OIV Awards 2023: a celebration of excellence in the world of wine

On September 21, 2023, the Serbian embassy residence in Paris was transformed into a prestigious venue honoring the best in the vitivinicultural sector. The ceremony marked the presentation of the 2023 OIV Awards, an event renowned in the wine world and one that underscores commitment to excellence.

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) ensured that this year's ceremony was particularly significant. The awards witnessed the distribution of 14 prizes, supplemented by 8 special mentions and an additional recognition. This edition set a record, with 76 applications, showcasing an enthusiastic participation from the global community. The books vying for these awards came from 27 countries, spanning both OIV member and non-member nations. France and Italy, known for their wine legacies, spearheaded the majority of the applications.

Attending the ceremony were several distinguished personalities. The list was headlined by Luigi Moio, President of the OIV, and further graced by Azélina Jaboulet-Vercherre, Jury President, and Richard Pfister, the Scientific Secretary of the award jury. Their presence added gravitas to an already significant event. Moreover, various members of the Diplomatic Corps were in attendance, along with representatives from the publishing houses of the award-winning books.

Serbia's Warm Embrace

As an OIV member, Serbia played a pivotal role in this year's awards. Beyond hosting the event at its Paris embassy, Serbia also showcased its viticultural heritage. Following the award ceremony, attendees were treated to a Serbian wine tasting session, curated by renowned sommelier Stevan Ratja. This session was also a precursor to the upcoming Wine Vision Open Balkan fair, enjoying the patronage of the OIV's International Year of Vine and Wine.

Notably, the second edition of the "Wine Vision By Open Balkan" International Wine Fair is scheduled from November 16 to 19, 2023, in Belgrade. The governments of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania are proudly supporting this event. It's worth noting that its inaugural edition in September 2022 garnered participation from over 350 exhibitors spanning 20 countries, with professional buyers and exhibitors from over 40 countries participating in B2B meetings.

OIV Awards 2024: The Road Ahead

For those looking to participate in the next edition, the application window for the 2024 OIV Awards opened on September 1, 2023, and will run until February 28, 2024. Prospective applicants can complete the form and submit the required files online.

The OIV award, established in the organization's regulations, is conferred annually by an international jury. Comprising eminent personalities from the vitivinicultural world representing OIV member countries, the award has stood as an international benchmark in the wine sector since 1930. With this honor, the jury acknowledges outstanding works across the 12 categories open for competition, and their decision is reached through consensus.