The 22nd Edition of the VINARIUM International Wine Contest will take place in Ploiești, Romania, between May 22–25, 2025.

VINARIUM is the most important International Wine Competition in Central and Southeastern Europe.

Patronage

  • VINARIUM is held under the patronage of OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine – www.oiv.int) and VINOFED (World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions – www.vinofed.com).
  • VINARIUM has been an active member of VINOFED since 2017.
  • FIJEV (International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers – www.fijev.org) has been a VINARIUM partner since 2020.

Official Observers present in Romania:

  • Mr. Manuel CAPOTE, Spain, Board Member of VINOFED
  • Mr. Richard PFISTER, Switzerland, OIV Observer
  • Mrs. Janna RIJPMA MEPPELINK, Netherlands, Vice-President of FIJEV

Sample Categories

According to OIV, the samples admitted in the competition belong to the following categories: still wines, sparkling wines, and vitivinicultural spirits.

Judging is electronic and conducted according to the OIV Evaluation Sheet.

Over 1,500 samples from more than 26 countries are expected. The limit date for registration of samples: April 27, 2025.

Distinct judging categories:

  • Organic Wines
  • Amber/Orange Wines and Qvevri/Amphora Wines
  • Non-alcoholic Wines
  • PIWI Wines

VINARIUM Jury

Judging will take place in 8 panels, each composed of 5 judges, and led by a President. So far, judges from 20 countries have confirmed their participation.

The VINARIUM 2025 jury list is available here: https://www.iwcb.ro/en/jury-2025/

The international jury consists of highly qualified experts – oenologists, certified ADAR tasters, Masters of Wine, PhDs in oenology, and WSET-certified professionals. Some judges are also influential wine communicators.

Awarded Medals

The consensual score for each sample will be calculated as the arithmetic mean of all the judges’ scores, after removing the highest and lowest scores.

According to OIV regulations, only 30% of the entered samples may receive a medal. The scoring brackets are:

  • Grand Gold Medal: 93–100 points
  • Gold Medal: 89–92.9 points
  • Silver Medal: 85–88.9 points

Special Awards

  • VINOFED will award prizes to the highest-scoring dry wines in the following categories: white, rosé, red, and sparkling wines.
  • FIJEV will present special awards to the highest-scoring Romanian wines, either made from indigenous grape varieties or blends where local grapes account for at least 50%.

IPPU Packaging & Kurz Romania Awards

VINARIUM judges will select the top 3 visual presentations (packaging & labeling) based on aesthetics, the expression of the oenological message, winery personality, and execution quality.

IPPU Packagingand KURZ Romania will offer three exceptional prizes. Each prize includes the production of 5,000 sets of labels (front and back), crafted with skill and professionalism by the IPPU Packaging and KURZ Romania teams.

Kurz Romania will handle the premium embellishment using the most attractive foils and decoration tools, while IPPU will provide technical and graphic assistance to ensure high-quality print execution.

*IPPU Packaging, part of the Prime Label group, has over 30 years of experience in self-adhesive label printing and covers more than 75% of Romania’s wine label market. From innovative ideas, elegant graphics, and complex design, to multi-million label rolls, the IPPU team delivers outstanding technical solutions and flawless execution.

*KURZ is the world leader in hot stamping technology and surface decoration.

Importers’ Awards

To boost the business potential of imported wines awarded at VINARIUM, VINARIUM & vinul.ro will organize a post-competition event where Romanian importers can discover and award these wines. The Importers’ Awards will be presented.

Wines seeking a Romanian importer will be showcased to local selectors, along with their medals, pricing, packaging, and producer contact details.

Wines that win Importers’ Awards will benefit from free exposure via VINARIUM & vinul.ro communication channels.

*vinul.ro  – Main Media Partner of VINARIUM, the oldest and most influential wine publication in Romania.