From 18 to 20 April, a record 1,285 Sauvignon wines from across the globe competed for the highly coveted medals awarded by the 15th Sauvignon Selection by CMB (formerly known as the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon). The 56 international judges awarded wines from 27 countries. Austria undeniably consolidated its ranking as one of the world’s finest producers of the varietal, whilst France, Italy and South Africa also came away with a slew of the prestigious medals.
View the Revelation award-winners here: https://results.sauvignonselection.com/en/results
View all the results here: https://results.sauvignonselection.com/en/results/2024
Austria triumphs
Austria’s Steiermark region or Styria, which hosted the competition this year, is making no secret of its ambitions to produce the finest Sauvignon blancs in the world and the proof is in the figures, and the tastings. A staggering 42% (161) of Austrian wines entered came away with an accolade after being blind tasted by the professional panels. The finest Sauvignon in the competition – Muster.Gamlitz Sauvignon Blanc Grubthal 2020 – comes from Southern Styria. The superlative bottling, with its elegance, length and complexity along with beautiful pineapple notes, convinced the judges.
Austria also garnered 2 other Revelation awards:
- Sweet Revelation: Frauwallner Essenz Sauvignon Blanc Ried Stradener Rosenberg 2017 by Weingut Frauwallner.
- The Tonnellerie Sylvain Trophy awards the finest wine matured in oak barrels: Schmölzer Sauvignon Blanc Kitzeck-Sausal Privat 2019 by Weingut Schmölzer.
South Africa consolidates its reputation
The rainbow nation once again demonstrated that it produces high-end Sauvignon wines by winning 25 medals, including two Grand Golds. The trophy for the finest South African wine went to Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2017 by Delaire Graff Estate.
The top French wine regions maintain their position
France, which consistently provides a richly-woven tapestry of Sauvignon characters, invariably scores highly in the competition.
For the Loire:
– The International Trophy for the Best Blend was awarded to a Cheverny wine by Domaine du Salvard Vieilles Vignes 2023 (Sauvignon-Chardonnay).
– First-time competition entrants Isabelle and Elise Balland and their Domaine Jean-Paul Balland – Grande Cuvée Sancerre 2023 came away with the Revelation Award for France.
– Pouilly-Fumé also showed well with a Grand Gold medal awarded to the 2023 vintage by Domaine Treuillet.
The 2022 vintage of Touraine Chenonceaux fully delivered on its promise, winning 4 Gold medals and 6 Silver.
Farther South, Bordeaux and its appellations posted a slight increase in awards this year with 24 medals. A 2020 Pessac-Léognan by Château Baret stood out in particular, winning a Grand Gold medal.
Italy flexes its muscles, Spain stays on track
In Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige took the limelight with the Revelation Trophy for Italy awarded to the 2022 Wasserhof Sauvignon. Over 33% of wines entered by the Italian wine region won medals, confirming the quality of its wines.
Spain maintained its position with 11 medals, including 5 Gold and one Grand Gold which was awarded to the 2021 Inurrieta Orchidea Sauvignon blanc by Bodega Inurrieta in Navarre.
About the competition
Sauvignon Selection by CMB (formerly Concours Mondial du Sauvignon) is currently the largest competition in the world for Sauvignon blanc wines. Established in Bordeaux in 2010, Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, now called Sauvignon Selection by CMB, has rapidly become the flagship event for Sauvignon blanc. What makes the event unique is that it is held in a different region every year. The competition has already travelled to seven different regions in France, as well as Italy, Austria, Spain and Portugal. Last year, Sauvignon Selection by CMB travelled outside Europe for the first time, and was held in South Africa. It returned to Austria this year, six years after being hosted by Styria in 2018.
