Moldova wins two medals at the world sweet and fortified wine competition
The Republic of Moldova won one gold and one silver medal at the sweet and fortified wine session of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2026. Both medals went to Fautor winery, while two other Moldovan wines received the CMB Merit distinction.
The results were announced today, following tastings held on 9–11 October 2026 in Thuir, in the French region of Roussillon.
The gold medal went to Fautor Ice Wine Traminer-Muscat Ottonel 2016, a blend of Traminer (78%) and Muscat Ottonel (22%), with 12.7% alcohol. The jury highlighted the wine’s elegance, its aromas of honey, dates and flowers, and its fresh finish with saline notes.
Fautor Late Harvest Rhein Riesling 2010 won the silver medal. Made entirely from Riesling, with 12% alcohol, the wine was praised for its aromatic complexity, its balance of acidity and sweetness, and its persistent finish. Both wines come from the Leova area of the Valul lui Traian wine region. Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Late Harvest also received a CMB Merit distinction.
Two other Moldovan wines received the CMB Merit distinction: Bacio di Bolle ChocoWine 2024, produced by Maurt from Feteasca Neagră and Merlot, and Pastoral Red 2025, a Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Alianța-Vin.
It should be noted that this is a niche competition devoted exclusively to sweet and fortified wines, categories that account for a relatively small share of today’s wine offering. The number of Moldovan entries is unknown, so the results do not allow a national success rate to be calculated.
A competition dominated by Portugal
The 2026 edition set a participation record: 417 wines from nearly 30 countries, of which 134 won medals — 9 Grand Gold, 62 Gold and 63 Silver.
Portugal dominated the competition, winning 62 medals from 102 entries, including four Grand Gold medals. Port wines were the country’s most successful category, earning 45 medals.
Other European countries with notable results included Hungary, with seven medals from seven entries, Greece, with eight medals, and Romania, with five.
The Fortified Wine Revelation trophy went to Portugal’s Lugar do Rio Old Tawny, while the Sweet Revelation award went to Greece’s Estate Argyros Vinsanto Late Release 2005.
The Sweet and Fortified Wines session is part of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, one of the world’s leading international wine competitions, which evaluates more than 15,000 entries across various categories each year.
