The Institute of Masters of Wine will conduct a webinar on 23 February with the title Furmint and beyond. 5 ladies will discuss the recent trends and challenges. Caroline Gilby MW will moderate the webinar – a perfect choice, since Caroline has a deep knowledge of Hungary, she has written countless articles, just like Elizabeth Gabay MW, who will be one of the guests. Elizabeth and Caroline have visited the country several times, they were regular speakers of VinCE Budapest Wine Show – once they dubbed themselves as the Fairy Godmothers of the Wine Show – but we can say they have done much more than participating in the event.

Besides the two English Master of Wine experts three Hungarian female winemakers will share their thoughts, each of them from different region, different background.

The MW webinars are free but registration is needed.

Register for the webinar

Mónika Debreczeni – the artist of wine

Vylyan Vineyard and Winery, Villány

She has been the estate manager of one of the most significant wineries of Villány wine region for more than 15 years. Mónika Debreczeni obtained her degree in economics and English translation, and later she carried on wine studies in London at Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Her refined taste is proven not only with her wines, but several projects, which are “crossings” between wine and art, for example the artistic barrels (decorated by contemporary artists) displayed on the stunning terrace of the winery or the new poems and short stories written by contemporary artists, inspired by the premium wines of Vylyan. As a grapegrower in Villány, Cabernet Franc has a special importance for her, but the indigenous Kékfrankos is also a favourite, what is more she helped save the rare Csóka from extinction.

More about Vylyan Vineyard and Winery

Krisztina Csetvei – never running out of ideas

Csetvei Cellar, Mór

Mór is the second smallest wine region, its main grape variety is Ezerjó – a grape which is hardly known outside Hungary. Until now. Krisztina works hard to let this grape shape as it used to shine. She vinifies Ezerjó in three different ways: in stainless steel, in barrel and in amphora. Her amphora aged Ezerjó is “the best price-value wine” according to Santiago Rivas Muñoz, leading Spanish wine writer. The latest initiative is to make Ezerjó more popular with the very first Ezerjó Day.

More about Csetvei Cellar

Izabella Zwack – her heart beats for Tokaj

Dobogó Winery, Tokaj

Izabella is the famous Péter Zwack’s daughter, their Zwack Unicum is a spirit made of herbs and known all over the world. Izabella spent a lot of time abroad, when you listen to her, you can discover a slight accent in her speech, yet she is more Hungarian than many of us: she runs a winery in Tokaj wine region with Attila Domokos winemaker, and works hard to make Tokaj Furmint and other wines widely recognized. ‘Dobogó’ means ‘beating’ in beating heart, and Izabella loves the sounding of the Hungarian word, indeed it has the rhythm of the heartbeat: DO-BO-GÓ.

Dobogó website is under construction, you can find more info here

Photo: www.fotosebestyen.hu / Magyar Konyha