The 31st Edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles begins in Guanajuato
Press Release
Guanajuato, June 7, 2024
¡Vamos! The first bottles are served, and the blind tastings of the Red and White Wines Session of the 31st Concours Mondial de Bruxelles can now begin. This June 7th marks a historic moment for the CMB, as it ventures for the first time in its history to the American continent, in the city of Leon, in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico. Over the next 3 days, no less than 7,500 red and white wines from 42 countries will be blind tasted by 350 professional tasters from 45 different nationalities.
Those in the know understand that it’s no coincidence that Mexico was chosen for the first American edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. In 2017, the CMB launched a national competition dedicated to wines and spirits, the México Selection by CMB. Since then, this event has continued to grow, attracting more and more samples each year. In parallel, a “CMB Experience” was created in Mexico City, with the opening of the first Wine Bar by CMB in the heart of the city and the Wine Corner by CMB at Mexico City International Airport (in partnership with United Airlines). These two prestigious tasting venues are exclusively dedicated to products that have won medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
The 31st Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is organized under the auspices of the Semana del Vino (June 4-9). Baudouin Havaux, president of the CMB, could not hide his emotion when he spoke:
“The CMB aims to be an indicator of market trends, and we identified the full potential of Mexico when we decided to invest here a few years ago. The rapid evolution of its wine scene shows that we were right, which is a source of real pride. Today, the country has a wide spectrum of grape varieties and hundreds of quality producers who stand out internationally and notably at the CMB. From the wine expert to the curious amateur, it is undeniable that Mexican wines deserve everyone’s attention! In Guanajuato, more than ever, wine is an integral part of tourism, and the competition will introduce its 350 judges from around the world to the assets of a wine region that combines magnificent landscapes, gastronomy, and quality wines. These judges will undoubtedly become the new ambassadors of a region that is truly worth visiting!“
Carlos Borboa Suárez, director for Latin America & North America of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, adds: “It’s a great pride to coordinate the organization of one of the most important wine competitions at an international level, here in Mexico. It’s a great achievement for Guanajuato and for all of Mexico, which also reaffirms the place they have today in the highest sphere of the wine world!“
Diego Sinhué Rodríguez, governor of Guanajuato, is delighted:
“Guanajuato Wine Week 2024 and the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles will turn our beloved City of León into the world capital of wine.“
“An extraordinary opportunity to project the rich historical and cultural heritage of Guanajuato and the magnificent quality of Guanajuato wines that has been recognized globally, with more than 350 medals in national and international competitions.“
“We are sure that all visitors and participants of the CMB will experience great stories in Guanajuato!”
Guanajuato, land of long winemaking tradition.
Guanajuato boasts a rich winemaking heritage that dates back to the Colonial era. The Spanish conquerors and missionaries introduced the first European vines, which were planted from the current location of Mexico City to the north, passing through Guanajuato.
The region’s unique agroclimatic conditions contributed to the distinct character of its wines, which today are primarily produced in the municipalities of Dolores Hidalgo, San Miguel de Allende, San Felipe, San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato, Leon, Salvatierra, Comonfort, and San Diego de la Union.
Dolores Hidalgo, a city located in the “Valle de la Independencia,” is home to one of the two wine museums in the country. The Guanajuato’s Wine Museum showcases the history and winemaking process of the region. Furthermore, Guanajuato has hosted several significant international wine-related events, such as the México Selection by CMB in 2017 and 2021, and the Harvest Festival in Guanajuato Tierra de Vinos, every year. As a result, the region has become one of the primary destinations in the wine segment in all Mexico and North America.
Guanajuato, located in the heart of Mexico, is a state with a rich cultural, historical, and architectural heritage that attracts millions of visitors every year. It boasts two World Heritage Cities, Guanajuato capital and San Miguel de Allende, as well as six Magic Towns – Dolores Hidalgo, Salvatierra, Jalpa de Canovas, Yuriria, Mineral de Pozos, and Comonfort. Additionally, there are five archaeological zones in the state that are considered as ceremonial centers of Mesoamerican cultures – Cañada de la Virgen, El Coporo, Arroyo Seco, Peralta, and Plazuelas. With such a diverse array of attractions, Guanajuato is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in immersing themselves in Mexican history and culture.
About the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is a prestigious international wine competition that receives more than 15,000 entries annually. Its exclusively professional tasters evaluate the wines blindly with a single goal: to select those of the highest quality, without any prejudice based on the reputation of the label or appellation. The competition, which began in 1994, is recognized worldwide as one of the best events in its category.
The results of the Concours will be published on www.concoursmondial.com on 19th June.
You can find photos of the competition in our Flickr album.
Press contact:
Benoît Carion
benoit.carion@vinopres.com
