9080 wines will be tasted by wine judges from 50 countries during the 24th edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. It will be held from May 2-5 2017 in the capital of Castilla y León region - Valladolid. 2400 wine glasses, 2000 liters of water and 2000 breads have been ordered to ensure the smooth running of the tasting sessions. The preparation for the competition in Spain took nearly 2 years.
The set-up for the tasting in the Feria de Valladolid will start on May 1st. 120 catering school students will support the technical team of the Concours. 320 tasters, among which sommeliers, wine journalists and wine experts, from all over the word will gather in Feria de Valladolid to evaluate wines.
Each member of 61 jury commissions will taste and evaluate approximately 50 wines per day.
Valladolid was chosen to be “the capital of wine” because of its millennial wine tradition and its viticulture. “Valladolid is the only province in Spain, which includes five wine designations of origin in its territory: Ribera del Duero, Cigales, Rueda, Toro y Tierra de León. This land produces some of the best wines in the world”, explains Ana María Redondo, Councilor for Culture and Tourism of Valladolid.
The good infrastructural conditions were another argument in favor of Valladolid. “The city is very well connected: is has excellent roads and splendid rail network, highlighting its high-speed train (AVE) as well as its international airport in Villanubla. Valladolid is also proud if its varied accommodation facilities and the wide and diverse gastronomic offer, which make it suitable for hosting events from the magnitude and significance of Concours Mondial.”, comments Jesús Julio Carnero García, President of the Council of Valladolid.
Wine is one of Valladolid’s most important tourist resources and therefore, wine tourism is one of its strengths: castle wine museums, great hotels in abbeys and monasteries, excellent cuisine and gastronomy, thematic winery visits, horseback riding through the vineyards, wine spa therapy ... make up the extensive wine tourism offer of the province. - says Councilor Redondo.
The tasters will be accommodated in 13 hotels in Valladolid.
The jury's program includes visits to wine cellars and vineyards as well as cultural and historical sites.
