Since 2014, when I first took part, this competition has been, for me, the definition of consistency. Almost ritual-like, year after year, we would meet in the same place: the hotel at Borsigturm, near Lake Tegel, in a part of Berlin that felt almost provincial—quiet, calm, far removed from the city’s intensity. It was more than just a location. It was a familiar rhythm, a routine, a family. The family remained. But in 2026, for the first time, the setting changed.

The move to Alexanderplatz felt like a subtle disruption to a long-standing tradition. From a nearly contemplative area, we suddenly found ourselves in the heart of the city, within walking distance of Berlin’s major landmarks. A larger hotel, a more generous tasting space, more movement, more energy. We gathered again, but on that first evening we missed the instinct of familiar places. It took time to recalibrate, to find our rhythm again—including one of the most cherished rituals: sharing the wines we each bring from home, among colleagues, friends, and, ultimately, this extended family that defines the BWT jury. Then the four days of judging began.

This year again, I served as team leader for one of the panels—a role I’m well acquainted with, yet one that consistently demands precision and discipline. Beyond the logistics—verifying samples, aligning bottles with the system, ensuring each wine is assessed—the role requires a constant exercise in objectivity. At Berliner Wine Trophy, preference is irrelevant; only quality matters. A wine must be evaluated for what it is, not for whether it aligns with personal taste. Even when it doesn’t.

The overall quality this year made that easier. Faults were notably rare—arguably the lowest I’ve encountered across editions. Each day, around 50 wines guided us through a diverse European landscape and beyond, offering a shared, focused tasting experience within the panel.

Across the four days, several wines stood out at Grand Gold level—wines of precision, balance and clear regional identity. Among them: a German Spätburgunder, a refined Grauburgunder–Weissburgunder blend, a 2019 Champagne, two Argentine Malbecs (2023 and 2017), a Chilean Cabernet–Carmenère blend and a Portuguese Touriga Nacional from 2019. Notably, none were sweet or fortified—categories that often impress immediately. Instead, these were dry wines, defined by structure, complexity and a strong sense of origin.

A particularly compelling flight was formed by the Romanian wines—dry whites. Out of 17 samples, one was returned due to cork taint and replaced with a second bottle, which was ultimately assessed by another panel. The remaining wines performed with confidence: 3 Silver Medals, and all others Gold. Fetească varieties showed clarity, balance and expressive character, while a Tămâioasă Românească came remarkably close to Grand Gold level. Careful not to appear biased, I found that my fellow judges were, in fact, even more generous in their scoring—an encouraging signal that Romania’s indigenous varieties are gaining well-deserved recognition and should sit at the core of a coherent promotion strategy.

On a broader level, the 2024 vintage in Europe appears challenging. The impact of climate change is increasingly visible: wines remain correct and typologically accurate, yet occasionally with a more restrained aromatic profile. In contrast, early impressions from 2025 suggest greater freshness and accessibility. Another notable shift: fewer rosé wines than in previous years—perhaps a sign of a softening trend—alongside a strong presence of Pinot Noir in multiple expressions. The direction seems clear: a growing preference for lighter, fruit-driven reds, with minimal oak influence.

Beyond the competition itself, the experience was enhanced by something simple: the weather. Warm temperatures allowed us to begin with a beer on a terrace just next to the hotel—one of the small but meaningful advantages of the new location. And the real surprise came on a Tuesday evening, when, without expectations, we discovered live music and found ourselves in one of the most memorable moments of this edition.

Because, in the end, Berliner Wine Trophy is not just about wine. It is about people, encounters, shared experiences—and that rare sense that, wherever it moves, the family remains the same. And sometimes, change simply confirms it.

Whenever things do not go as they should, the search for someone to blame begins. Producers did not mobilize in time. Authorities delayed procedures. Tenders were launched too late. Budgets are annual. Deadlines are strict. Each argument contains a measure of truth. And yet, if we look more closely, the problem is never purely administrative. The real issue is that we fail to function together.

Export is not an exercise in individual pride, nor is it a short sprint. It is a long-term construction. It requires consistency, trust, and collective accountability. Instead, in our sector, there is always someone convinced they can do better alone than through an associative structure. Perhaps the intentions are good. Perhaps the energy is genuine. But representing an entire industry cannot be done individually, under a private company, no matter how well intended the effort may be.

Romanian wine is not an isolated product. It is the image of a country. And an image cannot be renegotiated from one year to the next, depending on budgets or egos.

In 2017, at Vinexpo Bordeaux, Romania left behind an unpaid invoice and a bitter aftertaste. At the time, we said it was an accident, an unfortunate administrative decision, a lesson that would not be repeated. Nine years have passed. It is now 2026. We like to believe we have matured. And yet the vulnerabilities remain the same. Budgetary rigidity, public procurement procedures, fiscal constraints are invoked. All of them are real and well known. Precisely for that reason, they should be integrated into a stable, predictable mechanism. If the wine sector is considered strategic, then external promotion cannot depend on improvisation or fragile coordination between institutions and producers.

