Dr. Tamás Freund internationally renowned brain researcher and president of the Academy is a devoted wine lover, it was obvious for him to bring closer scientists to wine culture. Therefore the wine contest of the Academy is announced annually and has high prestige. At the 12th contest 11 jury members evaluated 233 wines from 18 Hungarian wine regions. Wines are judged in 8 categories: 4 premium categories (sparkling, white, red and dessert) and 4 medium categories to select wines for Academy events. Altogether 28 gold medals were given, let us introduce 3 of the gold winners.

Gere Attila Villányi Franc Ördögárok 2017 – premium red wine of the Academy in 2021

The wine on the cover photo above is from Attila Gere Villány icon winemaker and proves the potential of Cabernet Franc variety in Villány. The estate makes single vineyard Cabernet Franc wines (in Villány it is a protected origin wine called Villányi Franc) from Ördögárok vineyard from 18 year old vines. Alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. 70% aged in new and 30% in 2nd fill barriques for 16 months. “With a core that is almost black this wine shows high viscosity and promises great concentration. The beguiling nose displays ripe and overripe red and black fruits with delicately saline, smoky notes enhanced by coffee aromas. The palate shows an abundance of soft tannins but it is also rich in flavours. As typical with fine wines the lingering finish is intense through and through.“

More about Gere Attila wines

Garamvári Tokaji Furmint Brut 2016 – premium sparkling gold winner

It was the second time that the Academy contest included sparkling wines in the selection as well. Vencel Garamvári, founder of Garamvári Vineyard and Winery was the first to use the indigenous Hungarian Furmint variety for bottle fermented sparkling wine, therefore it is a great pleasure of the winery to receive gold medal at this prestigious wine selection. The sparkling winery is situated in Budafok (part of Budapest), while the grapes come from Szent Kereszt (Saint Cross) vineyard from Tokaj wine region. “Character-based fruitiness of the varietal can be sensed alongside the dynamic acids. Quince, citruses, mango tastes combined with sweet spices like cloves and cinnamon.”

More about Garamvári Vineyard and Winery

Patricius Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2016 – premium dessert wine with great gold medal

Tokaj is undoubtedly a gem of Hungary with potential to give dessert wines of the 21th century. Even though fitness trends do not favour wines with high natural residual sugar, yet Tokaji Aszú wines abundant in fruit notes and elevated by high acidity. Stunning and refreshing dessert wines. Dessert wine has another meaning here: these wines are not only supposed to be paired WITH desserts, but also supposed to be consumed AS desserts. In this case our calorie intake is still moderate… As for Patricius Tokaji 6 puttonyos Aszú: “Nicest aromas of botrytized berries followed by enormous, high structure and full body. Long, smooth, endless taste and exceptional deepness of peach, apricot and fig character. Full of Tokaj.” Another recent acknowledgement: the very same wine won gold medal at Challenge International du Vin.

More about Patricius wines

Full list of Academy gold winners (in Hungarian)