Brut d’Or Riesling 2022 Wins Top Award at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

The Abrau-Durso Group of Companies achieved a remarkable victory at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), one of the world’s most prestigious wine competitions. The classic sparkling wine Brut d’Or Riesling 2022 became the only Russian sparkling wine to receive the competition’s highest distinction, the Grand Gold Medal, in the 2026 contest. In total, the wines of Abrau-Durso and Vedernikov Winery won seven top-level medals at the CMB: three gold and four silver medals.

The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles has been held since 1994 and is considered one of the largest and most prestigious international wine competitions. Every year, numerous specimens from dozens of countries undergo a multi-stage blind tasting, with scores awarded by international industry experts, including sommeliers, wine journalists, buyers, winemakers, and researchers. The competition, which changes its host country each year, attracted a record number of participants: more than 7,000 wine specimens from 51 countries. Competition was fierce, with leading wine-producing regions such as Italy, France, Spain, and others presenting their wines.

The competition’s highest distinction, the Grand Gold Medal, was awarded to the classic sparkling wine Brut d’Or Riesling 2022. It became the only Russian sparkling wine to receive this award at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2026. Earlier in 2026, Brut d’Or Riesling 2022 had already received Double Gold and the title of Grand Champion International at another prestigious international competition, TERRAVINO. It was also named "Wine of the Year" in the Top100Wines 2025 ranking, taking first place among Russia’s best wines. The sparkling wine has a distinctive varietal profile: its bouquet features citrus, pear, and green apple, while the palate combines vibrant acidity characteristic of the grape variety, minerality, and a long finish.

Gold medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles were also awarded to the Imperial Vintage Brut 2021 sparkling wine and Vedernikov Winery — Reserve — Sibirkovy Aligote Zero Dosage 2021. Silver medals went to Victor Dravigny Brut 2023, Russian Sparkling Brut, the aged red wine Vedernikov Winery — Tverdy Znak 2020, and the rosé brut Vedernikov Winery — Reserve — Tsimlyansky Cherny 2022.

The Abrau-Durso Group of Companies participates in expert international wine competitions, viewing them as an essential tool for independent quality assessment and for promoting Russian wines on the global stage. The outstanding results at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in a year when the competition brought together a record number of top-quality specimens from around the world not only confirm the exceptional quality of Abrau-Durso wines but also strengthen the reputation of the entire Russian wine industry.

List of wines:

Grand Gold Medal:

Brut d’Or Riesling 2022.

Gold:

Imperial Vintage Brut 2021;

Vedernikov Winery — Reserve — Sibirkovy Aligote Zero Dosage 2021.

Silver:

Victor Dravigny Brut 2023; Russian Sparkling Brut;

Vedernikov Winery — Tverdy Znak 2020;

Vedernikov Winery — Reserve — Tsimlyansky Cherny 2022.