“International Wine Challenge” 2026, 2 “Champions” and 25 gold medals for Italy

There are two “Champions” from Italy. Thanks to Tenuta diCapezzana, the historic winery of the Contini Bonacossi family and long-time guardian of Carmignano production in Tuscany, once again named “Champion Sweet Wine” for the third consecutive year, confirming its status as the “king of sweet wines” with its Vinsanto Capezzana Riserva 2018, which also won the “Italian Sweet Trophy”. Alongside it, Franciacorta Pas Dosé Épique 2016 by Derbusco Cives was awarded “Best Wine in First Year of Production”, as well as the “Franciacorta Trophy” and “Italian Sparkling Trophy”. These wines are also among the 25 Gold Medal winners, which include Taurasi 2019 by Borgodangelo (“Campanian Red Trophy”), Tricur Bianco Friuli Colli Orientali Riserva 2019 by Monviert, Barbaresco Riserva Serragrilli 2020 and Barolo Bussia 2021 by Vinory, St. Giorgio Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 by Castellani, Tuffo Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2024 by Morgassi Superiore, Exceptional Asti NV by International Procurement and Logistics Ltd, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry Millesimato Terra de Rù 2025 by Cantina Bernardi, Brunello di Montalcino Sassocheto 2021 by Il Grappolo, Nativae Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021 by Tenuta Ulisse, Gavi del Comune di Gavi Broglia 2025 by Broglia, Crede Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2025 by Bisol 1542 (“Prosecco Trophy”), Raboso Piave 2017 by Ornella Molon, Scirus Toscana Rosso 2018 by Fattoria Le Sorgenti di Elisabetta Fontanot Ferrari, Barolo Ravera 2021 by Cagliero, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2018 by Santa Sofia, Barolo Ravera 2022 by G.D. Vajra (“Barolo Trophy” and “Italian Red Trophy”), Terre di Guardia Aglianico del Sannio 2023 by Mack & Schuhle Italia, Tesco Finest Barolo 2021 by Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi, Martiamo Prosecco DOC Treviso Spumante Extra Dry NV by Contarini Vini e Spumanti, Cavagino 2024 by Cantine Lunae Bosoni, Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 by Poggio Petroso, and Gavi DOCG del Comune di Gavi Villa Broglia 2024 by Broglia (“Italian White Trophy”). These are the Italian “Champions,” “Gold Medal” winners, and “Trophy” recipients at the “International Wine Challenge” 2026, one of the world most widely participated wine competitions, where wines are assessed through blind tastings by international panels of experts.
Italy climbed to fourth place in the medal collection, also collecting 131 Silver Medals and 191 Bronze Medals. The ranking was led by France, followed by Spain and Portugal, with France securing 849 awards, including 67 Gold Medals. Champagne ranked first globally among wine regions for Gold Medals, with 28 golds, narrowly ahead of Burgundy, which earned 26.
Within the exclusive group of “Iwc Champion Wines” 2026, in addition to the two Italian wines mentioned above: Rare Magnum 2012 by Rare Champagne was named “Champion Sparkling Wine”. Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Domaine du Pavillon 2024 by Maison Albert Bichot was awarded “Champion White Wine”.
From Argentina, Huentala Calizo Albar Block 06 Malbec 2023 by Huentala Wines received the title of “Champion Red Wine”. Portugal celebrated with Menin Porto Tawny 80 Anos by Menin, winner of the “Champion Fortified Wine”.
As for the “Iwc Winemakers of the Year” 2026, the awards went to Australia Ed Carr of House by Arras (“Sparkling Winemaker of the Year”); France with Estelle Roy by La Chablisienne (“White Winemaker of the Year”); Spain with Javier Martínez de Salinas by Bodegas Olarra (“Red Winemaker of the Year”); Austria with Hans Tschida by Hans Tschida Angerhof (“Sweet Winemaker of the Year”), and still Spain thanks to Sergio Martínez by Emilio Lustau (“Fortified Winemaker of the Year”). The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pieter Ferreira, one of the legends of sparkling wine, who devoted his life to promoting South Africa’s Cap Classique category.
Chris Ashton, director of the “International Wine Challenge”, declared that “the wines and producers awarded as “Champions” represent the pinnacle of achievement at the “International Wine Challenge”. Each winning wine distinguished itself through a series of rigorous blind tastings carried out by an international panel of experts, while the individual awards recognize producers who, through expertise, consistency, and dedication, have established themselves at the highest level of the industry. This year winners demonstrate the extraordinary quality and diversity which characterize the global wine industry”.