The 9th edition of the “Concours International Wine in Box” (CIWIB), which took place at Toulouse-Labège on March
28, was successful as well for the great quality of the proposed wines as for the tasters delighted by this event. A
specific award will be created for the celebration of Toulouse as 2023 European wine capital.
The 2023 edition
The “Concours International Best Wine in Box” 2023 was held at Diagora-Labège (Toulouse, south-western France)
on March 28. It was the 9th edition of this pioneer contest, the first one that specifically distinguished boxed wines.
The CIWIB is now well established, and participation figures remain high, although the economic context (inflation)
is difficult for the wine sector.
Altogether 387 wines were entered, of which 55% French wines and 45% international. The usual wine-producing
countries are present (Spain, Italy, Portugal), as are other European countries: Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary,
Romania and for the very first time, Moldova. New-world wines are also well represented (USA, South Africa,
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile and New Zealand).
“Incredible quality”
This year again, the quality of the wines was very high, to the point that Anne-Marie Estampe, CEO of the organizing
company, found herself not being able to attribute medals to some wines that had received grades above 14/20,
because wine contest rules impose a 30% limit on the proportion of wines that can be rewarded. “Yet the quality was
incredible”, noted Anne-Marie Estampe while compiling the results.
Indeed the juries have noticed for several years now that the Bag-in-Box format has been fully adopted by producers,
who are quite prepared to box very good or even excellent wines. Even prestigious wines from wineries like
Côtes-de-Nuit or Condrieu may be found in alternative packagings!
Follow-up contests: the best designed boxes, …and a “Toulouse” medal
The host city, Toulouse, was named 2023 European wine capital. To celebrate the occasion, a specific Toulouse
medal will be awarded to the three best European wines (one red, one white, one rosé) among the CIWIB winners.
In addition, like previous years, the wines that won the golden “Best Wine in Box” sticker will run for “Best Dressed
Wine” and “Eco-design”. A jury of designers will pick the best-looking boxes, while Adelphe (who advises companies
on recycling) will nominate the box whose design is most eco-friendly. These follow-up contests will take place later
in 2023.
The first contest of its kind
The “Concours International Wine in Box”, created in 2015, was the first contest devoted solely to boxed wines. It is
organized by Amelovin in partnership with the University of Toulouse (oenology students) and the Occitanie Region.
It is open to producers and distributors of boxed wine. The “Best Wine in Box” medals are awarded according to strict
rules, the wines are blind tasted by juries each chaired by professional oenologists.
The results of the 2023 edition are available online: https://best-wine-in-box.com/en/results-2023/
