Vince wine magazine has announced its nominees for Vince Award. The award debuted last year, and this year again renowned wine experts put together 3 nominees in each category. The voting period lasts until 31st October. The award winning wines will be available for tasting at Vince Gála on 19 November in Budapest at one of the most spectatular venues, at the Museum of Fine Arts at Heroe’s Square. There are several great wines among the nominees, let us introduce 3 of them.

Vote here (In Hungarian, but google can help, plus wine styles and names are easy to understand.)

Vince Gála tasting event
Date and time: 15.00–22.00, 19 November 2022
Venue: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
Tickets from 6700 HUF / person
Early bird ticket with unlimited tasting: 12 500 HUF
Buy tickets here

Villa Sandahl Oh Deer Rhine Riesling 2018

The estate is the king of Rhine Rieslings, the variety has really found its home on the volcanic soil of Badacsony mountain, on the north of Lake Balaton. Oh Dear is the No1 wine of the estate from vintage 2018. From this vintage the top category wines of the estate are provided with a black capsule with golden letters of ‘SANDAHL’. The labelsare designed by one of the owners, Christer Sandahl, and he introduces a new, unique concept year by year, the labels are never repeated. Each label of vintage 2018 depicts a road sign. “A young wine, still impressive and as years pass, it will reveal even more exciting colours. Its complex nose shows ripened citrus notes enchanting lily of the valley mixed with volcanic minerality and classic, characteristic aromas of the variety. Pronounced acidity, but well integrated into the flavours. We will find harmony in the long lasting sip: zesty citrus fruits appear along tropical fruits and saline minerality.”

More about Villa Sandahl

Borbély Badacsonyi Kéknyelű Selection 2019

This family winery in Badacsony is keen on using local varieties. Tamás Borbély, the son of the owners is the youngest Winemaker of the Year ever – he received the prestigious title in 2020.  Olaszrizling is their No 1 variety with several single vineyard wines and Kéknyelű is also a favourite. Kéknyelű is grown almost exclusively in the volcanic Badacsony region. A tricky grape: it needs another variety to pollinate, therefore for many years the size of Kéknyelű plantations was decreasing. Now there seems to be a revival of the variety thanks to some seasoned winemakers. Borbély Kéknyelű Selection – as the name suggests – is made of selected Kéknyelű bunches, the best crop of two vineyards. Elegant and sleek, floral and charming with some mineral notes and integrated oak hints due to the 7 months ageing in new oak barrel.

More about Borbély Family Winery

Heumann Terra Tartaro 2015

The Swiss–German couple has been passionate about Villány wine region, they have vineyards in the Siklós area of the wine region. Terra Tartaro is a Bordeaux blend with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Andreas Larsson sommelier world champion about the wine (92 points): “Medium deep ruby red colour. Pure and fragrant nose blending cassis, plum, leather, tobacco with a hint of oak. Nice density on the palate with ripe fruit a good dose of freshness, ripe and grainy tannin, fine oak integration and a long savoury finish. Still a slight tannic bite to it but really starting to open and should drink nicely in the coming 5-6 years.”

Photo by Novel Wines, UK distributor

More about Heumann Winery