Wine Competitions

Varaždin Celebrates Sauvignon by Hosting Sauvignon Selection by CMB

From April 7 to 9, 2026, Varaždin, Croatia, will host the Sauvignon Selection by CMB. This internationally renowned event, which brings together leading wine experts from around the world, is the most prestigious competition entirely dedicated to wines made from this iconic grape variety. Approximately 1,000 samples from nearly 25 countries will be blind-tasted by an international panel of 50 judges representing around 25 nationalities.

The results will be announced on April 20 on www.sauvignonselection.com.

A Competition of Global Scale

France, Austria, Italy, South Africa, and New Zealand, major Sauvignon-producing countries, will be strongly represented at this new edition, which will feature around 1,000 samples from 25 countries. Among emerging Sauvignon-producing nations, Croatia, the host country, continues to gain recognition, accounting for 11% of the samples submitted. Countries such as Serbia, Turkey, Slovakia, and Germany have also recorded an increase in their number of entries this year.

An Influential and International Jury

The Sauvignon Selection by CMB remains the leading communication platform dedicated to Sauvignon wines. Over three days, an international panel of tasters, comprising specialized journalists, buyers, consultants, and educators, will evaluate the wines through blind tastings. Their expertise ensures valuable recognition and strong international visibility for the award-winning wines.

Varaždin: A Terroir and Heritage to Discover

Located just one hour north of Zagreb, Varaždin is a remarkable historic town in northern Croatia, renowned for its well-preserved Baroque architecture, refined atmosphere, and rich cultural heritage. Formerly the capital of Croatia in the 18th century, the town offers an elegant setting with its palaces, churches, and the iconic old town fortress.

Beyond its architectural charm, Varaždin stands out as a dynamic cultural and gastronomic hub, offering an excellent quality of life and an inspiring setting for international events.

The surrounding area, Varaždin County, is part of the Central Uplands wine region of Croatia, characterized by rolling hills, diverse soils, and a strong winemaking tradition. The vineyards, planted on well-exposed slopes, benefit from significant temperature variations, promoting freshness, aromatic intensity, and varietal expression.

The region is particularly suited to white grape varieties, notably Sauvignon Blanc, Graševina, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Yellow Muscat.

Local Sauvignon Blanc wines are distinguished by expressive aromas of citrus and green apple, floral notes of elderflower, vibrant acidity, and an elegant mineral finish, perfectly aligned with international market expectations.

An Immersive Program for Tasters

In addition to the tasting sessions, Sauvignon Selection by CMB will offer judges a rich and immersive experience, including vineyard visits, conferences, meetings with local producers, and gastronomic discoveries, showcasing the richness of Croatian wine culture.

About Sauvignon Selection by CMB

Sauvignon Selection by CMB is the largest international competition exclusively dedicated to Sauvignon wines. Created in Bordeaux in 2010, the event (formerly known as the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon) changes location each year, highlighting exceptional wine regions around the world.

After editions held in France, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, and Bulgaria, the competition continues its international journey by showcasing Croatia for the first time. Its high standards and rigorous evaluation process make it a must-attend event for professionals and producers seeking international recognition.

​Fourth Edition of Wine Vision by Open Balkan Affirms the Quality of Balkan Wines

Belgrade once claimed its place as the wine capital for all the right wine reasons – the fourth edition of Wine Vision by Open Balkan—an event that, year after year, grows not only in scale but in quality of the programme and exhibitors. From November 22 to 25, the Belgrade Fair transformed into a vibrant crossroads of wine, food, and travel, welcoming hundreds of wineries, distilleries, artisanal producers, tourism boards, and HoReCa professionals. What is to be appreciated most about this fair is its balance: a serious B2B platform on one side, and on the other, an inviting stage for wine lovers eager to taste, learn, and explore.

Wine Vision by Open Balkan has been officially recognized as a UFI Approved Event by UFI—The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, the world’s most important organization in the exhibition sector. With this recognition, this fair becomes the first and only wine, food, and tourism fair in Serbia and the Western Balkans to hold the UFI Approved Event status, underlining its role as the central marketplace and networking hub for the wine, rakija, and gastronomy industries in this part of Europe.

Complete list of winners:
https://winevisionfair.com/wine/the-trophies-are-here-and-these-are-the-winners-of-the-open-balkan-wine-trophy/

Macedonian Wineries at Wine Vision 2025

Platinum medals for red Macedonian wines were awarded to Chateau Kamnik winery for Kratoshija 2021, Wine Cellar Popovi for their Dark Horse Vranec Barrique 2022 & Vranec Disan 2023, Venec winery for Orle 2021 & Cabernet Sauvignon Single Block 2022 & Tikvesh for their Bela Voda Red 2022. Tikves winery won the only platinum for a Macedonian white for their Lepovo Chardonnay 2023.
In addition to the the medals awarded to Macedonian wines, the family winery Wine Cellar Popovi’s rakija Bistra Voda received the trophy for best grape brandy on at Wine Vision.

Citadelles du Vin 2025