Slovakian white wine wins top honor at Mondial des Vins Blancs in Strasbourg

A 22-year-old Slovakian white wine has won the Grand Jury Prize at the 27th edition of the Mondial des Vins Blancs in Strasbourg, held on April 5 and 6, 2025. The event took place at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès and is recognized as the only global competition dedicated exclusively to the diversity of white wines. The competition is sponsored by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and is a member of VINOFED.

The winning wine, Tokajsky vyber 6 putnovy 2003 from Ostrozovic Spol sro in Velka Trna, Slovakia, scored 95.2 out of 100 points. This naturally sweet wine from the Tokaj region impressed an international panel of judges from Japan, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, and France. Judges described it as having a “magnificent brown color with caramel and orange highlights, a beautiful shine,” and praised its “perfect, intense palate with a nice balance between fruit and acidity.” The jury called it “a truly exceptional wine.”

This year’s competition introduced food and wine pairings based on national specialties. For example, the Grand Jury Prize winner was suggested as an accompaniment to duck foie gras with fig confit for France.

The VINOFED Prize for best sparkling Brut went to Taittinger from Reims, France, for its “Comtes de Champagne 2013” Chardonnay. The VINOFED Prize for best still dry wine was awarded to B\V Vinarstvi from Ratiskovice, Czech Republic, for its “Ryzlink Rynsky 2023” (Riesling).

Nine trophies were awarded for dry wines (with less than 4 grams per liter of residual sugar). The Czech Republic took home four trophies, Slovakia two, while Australia, Spain, and France each received one.

Among the jury’s favorites were Atypique 2023 by Vogt Laurent from Alsace (best macerated white), White Pearl 2017 by Kovach Winery from Ukraine (best first-time entry), and Palava vyber z hroznu 2024 by Vinarstvi Krist from the Czech Republic (best indigenous variety).

This year’s event saw medal winners from thirteen countries across Europe, America, and Oceania. Notably, Denmark participated for the first time and won a gold medal with Agger Vin. Spain earned three medals: gold for Paco & Lola’s Albariño Rías Baixas D.O. 2024 and Diez Siglos de Verdejo’s Nekora Verdejo 2024, plus silver for Bodega de Sarría’s La Caprichosa Verdejo 2023.

The competition featured 60 expert judges representing 24 nationalities. Organizers introduced a new category for dealcoholized wines and hosted a masterclass on these wines led by Bruno Marret and Sue Eames.

In total, the Mondial des Vins Blancs awarded 22 Grand Gold Medals (for wines scoring over 93 points), 125 Gold Medals (over 89 points), and 26 Silver Medals (over 85 points). The event is organized by Strasbourg Events, which has four decades of experience in hosting major gatherings and attracts around 750,000 visitors annually.

As a member of VINOFED, the competition ensures international visibility for its winners through platforms like wine-searcher.com. The Mondial des Vins Blancs continues to highlight both established wineries and smaller estates while reflecting current trends in white wine production worldwide.