The Mondial des Vins Extrêmes wine competition, organised by CERVIM under the patronage of the OIV (International Organisation for Wines and Vines) and authorised by the Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, is the only wine competition in the world specifically dedicated to the promotion of wines produced in so-called “heroic” wine-growing areas. The competition selects the best wines originated from extreme viticulture with the purpose of defending and rewarding the production of small wine-growing areas. Holders of a distinctive history and bearers of a long-lasting tradition, these regions shelter valuable and unique landscapes and focus on cultivating local vine varieties mostly. These true “wine-growing sanctuaries” could, however, be in danger of disappearing because of their considerable production costs, which are ten times higher than in flatland vineyards.
Over the previous 23 editions of what used to be known as the “International Mountain Wines Competition”, wineries have shown increasing interest in the contest. Produced in about 26 European countries and in a few other non-European ones – such as Armenia, Chile, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey –, the average number of wines entered into the competition has exceeded 800 over the past few years.
Tasters, chosen among oenologists, expert wine tasters and specialised press journalists from all over the world, will convene in special panels, each consisting of 5 tasters, which judge the various wines with a special computer program used for the very first time in Italy at the Cervim competition.
The characteristic that singles out the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes on the wine competition scene worldwide is mainly due to the varieties of wines tasted, most of which are produced from local vines on unique terroirs that make their ineffaceable mark on the fragrances and flavours. This peculiarity attracts the many experts who every year submit their candidacy to judge in the competition which, as every year, is held in the Aosta Valley.
Entries are divided into 9 categories:
1 – Still white wines from 2023, (containing up to 6 g/l of sugar residue);
2 – Still white wines from 2022 or earlier, (containing up to 6 g/l of sugar residue);
3 - Still semi-sweet white wines (containing between 6.1 and 45 g/l of sugar residue);
4 – Still red wines from 2022 and 2023;
5 – Still red wines from 2021 or earlier;
6 – Still rosé wines;
7 – Sparkling wines;
8 – Sweet wines (with more than 45.1 g/l of sugar residue);
9 – Fortified wines.
Wines which may take part in the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes – are those labelled with the PDO Protected Denomination of Origin, or with the PGI Protected Geographical Indication
At the end of testing, the final ranking is drawn up: based on the scores given, the wines may be awarded a Grand Gold Medal, Gold Medal and Silver Medal, as well as further prizes for the best wine and the best winery for each country taking part, the best wine in absolute, the best organic and/or biodynamic wine, the best wine produced in the small islands, the best young producer (under 35 years of age), the best female producer and a prize for the vine-growing region entering the greatest number of wines and the best wine produced from a grape variety ungrafted.
Prix VINOFED, awarded in all the wine competitions belonging to the Federation of the Great World Wine Competitions, will be attributed to the best dry wine that has obtained the best score in the competition. In the event that the VINOFED prize coincides with the GRAND PRIX CERVIM, the prize will be awarded to the next ranked wine.