Excellence, Innovation and International Influence at the Service of the Wine Industry.

On March 14 and 15, 2026, Strasbourg hosted two major international wine competitions: the 28th edition of the Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg and the 1st edition of the European Red & Rosé Wine Contest. Organized by Strasbourg Events, these two complementary competitions reaffirmed their role as trendsetters and powerful platforms for international visibility, offering producers a significant opportunity to showcase their wines on a global stage.

A striking highlight of the 2026 edition was its opening, which focused on ungrafted vines. For the first time in the context of an international wine competition, a masterclass was dedicated to rare wines produced from ungrafted vines—vines that survived the Phylloxera crisis, which devastated European vineyards in the 19th century. This unique session took place on March 14, marking the official opening of the competitions.

Franc de Pied Masterclass by Roberta Bernasconi-Borella

The masterclass was led by Roberta Bernasconi-Borella, a Swiss professional sommelier and member of the Swiss Association of Professional Sommeliers (ASSP). She has been a wine judge at the Mondial des Vins Blancs for more than ten years and also serves as Head of Competitions and Swiss delegate for the Italian National Association for the Protection of Ungrafted Vines (AVIPF). The session brought together international judges, members of the press and media, as well as students from the sommelier program at the hospitality school of Illkirch-Graffenstaden.

Following a one-hour in-depth presentation covering both the historical and technical aspects of ungrafted vines, participants had the opportunity to taste four exceptional wines from selected Italian and Swiss estates. These included Cantine Salvatore Martusciello from Pozzuoli in Naples, Feudo Cavaliere from Santa Maria di Licodia on Mount Etna in Sicily, Roeno Azienda Agricola from Brentino Belluno in the Adige Valley on the Veneto–Trentino border, and Jodern Kellerei from Visperterminen in the Valais region of Switzerland.

Roberta Bernasconi-Borella guided the tasting, emphasizing the uniqueness of these wines as authentic expressions of their respective terroirs. Participants explored a carefully curated selection of rare wines that reflect an extraordinary viticultural heritage.

Ungrafted wines emerged as a unifying theme across both competitions, symbolizing not only the historical roots of viticulture but also addressing contemporary challenges faced by the wine industry today.

Grand Prix du Jury and Key Highlights of the Competition

Two wines were awarded the prestigious Grand Prix du Jury, receiving the Grand Gold Medal with an outstanding score of 94.8 points, awarded ex aequo. The first was the AOC Alsace Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Hengst 2024 from Domaine Pierre Adam in Ammerschwihr, France. The second was the AOC Alsace Pinot Gris Grand Cru Steinert 2024 from Domaine Henri Martischang in Pfaffenheim, France.

The 2026 edition of the competition presented strong international participation and impressive figures. A total of 487 wine samples were tasted, including 2% of wines produced from ungrafted vines. The competition welcomed entries from 15 countries, while 60 expert wine judges from 26 different countries participated in the evaluation process. In total, 146 medals and 18 special prizes were awarded, including 17 Grand Gold medals, 119 Gold medals, and 10 Silver medals. In accordance with OIV regulations, medals were limited to a maximum of 30% per category. Overall, nine countries received awards: the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Among the most notable distinctions were the two VINOFED Awards for the best dry wines. The Czech Republic stood out in this category with exceptional results. In the still wine category, the Grand Gold Medal with 94.2 points was awarded to Tramin Cerveny Reserva 2022 by B\V Vinarstvi a.s. from Ratiskovice. In the sparkling wine (Brut) category, the Grand Gold Medal with 93 points was awarded to Bohemia Sekt Louis Girardot Brut 2021 by BOHEMIA SEKT s.r.o. from Stary Plzenec.

In addition, ten Dry Wine Trophies were awarded across four countries—Czech Republic, France, Italy, and Slovakia—highlighting excellence in wines with residual sugar between 0 and 4 g/l. In the Blend category, the award went to Côtes du Roussillon Blanc Bio Cuvée L’Effrontée 2019 from Domaine de Vénus in Maury, France. In the “Other Grape Variety” category, Müller-Thurgau Trentino DOC 2025 from Cantina Aldeno SCA in Aldeno, Italy, was recognized. The Chardonnay category was won by Ego No. 70 Chardonnay Pozdní Sběr Suché 2024 from Zámecké Vinařství Bzenec in the Czech Republic.

The Gewurztraminer category, which also received the VINOFED Prize for still wine, was awarded to Tramin Cerveny Reserva 2022 from B\V Vinarstvi a.s. in Ratiskovice, Czech Republic. In the Muscat category, the trophy went to Muskat Moravský Moravské Zemské Víno Suché 2025 from Vinařství Josef Valihrach in Krumvíř, Czech Republic. Slovakia was distinguished in the Pinot Blanc category with Pinot Blanc Identity 2025 from Milan Skovajsa in Pezinok.

France achieved multiple distinctions, including the Pinot Gris category with AOC Alsace Pinot Gris “Casse-Noisette” 2024 from Gruss Joseph & Fils in Eguisheim, the Riesling category with AOC Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergbieten 2022 from Cave du Roi Dagobert – Alliance Alsace in Turckheim, and the Sylvaner category with AOC Alsace “Caractère – Schiste” 2025 from Wolfberger Cave Vinicole d’Eguisheim. Finally, the Sauvignon category was awarded to Sauvignon Reserva 2022 from B\V Vinarstvi a.s. in Ratiskovice, Czech Republic.