But the sector itself is not without responsibility. Associations are not sufficiently consolidated, producers struggle to formulate a coherent common strategy, and mutual trust remains limited. Individual agendas prevail, and the collective reputation ultimately pays the price.

At Wine Paris, a stand is not merely an exhibition space. It is a statement. It is our business card. In an industry where perception carries enormous weight, the way you present yourself determines whether you are seen as a serious partner or an accidental presence. From a fiscal standpoint, budget differences may not seem dramatic. From an image standpoint, however, they can be decisive.

The uncomfortable reality is that the Romanian wine sector is smaller than it appears and more vulnerable than we like to admit. Around it lies fierce competition, saturated markets, pressure on pricing and positioning. Without a shared strategy and coherent institutional support, each producer remains alone in a disproportionate battle.

The state rightly says it needs concrete proposals from the sector. The sector, equally justified, says it needs predictability and genuine support. Between these two expectations, time passes and opportunities are lost. This is not a matter of a single guilty party. It is a matter of collective maturity.

Romania’s representation at a fair such as Wine Paris cannot be left to chance, nor informally delegated to isolated initiatives, however well intentioned. A clear framework is needed, with transparent criteria and a mechanism that offers equal opportunities to both large and small producers. Political accountability is required, but so is internal cohesion. Otherwise, we will continue to repeat the same scenario: excitement before the fair, tension during organization, justifications afterward. And the image of Romanian wine will remain suspended between potential and reality.

Perhaps Wine Paris 2026 is not a failure, but another signal. A signal that we can no longer postpone the professionalization of our external representation. That we can no longer function in fragments. That we can no longer treat image as a detail. Because in the world of wine, image is the beginning of trust. And trust is hard to build and easy to lose.

The question is no longer who is to blame. The question is whether we will have the clarity to sit at the same table — producers, associations, authorities — and finally build something together.

Chris Howard speaks about this distinction with a clarity that makes you stop and reflect. There is a subtle but essential difference between thinking about wine and thinking with wine. In the first case, wine becomes an object. In the second, it becomes an experience. A pretext for paying closer attention to what you feel, what you perceive, what happens inside you. (“Rethinking wine means shifting from thinking about wine to thinking with wine.”)

Maybe that’s why conversations about wine can no longer be separated from the way we live and consume—especially in a context where the numbers tell one story, and the reality in the glass sometimes tells another.

Statistically, Romania produces around four million hectoliters of wine. It sounds impressive. But if we look more closely, we see that the volume of certified wine that actually reaches the market, according to ONVPV data, is under one million hectoliters per year. The gap between these figures says a lot about market fragmentation, self-consumption, wine that never enters commercial circulation, and how small the visible part of the industry truly is.

At the same time, shelves are filling up with imported wines. Italy, France, and Spain lead the way, joined increasingly by the Republic of Moldova. Correct, consistent wines—sometimes surprisingly affordable. Wines that ask little of the consumer and require little emotional involvement. You buy them, you drink them, you move on.

In this context, Romanian wine finds itself in a delicate position. It can no longer compete on price alone, yet it has not fully built a coherent narrative around identity, meaning, and distinction. And the consumer, caught between promotions and quick recommendations, often ends up choosing by reflex rather than conviction. Perhaps the real problem isn’t a lack of quality, but a lack of attention.

Because wine asks for time. It asks for stillness. It asks for the willingness to notice not only what’s in the glass, but what happens inside you as you drink it. What draws your attention. What moves you. What you rush to judge. What you miss.

Maybe this is where the idea of A Glass of Wine a Day truly begins: with the desire to slow down and become more conscious in our relationship with wine. Not as an automatic gesture, not as a daily checkbox, but as a moment of real attention. A glass that doesn’t demand haste, but presence. That doesn’t come with answers, but with questions.

Because when you start drinking wine this way, something changes. Not only in how you choose a bottle, but in how you relate to taste, to time, to value. And at that point, the difference between a Romanian wine and an imported one is no longer just a matter of price or origin, but of relationship.

Perhaps the future of wine doesn’t lie in bigger volumes or more aggressive promotions. Perhaps it lies in this return to attention. To the simple act of being present. To the courage to feel, not just to evaluate. And if there is one direction truly worth exploring in the years to come, maybe it is this: learning, once again, to drink wine as humans—not as algorithms.

Guadalajara – The Cultural Heartbeat of Jalisco

The journey begins in Guadalajara, a city where tradition and modernity dance in perfect harmony. With its baroque architecture, colorful markets, and the ever-present sound of mariachi, Guadalajara embodies Mexico’s generous soul.

