20th edition, record number of samples

The 20th edition of Decanter World Wine Awards saw 18,250 entries from 57 countries. The jury of 236 international wine experts included 53 Master of Wine and 16 Master Sommelier experts. Hungary won 3 Platinum awards, all from Tokaj: one sweet (Gizella Szamorodni 2019) and two dry Furmint wines (Oremus 2020 and Tokaj-Hétszőlő 2011). Hungary also won 11 gold, 54 silver and 78 bronze medals. As for the gold medals, almost all of them are from Tokaj, except from Feind Choice from Balaton and Fritz Bikavér from Szekszárd.

See all the 2023 results here

Snaphot at the neighbouring countries

Croatia 358 medals
Austria: 202 medals
Slovenia: 195 medals
Hungary: 146 medals
Czech Republic: 119 medals
Serbia: 103 medals (with one Best in Show: Vinarija Vinčić Grašac 2020)
Romania: 57 medals
Ukraine: 37 medals
Slovakia: 4 medals

6 white gold winner beauties

Let us introduce 6 of the gold winner white wines. In a few days we will continue with high scored red wines.

Gizella Szamorodni 2019, Tokaj (97 points)

The Platinum winner wine represents an ancient style called Szamorodni, which means that botrytised berries are picked together with the healthy berries (unlike in the case of Tokaji Aszú). The blend is made of 87% Furmint and 13% Muscat Lunel.
Decanter: Complex aromas of ripe baked lime, grapefruit rind, white peach, dried mango, honey and apricots marmalade. Beautifully harmony between sweetness and a vibrant acidity, lively and young. Wonderfully long finish.
More about Gizella Winery

Feind & Feind Choice 2018, Balatonfüred–Csopak (96 points)

This late harvest wine is made of 100% Zeusz, an indigenous Hungarian grape. The winery has collected countless medal recently, here is another great acknowledgement.
Decanter: Attractive aromas of dried apricots, peach jam, mango, vanilla and savoury nuances of mushrooms on the nose. Sweet and harmonious on the palate, youthful.

More about Feind & Feind Winery

Patricius Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2018, Tokaj (96 points)

The winery is a “usual” player in the top chart of Decanter results. This Tokaji Aszú is made of 86% Furmint, 10% Zéta and 4% Hárslevelű – the recipe is not written in stone, it varies according to the vintage.:
Decanter: Glossy new oak on the nose, with fresh and dried fruit aromas, subtle hints of tea and aromatic herbs. Mineral on the palate, delicate finish.

More about Patricius Winery

Sauska Tokaji Aszú 2017, Tokaj (95 points)

Sauska is one of the most versatile wineries of Hungary: great red wines from Villány, amazing sweet and dry wines from Tokaj and gorgeous méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines from both wine regions. This Tokaji Aszú is made of 61% Furmint, 23% Hárslevelű and 16% Kabar.
Decanter: Intense and concentrated, with a fair dose of toasted oak, yellow flowers, papaya, white chocolate, sage orange peel and jammy apricots. Classic and persistent.
More about Sauska

Béres Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2016, Tokaj (95 points)

This Tokaji Aszú is a great example of balance. The wine is made of an excellent vintage, and its enormous residual sugar content (216.8 g/L) is beautifully balanced with the high acidity (13.07). It is made of 65% Furmint, 35% Muscat Lunel.
Decanter: Lemony aromas with notes of tangerine, candied orange peel, dried apricots and hints of mushrooms. Elegant and vibrant, muscular, with a firm acidity.

More about Béres Vineyards

Holdvölgy Expression 2019, Tokaj (95 points)

The only dry of the white gold winners. Expression is made of 100% Hárslevelű and comes from the legendary, first class Becsek vineyard. The wine farmented and matured in oak for 6 months. A crystal clear expression of Hárslevelű grape variety.
Decanter: Ripe aromas of yellow fruit with hints of acacia, honeysuckle and peaches. Open and generous, with a firm structure and salty mineral finish.

More about Holdvölgy