All the medallists from the Asia Wine Masters 2025
From barrel-fermented rosés to Chinese wines, Patrick Schmitt MW plucks out the high flyers from more than 80 entries at this year’s Asia Wine Masters.
Coolness and brightness were in abundance for this year’s Asia Wine Masters, as we conducted our tasting in the air-conditioned glass atrium of Crown Wine Cellars – Hong Kong’s top club for learned drinkers.
Such ideal conditions were important for our competition, which sees each sample assessed with great care by our expert judges, aware that subtle qualities can be overlooked if time and trouble is not taken, whatever the wine’s style and price positioning.
It was following such a professional approach to wine analysis that we unearthed some exciting finds among the many samples entered into 2025’s Asia-based competition, which is made unique through its use of Hong Kong based judges – that is, aside from me, having flown in to help chair the tasting.
After a full day’s sampling, taking in a range of wine-based drinks, from sparkling teas to barrel-fermented rosés, we had confirmed our winners, with medals awarded from Bronze to Gold, and then, for the outstanding, a Master, or indeed, for the very best of its type, Grand Master.
In general terms, we were especially pleased by the quality of Saicho’s sparkling teas, which proved that such a style of drink suits the no-alcohol movement extremely well. Complex and refreshing, sparkling tea is a delicious, emerging category, and home to drinks that pair well with food, while instilling an appealing caffeine-related buzz in the drinker.
As for those drinks with alcohol, it was notable how well South Africa performed as a source country in this year’s competition. Be it the sparklings or Chardonnays, this was a nation that seemed to pick up Golds with ease, and even its reds based on Pinotage, a grape with a somewhat troubled reputation, were fine, while the Cabernets and Syrahs were first-rate too (Nederburg and Durbanville Hills being the top producers).
High points were also achieved by Chile (Vik in particular) and New Zealand (Church Road), among other nations, while Provence was home to our best rosés.
Among the thrilling discoveries was a truly fine red blend from China, under the new China Winemaking Trial (CWT) label from Australia’s great brand Penfolds. This Ningxia and Shangri-La wine wowed when tasted blind for its rich ripe intense black fruit flavours married to the cream and toast-like flavours from new barriques.
As for the very best wines of the competition, in whites, we awarded the title of Grand Master to a near-perfect Church Road Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay – a region that appears able to make grand cru quality whites from this grape.
Among the rosés, the honour was bestowed upon Garrus, the top expression from Provence’s Château d’Esclans, and a wine that successfully marries fine French oak to old vine Grenache.
And finally, when it came to the reds, although there were a few wines of real greatness, it was a Napa Cabernet from Robert Mondavi that came out on top. Even in its youthful state, it was hard to see how this wine could be improved upon.
See below for a full list of the medal-winning wines:
| Sparkling White – Unoaked No Alcohol | |||||
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Nomora | Cuvée Blanc | Piedmont | Italy | NV | Silver |
| Low / No Alcohol Sparkling Rosé | |||||
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Nomora | Cuvée Rosé | Piedmont | Italy | NV | Silver |
| White Sparkling | |||||
| HK$100-HK$150 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| La Gioiosa | Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut La Gioiosa | VENETO – Prosecco DOC | Italy | NA | Silver |
| Villa Sandi | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Villa Sandi |
Veneto – Valdobbiadene DOCG | Italy | NA | Silver |
| C.G. | Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut Casa Gheller | VENETO Prosecco DOC | Italy | NA | Bronze |
Partner Content
| Rosé Sparkling | |||||
| HK$100-HK$150 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Villa Sandi | Prosecco DOC Brut Rosé Millesimato 2023 Villa Sandi | VENETO – Prosecco DOC | Italy | 2023 | Silver |
| Still White – Unoaked | |||||
| HK$100-HK$150 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Dourthe | N°1 De Dourthe | Bordeaux | France | 2024 | Silver |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc | Leyda Valley | Chile | 2024 | Silver |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Wakefield Estate Pinot Gris | Clare Valley/Limestone Coast | Australia | NV | Silver |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Wakefield Estate Riesling | Clare Valley | Australia | 2024 | Silver |
