The 26th edition of the internationally acclaimed Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) kicked off in Renhuai, China, during the first week of September 2024. This year’s competition stood out for several reasons, making it a landmark event in the world of spirits. With record-breaking entries, cutting-edge technological advancements, and the spotlight on China’s iconic sauce aroma baijiu, the event has raised the bar for global spirits competitions.
Here are five reasons why this edition of the competition was special.
1. Return to the Birthplace of Sauce Aroma Baijiu
This year’s competition marked the return of the Spirits Selection to the birthplace of sauce aroma baijiu—Renhuai, China. Known as the home of the world-famous Moutai baijiu, Renhuai hosted the event for the second time, with the first being held in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province in 2015. Sauce aroma baijiu, a traditional Chinese spirit with centuries of history, has gained international acclaim, and its deep cultural roots made Renhuai an ideal venue for this prestigious competition. The city’s long-standing heritage and expertise in spirit production were in full display, lending the competition a unique cultural flair.
2. Introduction of AI in Judging Process
In a forward-thinking move, the Spirits Selection 2024 with the help of the Bordeaux based start-up company Winespace embraced artificial intelligence to analyse judges’ scores and comments. This technological innovation aimed to provide deeper insights into how judges evaluate spirits, identifying trends and patterns in their assessments. By incorporating AI, the competition organizers ensured a more precise and data-driven evaluation process, further enhancing the event’s credibility. This addition sets a new benchmark for future spirits competitions, blending tradition with modern technology.
3. Baijiu Academy: Fostering Global Understanding of Chinese Spirits
As part of the event, the Baijiu Academy was introduced, offering two-days of rigorous training, masterclass and a sensory evaluation test at the end to educate judges about the complexities of Chinese spirits. This initiative aimed to transform international judges into ambassadors of Zunyi Moutai-Flavour baijiu, the sauce aroma variant, which is considered one of the best, most premium styles of Baijiu in China. By deepening their understanding of the spirit’s rich history, production methods, and flavour profile, the Baijiu Academy elevated the competition to a cultural exchange platform, fostering appreciation for one of China’s most treasured beverages.
4. New Leadership Under Ulric Nijs
The 2024 edition also saw the appointment of Ulric Nijs as the new Director of Spirits Selection by CMB. Nijs brings a fresh perspective to the competition, and under his leadership, the competition broadened its scope, attracting entries from new countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Cape Verde, and Ukraine. His strategic vision was evident in the record-breaking number of entries this year. Nijs emphasized the importance of expanding the competition’s global footprint and making it more inclusive of diverse spirits categories.
5. Record-Breaking Number of Entries and Countries Represented
The 26th Spirits Selection set a new record with 2,754 entries from 62 countries, covering 58 different spirit categories. Over four days, 154 professional judges from 38 nationalities blind-tasted these spirits, making this year’s competition one of the most diverse and comprehensive in its history. China, as the host country, led the way with the highest number of entries, followed by France, Italy, Brazil, and Mexico. The competition’s growth in size and scope is a testament to its prestige and the increasing recognition of its ability to spotlight high-quality spirits from around the world.
Overall, this edition of Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Renhuai was a resounding success, combining tradition, innovation, and global participation. As the results are eagerly awaited, this year’s event has already made an indelible mark on the spirits industry, pushing boundaries and setting new standards.
Here are the medal winners from India at the competition this year.
See the full result here Resultats • Spirits Selection or Visit www.spiritsselection.com for more.
Leave a comment