PAR Awards – between new and old world

In 2016 a new wine contest was launched with the principal objective „to highlight the diversity of the products native to the well-known and upcoming wine-growing nations in the Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean area and the Black Sea region.” The highest award, „top gold” has been given only to three wines: Lotem Vivace Cabernet Sauvignn, Israel, 2016 (red wine), Domaine Papakonstantinou Retsina, Greece, 2017 (white wine), Binekhi Saperavi, Kakheti, Georgia, 2015 (qvevri category). Altogether 27 gold medals were awarded, and 6 of them went to Hungary! Sauska Birsalmás Furmint 2015 is a stunning, complex, long lasting, super elegant white wine from Tokaj, one of the gold winners. Koch Winery has received three gold medals, one for a reductive, aromatic white called Frisch Cserszegi Fűszeres 2017 from Hajós–Baja region, and two for reds: Merlot Premium 2015 and Cabernet Sauvignon Premium 2015, both from Villány. Grand Tokaj won two gold medals in sweet category: Grand Selection Késői Arany 2016 and Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos, 2013.