France Named Top Wine Country of 2025 as Global Awards Pour In

Ready to pop some Champagne? From the best wines on Earth to the world’s top restaurants and airlines, award season is in full swing — and this year, France is once again raising a glass from the top of the podium.

Here’s a roundup of the biggest winners in global food, travel, and lifestyle for 2025, with a few surprises along the way.

France Named World’s Best Wine Country for 2025

The Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 were announced this week, and France left the competition in the dust — or maybe in the vineyard dust.

• 3,200 total medals, including a staggering 14 “Best in Show” honors
• That’s 1,000 more medals than its closest rival
• Champagne alone picked up 27 awards — time to celebrate with a glass (or three)

Italy & Spain Hold Their Own

• Italy earned 2,204 medals and 6 Best in Show nods, improving on last year’s performance
• Spain collected 2,025 medals (perfectly matching the year), including 5 top-tier wins
  • Spain’s Rioja region stood out with 3 platinum and 21 gold medals — and it remains blissfully under-touristed compared to Andalusia or Catalonia

Other Notable Wine Winners:

• Australia, Portugal, South Africa, Argentina, Croatia, Canada, and Chile rounded out the Top 10
• Yes, Canada — where rare ice wines can sell for up to $250,000 a bottle

Best Restaurant in the World? Head to Lima, Peru

Foodies, take note: Peru is officially the tastiest place to be right now.

Lima’s Maido, the brainchild of chef Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura, was named World’s Best Restaurant 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

• Maido is famous for Nikkei cuisine, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion that’s taken the culinary world by storm
• Another Lima hotspot also made the global top 10 — reason enough to book a food tour

U.S. Food Scene Highlights:

• At the 2025 James Beard Awards, a restaurant in Boulder, Colorado was crowned Outstanding Restaurant
• A Minneapolis eatery took home Best New Restaurant, signaling bold things ahead for the Midwest dining scene

Mark Your Calendar: It’s World Martini Season

June 21 is officially World Martini Day — just two days after National Martini Day, for those keeping score.

While espresso martinis (vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and sugar) aren’t true martinis, no one’s complaining. They’re delicious — and a certified bar menu staple in 2025.

Need a bartender-approved home recipe? CNN Underscored has you covered with expert picks and gear recs.

Venice and Barcelona Push Back on Tourism

Not everyone’s raising a glass right now — especially in southern Europe.

As billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez prepare to tie the knot in Venice, many locals say they’ve had enough. Protesters have threatened to “block the canals” during the wedding, citing rising water levels and overwhelming tourism as existential threats to the city.

Venice now receives around 30 million tourists a year — six times its population. One resident summed it up:

“Once you help change this place forever, it’s not coming back.”

Meanwhile in Barcelona, anti-tourism protests have escalated, with locals spraying visitors with water pistols to express frustration over housing shortages and Airbnb-fueled rent hikes. Officials are warning that European cities risk turning into “theme parks.”

Travel tip: Maybe swap out the crowds and opt for a peaceful visit to Rioja, Spain’s underrated wine haven.

U.S. Courts Canadians with “Tourist-Only” Deals

States along the northern U.S. border — like Vermont and New York — are trying to win back Canadian visitors amid simmering diplomatic tensions.

Some businesses are offering “Canadians-only” perks like discounted stays and free activities.

“We wanted to send a message: We see you, we value you, and we want you here,” said one Vermont business owner.

On the flip side, some Americans are now worried about traveling north, concerned about the reception they might get in Canada. Tourism boards on both sides are trying to cool things down with friendly campaigns.

Global Air Travel Faces New Challenges

International tensions aren’t just political — they’re rerouting flights, too.

• Hong Kong to London direct flights are now two hours longer
• Short-haul routes between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf are also being reshuffled due to expanding no-fly zones

Global conflict is quite literally redrawing the air map.

Three-Year-Old Australian Joins Preschool Exchange in Japan

In a heartwarming twist, a preschool exchange program brought three-year-old Kinga and her Australian family to Wakayama, Japan, offering a unique cultural immersion experience — even if she doesn’t speak Japanese yet.

The program offers a “kid-first” way for families to explore international education and culture together.

In Case You Missed It

• A viral video sparked a massive cave cleanup near China’s “Avatar Mountains”
• An 80-year-old man drove down Rome’s Spanish Steps — and got stuck. He says it was a wrong turn
• The world’s best airline for 2025 has been revealed by Skytrax
• And in a surprise twist, Vienna lost its crown as the world’s most liveable city — to another European capital

Bottom line: Whether you’re chasing award-winning wines, planning a quieter European getaway, or shaking up an espresso martini, 2025’s shaping up to be a fascinating year for travelers, food lovers, and adventurers alike.