 Six Jury Favorites Across Three Key Wine Nations

Special Awards and International Recognition

Among the special distinctions, the award for Best Ungrafted Wine (indigenous grape variety) was presented to Macchia Bianco – Campi Flegrei DOP Falanghina 2020 from Il Quarto Miglio in Italy, highlighting the growing importance of wines produced from ungrafted vines and native varieties.

The award for Best Wine from an Indigenous Grape Variety was granted to Colli di Luni Vermentino “ORO D’ISE’E” 2025 from La Baia Del Sole – Azienda Agricola Federici in Luni, Italy, confirming the strong identity and expressive potential of local grape varieties.

In the Best Orange Wine category, the distinction went to AOC Alsace Vin Orange 2024 (Assemblage) from Domaine André Regin in Wolxheim, France, reflecting the continued rise of orange wines within the global wine scene.

The award for Best First Participation was given to Matayac IGP Côtes de Gascogne Colombard Sauvignon Terra Vitis 2025 (Assemblage) from Castel Frères in Béziers, France, recognizing the quality and impact of new entrants in the competition.

Innovation was also highlighted through the dealcoholized wine categories. The award for Best Dealcoholized Still Wine was presented to Baron de Hoen – Vin de France Désalcoolisé from Cave de Beblenheim in Beblenheim, France, while the Best Dealcoholized Sparkling Wine distinction went to Vin Blanc Désalcoolisé Pétillant Cuvée Pépille 2025 from Domaine Kirmann in Epfig, France. These awards underline the growing relevance of no- and low-alcohol wines in today’s evolving market.

A Worldwide Recognized Competition

The Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg continues to reinforce its global credibility through strong institutional support and long-standing international recognition. The competition has benefited from the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) for 16 years, ensuring adherence to rigorous international standards. Starting in 2026, it is also under the patronage of the International Union of Oenologists, further strengthening its scientific and technical authority.

In addition, the competition has been a member of the VINOFED for 12 years, aligning it with the most respected wine competitions worldwide. It also benefits from the support of the Association Nationale des Élus de la Vigne et du Vin for the past five years, reinforcing its connection with institutional stakeholders in the wine sector.

These partnerships provide strong guarantees of rigor, credibility, and international recognition.

The wine service during both competitions is entrusted to students from the sommelier program at the Alexandre Dumas Hospitality School in Illkirch-Graffenstaden. The service is carried out using glasses specifically adapted to each wine style, supplied by the partner brand RONA 5 Star Glass, ensuring optimal tasting conditions and professional standards throughout the event.

KEY FIGURES & POSITIONING 59 tasted samples (including 20% ungrafted wines) 18 medals awarded (14 Gold– 4 Silver) including 6 ungrafted wines awarded and 3 FAVORITES awarded 5 awarded countries: France, Greece, Italy , Slovakia and Spain (maximum 33,33% medals allowed) The first edition highlights: the rise of lighter, more accessible red wines, the dynamism of rosé wines, the growing importance of native grape varieties, the recognition of wines from own-rooted vines A wine industry in transition, between tradition and innovation

3 JURY FAVORITES among wines from Italy and Slovakia spotlighting wines from own-rooted vines and native grape varieties, which are at the core of evolving market trends ❤ Best ungrafted rosé Aria di Mari Isola dei Nuraghi Metodo Classico Rosato PAS DOC 2024 - Cantina Li Seddi – Badesi (Italy) Grape Cannonau ❤ Best ungrafted indigenous red Serpico Irpinia Aglianico DOC 2018 - Feudi di San Gregorio – Sorbo Serpico (Italy) Grape Aglianico ❤ Best indigenous grape red Ostrožovič Dunaj Special Collection 2024 - Ostrožovič spol. s r.o. – Veľká Tŕňa (Slovakia) Grape Dunaj With these two international competitions, Strasbourg events — organizer of wine competitions for nearly three decades confirms its role as a trend observatory, a recognition accelerator for winemakers, an international visibility platform for awarded estates. 

Assyrtiko Ktima Erithrou Rodou

Gold Medal, Erythrou Rodou Estate, Malagouzia 2024

EUROPEAN RED & ROSÉ WINE CONTEST(1st edition)

2 GOLD MEDALS

GENNIMA PSICHIS ROSE

QUEEN

KEY FIGURES – STRASBOURG WINE COMPETITIONS 2026

• 546 samples tasted
• 60 judges from 26 countries

Mondial des Vins Blancs (28th edition)

• 487 samples
• 15 countries
• 146 medals (17 Grand Gold, 119 Gold, 10 Silver)
• 9 awarded countries

 European Red & Rosé Wine Contest (1st edition)

• 59 samples
• 18 medals (14 Gold, 4 Silver)
• 5 awarded countries

Photo Credit: Frederique Piere

Editor Frederique Piere, Marinos Skolarikos April 1 2026