebanon won the Lebanese White Trophy with Ixsir Grande Réserve Blanc 2025; Turkey secured the Turkish Red Trophy with Cehennem Deresi Hell's Creek 2024; North Macedonia won the North Macedonian Red Trophy with Tikves Babuna Red 2023; Croatia claimed the Croatian White Trophy with Damjanić Malvazija Istarska 2025; Canada won the Canadian Red Trophy with Unsworth Vineyards Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023; and South Africa delivered Trophy successes through Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Constantia Glen Two 2024 and Babylonstoren Shiraz 2023.

Together, the Trophy winners of IWC 2026 paint a picture of a wine world still anchored in historic benchmark regions, yet increasingly international, commercially dynamic and culturally connected.