The year 2025 has inscribed Argentina’s name into the global viticultural ledger with a golden glow more brilliant than the Andean sun. The country emerged as one of the most decorated nations at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWAs), affirming its role as a serious contender in the highest echelons of winemaking. This success was not modest, it was a commanding performance that carried with it the weight of history as well as the thrill of innovation. Argentina secured its best ever haul of gold medals at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, a resounding triumph that firmly places Argentina at the centre of global wine production. This historic achievement by the country signals it as a producer that is surging ahead in innovation and varietal quality, a testament to decades of steady refinement and a promise of what lies ahead.

Collectors, sommeliers, and enthusiasts now view Argentine labels not as pleasant surprises but as benchmarks of excellence worthy of cellars, wine lists, and auction blocks across the world. The story of Argentina’s wine achievements began in the 19th century, when European immigrants carried with them rootstocks, traditions, and a reverence for the vineyard. Malbec, imported from Bordeaux, found its spiritual home in Mendoza where it thrived like never before and since then, Argentina has built a reputation as the guardian of Malbec. The potential of other grapes were also explored giving rise to award-winning Cabernet Franc, Bonarda, Torrontés as well as Chardonnay, among other notable varietals. The Decanter World Wine Awards have mirrored this evolution, awarding the country at its 2020 event with a total of 453 medals: 1x Best in Show, 10x Platinum, 14x Gold, 160x Silver and 198x Bronze, along with 70x Commendations (wines of Merit).

That 2020 performance established a strong baseline for investment in clonal selection and altitude research, it validated emerging regions, and it attracted greater attention from importers and sommeliers. Fast-forward to 2025 and the accumulated medals were greater in overall quality with 2x Best in Show, 7x Platinum, 37x Gold, 192x Silver and 185x Bronze, the most distinguished haul in Argentina’s history at these awards. This vastly improved performance summary by the country’s viticultural masters not only quantified the industry’s momentum but confirmed a clear trajectory of quality and international recognition. In fact, this performance has been perceived worldwide as a defining moment that has reshaped global attention toward its highlands and valley terroirs.

As the most successful DWWA campaign to date, a result grounded in precise viticulture and careful cellar craft, Argentina has garnered greater attention among collectors, sommeliers, and wine travellers. The scale of the victory is measurable, and it carries clear implications for how Argentina will be positioned in international lists and export strategy going forward. The combined platinum and gold medals together represent a 46-wine top-tier cohort that judges selected for their exceptional quality. These numbers reflect both breadth and depth of performance, indicating that Argentina succeeded across multiple regions and styles in securing top-tier recognition compared to previous years. It also signals a sustained investment in clonal selection, site identification, and cellar technique, validating long-term vineyard work in high-altitude zones.

Decanter’s country summary describes a 50 per cent increase in top-tier medals year-on-year for Argentina, an important metric for trade and press narratives when one considers the global wine producing territories spanning Europe, the Americas, Oceania and the African continent. Argentina’s top results trace to practical choices in vineyard and cellar, but its success also reflects a national network of research and investment, including clonal trials and soil mapping projects that guide planting and rootstock choices. The awards validate such investments by showing that high scores follow scientific vineyard practice coupled with thoughtful cellar work, the practical signals importers and sommeliers will watch when prioritising Argentine allocations.

In today’s feature, Thursday Food introduces five gold medallists from the 2025 DWWAs that are worth the sip, as curated by Anetza Concierge:

Bianchi Particular Cabernet Franc, made from vineyards in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley by Bodegas Bianchi, is a 100 per cent varietal that scored 96 points. This wine has a very deep red colour, with violet tones, of great intensity and vivacity. Its intense aromas are impressive, with notes of black and red fruits, as well as cassis and ripe currants. This beautifully blends with sweet spices such as red and black pepper, balanced with vanilla notes as well as mineral and smoky hints extracted during its oak aging. This Cabernet Franc has great structure and volume on the palate, with sweet tannins, making it a fleshy, elegant wine exhibiting balanced acidity and a great finish on the palate that is persistent and harmonious.

Barrabas Cabernet Franc by Judas is a 100 per cent varietal that is produced by Bodega Sottano in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Comprising 100 per cent Cabernet Franc grapes, and scoring 95 points, this varietal is a very dark ruby red colour. On the nose it expresses moderately intense aromas of red and black fruits as well as vegetables with notes of oak, spices, flint, and leather. In the mouth it is a full-bodied, very well-balanced wine with beautiful acidity. Additionally, its tannins are strong, round, and elegant resulting in a finish that is robust, smooth, flavourful, and very persistent.

Vivo o Muerto Chardonnay El Cerro Gualtallary is a white wine produced in Mendoza, Argentina, by the Buscado Vivo o Muerto winery (a project of Alejandro Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach). It is a classic Chardonnay that exhibits juicy tropical fruit and light herbal aromatic notes on the nose. This 100 per cent varietal from the Tupungato region, which scored 95 points, has great volume on the palate as well as a creaminess in its long finish.

Huichaira Cielo Arriba Blend was produced in the Jujuy province of Argentina, a non-traditional wine-producing region located in the extreme north-west of the country, at the borders with Chile and Bolivia. The epitome of a wine from incredibly high altitudes, this blend features layers of blackcurrant, sweet spicy herbs and florals as dominant aromatic notes. These are enmeshed in a satin texture and tannins on the palate with a breathtaking acidity. This 95-point wine by Huichaira Vineyards is made using 80 per cent Malbec, 13 per cent Syrah and 7 per cent Cabernet Franc.

Luigi Bosca Filos Chardonnay, which forms part of that winery’s Legacy Collection, is yellow with greenish hues in addition to being a 100 percent varietal that scored 95 points. Pure and delicate aromas reminiscent of pineapple, citrus, and orange blossom, combined with notes of caramel and a soft toasty note from the aging process caress the nose. This wine is vibrant, tense, and long on the palate, with a good balance between acidity, the sweetness of the fruit, and the creaminess of the aging process.

The DWWA results present immediate opportunities for wine collectors and travellers alike: Planning your next trip to arguably the best wine producer in the Americas and exposing yourself to a world class experience in enotourism. From vineyard tours, to expert-led wine tastings and the very best in wine-paired gastronomy, Argentina’s performance verifies its presence as a leading destination for wine enthusiasts. With a national strategy that links site specificity with cellar discipline, access to top-tier wine experiences has never been easier. So, let’s raise a glass to a country that has turned careful practice into international award-winning recognition. Salud!

Bodegas Bianchi, founded in 1928, has its historical home in San Rafael, Mendoza. (Photo by Bodegas Bianchi)

Chardonnay grapes on the vine ahead of the vendima harvest (Photo: Buscado Vivo o Muerto Winery)

Bodega Sottano is located in in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. (Photo by Bodega Sottano)

A stunning aerial image of the Luigi Bosca Winery in Mendoza, Argentina (Photo by Luigi Bosca Winery)

Huichaira Vineyard is Iocated in the majestic Humahuaca Gorge, between two mountains, at 2,700 meters above sea level. (Photo by Huichaira Vineyard)

Bianchi Particular Cabernet Franc IS A 96 point, gold medal winning wine. (Photo by Bodegas Bianchi)

Barrabas Cabernet Franc by Judas (Photo by Bodega Sottano)

Huichaira Cielo Arriba Blend (Photo by Huichaira Vineyards)

Filos Chardonnay by Luigi Bosca (Photo by Luigi Bosca)

Vivo o Muerto Chardonnay El Cerro Gualtallary (Photo by Buscado Vivo o Muerto Winery)