What wines do the doctors adore?
Paulus’s success at the 12th Semmelweis University wine contest
By Ágnes Németh
The results of the 12th edition of the national wine contest of Semmelweis University (university of medicine) have been announced. This is an exciting and consumer oriented wine contest, since all panels of the contest include wine experts and “amateurs” as well. The amateurs are doctors, professors from the University, keen wine connoisseurs – the ideal clients of every winery. Paulus Wine House from Mór wine region has been selected the Wine of the University in two categories! If you are a lucky professor to be the guest of Semmelweis University, do not miss the wines! If you ask for a glass of red wine of international variety, you will be served with a glass of the superb Sauska Cabernet Franc Siklós 2018 (the webshop offers the previous vintage at the moment).
I was a jury member at the very first edition of this contest. There was an enthusiastic doctor, Gábor Veres, whose passion was art and wine. He filled Semmelweis Saloon with music and created a wine contest to select the best wines for the events of the university. He is not with us any more, but he would surely be glad to see that his heritage is well looked after.
The contest is tempting for the wineries, since the victory does not mean only a medal or another certificate on the wall, but immediate business as well: the university buys a great deal of the winner wines. No wonder the contest is popular every year: this year 86 wines arrived from 27 wineries.
![dr-bela-merkely-semmelweis-university Dr Béla Merkely Semmelweis rector](https://hungarianwines.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/dr-bela-merkely-semmelweis-university-1024x683.jpg)
The winners are
– Carpathian Basin white variety: Paulus Gold Olaszrizling 2021, Mór
– International white variety: Paulus Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Mór (in the cover photo above)
– Carpathian Basin red variety: Lelovits Tamás Meglepetés 2019, Villány
– International red variety: Sauska Cabernet Franc Siklós 2018, Villány
– Dessert wine: Royal Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2017, Tokaj
Olaszrizling – capable of miracles
Paulus team harvested the grapes from one of the most precious vineyards of Mór called ‘Aranyhegy’ (‘Gold Mountain’). The winery places a great emphasis on the variety and with hard work they managed to make and Olaszrizling wine that they are proud of. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tank under controlled temperature. The wine was kept on fine lees, the result is medium plus body and rich, fruity aromas and flavours with vibrant acidity. Its price is also champion: only 1490 HUF at Paulus webshop (less than 4 euros!). The other winner Paulus wine, Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (above in the photo) costs 3270 HUF (around 8 euros).
The winery is well worth a visit, especially because they have a restaurant with great cuisine. The photo below features a local cheese (camembert from Etyek) with spicy walnut, red onion chutney, red berry fruit dressing and verjus.