The International Wine Challenge has revealed its highest scoring wines, with an Australian Chardonnay taking out world’s Best White Wine.

Nine countries earned a position in the top ranks of the world’s most influential, impartial and rigorously judged global wine competition.

Australia’s Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 won Champion White Wine, the International Chardonnay Trophy, Australian White Trophy, Australian Chardonnay Trophy and Tasmanian Chardonnay Trophy.

Earlier this year, IWC’s 2025 medal and trophy results sent shockwaves through the industry, with bold ‘new world’ wines rising to challenge the long-standing dominance of the ‘old world’.  

IWC’s Chris Ashton said: “Most people would assume that the top Merlot would be from Bordeaux, the best Syrah from the Rhône and the finest Chardonnay from Burgundy, but when you put wines from over 35 countries head to head and get them blind tasted by nearly 250 of the world’s best palates the results can be truly eye-opening.” 

The judges were impressed with Australia’s “remarkable breadth from elegant Bordeaux style blends from Margaret River to the vibrant cool-climate Pinot Noirs from Tasmania. There were standout entries across fortified and sparkling too.  With 51 Golds, 220 Silvers and 122 Bronzes, Australia firmly held its title as the leading ‘new world’ nation”.

Now Tolpuddle has taken out the top honour of Best White Wine in the world.

Ashton said: “This year’s competition saw a record number of medals awarded, showcasing the remarkable standard of winemaking across the globe. Achieving a Trophy is an extraordinary honour and the wines featured here truly represent the very best of the best in the world.”

Other notable results included Maison Albert Bichot, the historic Beaune producer, outshing its competitors with its Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Hospices de Beaune Cuvée Cyrot Chaudron 2023, described by judges as ‘perfectly ripe’ and ‘beautiful’.

The wine received the prestigious Champion Red Wine accolade, having claimed four trophies earlier this year including the International Pinot Noir Trophy and French Red Trophy. 

English winery Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2016 was crowned Champion Sparkling Wine (Daniel Thibault Trophy), marking the first time the award has gone to a wine outside of Champagne. The achievement builds on the wine’s glittering record in this year’s challenge, having already earned a Gold medal as well as both the English Sparkling Trophy and the English Blanc de Blancs Trophy. Judges praised the bubbly as ‘a time capsule of a wine’.

Nyetimber’s Head Winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, was also named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year, edging out Ed Carr from House of Arras and becoming the only person outside of France to have won it twice. 

New Zealand won the International Merlot Trophy, International Syrah Trophy and International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy for its Church Road 1 Merlot, Glenora Estate Syrah and Villa Maria Reserve Coastal Awatere Sauvignon Blanc.

View the full results here.