In late May, Yerevan vibrated to the rhythm of the world’s finest wines. After three days of blind tasting, the results of the Red and White Wines Session of the 33rd edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles | CMB are now officially known. Nearly 6,700 wines from 50 countries were assessed by our international jury.
Two International Revelations and a series of country-specific distinctions
The International Red Wine Revelation 2026 went to Koh-I-Noor Merlot 2018 by Wunderlich Borászati (Villány, Hungary), Grand Gold Medal. A consecration for Villány, the historic capital of Hungarian red wines and one of the world’s emerging benchmarks for fine reds.
The International White Wine Revelation 2026 went to a wine that defied expectations: Vin Pelicular Ialoveni Armonios Reserva White 1994 by Vinăria Ialoveni (Codru, Moldova), Grand Gold Medal. A 31-year-old white that demonstrated extraordinary aging potential and confirmed Moldova’s status as an emerging European wine power.
he Non-Alcoholic Wines Revelation 2026 went to New Emotional Wine 0% Blanc by La Vigneronne (Vaud, Switzerland), a landmark distinction for a rapidly growing segment.
Country-specific Revelations crowned producers from France (Nolandra 2017, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vignobles Famille Quiot), Italy (René 2017 from Feudo Disisa, Sicily), Spain (Viern 2015 from Celler Vega Aixalà, Catalonia), Portugal (D. Graça Tinto Grande Reserva Vinhas Antigas 2021 from Vinilourenço, Douro Superior), Greece (Diaporos Kir-Yianni 2020, Macedonia), South Africa (Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Stellenbosch) and Armenia (Noa Red Reserve 2021 from NOA of Areni, host country).
France leads the rankings with 24 Grand Gold Medals
France confirms its supremacy with 1,183 wines submitted and 402 medals (24 Grand Gold Medals, 173 Gold, 205 Silver), the largest medal count of any nation. Bordeaux dominates the French palmares with 167 medals and nearly half of the country’s Grand Gold Medals, including Château Pipeau (Saint-Émilion Grand Cru), Château De Carles (Fronsac) and Château Poujeaux (Moulis). The Languedoc-Roussillon follows with 108 medals and four Grand Gold Medals.. The French Revelation goes to a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Nolandra 2017 from Vignobles Famille Quiot.
Italy, Portugal and Spain: the Latin trio confirms its standing
Italy is one of largest contingents of the Session with 1,098 wines submitted and 324 medals (13 Grand Gold, 118 Gold, 193 Silver). The Italian palmares draws a complete map of the peninsula, with Veneto, Sicily, Piedmont, Tuscany, Friuli and Puglia all represented in the highest distinctions.
Portugal delivers the most striking qualitative performance among the major producing nations with 789 wines submitted and 311 medals (23 Grand Gold Medals) and a success rate of 39.4%, the highest of the large producing nations. Quinta Da Lapa alone collected four Grand Gold Medals, making it the most distinguished individual estate of the Session across all nations.
Spain completes the Latin trio with 275 medals (12 Grand Gold Medals), led by Castilla y León (65 Medals) and La Rioja (46 Medals).
Germany, South Africa and Switzerland confirm their quality credentials
- Germany posts the highest success rate of any significantly represented country at 57.7%, with 15 Medals on 26 wines, led by two Grand Gold Medals for Riesling (Weingut BeckerLandgraf in Rheinhessen and PLOB GmbH in Mosel-Saar-Ruwer)
- South Africa achieved a nice 48.2% success rate with 41 Medals, crowned by a Revelation from Stellenbosch.
- Switzerland matched at 42% (60 Medals), led by the Valais.
High-quality champions and emerging markets
- Moldova confirms its emergence with a 52.4% success rate (66 Medals on 126 wines), the highest of all countries with more than 100 wines presented.
- Among the larger emerging markets, Mexico (108 Medals), China (86 Medals) and Romania (65 Medals) confirm the geographic roadening of the international wine landscape.
Armenia, the host country of the 33rd edition, signed a fine palmares with 122 wines submitted and 31 medals (2 Grand Gold Medals), including the Armenia Revelation for Noa Red Reserve 2021, made from the autochthonous Areni grape, cultivated in the Vayots Dzor valley for several millennia.
NEW // CMB MERIT
Beyond the 2,047 medals, the 2026 Red and White Wines Session also distinguished 2,559 additional wines with the CMB MERIT label, delivered to wines scoring at least 86/100 without securing a medal.You can find the full list of awarded wines and CMB MERIT on https://results.concoursmondial.com/en/results
A truly global tasting
From Villány to the Codru, from Bordeaux to Stellenbosch, from Sicily to the Douro Superior, the 2026 Red and White Wines Session brought together producers from 50 countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. With Yerevan, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles confirms its position as the world’s most travelled international wine competition, bringing the global wine community to a country considered one of the historical cradles of viticulture itself.
About the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles | CMB
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is a prestigious international wine competition receiving more than 15,000 entries each year across its Sessions and competitions. Its exclusively professional tasters evaluate wines blind with a single objective: to select those of the highest quality, without any prejudice based on the reputation of the label or the appellation. The CMB began in 1994 and is today recognised worldwide as one of the most prominent events of its kind.
More than just a competition, the CMB also provides each participant with concrete marketing tools to better showcase their wines and communicate more effectively. It also develops the CMB Experience network, comprising wine bars, restaurants and retailers across the world offering a selection of award-winning wines, creating international visibility and unique opportunities to introduce these wines to consumers worldwide.
