Spain has landed itself back in the global wine spotlight. This is thanks to a Spanish bodega taking third place in the International Wine and Spirit Competition list of the best wineries in the world.
It is a firm reminder that Spain is not just holding its own on the world stage, it is giving the big names a gentle nudge to move over.
Each year the competition publishes a list of fifty leading producers, based on how their wines have performed over several years of judging. For Spain, seeing a winery in third place is more than something to hang in the office. It signals to the trade that Spanish wine can stand shoulder to shoulder with France, Italy and the so called New World. It also helps the rest of us when we are staring at a shop shelf at 19.30 wondering what to pick up for dinner.
The timing is rather handy. Spain is already one of the biggest wine producing countries in the world and has a habit of mixing quantity and quality in a way that many other nations envy.
Oldest and most respected contest
The International Wine and Spirit Competition is one of the oldest and most respected contests in the drinks world. Founded in the late 1960s, it attracts entries from every major wine-producing country. Experts taste the wines blind, so no one is influenced by a fancy label or high price.
The Top Fifty ranking is based on three years of results. It includes Gold Outstanding medals and wines that receive no award. The goal is to recognise producers who show consistent quality across their full range. It’s not just about a single standout bottle.
For Spanish wineries, an IWSC ranking connects vineyard work with international interest. Buyers for importers and restaurants often use the results as a guide. It helps them spot rising regions and producers who know their craft.
Spain’s wine: Star of the show
The star of the moment is Bodegas Fundador, the Sherry and brandy producer that took third place in the IWSC Top Fifty. Based in Jerez, in southern Spain, Fundador operates through its Harveys label. It is known as the oldest winery in the region. Its long use of the solera and criadera ageing system remains central to its character. Fundador is also the only Spanish producer on this year’s list, making its podium finish even more impressive.
Fundador is not the only Spanish name earning praise. Marqués de Murrieta in Rioja has also been recognised as one of the top wineries in the world and the best in Europe in another international ranking. Spanish wine is on a roll and shows no sign of slowing down.
Spain is already one of the world’s three largest wine producers. Vineyards stretch from Galicia and Castilla y León to Catalonia, La Mancha, and Andalusia. When a Spanish winery wins a top global award, it highlights these regions and encourages travellers to explore the estates and landscapes behind the bottles.
Diversity in the world of wine
The latest IWSC results highlight the growing diversity of the wine world. The top five come from five different countries. D’Oliveiras from Portugal takes first place. Graham Beck from South Africa is second. Bodegas Fundador from Spain ranks third. Estate Argyros from Greece is fourth. Weingut Leth from Austria comes fifth.
Close behind are repeat entries from South Africa, Australia, and Austria. Italy and France also posted strong results. There are a few pleasant surprises from Georgia, England, and Japan.
Spain’s position is well earned and a good reason for wine lovers everywhere to pour a glass and explore what the country is producing.