| HK$200-HK$300 | |||||
| Alpha Estate | Alpha Estate Ecosystem Assyrtiko Single Block “Aghia Kiriaki” 2023 | Florina | Greece | 2023 | Silver |
| Still White – Oaked | |||||
| HK$300-HK$500 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Church Road | Church Road 1 Chardonnay | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2019 | Grand Master |
| Church Road | Church Road 1 Chardonnay | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2022 | Gold |
| Terrazas de Los Andes | Reserva Chardonnay 2024 | Argentina | Mendoza 2024 | 2024 | Silver |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2022 | Napa Valley | USA | 2022 | Silver |
| Still Rosé – Unoaked | |||||
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Caves d’Esclans | Whispering Angel | Provence | France | 2024 | Silver |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Taylors Aromantiques Rosé | Clare Valley | Australia | 2024 | Silver |
| Still Rosé – Oaked | |||||
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Chateau d’Esclans | Les Clans | Provence | France | 2023 | Gold |
| VIK | LA Piu Belle Rosé | Cachapoal | Chile | 2024 | Silver |
| Chateau d’Esclans | Chateau d’Esclans | Provence | France | 2023 | Silver |
| Caves d’Esclans | Rock Angel | Provence | France | 2023 | Silver |
| HK$1,000+ | |||||
| Chateau d’Esclans | Garrus | Provence | France | 2023 | Grand Master Rosé |
| Still Red Oaked | |||||
| Under HK$100 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Durbanville Hills | Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Castle of Good Hope Cabernet | Durbanville Sauvignon | South Africa | 2023 | Silver |
| Pagos Del Rey | Arnegui Crianza | Rioja | Spain | 2021 | Silver |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | Terra Vega Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | Colchagua Valley | Chile | 2023 | Silver |
| HK$100-HK$150 | |||||
| Durbanville Hills | Durbanville Hills The Promenade Pinotage | Durbanville | South Africa | 2023 | Gold |
| Terrazas de los Andes | Reserva Malbec 2022 | Argentina | Mendoza | 2022 | Silver |
| Nederburg | Nederburg The Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon | Western Cape | South Africa | 2022 | Silver |
| HK$200-HK$300 | |||||
| VINT | Robert Mondavi Private Selection VINT Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | California | USA | 2022 | Silver |
| VIK | VIK A Cabernet Franc | Cachapoal | Chile | 2023 | Silver |
| Alpha Estate | Alpha Estate Xinomavro SV Hedgehog 2022 | Amyndeon | Greece | 2022 | Silver |
| Nederburg | Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon | Coastal Region | South Africa | 2021 | Silver |
| VIK | VIK A Carmenere | Cachapoal | Chile | 2023 | Silver |
| HK$300-HK$500 | |||||
| Church Road | Church Road 1 Cabernet Sauvignon | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2021 | Gold |
| VIK | Milla Cala | Cachapoal | Chile | 2021 | Gold |
| Alpha Estate | Alpha Estate S.M.X 2022 | Florina | Greece | 2022 | Silver |
| Church Road | Church Road 1 Syrah | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2020 | Silver |
| HK$500-HK$700 | |||||
| VIK | La piu Belle | Cachapoal | Chile | 2021 | Master |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | LFE 900 Blend | Colchagua Valley | Chile | 2020 | Gold |
| HK$700-HK$1000 | |||||
| Robert Mondavi Winery | Robert Mondavi Winery Spotlight Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 | Napa Valley | USA | 2021 | Grand Master Red |
| Penfolds | Penfolds CWT 521 | Shangri-La, Yunnan and Ningxia | China | 2021 | Gold |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | Doña Bernarda | Colchagua Valley | Chile | 2020 | Gold |
| Sparkling – No Alcohol | |||||
| HK$200-HK$300 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Saicho | Saicho Hojicha Sparkling Tea | Japan | Japan | NV | Gold |
| Saicho | Saicho Darjeeling Sparkling Tea | Himalayas in Darjeeling | India | NV | Silver |
| Saicho | Saicho Jasmine Sparkling Tea | Fuding, Fujian | China | NV | Silver |
| HK$500-HK$700 | |||||
| Saicho | Sixty Stone Mountain | Hualien County | Taiwan | NV | Gold |
| White Sparkling | |||||
| Under HK$100 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Nederburg | Nederburg Cuvee Brut | Western Cape | South Africa | NV | Gold |
| Felix Solis | Mucho Más Extra Dry Sparkling | Blend | Spain | NV | Silver |
