Host 2026: Thuir (Roussillon, France)
An international gathering in the heart of the cradle of natural sweet wines
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) is pleased to announce that its prestigious Sweet and Fortified Wines Session will take place from 9 to 11 October 2026 at the Regional Institute of Sommellerie in Thuir, in the Aspres area of Roussillon. This major event will celebrate a unique style of wine, heir to a centuries-old tradition, and will be a landmark moment for the town and the entire region
From 9 to 11 October 2026
CMB Sweet & Fortified Wines 2026
Organised in partnership with the Regional Institute of Sommellerie Sud de France and the Caves Byrrh, this session will bring together experts and professional tasters from around the world to evaluate, through blind tastings, the best sweet and fortified wines on the international scene.
The choice of Aspres to host the Sweet and Fortified Wines Session of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles was an obvious one: the region is, in fact, the birthplace of the great natural sweet wines of Roussillon, such as Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru, Maury, Rivesaltes and Muscat de Rivesaltes. Offering these exceptional wines an international showcase in their terroir of origin makes perfect sense.
The Regional Institute of Sommellerie Sud de France – a unique venue
Driven by the Aspres Community of Communes, the Regional Institute of Sommellerie Sud de France has become a benchmark training centre in the fields of sommellerie and viticulture. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities – a mixology bar, sensory analysis laboratory, teaching kitchen and a panoramic rooftop overlooking the Aspres vineyards – the Institute’s mission is to train professionals in the wine sector, both in France and abroad, whether they are already working in the industry or just starting out, and to share this knowledge with wine enthusiasts from all over the world.
« Hosting the Sweet and Fortified Wines Session of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2026 is a great honour for us. It fulfils our mission to promote the emblematic wine heritage of our terroirs while contributing to the training and transmission of wine knowledge worldwide. This event will also be an exceptional showcase for our Aspres region, a true treasure of southern France. ».
- Nicole Gonzalez, Présidente de l’Institut Régional de Sommellerie Sud de France.
Showcasing a unique heritage
Baudouin Havaux, President of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, underlines the importance of preserving not only the tradition of production but also of tasting sweet and fortified wines:
“The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is much more than a competition. With this initiative, we strengthen the ties between the great appellations of fortified wines and give renewed prominence to a unique common heritage so that it can win over new generations. This Session also aims to support and rediscover these exceptional wines, whose renown has waned but which continue to embody an unrivalled tradition and know-how.”
crédible et tournée vers l’ave