Rosé remains, without a doubt, the most photogenic wine — but its true charm begins beyond the image.

It is perhaps the most seductive through its versatility: the delicacy and finesse of a white wine, paired with a subtle structure, sometimes surprisingly athletic, reminiscent of reds. A perfect balance between lightness and character.

Spring is only just settling in. The air still carries a gentle chill, yet the light grows warmer, the days longer, and the mind drifts instinctively toward that first glass of rosé enjoyed in the sun.

It is more than a wine — it is a feeling you recognize before you define it.

Calabria. Between Sea, Light and Identity

After four years, I rediscovered Calabria — this time on the Ionian coast, near Cirò. Southern Italy has that rare ability to make you feel instantly at home, even when you are far away. Only the hypnotic shades of the Mediterranean remind you that you are, in fact, somewhere else.

Three days of competition. Three days of focus, refinement and discovery.

More than 55 international tasters from 20 countries evaluated over 1,100 rosé wines from 30 countries. A true snapshot of global trends and stylistic diversity.

For me, this edition also brought a premiere: serving as jury president. An honor and a responsibility I embraced with both joy and respect.

Styles, Identity and Terroir

One of the most fascinating aspects of such tastings is the moment you begin to recognize a wine — its country, sometimes even its region.

France remains the undeniable benchmark. Rosés with delicate, almost ethereal color, yet impeccable elegance and structure. Provence stands apart as a clear reference. Languedoc, Bordeaux or Corsica come close, though often with a slightly more rustic edge.

Italy made a strong impression this year, particularly Abruzzo, with two Grand Gold Medals. One of them — Talmonti Rosé 2025 — was, without exaggeration, one of the revelations of the competition.

And what made this experience even more meaningful for me is that two of the official revelations of the competition were evaluated within my own panel.

The second comes from Romania — Issa Pinot Noir Rosé 2025 — a wine that clearly confirms the direction and growing confidence of Romanian rosé on the international stage.

Romania entered 51 samples and achieved 17 medals — a 33% success rate.
More than a result, this is validation. A presence that can no longer be overlooked.

Rosé, Between Trend and Emotion

It is true — rosé is no longer riding the same consumption wave it enjoyed before the pandemic. Yet it retains its charm. And, more importantly, its relevance.

Because rosé is not just about trends. It is about moments. About light. About atmosphere. About that subtle feeling that summer begins just a little earlier — in a glass.

Competitions like the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles are not only about medals or rankings. They are about direction. About how tastes evolve, how identities take shape, and who dares to step outside the expected.

For me, rosé remains the beginning of every season.
And, each time, a promise.