Reminder: South Africa Selection by CMB opens soon for 2025 registration and entries!
As wine competitions go, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles stands out as one of the most reliable and respected competitions in the world. And with the establishment of the South Africa Selection by CMB last year, our local producers now also have the opportunity to submit their products locally without losing the opportunity for global exposure. The 2025 competition opens on 1 May for Early Bird entries, and closes on 31 July for entries and sample deliveries southafricaselection.com/en/registrations/
Why enter this competition?
- With Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) being one of the world’s most established and respected wine and spirits competitions, backing the South Africa Selection by CMB, it makes sense to enter your wines and spirits in a locally-held competition with extensive and value-adding global backing.
- The South Africa Selection’s medal winners are listed on high-profile on-line wine sales platforms such as Getwine and Port2Port; bringing our awarded wine and spirits winners within easy reach of consumers;
- The Wine and Spirits Experience by CMB concept currently has Wine Bars and Wine Corners in various cities and airports around the world (including Mexico City and Seoul). These tasting venues are exclusive venues for CMB medal-winning wines, including South African award-winners;
- The CMB media team gives exposure to awarded products at international wine shows and events such as Prowein, Wine Paris-Vinexpo, Vinitaly and Guiyang.
- Valuable feedback from the judging panels on every wine entered and tasted, including an Aroma Wheel and a detailed analysis with actionable insights;
- All CMB competitions are meticulously audited by the Service Public Fédéral belge de l’Economie (SPFE), while CMB also adheres to the strict competition rules set forth by the European Union;
- CMB’s judges are professional tasters from around the world, but they are also retail and hospitality buyers and journalists who add real marketing support for awarded products.
Included in this year’s judging panel are the following industry leaders:
- Thierry Cowez, wines and spirits buyer for Cinoco in Belgium and Luxembourg
- Katie Bailie, Snr Wine Buyer: Woolworths South Africa;
- Jamie Baxter, UK-based Master distiller and consultant for distilleries in Europe and Africa
- Marcus Rudek, German Master distiller, member of Council of Whisky masters and certified whisky specialist
- Carrie Adams, wine retailer, distributor, writer, judge and broadcaster
- Darno van Dyk, Senior Wine Buyer at the Shoprite group of companies
- Helena Melis, (CWM) Marketing Manager and wine and spirits buyer at Big Five Duty Free Shops
- Leah van Deventer, spirits writer, educator, judge and consultant
- Kurt Schlechter, Master mixologist and mastermind behind the CauseEffect concept in Cape Town
- Stephan van Rooyen, Senior wine buyer at Tops Spar
- Dr Carien Coetzee, founder of Basic Wine and wine writer
- Maryna Calow, Marketing Manager at WOSA
- Dr Winnie Bowman, wine consultant, international wine and spirits judge and journalist
- Spencer Fondaumiere, ASI certified sommelier, president of the South African Sommeliers Association
Important detail for entrants:
- EARLY BIRD ENTRIES OPEN
01/05/2025 - ENTRIES ClosE
31/07/2025
DEADLINE FOR SAMPLE DELIVERIES TO LONGRIDGE WINE ESTATE, SOMERSET WEST
31/07/2025
JUDGING DATES
18 to 20/09/2025
AWARDS FUNCTION
26/09/2025 - For more information and entry details, please visit our website, Facebook and Instagram pages:
southafricaselection.com
www.facebook.com/southafricaselection/
www.instagram.com/saselectioncmb/
For any enquiries please feel free to contact Lorraine directly on southafricaselection@vinopres.com or lorraine.immelman@vinopres.com
