Today marks the start of the Sweet & Fortified Wines Session of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles | CMB, which runs until 11 October. 35 international judges from nearly 20 different nationalities will blind-taste 417 sweet and fortified wines from almost 30 countries. This record level of participation confirms Thuir’s role as a crossroads of Mediterranean winemaking heritage.
At the Heart of the Home of Vins Doux Naturels
Organised in partnership with the Institut Régional de Sommellerie Sud de France Occitanie and the Caves Byrrh, the Session takes place in the Aspres region of Roussillon, the birthplace of great vins doux naturels such as Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru, Maury, Rivesaltes and Muscat de Rivesaltes. Giving these exceptional wines an international showcase in their home terroir makes perfect sense.
A Venue Worthy of the Event
Backed by the Communauté de Communes des Aspres, the Institut Régional de Sommellerie Sud de France Occitanie is a leading training centre for sommellerie and viticulture. With a mixology bar, a sensory analysis laboratory, a teaching kitchen and a panoramic rooftop overlooking the vineyards, the setting is every bit as impressive as the tastings.
An Immersion Signed Byrrh
Between the vineyards, the Mediterranean beaches, the trails of the Canigou and one of the most beautiful villages in France, the judges will also discover the legendary Caves Byrrh, home to the largest oak foudre in the world (1.2 million litres). In partnership with the Caves Byrrh, the Institut offers stays combining vineyard visits, exclusive tastings and training courses: an immersive experience the judges will enjoy to the fullest during their stay.
“The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is much more than a competition. With this initiative, we are strengthening the ties between the great fortified wine appellations and showcasing a unique shared heritage, in order to give it back its rightful place among new generations,” says Baudouin Havaux, President of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
About the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Founded in 1994, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) is a leading international competition, recognised for its rigorous standards and its commitment to identifying the best wines and spirits in the world. With several Sessions and Selections held each year, it evaluates more than 15,000 samples. An exclusively professional panel ensures blind tastings focused on quality.
