- IWC Insight
- 2026-03-24
This week, IWC Co-Chair Jamie Goode has revisited a selection of wines that performed strongly at the 2025 International Wine Challenge, sharing insights through two Instagram Live tastings and a series of articles.
On Wednesday, Jamie explored standout wines from Rioja and Sherry: two regions whose wines impressed IWC judges with their balance, precision and distinctive character. The tasting reflected the range of styles recognised at last year's competition, from refined Rioja reds to the layered complexity of Sherry.
Thursday's Instagram Live turned to Portugal, where Jamie revisited several wines that performed exceptionally well during the 2025 judging. The tasting highlighted wines combining freshness, structure, and a strong sense of place - qualities that consistently stand out in blind tasting.
Reflecting on the judging process, Jamie noted: "What we're really looking for are wines with balance, character, and a sense of place — wines that really stand out when tasted blind."
Jamie also spoke about the judging process itself, explaining how wines are assessed blind by experienced panels drawn from across the international wine trade. This rigorous panel system plays an important role in identifying the wines that truly stand out during the competition. You can rewatch the recordings on our Instagram account this week.
Competitions like the International Wine Challenge also help to benchmark quality across the industry, offering both producers and buyers a clearer picture of the wines performing strongly each year.
For producers considering entering in 2026, the tastings offer a useful perspective on the kinds of wines that captured the attention of IWC judges in 2025.
Entries for the 2026 International Wine Challenge close on 6 April. Enter now.
Read Jamie's articles:
Some amazing Spanish wines from Rioja and Sherry
Six Portuguese wines that flourished in the 2025 edition of the International Wine Challenge
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