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Oct 15 2026
Three Spanish Brands Awarded Top Prize at IWSC International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026
Three Spanish beverage brands were awarded the ultimate prize at the latest International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) awards in London.
Paco & Lola Prime 2021 from DO Rías Baixas, Galicia, and J. Garcia Carrion Viña Arnáiz Reserva 2017 from DOCa Rioja were named Wine Trophy Winners at IWSC 2026. Among the most prestigious awards in the world of wines and spirits, the Wine Trophy Winners and Spirit Trophy Winners recognize the elite-level champions selected from the top gold medal-winning bottles at IWSC 2026.
A specialized judging committee retastes all gold medal-winning wines and spirits from across the global competition before choosing the most outstanding wines in specific categories. Spain had already secured the highest number of gold medals, a total of 21, of any country in the competition. The two Wine Trophy Winners and one Spirit Trophy Winner cemented the country’s dominance.
Spain’s Two Wine Trophy Winners at IWSC 2026
Paco & Lola, Prime 2021
Made using 100% Albariño grapes, Paco & Lola, Prime 2021 is a high-end white wine from DO Rías Baixas in Galicia, Spain. Elegant and persistent, this wine brings notes of ripe stone fruit and Mediterranean herbs, with aromas of ginger, lemon zest, and orange.
Crafted from three batches, Prime is aged on the lees in stainless steel, foudres, and granite vats, imparting a floral, silky, and mineral profile for a complex, balanced wine.
J. Garcia Carrion, Viña Arnáiz Reserva 2017
Made using a blend of Tempranillo (85%) and Graciano (15%) grapes, J. Garcia Carrion Viña Arnáiz Reserva 2017 is an exceptional red wine from DOCa Rioja. Delicate and fresh on the nose, with intense aromas of dried figs, warming spices like clove, and stone fruits such as plums, this wine is well-balanced and fruit-forward on the palate.
Following malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for a period of 30 months, first in French and American oak barrels, then in the bottle.
Spain’s Spirit Trophy Winner at IWSC 2026
Miguel Torres SA, Casals Vermouth Dry NV
Spanish Vermouth is steeped in quality and tradition, and the Casals Vermouth Dry NV from famed Miguel Torres at Bodegas Torres showcases Spanish vermouth at its best. Sweet, cola flavors with subtle spices create a pleasant, bittersweet taste that lingers on the palate, while nutty, woody undertones mingle with ripe red fruits, orange peel, and olive leaf aromas.
This award-winning vermouth is made using white wines from local grape varieties and blending them with white wine aged for three years in oak barrels. This base wine is then infused with more than 20 different Mediterranean herbs, roots, and spices, including orange and mandarin peels, olive leaves, and cinnamon.
Spain’s Medal Winners at IWSC 2026
Spain was the big winner at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), securing the highest number of gold medals of any country with a total haul of 21 gold medals.
The country won an impressive total of over 320 medals across various categories, including red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wines, as well as brandies, liqueurs, and creams. In addition to the 21 gold medals, Spain secured over 120 silver and over 180 bronze medals.
Spain showcased exceptional regional diversity during the competition. Rioja dominated the medal table, winning a total of 115 medals, with Castile and Leon securing 63, and Galicia 32. Other regions that were recognized included Andalusia (19 medals), Catalonia (16 medals), Castile-La Mancha (14 medals, and Aragon (13 medals).
Read more about Spanish wine and spirits.