2026 World Blind Tasting Championship: heading to Avignon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape
For two days, more than forty teams from five continents will gather in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and at the Palais des Papes in Avignon to compete for the most coveted title in wine tasting. This competition of excellence puts talent, sensory memory, wine knowledge, and analytical skills to the ultimate test.
The world's greatest tasting challenge
The principle of the championship is as simple as it is ruthless. Each team is presented with twelve wines to be tasted blind. For each wine, they must identify, with the greatest possible precision, the grape variety, geographical origin, appellation, and vintage.
Behind this seemingly simple mechanism lies a truly high-level sport. Throughout the year, teams train to refine their reference points, expand their aromatic libraries, and perfect their analytical methods. In total, more than 200 of the world's best tasters will compete in an atmosphere that is both studious and passionate.
At the heart of the world's wine elite
Beyond the competition, the World Tasting Championship has become a unique event in the international wine scene. Professionals, collectors, knowledgeable amateurs, and enthusiasts from all over the world come together to share their common passion for wine.
This 2026 edition will offer an exceptional immersion into the world of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of France's most iconic wine regions. Meetings with winemakers, exclusive tastings, visits to prestigious estates, masterclasses, and discussions with leading international tasters will punctuate this weekend dedicated to excellence and conviviality.
An exceptional setting combining heritage and wine culture
The competitions and events will take place between the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the majestic Palais des Papes in Avignon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exceptional monument remains one of Europe's most remarkable historical landmarks. A former papal residence in the 14th century, it provides a spectacular backdrop befitting the prestige of the championship. The gala dinner, held in this unique setting, will conclude a weekend dedicated to sharing, conviviality, and a passion for wine.
As reigning world champions, France will be one of the major attractions at the 2026 edition. After reclaiming the trophy last year, the French team has chosen to open a new chapter in its history by fielding, for the first time, an all-female team, led by Candy Sangare, a former flight attendant who transitioned into the world of wine. Sangare has established herself thanks to rigorous training, including WSET and EVS certifications, and is already the French Blind Tasting Champion. For the World Championship, she will be joined by sommeliers Pauline Monclus and Camille Guilbaud.
