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Argentina’s record-breaking year at the Decanter World Wine Awards
In the 22nd edition of the Decanter World Wine Awards, Argentina has achieved its most impressive result to date. With a total of 428 medals comprising 2 Best in Show, 7 Platinum, and 37 Gold Argentina firmly established its place among the elite wine-producing nations of the world.
The competition, widely considered the most influential and rigorous wine contest globally, drew over 18,000 entries from 57 countries and was judged by 248 experts, including 72 Masters of Wine and 22 Master Sommeliers. The 2025 results have not only set a new benchmark for Argentina but also for the wider Latin American wine industry.
The Decanter World Wine Awards are known for their uncompromising standards. Wines are evaluated in blind tastings by some of the most respected figures in the global wine community. Winning a medal especially in the higher categories signifies more than excellence. It signals trust, credibility, and readiness for international markets. Argentina’s 2025 success is a showcase of the region’s growing commitment to quality and its ability to compete on the world stage.
Gualtallary’s rise to international prominence
The standout of this year’s results came from Gualtallary, a high-altitude sub-region of Tupungato in Mendoza. Both of Argentina’s Best in Show medals originated from this terroir, awarded to:
- Bemberg Estate Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Tupungato 2022
- Rutini, Single Vineyard Malbec, Gualtallary, Tupungato 2021
Once seen as too cold for red wine production, Gualtallary was first planted in 1992 for sparkling wines. Over three decades later, it has emerged as a leader in complex, structured, and perfumed reds. Judges noted its “fascinating story” and speculated that the region could become a serious Southern Hemisphere counterpart to California’s Napa Valley.
Gualtallary’s transformation reflects not only favourable growing conditions but also the careful intervention of winemakers who understand the potential of altitude, soil, and climate. The success of these wines marks a deeper shift in how Argentine regions are perceived internationally not simply as producers of good value wine, but as centres of fine wine production with character, precision, and longevity.
A surge in top-tier recognition
What makes Argentina’s 2025 results exceptional is not just the number of medals but the sharp increase in high-scoring entries. Compared to the previous year, medals awarded for wines scoring above 95 points those in the Best in Show, Platinum, and Gold categories increased by 50%. This demonstrates a nationwide elevation in standards across multiple producers and regions.
Red wines, particularly Malbec, dominated Argentina’s medal tally, with 41 of the top-tier medals awarded to reds and five to whites. However, this dominance was nuanced by innovation. A standout was the Durigutti Family Winemakers’ Proyecto Las Compuertas, whose Chica Criolla 2024 a 100% Criolla wine earned a Gold medal. It was the first time this native grape variety received such recognition in the competition, highlighting a growing interest in local grapes and a readiness to push beyond the familiar.
Argentina shines in value and innovation
Another feature of the Decanter World Wine Awards is its Value Gold category, which celebrates wines that score 95 points or higher and cost less than £15. These are wines that combine excellence with affordability, delivering premium experience without the premium price tag. In 2025, Argentina placed two wines in the DWWA’s Top 30 Value Golds:
- Domaine Bousquet, Finca Lalande Organic Malbec, Tupungato 2024
- Santa Julia, Family Reserve Malbec 2024
These wins are significant. They signal a sophisticated balance between accessibility and refinement. For producers, it means they are capable of meeting international quality benchmarks while also satisfying the pricing expectations of everyday consumers. For industry observers, these medals reinforce Argentina’s reputation not only for its signature varietals but also for its strategic alignment with consumer trends in key export markets.
CARONI 1992 HEAVY TRINIDAD RUM “B&W OAX” ONE OF 16236 BOTTLES
55%, Rhum, Trinidad & Tobago
QUANTITY LIMITED TO 1 BOTTLE PER CUSTOMER
Luca Gargano story about his first visit to the distillery could have make anyone feel emotional. Back then the distillery was closed since 3 years, and the old master distiller was the one showing him around. This 1992 vintage is a testimony to this very special day. Fresh and floral with notes of banana, peach and cinnamon.
€3900.00/US$4248.07
Salta, Jujuy and beyond: A broader national story
While Mendoza continues to be the epicentre of Argentine wine success, the 2025 DWWA revealed a growing geographic diversity in quality wine production. Salta, known for its extreme altitudes and diurnal temperature shifts, earned a Platinum medal for Etchart, Single Vineyard Malbec, Cafayate 2024, as well as 8 Gold, 9 Silver and 10 Bronze medals. These results underline the potential of high-altitude viticulture to produce concentrated, aromatic wines with strong ageing potential.
