- Éminence de Bijou – Double Gold Award
- Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose – Gold Award
- Bijou Ma Chérie – Gold Award
Bijou, the innovative and dynamic producer working in the South of France is renowned throughout the industry for their commitment to the women of wine. This has been further confirmed by their recent success at Japan’s Sakura Women’s Wine Awards. Three wines from the Bijou portfolio were awarded in this year’s competition. Ma Chérie and Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose won gold. Éminence de Bijou, a gastronomic rosé was awarded double gold.
The Competition
The Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards announced the results of their 11th competition today. The biggest international wine competition in Asia, the competition is notoriously hard to obtain medals in, with only 6% of entries achieving Double Gold Awards. In 2023, the 10th edition received 4,222 entries from 28 countries. An all-female panel of wine experts and professionals carefully considers the entries, showcasing the best wines in the world.
“This shows the high expectations producers have for the Japanese market. With the expansion of consumption, the number of occasions to enjoy wine at home is rising.” – Yumi Tanabe, President of the Japan Women’s Wine Awards
The Winning Wines
Éminence de Bijou, a gastronomic rosé from Coteaux de Béziers was awarded the prestigious Double Gold Medal. Partially fermented in French oak barrels, this rosé is complex and layered. The profile is robust enough to accompany a range of cuisines and spiced oak flavours marries perfectly with the diverse nature of Japanese cuisine.
Ma Chérie, a delightful sparkling rosé brut from the appellation Salon de Provence, is made using the Charmat method. The grapes are sourced from higher-altitude vineyards, and the wine exhibits a beautiful pale salmon colour with delicate notes of wild strawberries and orange blossom. Ma Chérie is named for the countless wives of southern French winemakers, who throughout history have supported their husbands and their work in the vineyards. This work often requires long days of physical labour, thereby leaving family behind. In French, the expression of these women is “Derriére tout grand homme se cache une femme.” Behind every great man, there is a great woman.
It is no surprise that Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose was awarded in a ceremony celebrating the work of women. From Coteaux de Béziers, this rosé is a wonderful expression of the terroirs of this Languedoc region. Pale in colour, elegantly fragrant, and with delicate floral and citrus notes, Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose is already beloved in 40+ countries. The name Sophie Valrose is a symbol of the women who worked in vineyards and were often subject to terrible conditions, for little pay. In the early 20th century Languedoc, these women rose and fought for their rights, improving working conditions for all. Bijou tells their story on the back of every bottle.
“We are ecstatic to see the success of our wines at the Sakura Awards, as we are being recognised for our commitment to quality, sustainability and supporting women in the Japanese and wider Asian market.” – Pauline Nardo, International Sales and Marketing Manager
Bijou is thrilled to be recognised by an organisation whose interests are so aligned with their own. The medals from Sakura Women’s Wine Awards have further propelled Bijou in its endeavours to honour and celebrate the Women of Wine, present and future.
