It was only last week that Armenia wrapped up another unforgettable edition of Yerevan Wine Days, a signature event that brought together thousands of wine lovers to the capital’s streets. And now, there’s even bigger news in the air. Armenia will host the 2026 Red & White Wines Session of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, one of the most respected wine competitions in the world.
This announcement is yet another milestone in Armenia’s fast-growing reputation as a global wine destination. Over the past year, Armenia has been spotlighted by prestigious international publications for its ancient winemaking roots, wineries, and rising wine culture.
Besides, it was just last year that the country hosted the 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism. This is a clear signal that Armenia’s wine story is turning heads on the global stage. Let’s explore what is Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and what to expect next year.
What is Concours Mondial de Bruxelles?
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) is a globally respected international wine competition, first launched in 1994 in Brussels by Louis Havaux. Since then, it has become a benchmark event for wine professionals and enthusiasts.
What makes CMB unique is its multi-session format, introduced in 2020 to ensure each wine type is judged with expertise. Armenia will host the Red & White Wines Session, one of 4 sessions included in the competition.
The sessions are as follows:
- Rosé Wines Session
- Red & White Wines Session
- Sparkling Wines Session
- Sweet & Fortified Wines Session
These dedicated sessions allow expert panels to apply nuanced blind-tasting techniques tailored to each wine style, keeping judgment fair and precise․
Competitors enter wines that are evaluated blind, ensuring results are unbiased. Wines are assessed on typicity, quality, and price-to-experience ratio. Winners receive Silver, Gold, or Grand Gold medals. For example, this year, Tinta Roriz Vergueiro Rosé 2021 got a gold medal as a result of the 2025 rosé wine session.
CMB is famous for its strict evaluation, international jury and credibility. In 2023 alone, 350 judges from 50 countries tasted thousands of wines.
Why Is Hosting a Wine Contest Important?
Hosting the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Armenia is not something that happens once in a while. It’s truly a big achievement as Yerevan will welcome world-class wine judges, sommeliers, and producers during the event. But while they’re here to taste, they’ll also be discovering something Armenia’s old winemaking heritage, its unique terroirs, and rare indigenous grape varieties.
This marks the first time Armenia will host this prestigious event, following an official handover ceremony held in Yinchuan, China, in June 2025.
“With its millennia-old winemaking heritage, Armenia offers a truly unique and authentic experience for our international judges and guests,” CMB President Baudouin Havaux said during the ceremony.
The Armenian side is also sure it will be a strategic opportunity to present the local distinctive terroirs and grape varieties and will mark “a pivotal step in affirming Armenia’s place on the world wine map”.
The event will for sure elevate Armenia’s global wine status as global professionals will get a chance to explore local vineyards and taste wines they may never have encountered before.
Armenia Attracts Wine Events
Armenia is steadily becoming a magnet for major wine events. In addition to tourists who are more often choosing wine tours, Armenia hosted international gatherings that celebrate its winemaking heritage.
The most significant of these was the 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism. It was organized jointly by UN Tourism and the Armenian government under the theme “Heritage in Every Bottle”. During several panel sessions, wine tourism experts explored such topics as sustainable strategies rooted in culture and community.
Another one top event is the signature Yerevan Wine Days, a street festival launched in 2017. Held each June in the city center, it featured over 700 wines from 70+ Armenian producers during the 2024 edition, attracting around 120,000 attendees, including 25,000 tourists. Of course, the festival resembles a huge party, but it’s also a strategic showcase that highlights native grape varieties and attracts tourist flow.
Armenia’s Wine Heritage
Armenian winemaking is a part of its centuries-old tradition. From ancient kingdoms to modern boutique wineries, Armenia’s connection to wine is long and interesting. Historical accounts by figures like Xenophon and Herodotus confirm that wine was deeply rooted in Armenian life as early as the 5th century BC. From the Kingdom of Van’s royal inscriptions to medieval Christian rituals like the blessing of grapes, wine has long been a part of Armenia’s spiritual and cultural life.
During the Soviet era, Armenia played a key role, producing 25% of the USSR’s brandy and 3% of its wine. Today, Armenia is undergoing a remarkable wine renaissance. Modern investments, technological upgrades, and a return to native grape varieties have revived Armenia’s wine industry.
The country’s terroir is exceptional. There are 13,000 hectares of vineyards, with altitudes from 400 to 1800 meters. Besides, there are over 350 native grape varieties, including Areni, Voskehat, and Haghtanak.
Wine tourism has flourished too. Armenia has become an important destination for wine lovers. There are numerous wine tours to Areni, visits to Areni-1 cave, home to the world’s oldest known winery and tastings at renowned producers like Momik and Voskevaz.
Levon Travel has many offerings related to wine. They combine tastings, gourmet meals, cultural tours and hands-on activities like lavash baking.