Last weekend, Constanța hosted the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles – Rosé Wine Session, bringing together over 1,250 rosé wines from 34 countries to be evaluated by 11 international tasting panels, each composed of 5 to 6 expert judges. Nearly 70 wine professionals from around the world took part in this prestigious event.
Two records were set during this edition:
- The highest number of rosé wine samples ever registered in the competition’s history – 50 more than last year.
- And most notably for us, Romania submitted 140 samples, more than triple the entries from previous years.
What are the benefits of such a competition for Romanian wine?
First and foremost, visibility. Many of the judges are journalists, wine communicators, or influencers with a strong presence in international media and on social platforms. When we talk about visibility, it’s not just about the wine itself – it’s also about the gastronomy, location, and cultural experience that surround it.
This kind of exposure benefits not only winemakers but also local tourism, especially oenotourism, which deserves a prominent place in the offers of Romanian travel operators. Wine brings people together – it opens conversations and creates memorable experiences.
Secondly, many of the judges are buyers for large distribution networks, specialized wine stores, and import-export companies. Hosting such an event is an excellent opportunity for Romanian producers to build commercial relationships.
For the Romanian winemaker, a medal from CMB is more than a trophy – it’s a gateway to international trade fairs, often presented in dedicated pavilions under the CMB banner. It also opens doors to new markets, especially since CMB has launched wine bars in Mexico City and Seoul, exclusively featuring medal-winning wines – locations chosen for their market potential and wine-savvy consumers.
So, if you’re wondering whether it’s worth submitting samples to this competition or which wine contest to choose – consider all these benefits.
We now eagerly await the results to be published on April 7, to see how Romanian wines performed in this international arena.
Tasting Highlights & Regional Standouts
As a proud member of Tasting Panel No. 2, which sampled over 120 wines in three days, I can say that France still leads the global rosé scene. Our series featured wines from:
- Provence (x2)
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Corsica
- Loire Valley
These regions reaffirmed their dominance in terms of balance, aromatic precision, and stylistic elegance.
I was pleasantly surprised by Abruzzo, confirming that Italy is catching up fast with seductive rosé styles close in profile to their French counterparts. Portugal was also impressively represented, with many high-quality entries, and Spain showed noticeable improvement with consistently strong wines.
As for Romania, 2024 was not a standout year for rosé production – a sentiment echoed by the wines from Austria and Hungary, which also seemed to face challenges this vintage.
Being surrounded by jury colleagues with diverse professional backgrounds – from retail and hospitality to education, journalism, and marketing – makes each discussion an opportunity for continuous learning and fresh insights into the world of wine.
Beyond the Tasting – Discovering Dobrogea
In addition to the competition itself, we enjoyed unforgettable winery visits and culinary experiences across the Dobrogea region. Each stop added depth to our understanding of the terroir and local winemaking philosophy:
- Domeniul Bogdan – Biodynamic excellence and a holistic approach to viticulture.
- Alira Winery – Boutique wines with strong character from the hills of Dobrogea.
- Murfatlar – One of Romania’s most iconic wine brands, where we also enjoyed a festive dinner at New Punct Turistic Murfatlar, complete with traditional music and dancing.
In the evenings, we explored local cuisine in emblematic venues:
- Crazy Social House – a creative and relaxed space showcasing Dobrogea flavors with a modern twist.
- Golful Pescarilor – a charming seaside restaurant offering fresh fish and seafood, perfectly paired with local wines.
These experiences were made possible thanks to the generous support of:
- Jidvei Group
- Navigo
- Vintruvian Estate, which includes:
We were warmly hosted at Hotel Malibu, located right by the sea – the views and hospitality were truly exceptional.
Just before the gala dinner, we enjoyed a lunch hosted by the Transylvania region, offering us a taste of outstanding wines from:
The gala dinner on the final evening was held at the breathtaking Crama Rasova, overlooking the Danube and closing this incredible edition on a high note – with music, celebration, and of course rose.
1250 wines, dozens of friendships, and one unforgettable experience.
Constanța has once again proven that it’s not just a summer destination – it’s a rising hub for wine, hospitality, and international recognition.
Photo credit: Geo Curnic themoment.ro
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