The 17th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs was held on March 23rd at the Real Casino in Madrid. The event brought together 135 participating couples and nearly 1,500 clients and friends, who experienced firsthand the excitement of the Qualifying Round and the Grand Final of one of the most anticipated tasting competitions of the year. In parallel to the competition, a tasting showroom was held with nearly 50 wineries, along with a buffet featuring more than 75 artisanal cheeses selected by Ardai.

Participants were challenged to discover, in a blind tasting, the country, region, designation of origin, grape variety, vintage, producer, and brand of the seven wines tasted in the Qualifying Phase and the seven more in the Grand Final.

Maxime France and Pierre Citerne were the winners of this year's €35,000 prize, plus €2,000 in Riedel Superleggero glasses, courtesy of Euroselecció.

Peter Arijs and Stijn Verleyen took home the Second Prize, worth €7,000, and another €500 in Riedel Extreme glasses.

Alberto Botía González and Eduardo Dequidt Herrero took home the Third Prize in the Couples Tasting, worth €3,000 and €200 in Riedel Wine Friendly glasses.

The wines tasted in the Grand Final were:
-Agrapart & Fils Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne
-Sandhi Romance Chardonnay 2022, California
-Pazo Barrantes Gran Vino Albariño 2021, Rías Baixas
-Paternina Gran Reserva 1962, Rioja
-Te Mata Coleraine 2021, New Zealand
-Château Latour Les Forts de Latour 2018, Bordeaux
-Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2020, Tuscany

The 7 wines tasted in the Qualifying Round were:
-PSI 2021, Ribera del Duero
-La Grange des Pères 2018, Languedoc-Roussillon
-Buçaco Branco Místico 2017, Portugal
-Jacquesson La Cuvée 742 Dégorgement Tardif, Champagne
-L’O de L’Origan Brut Nature Edition 13, Cava
-Ca’ Del Bosco Annamaria Clementi 2014, Franciacorta
-Alvear Pedro Ximénez 1927, Montilla-Moriles

FINAL ROUND PHOTOS

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The jury for the 17th Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pais was composed of Juan Muñoz; Fernando Gurrucharri; Jordi Segura; Xandra Falcó; José Peñín; Paz Levinson, as a guest judge; Siscu Martí and Quim Vila.

The 10 finalist couples also received a set of wines from Vila Viniteca.

The 10 finalist couples were:

  • Alfred Goula Mallofré and Josep Casas Febrer
  • Maxime France and Pierre Citerne
  • Josep Samsó and Daniel Jonh Ainlay Steiner
  • Peter Arijs and Stijn Verleyen
  • Marla González Fernández and Eduard Ros Bernaus
  • Luca Zito and Marc Boldú Rius
  • Joan Canals Soldado and Celia Vizcarra García
  • Qian Janice Wang and Domen Presern
  • Alberto Botía González and Eduardo Dequidt Herrero
  • Ramon Nadal Riera and Carlos Martínez

This award offers an exceptional tasting opportunity for professionals and amateurs. Its objective is to promote wine culture. Its main unique feature is the fact that tasting is done as a couple, as it requires a consensus between the wine tasting partners regarding the sensations, flavors, and aromas perceived. We have had participants from all over Spain and from 14 countries from all over the world.

QUALIFYING ROUND PHOTOS

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Wineries: Abadía Retuerta • Agrícola de Cadalso • Azpilicueta • Bodegas Alvear • Bodegas Vizcarra • Ca N'Estruc • Can Ràfols dels Caus • Cara Nord • Castell del Remei • Celler de Capçanes • Cérvoles • Cims de Porrera • Cruz de Alba • Dominio del Águila • El Hombre Bala • El Jardín de Lucía • Eulogio Pomares • Fenomenal • Juvé & Camps • La Locomotora • La Mujer Cañón • Les Cousins • L'Origan • Lustau • Matarromera • Mestres • Mineral del Montsant • Niepoort • Numanthia • O Extranxeiro • O Luar do Sil • Pago de los Capellanes • Pagos de Anguix • Paisajes • Paxaro Tolo • El perro verde • Sainte Marguerite • San Cobate • Sanclodio • Sospechoso • Tarsus • Tomàs Cusiné • Venta Las Vacas • Viña al lado de la Casa • Ysios• Zárate

Cheese factories: Xavier Fromager Affineur • Quesería Rey Silo • Quesos Campollano • Caseificio Montecoppe • Fromages de Cocagne • Payoyo • Sierra de Albarracín • Neal’s Yard Dairy • Cheese selection by Ardai

Others:  Membrillo Valliser • Georges Thiol • Panes Méndez

With the colaboration of Euroselecció-Riedel and Sant Aniol

WINERIES AND CHEESE PHOTOS

17º Premio Vila Viniteca de Cata por Parejas - Bodegas, quesos y ambiente

EVENT FIGURES
135 couples from 14 countries
277 bottles opened in the contest
6,000 Riedel glasses (3,500 glasses in the competition)
48 wineries
1,500 attendees
More than 75 artisanal cheeses