Istria poised to host the 30th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Press Release
Zagreb, 12 April 2023
The count-down is on for the most prestigious international wine competition, which takes place from 11 to 15 May 2023 in Poreč, Croatia.
Thousands of wine samples from 50 countries will be evaluated over three days, from 12 to 14 May 2023, by 350 judges from around the world. In Poreč, everything is ready to host the world’s largest wine competition, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, which has the greatest influence on the global wine scene. The announcement was made at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb where the programme for this highly valued wine event was presented.
The competition was first organized in 1994, and since 2006 it has changed its location every year. So far, it has been held in 15 famous wine regions, including Aigle in Switzerland, Brno in the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Calabria in Italy, where Istria’s host status was officially announced last year, and thus our small wine region found itself in select company.
“World-renowned organizers of globally recognized events are choosing Croatian destinations more often, which is one of the reasons Croatia has found itself amongst a select group of 15 countries that have had the pleasure of hosting this particular wine competition since 2006. I am sure that we will all benefit from this and know how to further use this opportunity to promote tourism, as well as the development of Croatia’s wine industry, which has proven to be of higher quality and received greater recognition over the years amongst wine connoisseurs. Also, modern travellers are looking for authentic and unique experiences when visiting tourist destinations, while learning about and consuming local and traditional wines and cuisine, offering visitors a special experience. Croatia has a long tradition of winemaking, which encapsulates the identity and culture of each region, both along the coast and throughout the country’s inland areas”, stated Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, adding how this is also an excellent opportunity for Croatian winemakers to present themselves in the best possible light, showcasing their work and quality wines to an international audience.
The Croatian wine scene deserves full attention
“We are delighted, and proud, to be holding our 30th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Istria. The competition aims to be an indicator of trends in the marketplace and Croatia is very much an up-and-coming wine destination with a rich history dating back to Antiquity. Today, the country boasts an extensive range of native grape varieties such as Malvasia and this authenticity is something present-day consumers are increasingly looking for. From the wine expert through to the inquisitive enthusiast, Croatia’s wine scene certainly deserves everyone’s full attention! Since we began working with Croatia, we have been struck by the significance of families and the authenticity of vineyards that are at one with their natural surroundings. Here, more than ever, wine is an integral part of tourism and the Concours will be introducing its 350 judges from around the world to the highlights of a wine region which combines magnificent scenery, gourmet delicacies and quality wines. Those judges will most certainly become the new ambassadors of a region which is definitely worth a visit! By partnering with Croatia, Istria and the town of Poreč, we have the good fortune of working with committed, passionate partners. The people we have met here are devoted, competent professionals who share our commitment to excellence and quality”, Baudouin Havaux, President of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, stated.
Great recognition for Istria
Istria County Prefect, Boris Miletić, said that hosting the most prestigious wine competition in the world, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, is an exceptional honour.
“This is great recognition for Istria, a small wine region that was selected last year amongst tough competition and beat much larger wine regions. This is also confirmation that we have chosen the right strategy in Istria with a focus on top quality, and our autochthonous varieties, primarily Malvasia and Teran, have become the best-known symbols of the Istrian peninsula, an extremely valued brand in the global market”, said the Istrian Prefect. The Director of the Istrian Tourist Board, Denis Ivošević, added that today Istrian wineries and oil mills are tourist attractions, and small museums of gastronomy in their own right.
The Mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić, said that the wine competition, which will be held in Poreč’s Žatika hall a week after Vinistra, is confirmation that Poreč has become a wine city. According to Nenad Velenik, Director of the city’s tourist board, Poreč is expecting a great pre-season which may even reach an all-time high.
Huge promotion for Istria and Croatia
“We are proud that Istria will be the heart of Europe when the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is held, and I believe that it will create a great promotional wine and tourism story for Croatia. Plava Laguna is happy to have the opportunity to be a part of this great story. At Plava Laguna, we are guided by a six-star attitude where each of our guests is a VIP guest. We believe that our six-star attitude will delight guests who come to this prestigious wine competition and that it will be a good prelude to the wine story that Poreč and Vinistra have been telling for years”, stated Emil Perdec, Food and Beverage manager of Plava Laguna, a well-known Poreč hotel company, and a long-term partner of Vinistra.
The President of Vinistra, Luka Rossi, pointed out that among the 350 judges, ten percent are sommeliers, 12 percent are wine merchants and distributors, 18 percent are winemakers, while 60 percent are journalists specialising in wine and gastronomy who will write about their impressions in the relevant world media after visiting Istria.
“By hosting the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Istria has positioned itself on the world wine map and further strengthened its position at European and international level. This prestigious global competition directly affects the tourism, economic and wine sectors due to its global importance, and the region where it is held gains marketing visibility on a global level. We have prepared attractive excursions with visits to Istrian wineries for our guests, and I am sure that they will enjoy everything they will see and experience”, said Rossi.
Vinistra’s role as the host at the presentation of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Zagreb was supported by the representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture Tugomir Majdak. The ambassadors of this illustrious wine competition were also presented. Thus, the Swiss Pierre Thomas, the Brazilian UK-based Luma Monteiro, the Spaniard Alejandro López Facorro Paadin, the German Thomas Brandl and the Italian Luigi Salvo will convey their impressions of Istria and Croatia in their respective home regions.
Press contact: Charles Piron // charles.piron@vinopres.com
