Rosé Wines: The CMB opens its first Session of the year in Constanța, Romania
For the first time in the history of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a Session is taking place in Romania, specifically in the city of Constanța. In addition to this novelty, the CMB also breaks a record for the number of samples registered for the second consecutive year, confirming its status as a leading platform for wine competitions during a challenging time for the wine industry as a whole. From March 28 to 30, over 58 international tasters will blind-taste more than 1,250 rosé wines from 34 countries. The Rosé Wines Session will also highlight the wine heritage of the Dobrogea region and offer jurors an immersive experience filled with tastings, conferences, visits, and enriching meetings.
A New Record
With 34 countries participating – two more than the previous year – the competition remains dominated by major wine-producing nations such as France (370), Italy (217), Spain (170), and Portugal (109), which together account for 72% of the samples submitted. Provence (142), in particular, confirms its position as the leader in the rosé market with a massive participation. Driven by the exceptional enthusiasm generated by the organization of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles on its home soil, Romania set a record by tripling the number of samples submitted, increasing from 48 last year to 144 this year. Notably, new countries such as India, Canada, Colombia, Poland, Andorra, the Russian Federation, Kosovo, and Peru are making their first appearance, demonstrating the growing international reach of the competition.
The Rosé Boom in Romania: Between Tradition and Modernity
In Romania, rosé wine is experiencing remarkable growth, representing 20% of total wine consumption in 2023, although its production remains limited to 7% of the national volume. This trend is explained by changing consumer preferences, drawn to the freshness and versatility of rosé, as well as the commitment of producers to make it a true lifestyle. Historically dominated by white wines (65% of production) and red wines (28%), Romanian viticulture is gradually seeing rosé emerge as a key category.
Wine Tourism in Dobrogea: Between wines and landscapes
Dobrogea attracts visitors from around the world thanks to its rich winemaking tradition and exceptional landscapes. The Danube Delta, one of the largest natural reserves in the world, and the seaside resorts are major attractions. Wine tourism, in particular, represents a key market for local wines, including white, rosé, and sparkling wines. These wines benefit from strong demand, supported by the rise of wine bars, restaurants, and hotels, which contribute to promoting the region as a top wine tourism destination.
An influential and international Jury
The competition brings together a prestigious jury composed exclusively of professionals from the sector: journalists, oenologists, buyers, and trainers from 19 nationalities. Their expertise and influence ensure significant impact on the participating wines, offering winners unique visibility and recognition in international markets. To maintain the high standards that have made the competition famous, the percentage of medals awarded is strictly limited.
A competition and so much more
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles continuously extends its influence across Europe to open new opportunities for wines awarded at its competitions. In Portugal, the Continente supermarket chain promotes award-winning wines with dedicated signage. In Italy, Pam Panorama highlights medal-winning wines in its 150 stores. In Belgium, collaborations with Delhaize and Carrefour increase the visibility of award-winning wines, particularly through their promotion in flyers.
In this dynamic, the CMB continues to develop its strategic partnerships, and it is now CAVAVIN that has turned to the CMB to select the best international wines to enrich its wine shop offerings. This partnership represents an additional guarantee of quality for customers and a unique opportunity for medal-winning producers, especially during the 2025 Rosé Wine Session.
About the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is a renowned international competition that takes place in multiple sessions, including the Rosé Wine Session. Each year, over 10,000 wines are submitted by producers from around the world to be tasted and evaluated by a panel of experts. Their mission is to distinguish wines of impeccable quality, without prejudice to labels or appellation prestige. The CMB is now one of the largest international events of its kind.
Pictures of the competition: https://flickr.com/photos/concoursmondial/albums/72177720324712931
Press contact:
Anne de Bidlot Thorn
anne.debidlot@vinopres.com
