Long celebrated for its bold flavours and reliable quality, South Australian Shiraz once again proved its strength at the 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), earning one gold and nine silver medals.
The sole gold went to Golden Amrita’s Lumenval Moppa Shiraz 2020 from the Barossa Valley — not a global household name, but an emblem of the depth and hidden strength within South Australia’s Shiraz producers. It also underscored the region’s consistently high standards across the board.
Shiraz is Australia’s dominant grape variety, covering 25%–30% of the country’s vineyards and leading exports. Its hallmark fruit-driven style has long been popular in China, the UK, and the U.S., though this very success has also raised expectations for the category.
Why Silver Still Matters
It’s worthy to note that the nine silver medals represent a major achievement in one of the world’s most competitive arenas.
“Silver medal wines are textbook examples of their kind… wines you’d use in a masterclass or pour for a client to demonstrate what the category does best,” said Dirceu Vianna Junior MW.
The numbers reinforce his point. Of roughly 7,000 wines entered in this year’s competition, only 2.5% earned gold. Silver medals, awarded to wines scoring between 90 and 94 points, sit just below the 96-point threshold for gold, often reflecting personal preference rather than a true gulf in quality. In other words, silver at IWSC is a mark of excellence.
This year, 14 South Australian Shiraz wines scored 90 points or higher, highlighting the category’s strength.
Regional Standouts
Among the top ten Shiraz wines at IWSC, Barossa Valley claimed six places, including the gold medal winner.
McLaren Vale contributed three, each reflecting the region’s trademark combination of richness, silky texture, and dark fruit layered with earthy notes. One of them — Wirra Wirra’s organic Shiraz — also signalled how sustainability is becoming a defining element of premium Australian wine.
Clare Valley made its mark with Kilikanoon, whose winning Shiraz showed that cooler climates can produce structured wines with both power and elegance, as well as strong aging potential. Kilikanoon is majority-owned by Changyu, China’s largest wine company.
Taken together, Australian producers had a strong showing, claiming nine of the ten highest-scoring Shiraz entries. But perhaps more significant is how South Australian Shiraz is evolving beyond its traditional identity as a “fruit bomb.”
From Golden Amrita’s use of concrete eggs for fermentation, to Wirra Wirra’s organic certification, to increasingly diverse oak treatments, the region is moving toward a more nuanced philosophy — one that seeks not only stylistic impact but also terroir expression and alignment with global winemaking trends.
The results may mark an inflection point. By blending fruit intensity with terroir, tradition with innovation, South Australian Shiraz could be entering a new chapter — one that promises to elevate its global reputation even further.
Top 10 Australian Shiraz (90-94 points) from 2025 IWSC:
- Golden Amrita – Lumenval Moppa Shiraz 2020, Barossa Valley (96 pts) – GOLD
Inviting aromas of smoked meat and thyme lead into a full-bodied experience, bursting with savoury red spice and anise - d’Arenberg – The Dead Arm Shiraz 2020, McLaren Vale (94 pts) – SILVER
A fragrant bouquet of dark fruit and vanilla spices with balanced ripe dark fruit and bright, lively finish - Wirra Wirra – Catapult Organic Shiraz 2023, McLaren Vale (91 pts) – SILVER
Intense black fruits with integrated creamy vanilla and fine ripe tannins - Calabria Family Wines – Elisabetta Shiraz 2023, Barossa Valley (91 pts) – SILVER
Bell pepper, eucalyptus, and smoked meat harmonising with toasty oak - Golden Amrita – Lumenval Moppa Shiraz 2021, Barossa Valley (91 pts) – SILVER
Rich plum with vanilla and coconut, sweet cinnamon spice with dark cherry - RockBare – Shiraz 2022, Barossa Valley (91 pts) – SILVER
Smoked meat and coffee bean complexity with mouthwatering juicy fruit - Auld Family Wines – William Patrick Shiraz 2018, Barossa Valley (91 pts) – SILVER
Dense plum and prune with generous plum crumble and blackberries - Mr Riggs – J.F.R. Shiraz 2022, McLaren Vale (90 pts) – SILVER
Fragrant dark fruits with vanilla pod, full yet focused with silky finish - Henschke – Keyneton Euphonium 2021, Barossa (90 pts) – SILVER
Shiraz-dominant blend with lifted floral notes and chocolatey depth - Kilikanoon – Oracle Shiraz 2021, Clare Valley (90 pts) – SILVER
Powerful blackberry and blueberry compote with black pepper spice
