Cabernets International Competition: Which wine will be elected the World’s Best Cabernet?

Each year in April a tasting is held, not only to award the best cabernets, but also to elect THE World’s Best Cabernet. The quality of the tasting is guaranteed by sommeliers who are members of the Union de la Sommellerie Française.

The third edition of this competition will take place on 25 April 2016 in Paris, aboard a boat on the Seine.

Election of the World’s Best Cabernet: The supreme award!
At the end of the first tasting, a ‘grand jury’ re-tastes the best wine at each table in order to determine the World’s Best Cabernet. The grand jury is composed of professional sommeliers who have distinguished themselves in the wine world (Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Meilleur Sommelier de France, Sommelier de l’Année, etc.).

At the Competition’s first edition, a Portuguese wine was elected World’s Best Cabernet (Tapada De Coelheiros Vinho Regional Alentejano –Red 2009). In 2015, an Australian was awarded this distinction (Fermoy - Estate Reserve - GI Margaret River – Red 2013).

The Cabernets
The Cabernets International Competition is the only competition that showcases these grape varieties. There are many Cabernets: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Dorio and Cabernet Moravia as well as other lesser known varieties. Each has its own specific characteristics and can be combined with other cabernets or with very different grape varieties. In all, more than 210,000 hectares across the world are planted with Cabernet grapes..
The competition is open to all wines made primarily from Cabernet grapes, from anywhere in the world and whether or not they have a geographical denomination.

The Union de la Sommellerie Française
The Union de la Sommellerie Française (UDSF) is partnering the competition. This organisation brings together nearly 1200 sommeliers; it also selects the best Sommelier of France, amongst other awards. Jurys are composed of 3 or 4 sommeliers who blind taste several wines in a category. Prior to tasting, bottles are covered, numbered and sorted in accordance with their percentage of cabernet, origin and terroir.
Results are later communicated to all UDSF members.

A perfectly organised and transparent tasting!
The Cabernets International Competition is validated by the DGCCRF (part of the French Ministry of the economy and finances) and certified ISO 9001 through Armonia, the company that organises tasting. For consumers and wine professionals alike, these references provide proof of rigorous selection, high quality and a competition worthy of their trust.

Important dates
25 April 2016 > Cabernets International Competition
28 April 2016 > Publication of results online