All the medallists from The Global Sangiovese Masters 2025

With a remarkably high number of Gold and Master medals awarded this year, Sangiovese’s brilliance is beyond doubt, reports Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

THE SANGIOVESE grape is synonymous with Italy and is grown in almost every region, with particular importance in Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, the Marche and Umbria. As the judges discovered in the 2025 Global Sangiovese Masters, with the right clones and careful vine-growing and winemaking, this grape variety can provide wonderful expressions.

The results were exceptional, with 16 Gold medals and three Masters singled out from no fewer than 50 winning wines. The majority were from Tuscany, with a couple from Romagna and a few from elsewhere in Europe and globally, including Australia and the Americas.

There were only a few unoaked wines, but Sangiovese seems to respond well to some level of wood ageing, usually larger and/or older oak, to add complexity and breadth. At under £20 there were a number of good Silvers, and Il Nespoli from Poderi dal Nespoli in Emilia-Romagna was awarded a well-deserved Gold.

At £20–£30, Chianti and the other zones of Tuscany gave great pleasure, with the wines having flavour intensity, texture and refinement. Banfi’s Poggio alle Mura Rosso di Montalcino and Villa Saletta’s Chiave di Saletta both showed depth and complexity, and exhibited excellent value for money.

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In the £30–£50 price bracket, the judges found fabulous wines. Chianti Classico Riserva and Santa Caterina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from Castello di Albola, and Tenuta Piccini’s Brunello, realised Gold medals. At the pinnacle, obtaining a Master, was Banfi’s classy Poggio alle Mura Brunello.

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Above £50 there were sensational wines from Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, and a few Super-Tuscans too. Great Montalcino wines from Banfi – Castello Banfi and Vigna Marrucheto – were joined by San Felice’s Campogiovanni. Chianti’s contributions to this upper-end group included Castello di Meleto’s Vigna Casi Gran Selezione, Castello di Albola’s Il Solatìo Gran Selezione, Castello di Radda’s Vigna Il Corno Gran Selezione, Tenuta Sette Ponti’s Vigna dell’Impero and Saletta Riccardi.

Our Master in this group was Ruffino’s Romitorio di Santadame, a fine and delicious wine. At the apex of this year’s competition, our Grand Master was San Felice’s Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, an ethereal wine with great balance, complexity and length. As always, the judges were pleased to find that large producers with extensive global reach, such as Ruffino and Banfi, are making wines that achieve the heights of Gold and Master medals just as often as the small, artisanal producers.

This Global Masters demonstrates that Sangiovese can be brilliant. The high number of Silver, Gold and Master medals attests to that. And, despite escalating prices, the judges agreed that Sangiovese usually represents good value for money at various price points. A gastronomic delight, Sangiovese deserves a place in every wine aficionado’s repertoire.

White Unoaked 100% Sangiovese

Rosé Unoaked 100% Sangiovese

Red Unoaked 100% Sangiovese

Red Oaked 100% Sangiovese

Red Oaked 100% Sangiovese (continued)

Red Unoaked Sangiovese Blend

Red Oaked Sangiovese Blend

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Sangiovese Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine. The 2025 competition was judged on 28 May at The Cavendish in London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolades – the title of Sangiovese Master or Grand Master. This report features medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions, with a chance to appear in print and online, call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com