THERE'S a fair bit to like about the Global Fine Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia, however it's not without its downsides. On the upside there's the rivalry that comes with pitting some of the finest wines of South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Australia against one another, as well as the high calibre of judges on the panels who do the scoring and ranking. But how can you call it a ‘global' challenge if the entries don't represent all of the so-called New World countries, let alone any of the Old World. Once upon a time the competition was called the Tri Nations, then the Five Nations, then the Six Nations. Down to four nations in 2025. Also, when last we checked, there weren't any South Africans among the judges – at the time of writing, veteran SA wine authority and critic Michael Fridjhon was included among the names of ‘current judges', although in fact he didn't make the trip to Sydney. (It was later revealed that the tasters comprised Huon Hooke and Andrea Pritzker MW of Australia, Jane Skilton MW of New Zealand and Christopher Waters of Canada – Fridjhon nominated the South African wines).
With entry by invitation only – 520 wines including 120 from each country – the 2025 Challenge was won by Australia. New Zealand placed second and South Africa third. Judged best wine on show was a Pinot Noir: Ten Minutes by Tractor 2022 from the state of Victoria in south-east Australia.
For the top-rated South African wines in the Challenge, see below. Particularly impressive in 2025 to date have been the very good reviews of Babylonstoren's 2022 Nebukadnesar, with ratings including 96/100 at the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK) and Best in Class at the National Wine Challenge (SA) before scooping a trophy for the best Bordeaux-style red blend in the Global Fine Wine Challenge. For the full results of the competition, click here.
Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2022 (Red Blend)
R775pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl
Delaire Graff Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2021
R1320pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Donkiesbaai Grenache Noir 2023
R370pb ex0-Guardian Peak cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Tokara Director's Reserve White 2022
R360pb ex-cellar, Helshoogte-Stellenbosch
Vergenoegd Löw Amalie Merlot 2023
R280pb ex-cellar, Faure-Somerset West
Bacco Red Blend 2021
R395pb ex-cellar, Paarl
Backsberg Patriarch Cabernet Franc 2023
R247pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Cape Point Isliedh 2024 (White Blend)
R475pb ex-cellar, Noordhoek
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2021 (Red Blend)
R465pb ex-cellar, Banghoek-Stellenbosch
Des Dieux Anna Louise Blanc de Blancs 2012 (MCC)
R650pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Ernie Els Big Easy Red Blend 2023
R200pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Glenelly Lady May 2020 (Red Blend)
R980pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch
Journey's End V2 Merlot 2018
R285pb ex-cellar, Sir Lowry's Pass-Somerset West
Klein Constantia Blanc de Blancs 2020 (MCC)
R340pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2019 (MCC)
R179pb ex-KWV cellar, Paarl
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
R1150pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
R450pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2024
R290pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Survivor Chenin Blanc Reserve 2022
R350pb ex-Van Loveren cellar, Robertson