„Polish and Hungarian: two good friends” – an old, often quoted saying predestines our neighbouring countries for mutual and fruitful trade. But friendship is not enough when it comes to business, hard work and continuous presence is needed. A large trade tasting on 23 January in Krakow is the the next step.

The National Wine Competition (’Országos Borverseny’) is organized annually by HNT (The National Council of the Wine Communities), our report of the last edition can be found here. Apart from the stickers on the bottle, this wine contest has a significant benefit: HNT takes award winning wineries to different wine exhibitions, mainly to Poland, as this market is identified as the main focus in HNT’s export strategy. The Krakow event will feature 31 Hungarian wineries from all over the country, for example Borbély Family Winery from Badacsony, Bock Cellar and Csányi Winery from Villány, Dúzsi, Eszterbauer and Lajver Wineries from Szekszárd, Thummerer and Tóth Ferenc Wineries from Eger, Juliet Victor and Grand Tokaj from Tokaj and Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine House from Sopron. Besides the walk around tasting two masterclasses are provided by Grzegorz Gajos and Mariusz Kapczyński. The event takes place in Grand Sheraton Hotel, begins at 9 am and ends at 6 pm. Admittance only for members of trade, registration is necessary.

See full list of exhibitors
More information and registration

Taste local grapes at the Krakow tasting!

Here we go recommending 3 award winning wines made of autochton grapes, presented at Best of tasting in Krakow.

Furmint: Garamvári Furmint Brut 2014

Furmint is the flagship variety of the country, it has a great potential not only for the sweet Aszú wines of Tokaj, but it is equally capable of dry still wines and sparkling wines. This méthod traditionelle sparkling wine received a special prize at the last edition of National Wine Competition. Vencel Garamvári is a pioneer of sparkling wines in Hungary, he was the first to use Furmint variety for bubblies. „Character-based fruitiness of the varietal can be sensed alongside the dynamic acids. Quince, citruses, mango tastes combined with sweet spices like cloves and cinnamon.”

Kékfrankos: Taschner Kékfrankos Classic 2016

Though Taschner got gold medal for a wine made of an international variety (Taschner Chardonnay 2016) at the last edition of National Wine Competition, Kurt Taschner is keen on cultivating local varieties, his Korai Piros Veltliner is a real rarity. Kékfrankos is the most important red variety of Hungary, and Taschner’s home town, Sopron is said to be the city of Kékfrankos. „Fresh and lively wine, which represents the colour blue on the nose as well (‘Kék’ in Kékfrankos means blue): plum, blueberry and blue flowers with charming, playful spicy notes. Spices dominate the zesty palate supplemented by ripened fruits like cherry and plum.”

Bikavér: Thummerer Egri Bikavér Superior 2013

The above mentioned Kékfrankos variety is the key grape in the most important blend of Bikavér blend as well. Two wine regions are allowed to make the famous Bikavér (’Bull’s Blood), the regulations are strict in both places. Thummerer Winery from Eger collected 2 gold and 2 silver medals at the last edition of National Wine Competition, Bikavér Superior is one of the award winning wines. The blend consists of 40% Kékfrankos, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet sauvignon, 15% Cabernet franc, 10% Syrah. „This Egri Bikavér Superior 2013 is one of the flagship wines of the winery, made only is the best vintages. A fully ripened, developed great wine with stunning character and soft tannins.”