Abiertas las inscripciones del Concurso Internacional de Vinos Magnum 2022

There is a competition that only looks at big bottles. The International Magnum Wine Competition rewards what is kept in the litre-and-a-half format, and it has once again opened its entries to wineries from within and beyond Spain.

A contest with a clear rule

What sets this competition apart is its starting point: only wines bottled in the magnum format compete, that is, 1.5-litre bottles. It is not an aesthetic whim. This format is renowned among winemakers for how it treats wine, and the contest was created precisely to put that detail at the centre and give it the recognition it rarely receives in conventional competitions.

Why the magnum format matters

The magnum holds twice as much as a standard bottle, yet keeps a neck of the same diameter. That reduces, in proportion, the amount of oxygen in contact with the wine relative to the total volume of liquid. The result winemakers usually describe is a slower, more gradual evolution, favourable to wines meant for cellaring. That is why many wineries reserve their best batches for this format.

• More gradual evolution during cellaring.
• Presence on the table, ideal for celebrations and hospitality.
• A distinctive product for restaurant wine lists.

Blind tasting and international jury

The entered wines are tasted blind before a jury made up of industry professionals from different countries. Blind tasting is the guarantee that it is the glass being scored and not the label: no one knows which winery lies behind each sample until the notes are closed. Each edition features labels from several European producing countries, giving a broad snapshot of each area's style in this format.

What a winery gains by taking part

Beyond the medal, a good result is a sales tool, especially for the hospitality channel, where the magnum stands out and is requested for special occasions. For the enthusiast, the list of winners works as a reliable buying guide when looking for wines with cellaring potential.

How to follow the competition

If you are interested in the world of competitions and appellations, the best plan is to taste on your own and compare. Many of the wineries that enter contests like this open their doors to the public. You can explore the designations of origin and look for an area whose ageworthy reds you fancy getting to know first-hand. In the end, the best way to understand why a format makes the difference is to uncork it.