”Dear Grand Masters, dear sisters and brothers of the IFBC member confraternities, President Alan Bryden has asked Marin Berovic of the OEVE Consulate in Slovenia for a report on the competitions, tournaments and wine selections of our confraternities. We know that many of our members select wines each year in one way or another.
Together with Marin, we came to the conclusion that it was possible to organize an event that would draw media attention to us and at the same time be fun, by awarding a prize for the “FICB Bottle of the Year” at the Annual General Meeting.
The aim is obviously not to reward the “best”, an absurd concept, but to have a champion to honor, among those selected by our confraternities, at the end of a tournament in which the champions will face each other 2 by 2, as in the days of chivalry.
After receiving a positive response from several of our members, this project was approved by the Council. I am therefore pleased to inform you that this prize will be awarded as from February next year, provided that there are enough participants, which I have no doubt.
An organizing committee, composed of Marin Berovic, professor at the University of Ljubljana and president of the international juries, our secretary general Vincent Carrière and myself, president of FICB, was set up.
Call for applications
Each FICB member is entitled to propose one nomination. We are counting on a minimum of 8 nominations and will not exceed 20 for this first edition. In a second stage, the characteristics of the wines (color, grape variety, vintage year…) will be requested from the candidates and may, if deemed useful, be subject to a pre-selection. The final list of candidates will be drawn up at a date to be fixed.
The tour will take place at the Musée du Vin on the afternoon of Friday, February 6, 2026, following the Board of Directors meeting. A 7-person jury, chaired by Marin Berovic, will be constituted. The identity of the participating wines will remain secret throughout the process. A specific procedure will be put in place to avoid any risk of conflict of interest. Candidates will be able to bring their bottles on the day or send them directly to the Musée du Vin.
Setting up the jury
The organizing committee will directly contact members of our confraternities who are recognized for their experience and competence and who commit themselves to be present to participate in the jury.
Wine lovers’ or public award
Before the meal following the general assembly, the semi-finalists (who have provided sufficient additional bottles) will be invited to a blind tasting at the Musée du Vin. Every wine lover present will be able to vote for their favorite. The Wine Lovers’ Prize will be awarded to the first runner-up.
Award ceremony
The prizes will be awarded on the evening of Saturday, February 7, during a cocktail reception preceding a traditional meal in a Parisian restaurant.
Dear Grand Masters, dear brothers and sisters of the IFBC member confraternities, I count on your commitment to ensure the success of this initiative and to contribute to the reputation of our international federation of wine fraternities.
My best wine greetings to you all.
IN VINO VERITAS!”
Marc Lesk, FICB President
