English wines win gold medal haul

English wines have achieved their strongest ever showing at the International Wine Challenge, winning a record 25 gold medals and topping the table for golds per entry, with England and Kent leading the way.

Experts said the surge reflects maturing vineyards, longer bottle ageing and improved precision in the winery. Older plantings, such as those at Nyetimber, are now delivering greater complexity, while producers like Wiston are gaining recognition for aged cuvées. Warmer English summers are also supporting ripening, particularly in the most southerly vineyards.

Overall England ranked ninth, but led globally on golds per entry. France remained top in the medal table, followed by Spain and Portugal. Judges said English wine is now judged alongside the world’s best on quality alone, in this year's International Wine Challenge competition.