Mention the word Champagne and it still conjures glamour, celebration and a certain effortless elegance. Few wine regions carry such immediate cultural resonance, yet beyond the pop of the cork lies one of the most nuanced and exacting wine styles.
Champagne’s story stretches back centuries, shaped as much by accident as by intent. While the oft-repeated myth of monk Dom Pérignon ‘inventing’ sparkling wine has long been dismantled, the region’s mastery of blending, ageing and balance remains unmatched. What was once an unpredictable quirk of winemaking has, over centuries, been refined into one of the most exacting wine styles anywhere.
That tension between tradition and evolution is very much alive today. Producers continue to push boundaries through extended lees ageing, increasingly precise dosage decisions and a growing confidence in Zero Dosage and Brut Nature styles. Whether vintage or non-vintage, the best Champagnes now prioritise clarity, texture and drinkability alongside complexity.
This year’s highest-scoring Champagnes at the IWSC reflect exactly that ethos. Three wines stood out with exceptional 96-point Gold awards: Champagne Gosset’s Celebris Brut 2012, Piper-Heidsieck’s Essentiel Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV and G.H. Martel’s Honoré de Balzac Brut NV, each spotlighted for their poise, depth and character. A strong supporting cast of 95-point Gold medallists, from houses including Rare, Champagne Henriot, Laurent-Perrier and Champagne Castelnau further underlined the category’s breadth and consistency.
All entries were tasted blind by expert panels led by Champagne specialist Essi Avellan MW, made up of expert judges like beverage director Luke Harbor, wine journalist Yuri Shima and wine buyer Fionnuala Synnott. The results highlight a category in confident shape, where precision and personality increasingly go hand in hand.
Below, we share the top-performing Champagnes from the IWSC 2025, complete with tasting notes and scores.
How do we judge these wines?
We run a tightly structured, rigorous wine tasting process. That means that each wine sample is pre-poured into numbered glasses and assessed blindly by the judges. Most importantly, our IWSC wine judges are experts in their field, who work across all sectors of the wine industry. For evidence, see our full list of judges.
How do we score these wines?
Only the best wines sampled receive a Gold or Silver award. For example, to win Gold, wines have to score between 95 and 100 points. Meanwhile, Silver wines range from 90 to 94 points. Click here to read more on our scoring system.
More from Club Oenologique
Club O is a premium lifestyle publication for curious and discerning wine and spirits lovers. Renowned for inspiring stories and trusted expertise, we connect people to the joys of the world, through the lens of wine, spirits and other interesting drinks. Based in London, our team of expert writers seek out thoughtful stories that introduce our readers to new people, places, drinking discoveries and insights, as well as exploring fresh perspectives on familiar themes. Membership to The Collection offers exclusive access to leading critics’ tasting reports, scores, tastings and events, especially tailored to collectors and investors. Our flagship Club Oenologique magazine offers even more insights for enthusiasts and collectors.
12 award-winning Champagnes from the IWSC 2025
