There are two annual 100 top Hungarian wines in Hungary. One is based on the most sold wines of wine shops and hypermarkets and is published by Világgazdaság (Mediaworks). We mentioned Bock Cuvée, the top red wine and Frittmann’s top Irsai Olivér from this publication.
Now we take a closer look at the other publication called Winelovers 100 Best Hungarian Wines and published by Trinety Media Ltd. Here the tasted wines are award winner wines from more than 20 international wine competitions, plus some wines are nominated by renowned wine experts. Let us introduce you 5 wines from this top list: Etyeki Kúria Sparkling Sauvignon, Sauska Rosé Brut, Borbély Kőmagas Rajnai Rizling, Kamocsay Ihlet Cuvée and Koch Villányi Rosé.

Sauska Rosé Brut – the best rosé sparkling

Though Tokaj is a white wine region, some black grapes are grown as well, namely Pinot Noir. The base wine for Sauska Rosé Brut comes from four grapes: Furmint, Chardonnay, Hárslevelű and Pinot Noir. So as for the grapes: Tokaj meets the world.

The jury’s opinion: “Charming floral nose with lychee and buttery notes from the bottle ageing on the lees. Buttery buiscit and brioche. The palate shows strawberries and spices. A well balanced sparkling wine, an “etalon” on the national market.”
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Etyeki Kúria Sparkling Sauvignon – the best white sparkling

The first vintage of the ever experimenting Etyeki Kúria and its head winemaker, Sándor Mérész. The wine is not a méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine, but an Asti-method sparkling. After being fermented in a pressurized tank, the wine is aged for two months on fine lees. Unlike most of the Italian examples, the sparkling wine of Etyeki Kúria is not sweet, it falls into the brut category with its 10.5 g/l residual sugar.

The jury’s opinion: “The sparkling wines shows typical varietal character along with some limy notes from the terroir. Subtle perlage, silky texture. Made with refined taste and gives an exceptional tasting experience.”

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Kamocsay Ákos Ihlet Cuvée 2017 – the best aromatic wine

Hungary makes a lot of aromatic wines and the folks drink it with pleasure, therefore this category should be taken as seriously, as any other. Ákos Kamocsay (above, in the cover photo), the chief winemaker of Hilltop knows how to handle the aromatic grapes to elevate them to a higher level. Ihlet (‘Inspiration’) Cuvée is a blend of 70% Tramini, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc.

The jury’s opinion: “Dark golden colour. Elegant nose with rose petals and ripened peach. A well rounded, juicy wine with moderate acidity and honeyed tones. Matured wine. Long and exciting finish. A complex wine which gives topic for a whole evening.”

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Borbély Kőmagas Badacsonyi Rajnai Rizling 2016 – the best ‘non-Tokaj’ dry white

4 wines out of the 5 best dry white wines of the list comes from Tokaj. The 1st is the newcomer Juliet Victor Bomboly Furmint 2017, the 2nd is the Tokaj icon’s, Szepsy’s Szent Tamás Furmint 2016, the 3rd and the 5th are also from Tokaj, there is only one odd one out: this Rhine Riesling from Borbély Family Winery from volcanic Badacsony wine region.

The jury’s opinion: “Fully ripened fruit. Strong personality, quite dividing. Full body and potential to keep it in the cellar. Shows notes of the amazing Badacsony terroir.”

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Koch Villányi Rosé 2019 – the best rosé

Csaba Koch, Winemaker of the Year 2019 has hes headquarter in Hajós–Baja wine region, but he also has vineyards in Villány. This rosé is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Kékfrankos and Pinot Noir.

The jury’s opinion: “Deep pink colour. Restrained nose of “tutti-frutti” with ripended red berry fruits and a bunch of flowers. Etherial wine with refreshing acidity. The palate is full of cherries. Balanced, lovely to drink, a playful, zesty wine.”

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