Our first evening began with a welcome cocktail at the Governor’s Residence — a majestic colonial palace filled with cultural artifacts and murals narrating Jalisco’s history. In its vast inner courtyard, under the soft glow of lanterns, we were welcomed with local delicacies and our first sips of tequila — the ideal prologue to understanding this land of warmth and craftsmanship.

Valle del Tequila – A UNESCO Heritage of Spirit and Soil

An hour away from Guadalajara, the landscape opens into an amphitheater of bluish hills covered in agave. This is Paisaje Agavero y Valle del Tequila, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The town of Tequila, with its cobbled streets, colonial houses and historic distilleries, offers a complete immersion into the universe of Mexico’s national drink. Each distillery has its own story – some preserve traditional methods using stone ovens and tahona wheels pulled by mules, while others impress with contemporary technology and interactive tours.

The route includes the towns of Amatitán, El Arenal, Magdalena, Ahualulco de Mercado, Etzatlán and Teuchitlán, each with a distinct identity. In Teuchitlán lies the Guachimontones Archaeological Zone, a unique circular complex and proof of a pre-Hispanic civilization that first cultivated the agave plant.

Beyond tastings, the region offers authentic gastronomy in restaurants such as La Cueva de Don Cenobio and La Antigua Casona, and accommodation experiences in historical haciendas like Hacienda El Carmen and Solar de las Ánimas.

New tourism projects announced for 2026 – including the La Familia Rivera Trail in Teuchitlán and My Quetzal Trail in Amatitán – will further enrich the experience with themed tours, mixology, gastronomy and outdoor adventure.

Los Altos del Tequila – Where Tradition Meets Elegance

To the northeast, at altitudes above 1,500 meters, lies Los Altos de Jalisco – a region known for its elegant tequilas with floral aromas and a silky texture. The red, iron-rich soil and cooler climate define the distinct style of tequilas produced here, and locals proudly call it “the land with a soul.”

The Los Altos del Tequila Route crosses the towns of Arandas, Atotonilco el Alto, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Ayotlán, Acatic and San Ignacio Cerro Gordo – forming a triangle of distilleries, haciendas and charro traditions, Mexico’s national equestrian heritage.

Distillery tours such as Tequila Don Julio (Atotonilco el Alto), Campo Azul (Jesús María) and San Matías (Acatic) offer visitors a complete experience – from walking through agave fields to guided tastings and farm-to-table gastronomic pairings.

Culinary offerings here are equally refined, from Bramido and Casa Trujillo in Tepatitlán to La Regina 1904 in Arandas. The local cuisine blends terroir ingredients – corn, beans, beef and artisanal cheeses – with tequila or raicilla pairings, creating a contemporary reinterpretation of tradition.

Haciendas transformed into boutique hotels, such as Hacienda Vieja (Arandas) or Casa Naranjos (Tepatitlán), offer colonial charm and modern comfort, ideal for cultural and gastronomic tourism.

Raicilla – The Hidden Gem of Jalisco

Beyond tequila, Jalisco brings another spirit into the spotlight: Raicilla, a distillate with its own Denomination of Origin. Produced mainly in the coastal and mountain regions, Raicilla embodies a 300-year-old artisanal tradition.

Made from various species of agave, this handcrafted spirit combines ancestral methods – roasting the agave hearts in clay ovens, natural fermentation, and distillation in copper or clay stills. Raicilla has a surprising aromatic profile, with earthy, wild herb and tropical fruit notes, and a delicate mineral finish.

The recognition of its Denomination of Origin in 2019 has brought Raicilla international attention, while the Ruta de la Raicilla and Ruta Costalegre offer visitors the opportunity to discover the small producers who keep this ancient craft alive.

Puerto Vallarta – Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

The journey ends on the Pacific coast, in Puerto Vallarta, a destination that blends Mexican spirit with modern sophistication. The resort town is a meeting point between ocean, mountains and culture, offering a mix of fine dining, adventure tourism and authentic hospitality.

The beaches of Costalegre, from Chamela to Careyes, invite both relaxation and exploration – through fishing villages, nature reserves and beachfront bars where cocktails made with Tequila and Raicilla have become iconic.

A Journey Through the True Taste of Mexico

From Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco offers more than a route — it offers a revelation. Every city, every distillery, every dish tells a story about people, land, and legacy. Here, authenticity isn’t a marketing term; it’s a way of life. Jalisco is a place to taste, to listen, and to feel — because in Mexico, flavor always comes with a story.

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:
  • Caii de la Letea
  • Domeniile Prince Matei
  • CramaOlterra
  • Crama Histria

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:

• Liliac
• Villa Vinèa
• Crama La Salina
• Familia Darabont

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