Another Reason for Luxury in Leon, Guanajuato
J.L. Rocha Collections
The Worlds Greatest Wine Competition Comes to Mexico
Mexican History
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is the worlds premier wine competition, taking place over four sessions, in four locations, highlighting four different categories of wine. This year - the selection for the main session of the event showcasing red and white wine surprised the international community, as the selected venue was announced to be Leon, Guanajuato. While this decision stunned some of the 320 judges in the competitions first session in Croatia’s Istria region, we applaud the decision and believe it was the right call.
This article will outline the CMB, what this means on the global stage, and some of our favorite wines from Mexico.
Tinto De Verano: The Summer Drink
Ingredients: 1 part Gaseosa (or a mixture of Sprite and water or Fanta), 1 part Red wine
Preparation: Mix and serve well chilled.
Served: On the rocks; poured over ice
Standard garnish: Lemon slice
What is the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles?
According to their website, the CMB is A global benchmark for wine competitions, the name stands for Global Competition of Brussels. The competition was founded in 1974 and is acknowledged as a world reference for wine competitions. The CMB takes place over the calendar year across four sessions in four different venues. The sessions cover four types of wine, Rose in February, Reds and Whites in June, Sparkling Wines in July, and Sweet and Fortified Wines in September/October. The goal of the CMB is:
“Identifying the best wines, offering a quality guide to consumers around the world and promoting the wine heritage: these are the objectives of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.”
Why Leon, Guanajuato?
Leon, Guanajuato is a short drive from San Miguel de Allende - not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also a Pueblo Magico (or Magic Town) as well as the site of many phenomenal wineries. Mexico as a whole contains a primarily arid climate, and many vineyards are located at high altitudes, which provides cooler air and an increased diurnal shift (e.g. it’s cold at night). (Source Wine Folly)
An article by Forbes, written just after the initial announcement sums up Leon’s claim to this prestigious competition well:
“While Mexico as a wine destination may come as a surprise to some, it is important to realize that the total production of Mexican wine per year (according to the Mexican Wine Council, November 2022) is valued at $2,174,014,500.00 USD with the USA as the main export market. More than 44% of the total 14,580 hectoliters of wine are exported to the USA and 12% are exported to Japan.
Guanajuato has become a leading player in the Mexican wine industry, thanks in part to its rich history and ideal climate for grape cultivation. As the birthplace of Mexican National Independence, Guanajuato has a deep connection to Mexican culture and heritage. It occupies the 5th place at national level in extension of vineyards, with 485 planted hectares and more than 100 projected hectares, which represents 4.5 % of the national area for the production of quality wines. The state is also the fifth-largest grape producer in Mexico and ranks fourth in overall wine production.”
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo, Governor of the state, told Forbes, “What you are going to experience is a 360-degree holistic experience. Besides the competition, we want to take advantage of our Unesco World Heritage cities, of the archeological zones that we have, and to also enjoy the state beyond the competition. We want to show you our cultural and artistic richness. We have great artists from Guanajuato such as Diego Rivera and José Alfredo Jiménez.” Making this years CMB a true taste of Mexico for anyone in attendance.
Some of our favorite Mexican Wines?
When it comes to selecting our favorites, these options come from experience and individual preferences. While you might enjoy some of our favorites, we would also love to hear some of yours in the comments. We hope you enjoy these fine wines Mexico has to offer:
These wines provide a variety that is sure to entice your senses while showing the array of quality and taste that Mexico has to offer. While this is not a comprehensive list of what we enjoy, we hope this will start you on the path toward discovering new fine wines in Mexico.
Closing Notes:
With the CMB only weeks away, our goal was to highlight this competitions venue selection as another sign of the quality Mexico can offer. The global stage has seen Mexico grow into a strong power for various industries, from our own of Leather to automobile manufacturing and wine - Mexico continues to showcase our ability to provide luxury experiences and products. We believe that luxury comes from passion, quality, and craftsmanship: the same values that drive our family and mission forward.
Thank you/Gracias