Istria hosts the 30th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

Everything is ready in Poreč for one of the world’s largest wine competitions, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, which has the most significant impact on the global wine scene. This was announced at a presentation of the program for this highly regarded wine event held at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb.

More than 10,000 wine samples from 50 countries will be evaluated by 350 judges from around the world over the course of three days, from May 12th to 14th.

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

The competition was first organized in 1994 and has changed location every year since 2006. It has been held in 15 well-known wine regions, including Aigle in Switzerland, Brno in the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Calabria in Italy, where Istria was announced as the host region last year. This places this renowned wine region in esteemed company.

“World-renowned organizers of globally recognized events are choosing Croatian destinations more often, which is one of the reasons Croatia has found itself amongst a select group of 15 countries that have had the pleasure of hosting this particular wine competition since 2006.

I am confident that together we will know how to use this opportunity to promote tourism further and develop Croatian winemaking, which is becoming increasingly of higher quality and more recognizable among top wine experts each year.

Also, modern tourists seek authentic and unique experiences when visiting a particular tourist destination, and learning about and consuming local food and wine creates a special experience for visitors.

Croatia has a long tradition of producing wines that represent the identity and culture of our country’s coast and and throughout the country’s inland regions,” said Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian Tourist Board, adding that this is also an excellent opportunity for Croatian winemakers to showcase themselves, their work, and their premium wines to an international audience.

The Croatian wine scene deserves full attention

“We are thrilled to be hosting our 30th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Istria. The competition aims to be an indicator of trends in the marketplace and Croatia is very much an up-and-coming wine destination with a rich history dating back to Antiquity.

Today, the country boasts an extensive range of native grape varieties such as Malvasia and this authenticity is something present-day consumers are increasingly looking for.

From the wine expert through to the inquisitive enthusiast, Croatia’s wine scene certainly deserves everyone’s full attention! Since we began working with Croatia, we have been struck by the significance of families and the authenticity of vineyards that are at one with their natural surroundings.

Here, more than ever, wine is an integral part of tourism and the Concours will be introducing its 350 judges from around the world to the highlights of a wine region which combines magnificent scenery, gourmet delicacies and quality wines. Those judges will most certainly become the new ambassadors of a region which is definitely worth a visit!

By partnering with Croatia, Istria and the town of Poreč, we have the good fortune of working with committed, passionate partners. The people we have met here are devoted, competent professionals who share our commitment to excellence and quality”, said Baudouin Havaux, President of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

Great recognition for Istria

The Istria County Prefect, Boris Miletić, stated that hosting the most prestigious wine competition in the world, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an exceptional honor.

“This is a confirmation that we have chosen the right strategy in Istria with a focus on top quality, and our indigenous varieties, primarily Malvazija and Teran, have become the most famous symbols of the Istrian peninsula, highly appreciated brands on the global market,” said the prefect of Istria. Denis Ivošević, the director of the Istrian County Tourist Board, added that Istrian wineries are now tourist attractions, real small museums of gastronomy.

Important promotion for Istria and Croatia

The president of Vinistra, Luka Rossi, emphasized that among the 350 judges, ten percent are sommeliers, 12 percent are wine merchants and distributors, 18 percent are oenologists, and even 60 percent are wine and food journalists who will write about their experiences in Istria in relevant global media outlets.

“This prestigious global competition directly affects the tourism, economic, and wine sectors due to its global significance, and the region where it is held gains marketing visibility at a global level. We have prepared attractive tours for our guests to visit Istrian wineries, and I am sure they will enjoy everything they see and experience,” said Rossi.

Vinistra’s role as the host at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles presentation in Zagreb was supported by the representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture Tugomir Majdak.

The ambassadors of this illustrious wine competition were also presented:

• the Swiss Pierre Thomas,
• the Brazilian UK-based Luma Monteiro,
• the Spaniard Alejandro López Facorro Paadin, the German Thomas Brandl,
• and the Italian Luigi Salvo will convey their impressions of Istria and Croatia in their respective home regions.