The countdown to the 26th Spirits Selection by CMB, due to take place from 3 to 5 September in Renhui, China, the birthplace of sauce aroma baijiu, has now well and truly started. Once again, Spirits Selection by CMB has confirmed its status as one of the most prestigious spirits competitions in the world with a record number of entries for the second consecutive year.
“The new increase in the number of entries is a very pleasant surprise, we are so proud!” admits Ulric Nijs, the competition’s director.
“Firstly, considering the global geopolitical and economic situation is still in the grips of crisis, and also because I was only recently appointed as head of Sprits Selection. This is proof that with our ambassadors (Ed. sales representatives), our substantial groundwork has paid off and continues to convince producers of the professionalism and positive contribution of Spirits Selection by CMB for their marketing. I am also proud to announce that we are broadening the range of products competing after new producer countries that did not participate in the previous competition have now placed their trust in us. These are primarily Kirghizistan, Lithuania, Cape Verde and Ukraine. It was also important to lend greater clarity and differentiation to the spirits categories competing, so we therefore increased their number by most notably adding Mahua, Fenni from India as well as cocuy from Venezuela, which were particularly active this year.”
I am also proud to announce that we are broadening the range of products competing
China, as the host country, has galvanised its industry into action and ranks first for the number of entries this year. Next come France and its overseas departments, Italy, Brazil and Mexico. A total 2,755 entries from 62 countries (versus 53 last year) will be blind tasted by our professional judges from 3 to 5 September 2024.
An intensive training programme was held this summer for the Chinese judges taking part in Spirits Selection by CMB 2024, aimed at honing their knowledge of spirits from across the globe. A Baijiu Academy was also introduced to turn our international judges into genuine experts and ambassadors of the iconic Chinese spirit.
About our 2024 host, Renhuai
The city of Renhuai is located in the north-west of the province of Guizhou in China and boasts a long-standing, rich history and culture. The city’s foundation dates back over 900 years, during the third year of the Daguan period under the Northern Song Dynasty (around 1109 AD). Its name translates poetically to “benevolence for the world and reconciliation for border dwellers”.
In 2004, Renhuai was designated ‘Baijiu City of China’ and in 2021 was recognised as the main producer region of sauce aroma baijiu. In 2022, its economic production reached 170.67 billion yuan (21.86 billion euros), ranking 12th among the 100 leading counties and cities in China. As the birthplace of the famous sauce aroma baijiu in China, Renhuai has a well-established history of wines and spirits, some of which date back as far as 3,000 years. Under the Han dynasty, it garnered a reputation for the excellence of its local spirit infused with goji berries (Lycium chinense), described by the Emperor of the Wu period as “mild, pure and beautiful”.
Renhuai is the leading producer region for sauce aroma baijiu in China, and therefore the world. The number of production facilities is impressive at over 1,000, all of them located within a region totalling some 1,800 km2. Needless to say, this industry plays a very significant role in the area’s economic development. The region has recently invested heavily in protecting and codifying baijiu in a bid to extend its local reach, and more importantly its international footprint. The aim is also to promote its products as the only ones of their kind in order to secure a geographical indication (GI) for their sauce aroma baijius that are globally recognised. New specifications were also introduced in 2024 to ensure the highest level of production regulations.
About the competition
Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an international, touring competition where spirits from across the globe are entered by producers to be blind tasted by a panel of experts. Our experienced judges come from around the world to taste the competing spirits with a single goal in mind, and that is to select products showing irreproachable quality with no bias stemming from a label or a category’s prestige. With just 30% of entries awarded a medal, Spirits Selection is one of the most rigorous events of this kind.