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Villa Sandi | Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut “Rivetta 120” Villa Sandi | Venete Valdobbiadene DOCG | Italy | NA | Silver |
| Still White Unoaked | |||||
| Under HK$100 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Luis Felipe Edwards | Terra Vega Reserva Sauvignon Blanc | Leyda Valley | Chile | 2024 | Master |
| Felix Solis | Mucho Más White Blend | Blend | Spain | NV | Gold |
| Felix Solis | Souther Ocean NZ | Malborough | New Zealand | 2024 | Silver |
| Viña Casa Solis | La Piqueta Sauvignon Blanc | Casablanca | Chile | 2024 | Silver |
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Alpha Estate | Alpha Estate Malagouzia SV “Turtles” 2024 | Florina | Greece | 2024 | Gold |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Taylors Aromantiques Pinot Gris | Adelaide Hills | Australia | 2024 | Gold |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Wakefield Reserve Parcel Riesling | Clare Valley | Australia | 2024 | Gold |
| Still White – Oaked | |||||
| Under HK$100 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Durbanville Hills | Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cableway Chardonnay | Durbanville | South Africa | 2024 | Master |
| Durbanville Hills | Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc | Durbanville | South Africa | 2024 | Gold |
| HK$100-HK$150 | |||||
| Nederburg | Nederburg The Winemasters ChardonnayWestern | Cape | South Africa | 2024 | Gold |
| HK$200-HK$300 | |||||
| Kim Crawford | Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2024 | Marlborough | New Zealand | 2024 | Gold |
| Still Rosé Unoaked | |||||
| HK$150-HK$200 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Maison Saint Aix | AIX Rosé | AOP Coteaux Aix- en-Provence | France | 2024 | Master |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Taylors Estate Pinot Noir Rosé | McLaren Vale | Australia | 2024 | Gold |
| Still Red Unoaked | |||||
| Under HK$100 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Viña Casa Solis | La Piqueta Cabernet Sauvignon | Colchagua | Chile | 2024 | Gold |
| Still Red Oaked | |||||
| Under HK$100 | |||||
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Vint. | Medal |
| Nederburg | Nederburg The Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon | Western Cape | South Africa | 2021 | Master |
| Durbanville Hills | Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The High Noon Shiraz | Durbanville | South Africa | 2023 | Gold |
| Felix Solis | Mucho Mas Red Blend | Spain | Spain | NV | Silver |
| HK$100-HK$150 | |||||
| Luis Felipe Edwards | Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon | Colchagua Valley | Chile | 2023 | Master |
| Terrazas de los Andes | Grand Malbec 2021 | Argentina | Mendoza | 2021 | Gold |
| Wakefield Taylors Wines | Wakefield Estate Merlot | Clare Valley | Australia | 2023 | Gold |
| HK$200-HK$300 | |||||
| The Prisoner Wine Company | Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | Central Coast | USA | 2022 | Master |
| VINT | Robert Mondavi Private Selection VINT Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | California | USA | 2022 | Gold |
| VIK | VIK A Cabernet Sauvignon | Cachapoal | Chile | 2023 | Gold |
| Ruffino | Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti DOCG 2021 | Tuscany | Italy | 2021 | Silver |
| HK$300-HK$500 | |||||
| The Prisoner Wine Company | The Prisoner Red Blend 2022 | Napa Valley | USA | 2022 | Gold |
| Church Road | Church Road 1 Syrah | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2021 | Gold |
| Alpha Estate S.A | Alpha Estate Ecosystem Xinomavo Vielle Vignes Single Block “Barba Yannis” 2021 | Amyndeon | Greece | 2021 | Silver |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 | Napa Valley | USA | 2022 | Silver |
| The Prisoner Wine Company | Saldo Zinfandel 2022 | California | USA | 2022 | Silver |
| Church Road | Church Road 1 cabernet Sauvignon | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2020 | Silver |
| Kim Crawford | Kim Crawford Pinot Noir 2023 | Marlborough | New Zealand | 2023 | Silver |
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, the drinks business Asia Masters wine tasting provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2025 competition was held in Hong Kong, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Master. This report features the medal winners only.
Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving your wines the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 7772 019 932 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
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