EVENING FACT A competition and challenges

The Nîmes and Gard wine competition is a truly beautiful organization that has risen from its ashes. However, the competition has never stopped, but the situation is such that it is a superb means of communication for the wine-growing world.

A special feature of the event is that a distinct and prestigious jury, dedicated to Coups de Cœur, is responsible for awarding this special mention to the best white, red and rosé wines. This jury, independent of the other tasters, is responsible for rewarding the most exceptional vintages.

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The Nîmes Gard Wine Competition is much more than just an event: it is an essential showcase of Gard winemaking know-how and diversity, which shines the spotlight on an entire region.

« Thank you to Michel Hermet for sponsoring us for this 47th edition of the competition! We are renewing tradition for 2025 with a large format competition at the Ludivine Furnon Sports Hall! » immediately notes the president of the Young Farmers of Gard, Romain Angelras.

Dominique Lacambra, elected to the City of Nîmes, is happy to see the new structure dedicated to sport invested. “ It’s a great initiative despite the challenges they face. The City maintains a lively and ongoing relationship with the wine industry. The JA30 demonstrate remarkable commitment, thank you for continuing to work for product quality and the sustainability of your professions. »

The JA president continues, “ To be part of the Young Farmers, you must be a farmer and under 38 years old. We defend and promote our professions. This competition is the flagship event which highlights the work of Gard winegrowers. We are organizing it despite the historically complicated context. The quality is there, the efforts are made and the high level will be in the competition. »

A new partnership has been established with independent winegrowers and a label competition (on the bottle) will be on the competition program.

For Michel Verdier, vice-president of Nîmes métropole responsible for agriculture, “ The agglomeration is made up of 39 agricultural or wine-growing communes. We must support farmers, we think of them. This competition has great meaning, this year even more so! » Gard has some 4,200 farms.

The 2025 sponsor will therefore be Michel Hermet, restaurateur of the Wine Bar in Nîmes, Gard winemaker and former president of the sommeliers of France. For him, being present is important.

« It is a real pleasure and an honor to support the winegrowers of tomorrow. I am very attached to those who give us food and drink and for whom no one has any consideration anymore… There is, unfortunately in France, a strong lack of interest in wine, but I cannot imagine a meal without wine! »

For the maestro of restaurateurs, wine is necessary. “ It’s cultural! It brings pleasure and calm, not like smartphones! And behind the label of a bottle of wine, there is always the story of the winemaker who produced it. Let's be serious, wine is not the source of alcoholism, the State hits wine too hard and too easily. We need wine and I continue my crusade! »

For Pierre Vidal, vice-president of the JA30, “ This 47th edition will see around a hundred Gard cellars represented, which means between 700 and 800 samples which will have to be tasted by 150 tasters over half a day. There will be a large buffet Welcome to the farm! »

The president of Nîmes métropole, Franck Proust, confirms. “ We voted last night for the subsidy for this partnership. It's like family or friends, we have to be there to help the industry, especially at the moment. Let’s take advantage of each event to highlight it. This new generation has courage because their choice is not easy, yet agriculture is the DNA of France… »

For tasters who are trying their hand, don’t hesitate and go for it! This morning is always a good time. At your table, whether you are a professional, an enlightened amateur or a novice, you will have people with whom talking about wine will be a real pleasure! Winegrowers have until December 15 to register, tasters still have a little more time, but the sooner the better!

« This year we have added the sparkling wine category as well as a label competition, but as always the winners and prize-winners will be able to bring their wine to the Departmental Council stand at the Agricultural Show. »

But, before we get there, the JAs have work to do! They will go from cellar to cellar to take four or five samples per cellar. These are the samples that will be tasted on the big day, but everything must, by then, be perfectly anonymized. The aim of the maneuver would be to have, per table, between ten and fifteen samples to taste. The competition criteria? The visual, the olfactory and of course the taste.

We talked about it at the start of the article, the context is complicated for farmers and winegrowers are no exception. A slogan? “You won’t cash in until we cash in!” » This is what agricultural professionals should chant next week.

« Our actions will resume on Monday with repeated actions. We need to be heard and for the Government to take the measures already promised. But we want Gard to be recognized as a department with many specificities. Here, agriculture is ultimately very special, we have all kinds of crops on almost all terroirs and with a completely exceptional climate to perfect it! Recently, every year we have been affected… »concludes Romain Angelras.