Welcome to the International Carignan Competition
The international gathering dedicated to the Carignan / Cariñena grape variety
The 2nd Concurso Mundial de Cariñenas / Carignans (CMC 2026) will bring together producers, wine professionals, communicators and enthusiasts from every major Carignan-producing region on 10 November 2026 in Cariñena (Aragon, Spain).
More than just a wine competition, this initiative was created to celebrate and promote one of the world's great Mediterranean grape varieties, while encouraging dialogue between regions, wine styles and wine cultures that share a common heritage. From Aragon to Roussillon, Catalonia, Sardinia, Chile, California and beyond, Carignan is today a dynamic and distinctive variety with a remarkable diversity of expressions.
One grape variety, many territories
CMC 2026 pursues two main objectives:
- To recognise and reward excellence in wines produced from the Carignan grape variety.
- To create an international platform for exchange and collaboration between the world’s leading Carignan-producing regions.
Throughout the day, participating wines will be assessed blind by an international panel of experienced wine professionals and recognised tasting experts.
Who can participate?
Participation is open to:
- Winegrowers and winery producers
- Wine cooperatives
- Producers’ associations
- Wine merchants and négociants
- Other professional wine organisations
Wines bearing a geographical indication (PDO, PGI, AOP, IGP, etc.) from any wine-producing country may be entered.
Free participation in 2026
To encourage the broadest possible international participation and ensure strong representation of the variety worldwide, the organisers have decided that entry will be completely free of charge for the 2026 edition.
Entry fee: €0
Participants are only responsible for the cost of shipping their samples.
Competition Categories
Carignan ≥ 85% (Single-varietal wines)
Carignan ≥ 50% and < 85% (Blended wines)
Sample submission and delivery
For each wine entered, participants must submit:
- Two 75 cl bottles (or an equivalent minimum volume of 1.5 litres).
- Bottles must carry their final commercial labels.
Registration deadline
10 October 2026.
Sample delivery deadline
30 October 2026.
Delivery address
CRDOP Cariñena
Camino de la Platera, 7
50400 Cariñena (Zaragoza)
Spain
Delivery hours:
Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 14:00.
Participants are free to choose their preferred carrier. Shipping costs, customs duties and any related charges remain the responsibility of the sender.
Awards
Wines will be assessed using the official OIV tasting sheet and may receive the following distinctions:
🥇 Grand Gold Medal (95 points or above)
🥇 Gold Medal (90 to 94.99 points)
🥈 Silver Medal (85 to 89.99 points)
Registration and official documents
Cariñena, the world's meeting point for Carignan
On 10 November 2026, Cariñena will welcome the leading Carignan-producing regions of the world to celebrate a grape variety that forms part of the past, present and future of wine.
One variety. Many territories. One shared passion.
