2025 Cathay GWSAA Crowns Regional & Global Stars

The 2025 Cathay Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia (GWSAA) announced its trophy winners at a celebratory award ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, coinciding with the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.

Top-Performing Countries and Categories

The 2025 awards celebrated a diverse field of winners across 39 trophies, demonstrating Asia’s growing influence and sophistication in the global drinks industry.

• Australia reaffirmed its dominance, taking home multiple major wine trophies, including Best Chardonnay (Small Wonder Chardonnay 2024), Best Riesling, and a strong showing in food-pairing categories.
• Austria emerged as a key European success story, with Domæne Roland Chan sweeping Best Grüner Veltliner, Best Pairing with Singapore Pepper Prawn, and Best Wine of Austria. Its Rosé Zweigelt 2021 also toke the Best Rosé Wine trophy.
• China impressed with six trophies, led by Fei Tswei Petit Manseng 2021 for Best Dessert Wine, and Shangri-La Sacred Land Rong Zhong 2020, which won Best Cabernet/Cabernet Blends — confirming China’s rising stature in premium winemaking.
• Hong Kong achieved a historic milestone, capturing seven beer trophies and a spirits trophy, marking the first-ever Spirits Trophy from Hong Kong with FIA 2023 Umeshu, by TinShing Umeshu.
• New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and France also featured prominently, with outstanding quality across both varietal and sparkling categories.

“We are thrilled to see such a diverse and high-quality field of entries this year, which demonstrates that wineries and distilleries worldwide continue to reach new levels of excellence,” said Debra Meiburg MW, Founding Director of the GWSAA.

“It is particularly exciting to see emerging wine-producing countries such as China taking home varietal trophies, and to witness alternative grape varieties being recognised at the highest level — such as Gewürztraminer being awarded Best Wine from New Zealand. These results show Asian market is becoming mature and discerning.”

Gold Medal Insights

Complementing the trophy winners, the 84 Gold Medallists reflected a well-balanced geographic spread:

• Australia led the wine tally with 10 gold medals
• Hong Kong demonstratedthe strength of local craft beer and boutique production.
• Spain, South Africa, and China each secured 7 golds, while France earned 7, showcasing consistency across sparkling and still wines.
• Notably, 21 of the gold medal winners also received Green Awards, recognising sustainability and environmental excellence. 

2025 Award Ceremony

The 2025 Award Ceremony was held on Day 1 of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair and officiated by key partners and supporters of the competition:

• Mr. Ronald Khoo, Wine, Spirits & Beverages Manager, Customer Experience Design, Cathay Pacific Airways
• Ms. Smilely Lam, Assistant Executive Director, Exhibitions & Digital Business, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)
• Mr. Warren Yu, Competition Director of the Craft Beer Association of Hong Kong

The ceremony was further honoured by the presence of consular representatives from winning wine countries, including Italy, Austria, Portugal, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and France, affirming the Awards’ growing international stature.

Judging Week: A Commitment to Asia’s Voice

The judging sessions concluded in October 2025 under the direction of Debra Meiburg MW, bringing together a distinguished panel of sommeliers, educators, media professionals, and trade experts. 

Commenting on the importance of regional expertise, Joseph Choi, Deputy General Manager of Telford International Limited remarked: “Having a competition judged entirely by Asian-based experts is crucial, because these judges have a genuine understanding of consumer preferences, market realities, and purchasing behaviours.”

The Asian Food Pairing Awards also underscored the competition’s regional storytelling, featuring pairings with classic regional dishes — from Roast Goose and Singapore Pepper Prawn to Prawn Tempura, Korean Roast Beef, and Tuna Sashimi — highlighting the harmony between Asian cuisine and global beverages. 

About the Cathay Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia

The Cathay Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia (GWSAA) honours excellence across wine, spirits, sake, and beer. Established by Debra Meiburg MW and title-sponsored by Cathay, the competition continues to champion “Asia’s Choice, Asia’s Voice,” providing an authentic platform that represents regional taste and perspective for the global industry. 

Full results and media materials are available at gwsaa.com.