Entering its 22nd year, Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) remains the world’s largest and most influential wine competition, consistently delivering significant return on investment for its entrants—whether through boosted brand recognition, increased sales or expanded distribution in new markets.
DWWA’s unmatched reputation is built on its rigorous judging process, overseen by world-class experts whose evaluations uphold the competition’s credibility and global recognition.
Quality recognition is just the start
For producers, a DWWA medal is more than a mark of quality—it’s a hallmark of excellence earned through a stringent evaluation that distinguishes only the finest wines.
Less than 5% of entries achieve the coveted Gold, Platinum or Best in Show accolades, while Silver and Bronze medals are awarded with equally scrupulous care. This means that a DWWA medal, at any level, sets a global benchmark for quality and distinction.
For trade professionals and wine enthusiasts alike, DWWA’s results serve as a comprehensive buying guide to the world’s finest wines.
Entering is the first step toward placing your wine in this celebrated spotlight.
Enter DWWA 2025 here
The global wine authorities defining excellence
The total DWWA judging cohort involves 243 judges from 33 countries, including 61 Masters of Wine and 20 Master Sommeliers. With deep-rooted expertise in wine buying, journalism and hospitality, among other industry sectors, our judges understand both wine quality and evolving consumer preferences.
‘We’re immensely proud of our judging pool: a little United Nations of wine,’ said DWWA Co-Chair Andrew Jefford. ‘If DWWA is the largest wine competition in the world (as it has been since at least 2013), those judges are a key reason.’
The 2025 competition will see the return of our five Co-Chairs—Sarah Jane Evans MW, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Andrew Jefford, Ronan Sayburn MS, and Beth Willard—who lead panels, ensure judging consistency and personally oversee the selection of Best in Show and Top Value Gold winners.
Caro Mauer MW, Regional Chair for Southern & Eastern Mediterranean and Germany, discusses a wine’s rating with Co-Chair Andrew Jefford. Credit: Ellen Richardson
Regional expertise and consistency
With 40 dedicated Regional Chairs, DWWA maintains a rigorous and consistent judging approach across all wine regions. New Regional Chairs for 2025 include:
- Matthew Stubbs MW & Alun Griffiths MW (Bordeaux)
- Stefan Neumann MS (Austria)
- Caro Maurer MW (Germany)
- Amanda Barnes (Chile), Acting RC in 2024
The competition’s senior judges and judges are selected for their outstanding industry expertise. Nearly half of the 200-plus judges travel from aboard to lend their specialised knowledge and discerning palates, ensuring a diverse and objective assessment of each wine.
Recognising that wines need their cultural context to be intelligible, wines are meticulously evaluated in carefully curated flights, organised by country, region, colour, grape, style, vintage and price point, ensuring an unparalleled level of scrutiny and precision. Credit: Ellen Richardson
New for 2025
Entering wines in DWWA is a simple five-minute process, but shipping samples to the UK can be a challenge. For 2025, DWWA has enhanced its sample logistics to simplify the process for entrants. With improved consolidated shipping options, including a new depot in Oregon, USA, and expanded sample drop-off points at leading trade fairs, including new collection hubs at Barcelona Wine Week and Wine Vision by Open Balkan, and returning options at Wine Paris & Vinexposium Paris and ProWein. Submitting your wines has never been more convenient.
Reflecting current market conditions, the competition has also updated its unique price categorisation to better align with global price fluctuations. New retail price bands for 2025 are:
- Price Band A: Up to £14.99 (Value)
- Price Band B: £15 to £49.99
- Price Band C: £50 and above
Additionally, DWWA continues to expand eligibility for alternative packaging and large formats. Sparkling wines, including those from Franciacorta, Alta Langa, Cap Classique, Cava and beyond, are now welcome in magnums, a category first introduced to Champagne in 2023.
With these refinements, DWWA 2025 makes it even easier for producers to enter their wines and gain recognition among the world’s finest.
Why enter DWWA? Find out more in our entry pack
Key dates for DWWA 2025
28 February 2025
Consolidated shipping delivery deadline
18 March 2025
Entry, payment and direct delivery deadline
6-17 May 2025
DWWA 2025 judging
18 June 2025
DWWA 2025 results announced on Decanter.com
See all deadlines and prices here
Enter DWWA 2025 now
Related articles
How we judge wine at DWWA
New Co-Chair to join DWWA: Welcoming Beth Willard
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