Photo: Villa Yambol
A ceremony for the presentation of medals from the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) and Spirits Selection 2025 took place on 13 October at Grand Hotel Sofia. A total of 73 medals were awarded to 27 Bulgarian wineries across all editions of the prestigious global competition in 2025, the organizers said. The achievements included three Grand Gold medals, 26 Gold, and 44 Silver, earned in competition with thousands of producers from around the world.
The greatest success came from Bulgarian red wines, which won all three Grand Gold medals, along with 17 Gold and 13 Silver. Bulgarian Sauvignons, judged during the April edition of the competition held in Burgas, claimed an unprecedented 20 medals – three Gold and 17 Silver. Bulgarian rosé wines, evaluated in Romania, won three Gold and five Silver medals, while at the Spirits Selection in Mexico, Bulgarian rakias and brandies received three Gold and eight Silver distinctions.
Villa Yambol emerged as the most awarded producer, earning two Grand Gold, six Gold, and three Silver medals. Rumelia Winery received one Grand Gold. Another Bulgarian producer, Delion, which competed with rakia produced in Serbia but operates and pays taxes in Bulgaria, won one Grand Gold, one Gold, and one Silver medal in Mexico.
Medals at the competition are awarded based on a fixed points system. Founded 30 years ago by the Belgian media company Vinopres, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles has grown into the largest international wine competition in the world, with over 15,000 samples tasted each year.