Category: Articles

The results are in for the 26th Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

The 26th edition of the Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles recently concluded in Renhuai, China. “The major producer countries – France, Italy, Brazil, Mexico and China – confirmed their ranking, but smaller nations such as Japan, Scotland and Bolivia made a name for themselves with remarkable medal rates.”

From September 3-5, industry experts gathered to evaluate a record 2,754 entries from 62 countries. The competition remains a crucial indicator of trending innovations in the spirits world.

Highlights from This Year’s Event:

Scotland claimed a major victory with 57% of its participants winning medals, nearly doubling last year’s count. The judges were bowled over by SPEY Trilogia by Speyside Distillers Co Ltd, with its smoky red fruit notes, awarding it the Scotch Whisky Revelation.

Taiwan made history with its OMAR Single Malt Whisky Cask Strength securing the World Whisky Revelation, captivating judges with its fruity, honey-laced, and chocolate-driven flavors.

As the host country, China dominated the competition, particularly in the Baijiu category, winning 5 Revelation awards, a testament to its expanding influence in the world’s spirits market.

The United Kingdom impressed with 8 medals, including 5 Gold for entries across whisky and gin categories.

Japan had a remarkable year, with over 60% of its entries medaled, including the Honkaku Shochu Revelation awarded to Shouro Shuzou.

For a full list of this year’s winners: https://spiritsselection.com/en/

Sources: Vinopres and Spirits Selection by CMB

Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2024 Medal Results

The medal winners of the 2024 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) have been revealed, with a total of 167 gold and 229 silver medals awarded this year.

Now in its 11th edition, the CSWWC received close to 1,000 sparkling wines from 20 countries, that were judged over 11 days at Goodnestone Park in Kent, England.

Italy once again dominated the rankings, securing 70 gold and 123 silver medals. France followed closely with 55 golds and 36 silvers. Australia claimed third place, trailed by Spain, with the UK rounding out the top five.

“We were thrilled with the quality of the whole range of wines that we tasted this year,” said judge Essi Avellan MW. “This has been another great year for results, once again demonstrating how exciting the sparkling wine industry is. It is not only the CSWWC’s mission to promote world class wines, but also to discover and reward new and exciting wines from established and emerging regions across the world!”

The Best in Class and trophy winners will be revealed at this year’s CSWWC awards dinner on October 24th in London.

Medal winners are found here: https://www.champagnesparklingwwc.co.uk/results-2024/

Source: www.champagnesparklingwwc.co.uk/

Travel Article: Exploring the Timeless Beauty of Garni Temple, Armenia

One of the most visited tourist attractions in Armenia, Garni Temple, truly lives up to its reputation. Nestled in the village of Garni in the Kotayk Province, this UNESCO World Heritage site is approximately a 40-minute drive from Yerevan. The journey itself is a visual treat, with spectacular views of valleys framed by the majestic silhouette of Mount Ararat in the background.

Perched dramatically on the edge of a triangular cliff and surrounded by towering cliffs on three sides, Garni Temple offers breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape. Built around 77 A.D., this ancient structure, once part of a larger fortress, reflects a distinctive blend of Greco-Roman architectural influences. It served as a royal summer palace, complete with mosaic-adorned bathhouses used by kings, and a small adjoining church.

Looking down into the ravine, the panoramic view of the Azat River, the Gegham Mountains, and the remarkable Symphony of Stones—a natural basalt formation resembling a grand organ—unfolds. This geological wonder adds another captivating dimension for visitors eager to discover Armenia’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

Visiting Garni Temple felt like stepping back in time. Its intricate columns, reminiscent of classical Greek design, showcase the cultural exchanges that occurred between Armenia and the classical world. Exploring the ruins especially the remnants of the royal bathhouse, provided an intriguing glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle once enjoyed by Armenian royalty centuries ago.

Discover Noyan Tun Wine and Spirits Shop in Yerevan, Armenia

We stumbled upon this gem yesterday, just a short walk from our hotel, and were immediately impressed by its well-stocked, beautifully curated selection of wines and spirits. The shop offers an excellent variety of both Armenian and international wines.

Noyan Tun highlights Armenia’s diverse wine regions, featuring everything from the bold reds of Vayots Dzor to the unique varieties of the Ararat Valley.

For fellow Riedel collectors, Noyan Tun carries the exclusive Riedel Areni glass, specifically designed to enhance the aromas and flavors of Armenia’s signature Areni grape.

After my tastings this past week, I highly recommend using this glass when enjoying a 100% Areni varietal—it truly elevates the experience!

Conveniently located at Amiryan St., 12, in Yerevan’s vibrant Kentron district, Noyan Tun is a must-visit for wine lovers exploring the wonderful city.

Website: https://noyantunonline.am/en/

UN Global Conference on Wine Tourism Concludes

The importance of preserving heritage while embracing innovation was highlighted as UN Tourism welcomed experts worldwide to its Global Conference on Wine Tourism this week.

The 8th edition of the Conference marked a milestone for Armenia and global wine tourism. With over 300 participants from more than 25 countries, the conference emphasized key areas essential for advancing wine tourism’s contribution to development and territorial cohesion, highlighting its potential to serve as a catalyst for cultural preservation, job creation and economic growth.

Welcoming delegates, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The Global Wine Tourism Conference is the leading event to share stories, customs, and rituals rooted in the history of winemaking. These stories are not just about wine—they are about the people, the land, and the cultures that have nurtured these traditions for generations. We must include these traditions in the wine tourism experience.”

The Global Wine Tourism Conference is the leading event to share stories, customs, and rituals rooted in the history of winemaking.

Liz Palmer states during her presentation [Strategies for Crafting and Preserving a Strong Digital Brand for the Wine Tourism Industry] “Implementing these integrated 10 Key Strategies will strengthen your digital brand, making it future-proof and well-positioned to address the evolving needs of international wine travellers in 2025 and beyond.”

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Gevorg Papoyan, made clear the importance of wine tourism to the host country. In Armenia, the growing sector supports jobs and businesses, most notably in rural areas, while also protecting the heritage that dates back more than 6,000 years.

Discussions highlighted a growing demand for experience-driven tourism, where visitors seek not only wine tastings but to connect with the people and places behind them. Participants analyzed how to combine innovation and cultural heritage in sessions focused on storytelling, digitalization, the creation of wine routes, e-commerce and understanding changing consumers’ preferences and Generation Z.

The conference also emphasized the importance of education and training in wine tourism, focusing on the need to empower professionals with practical skills as well as on the collaboration among industry stakeholders as essential for creating a shared vision and maximizing the benefits of wine tourism destinations. Addressing climate change and adopting sustainable practices were key themes, with participants discussing the need for clear guidelines and skills to ensure the long-term viability of wine tourism destinations.

The conference showcased Armenia’s important development in wine tourism in Armenia. Armenian winemakers showcased their unique wine tourism experiences, rooted in centuries-old traditions such as the 6000-year-old Areni-1 cave, and Armenia’s newest and most modern wineries.