Grenaches du Monde confirms its international reach in Argelès-sur-Mer (Roussillon, France)
The 14th edition of the international Grenaches du Monde competition has come to a close in Argelès-sur-Mer, bringing together industry professionals and international judges around the Grenache grape variety, in its historic region of origin: Roussillon.
Organised by the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR), founder of the competition, with the support of the Occitanie Region through FEADER funding and of the Albères– Côte Vermeille – Illibéris Community of Municipalities, Grenaches du Monde 2026 also celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Maury appellation, reinforcing the event’s historical and cultural roots.
In a context marked by geopolitical uncertainty and challenges facing the wine sector, the competition has demonstrated both its capacity to mobilise participants and its international reach. The 2026 edition brought together wines from leading producing countries, notably Spain,France and Italy, and welcomed around sixty international judges from some twenty countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom,France, Andorra, Spain and Italy. This edition confirms the competition’s strong mobilisation capacity, with participation showing a slight increase compared with 2025, despite a particularly demanding environment for the wine sector and international competitions.
Led by the Albères – Côte Vermeille – Illibéris Community of Municipalities, this edition found in Argelès-sur-Mer a particularly favourable setting, between sea, mountains and vineyards, providing an ideal backdrop for the event. Hosted at the Maison de la Mer, the competition formed part of a wider dynamic highlighting local terroirs, tourism appeal and the region’s commitment to sustainable development.
“We are very pleased to see the competition return to Roussillon, in such a high-quality setting. This territory fully embodies the values of Grenache and offers a particularly inspiring environment for hosting an event of this international scale,” said Fabrice Rieu, President of Grenaches du Monde.
International delegations and the many regions represented unanimously praised the quality of the organisation, the richness of professional exchanges and the region’s wine tourism potential.
“We are delighted to have hosted an event of this scale and to showcase the strengths of our territory: its landscapes, its tourism infrastructure, as well as the expertise of its wineries and the wines of Roussillon,” said Grégory Marty, President of the Albères – Côte Vermeille – Illibéris Community of Municipalities.
The quality of the wines presented was also widely commended, confirming the diversity and expressive potential of the Grenache grape on a global scale.
Continuing momentum
Several bids have already been submitted to host future editions, demonstrating the competition’s attractiveness and its ability to bring together the international community. The next destination will be announced in the coming weeks.
The results of the 2026 edition will be released to the public and the press in the course of next week.
This momentum will continue into the autumn with the hosting of a new edition of the Nuit des Grenaches, extending exchanges and further promoting the Grenache grape variety among both professionals and the general public.
