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Two Masters of Wine win prestigious Vila Viniteca tasting
© Vila Viniteca
Britain and Spain might be rivals on the football field but the two countries have united to take out first prize at one of Europe’s most prestigious wine tasting competitions. The Vila Viniteca blind tasting competition, dubbed the ‘Olympics of Wine Tasting’, is renowned for its unique pairs format, superb tasting list and generous prize pool. Now, in keeping with that Olympic spirit, two Masters of Wine from Spain and England have together swirled, sniffed and tasted their way to glory – and €35,000 in prize money.
One hundred and twenty-four pairs took part in the 18th edition of the annual Vila Viniteca CATA POR PAREJAS (Vila Viniteca Tasting for Couples), held on February 22 in the vibrant Spanish city of Barcelona in front of more than 1,500 excited spectators.
Launched in 2008 by the Vila Viniteca wine house, the competition is unique in more ways than one. Fierce competition among the international sommeliers, educators and wine enthusiasts begins with the registration process. Its popularity across Europe – and beyond – means that the places sell out in less than three minutes!
Two heads are better than one
This year’s winners, Spanish sommelier Álvaro Ribalta and his partner, fellow Master of Wine Thomas Luke Parker from England, said their victory in the 14th century Casa Llotja de Mar convention centre felt a little unreal.
© Vila Viniteca
“We have been coming to this for over 10 years so it is amazing to win. It is such a difficult competition...there are so many amazing tasters in this room,” said a smiling Parker. His advice for competitors? “Just drink lots of good wine beforehand, make sure you are relaxed going into it and have fun.”
It is the first time that a Briton has been part of a winning pair. Most have historically come from Spain, including this year’s runner-up, winemaker Antoni Carbó from La Salada and Ramón Jané from Mas Candí winery, who took home €10,000 after being victorious in both 2024 and 2018. But the competition’s increasingly international flavour was emphasised by the first Argentine making the podium this year – sommelier Patricio Zárate and his partner Alberto Ruffoni (co-champion in 2022) secured third place and a cheque for €5,000.
The competition began at 10:30am as 248 participants from 10 countries took their places at the tasting tables, facing a venerable international jury, including Paz Levinson, Wine Director of the France-based Anne-Sophie Pic Group, and the Italian-born former Best Sommelier of the World Enrico Bernardo.
Outstanding wines
Seven wines were served blind in the qualifying round, and the murmur of different languages could be heard as the teams of two worked to precisely identify them. They received one point each for naming the correct country of origin and region, two points each for the designation of origin and brand, and three points for correctly identifying the grape variety, vintage and producer.
A hush fell over the room as the judges revealed the names of the top 10 teams who would advance to the final round that afternoon. Again, seven outstanding wines were served in Riedel glasses (more than 3,500 glasses were required for the competition) in the final test, starting with a Schloss Gobelsburg Tradition Heritage Cuvée 10 Years from Austria’s Kamptal and finishing with a González Byass Tío Pepe Amontillado Cuatro Palmas Saca 2017, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.
Álvaro Ribalta MW said it felt “incredible” to even reach the final given the calibre of his fellow tasters – and the wines. “Everything…the organisation, the glasses, the wines – it’s a spectacular competition,” he added.
Spectator sport
This commitment to excellence is what sets the Vila Viniteca contest apart from its peers. It is why big names from the world of wine flock to sign up and why (unusually) hundreds of spectators buy tickets watch the hard-fought competition in person.
© Vila Viniteca
“Vila Viniteca Cata por Parejas proves year after year that with the right format, the wine industry is thriving. It is a delight to see sommeliers, winemakers and enthusiasts from so many nations come together for this unique pairs’ competition featuring incredible wines. It really is a global celebration.”
The annual one-day tasting alternates between Barcelona and Madrid. The 19th edition will be held in the Spanish capital in 2027, with registrations announced one month in advance of the date which has yet to be decided. https://www.vilaviniteca.es/en/award-vila-viniteca-wine-tasting-competition-in-pairs
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About Vila Viniteca
Founded in 1932, in the Born district of Barcelona, Vila Viniteca has become one of the most important distributors of fine wines, spirits and gourmet products in Europe. Now managed by the third generation, this industry innovator collaborates on wine projects with some of Spain’s most acclaimed winemakers and pioneered the concept of buying wines En Primeur in Spain in 2000. In 2008, it made history again when it launched the Vila Viniteca de Cata por Parejas pairs wine tasting contest. Quim Vila, a member of the Académie Internationale du Vin (AIV), owns three wineries in Catalonia, Rueda and Madrid, where Vila Viniteca produces its own wines. It also has shops in Barcelona and a meeting space in Madrid for professionals and wine lovers to sample some of its more than 11,000 Spanish and international wines and spirits. Its gastronomic offering is no less impressive, with more than 400 mature cheeses, the finest hams and the most exclusive preserves and gourmet products.