Jujuy, even more elevated than Salta, also earned a Gold medal for Huichaira, Cielo Arriba 2022. Judges praised it as “the epitome of a wine from incredibly high altitudes”. This recognition highlights the emergence of micro-regions that were once considered marginal. Their success suggests an openness in the international judging circuit to new origins and styles that reflect unique terroirs.
Even Buenos Aires Province, a location not traditionally associated with viticulture, was recognised with a Bronze medal for Puerta Del Abra Riesling 2021. While modest in scale, this award demonstrates that experimentation and quality are being pursued in unlikely corners of the country, further enriching Argentina’s national wine identity.
Market presence and consumer reach
Award recognition is one part of the story. Commercial availability and consumer access are equally important. Many of Argentina’s medal-winning wines are already found in prominent UK supermarkets—a primary export market. For instance:
- Zuccardi Definition Malbec 2022 is available through Majestic
- Collection Susana Balbo Malbec 2024 is listed at Marks & Spencer
This availability indicates that Argentine producers are not only making world-class wines but are also ensuring their distribution aligns with international demand. Visibility in retail channels following a Decanter medal win tends to increase brand equity and drive repeat sales. It also reinforces Argentina’s dual strength in quality and consistency something that global buyers are increasingly seeking.
Plantation Trinidad 2009
(70cl, 51.8%)
Plantation Trinidad 2009 Bottling Note
A 2009 vintage rum from Trinidad, released as part of the Plantation range. This expression spent 11 years maturing in Trinidad, before making its way over to France for a final year of maturation in Maison Ferrand barrels. Intensely flavoursome, perfect for sipping neat and slowly enjoying.
Reinforcing sustainability in a competitive landscape
One of the often-overlooked elements of the Decanter World Wine Awards is its environmental commitment. The competition recycles all materials used during judging. Bottles are crushed and melted down for reuse within 30 days. Leftover wines are converted into energy and fed into the UK’s national grid. Cardboard and plastics are also sorted and repurposed.
This focus on sustainability aligns with wider industry trends and elevates the credibility of the awards. For producers, it means their achievements are being validated in an environmentally responsible context. For importers and consumers, it builds further trust in the awards as a reliable, ethical authority.
The broader Latin American context
Argentina’s landmark performance in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 is not an isolated success it is a signpost for the broader Latin American wine industry. Other countries in the region are making similar strides, and their producers, too, are gaining international attention for quality, authenticity, and innovation.
The DWWA provides a platform where these efforts can be recognised on the global stage. It also offers a structured environment where Latin American wines are judged on merit, free from preconceptions. For countries like Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and Peru, Argentina’s example offers a blueprint for how to engage with international audiences: through careful viticulture, thoughtful presentation, and strategic alignment with market needs.
The significance of this shift is not limited to producers. It is reflected in how these achievements are covered, shared, and celebrated. The growing inclusion of Latin American wines in global competitions points to a media landscape that is increasingly open to stories from the region stories that are built on substance, heritage, and ambition.
Caroni 23 Year Old 1997 – Single & Single
(70cl, 64%)
Caroni 23 Single & Single Bottling Note
Independent whisky bottler Single & Single has got something a little different here – a rum! It’s not just any rum, mind. For its first rum bottling, Single & Single have bottled up a 23 year old expression from the closed Caroni Distillery in Trinidad. It has been bottled at a robust 64% ABV, and only 109 bottles were produced.
US$654.90
A new era for Decanter World Wine Awards and Latin America
The 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards mark a defining moment for Argentina and a promising outlook for Latin America. Through meticulous craftsmanship, regional diversity, and strategic presence in international markets, Argentina has shown that it is not only participating in the global wine conversation it is helping to shape it.
What began as a region known primarily for value-driven reds is now evolving into a dynamic, multi-regional, and globally competitive wine territory. With every medal, story, and bottle shared beyond its borders, Latin America continues to strengthen its voice and vision within the international wine community. The quality of the wines, the integrity of the competition, and the sophistication of the coverage speak for themselves.
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