As we reported earlier, 233 wineries entered 995 wines from all the 22 wine regions at the 45th Hungarian National Wine Contest organised by the National Council of Wine Communities. 10 grand gold, 215 gold and 78 silver medals were given along with 18 special awards. The special awards are listed here, now let us recommend 5 must-try wines among the gold medal winners.

Borbély Karós Olasz rizling Limited Selection, 2021, Badacsony

This wine has reached the position of the 5th best white wine at the contest (since 505 wines entered the contest, this is quite a thing!). The estate is specialised in Olaszrizling (they use an archaic spelling written separately), they have several wines made of the variety. Karós is a single vineyard wine from a small, half hectare vineyard on Gulács mountain. Old plantation with vines from the 1960s, thus the roots go extra deep resulting complex and mineral wines, the training system is also old, goblet. The wine was fermented in 500 litre new oak and aged on fine lees for about 6 months. Concentrated wine with characteristics of the variety, subtle oak spices and deep reflection of the terroir.

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If you are interested in importing, contact Tamás Borbély

Babarczi Aeternum 2022, Pannonhalma

The family winery has collected two gold medals, one for the red Aeternum and one for Babarczi Sauvignon Blanc 2025. The white wines have long been the favourites of many wine connoisseurs, but the Babarczi estate has also been making serious red for a while.
“This premium wine is about perseverance. About values that do not fade, do not go out of fashion, and are not made for the moment. Just as family ties are not for a short period of time, Aeternum also requires time and gives time. Attention, patience, presence. A wine that stays with us. In aeternum.” Aeternum is a Bordeaux blend aged in French oak for 12 months.
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Feind & Feind Balaton Rosé, 2025, Balatonfüred–Csopak

This rosé is actually the best rosé after the special award winner Babiczki wine, so it received the second highest score out of the 100 entered rose wines. Balaton Rose 2025 is a Blend of Kékfrankos, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Feind & Feind has won another gold for their Merlot 2021, and a silver for the aerated sparkling Bollicine Rose 2025, this latter one is in the photo. The winery has all the most modern equipment to produce sparkling wine from the aerated wines through charmat method to the traditional method. “A light pink, gently sparkling wine with aromas of fresh red berries, lively acidity, and a crisp, fruity finish.” And Bollicine costs only 1899 HUF at the winery webshop! (Around 5.5 EUR.)

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Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery Rajnai Rizling 2024, Pannonhalma

This Rhine Riesling wine received the 8th most points among white wines, thus obviously gold. Earlier the same wine received gold at VinAgora wine contest. The Archabbey won two more gold medals: Prior 2024 is another Rhine Riesling of the winery, it won Vince Magazine panel tasting earlier this year, and this wine is also featured in the cover photo. The third gold winner is Infusio 2023, the flagship red blend of the winery. Though it is not much of a piece of news, Infusio always wins, undoubtedly one of the best red wines of Hungary. Funny enough, the Rhine Riesling with the highest score is the cheaper one for only 4550 HUF! (Around 13 EUR.)

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Vesztergombi St László Bikavér, 2021, Szekszárd

Csaba Szekszárdi, the founder Ferenc Vesztergombi’s son has his nameday today – happy nameday Csaba! The winery must have a separate cellar for the gold medals: whenever they enter a contest, gold medal is guaranteed. This Bikavér is actually the best Bikavér of the National Wine Contest, it received the highest score among the entered Bikavér wines. St László Bikavér 2021 is made of Kékfrankos, Kadarka, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. After fermentation in stainless steel tank, ageing took place in wood for 24 months.

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