French duo wins €35,000 prize at Vila Viniteca’s blind tasting contest

This year, Vila Viniteca's prestigious wine-tasting competition in pairs had a distinctly international feel. The coveted first prize of €35,000 went to French duo Maxime France and Pierre Citerne. The latter, an archaeologist and writer, had already made history as part of the first French team to win the competition in its fifth edition. Both had competed separately in previous years in Madrid and Barcelona before claiming victory together.

Now in its 17th edition, the blind tasting competition —Spain’s most renowned public wine-tasting event— was held on Sunday at Madrid’s Casino. All 135 team spots sold out in just three minutes. Second place, with a prize of €10,000, went to Peter Arijs, director of the Rioja Wine Academy, and Stijn Verleyen, a Belgian wine educator. It was their debut in the competition after years on the waiting list. ‘We aimed to do well, but without pressure or expectations,’ admitted Arijs, who, as expected, expertly identified the mature Rioja in the final.

Third place was awarded to Alberto Botía González, a software engineer, and Eduardo Dequidt Herrero, deputy director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They took home €5,000 for their performance.

This year’s edition welcomed 135 teams —15 more than in previous years— from 14 countries, competing for a total prize pot of €50,000. The jury also saw new faces, including Argentine sommelier Paz Levinson. Among the attendees were many familiar names from the wine world, such as producers Ricard Rofes, Roc Gramona, and Celia Vizcarra (pictured below). The Wine Advocate critic Luis Gutiérrez, a regular at the event, was also present, as well as 2022 champions Alberto Ruffoni and Boris Olivas.

The event, organised by Vila Viniteca partners Quim Vila and Siscu Martí, required a logistical feat. A team of 120 staff catered to the 1,200 attendees filling Madrid’s Casino. Over 6,000 Riedel glasses were used (3,500 for the competition alone), and 277 bottles were uncorked. As is tradition, the day featured a wine exhibition with 48 bodegas participating, alongside a cheese stand offering more than 75 varieties from 66 cheesemakers.

The wines of the qualifying phase:

PSI 2021, Ribera del Duero (€50.95)
La Grange des Pères 2018, Languedoc-Roussillon
Buçaco Branco Místico 2017, Portugal (€182.50)
Jacquesson La Cuvée 742 Dégorgement Tardif, Champagne (€133.75)
L'O de L'Origan Brut Nature Edition 13, Cava (€25.70, Edition 14)
Ca' Del Bosco Annamaria Clementi 2014, Franciacorta (€159.30)
Alvear Pedro Ximénez 1927, Montilla-Moriles (€18.25)

The wines of the final:

Fils Terroirs Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne (€90)
Sandhi Romance Chardonnay 2022, California (€119.90)
Pazo Barrantes Gran Vino Albariño 2021, Rías Baixas (€42.50)
Paternina Gran Reserva 1962, Rioja (€167)
Te Mata Coleraine 2021, New Zealand (€84.50)
Château Latour Les Forts de Latour 2018, Bordeaux (€264.50)
Marchesi Antinori Solaia 2020, Tuscany (€469.95)