Sauska, Vesztergombi, Teleki, Tóth Ferenc, Garamvári

Altogether 1032 medals were given at this session of the German international wine contest, out of which 96 medals are for Hungarian wines. There are 10 grand gold, 78 gold and 8 silver medals. Let us highlight some gold medal winner wines and reveal some statistics.
More about Berliner Wine Trophy

Statistics: medal chart

1. Germany with 233 medals
2. Italy with 193 medals
3. Spain with 111 medals
4. Hungary with 96 medals
5. France with 70 medals

Vencel Garamvári, founder of Garamvári Vineyard, passed away on August 5th at the age of 85. He was a true gentleman, with refined taste, an experienced wine enthusiast, and a passionate lover of champagne and other sparkling wines. He was the first winemaker to make a bottle-fermented sparkling wine from 100% Furmint. A great man. Rest in peace!

In memoriam Vencel Garamvári

(1941 – 2026)
The text below was published by the family on the day of his death.

It is with deep sorrow and a broken heart that we announce the passing of Vencel Garamvári, the founder of our winery and a defining figure in Hungarian wine and sparkling wine culture.
He was an inseparable part of the winery’s everyday life until the last moment, and finally, surrounded by his loving family, he passed away quietly – leaving behind a grandiose oeuvre that inspired generations. An unparalleled journey that we remember with respect and gratitude.
Vencel absorbed his father, József,’s love for winemaking and his humility towards nature. After graduating from the Budafok Oenological Technical School and the University of Horticulture, he earned a degree in winemaking engineering in 1966. He began his professional career at the Törley Sparkling Wine Factory in Budafok, where he soon became production manager and then director – thus laying the foundation stone for the production of premium sparkling wine in Hungary.
In 1990, at the dawn of the renewed Hungarian wine industry, he founded Vinarium, embracing quality Hungarian wineries, and then brought the Garamvári Vineyard to life, which, according to Vencel’s vision and guidance, has established and nurtured the Hungarian wine and sparkling wine culture: preserving ancient traditions, but also in the role of a pioneer of the profession and creativity, always keeping in mind uncompromising quality and the duty of striving for perfection, for more than 30 years now.
He was helped in this by his lifelong partner, Zsuzsanna, with whom he was able to achieve both his personal and professional successes hand in hand, until his last heartbeat. He inspired our family to do this, from which the third generation of dedicated winemakers has grown up, and continues the work that Vencel started. This is the legacy that he created, in South Balaton and Budafok.
As he put it: “I always dreamed of being surrounded by my own vineyards on all four sides.”
And the dream came true.
Vencel not only built the Hungarian wine industry, but also selflessly shared his knowledge and experience. He was a pioneer, but also a mentor and inspiration for generations.
His work, vision and love for winemaking will live forever in every grape, every bottle and every rising bubble of Garamvári.
We will preserve his memory and legacy with respect and love. With the sincere love of our hearts, we ask everyone who shares our grief – representatives of the winemaking profession, lovers of wines and sparkling wines, and our friends and acquaintances alike – to pay tribute to Vencel’s memory as he himself would have done: with a silent toast.

More than 30 wineries – and a lot of sparklings!

The Nagyerdő (‘Great Forest’ city park) is always atmospheric, but it is best on summer evenings, with great music and a glass in hand. For three days, performers will pass the microphone to each other on three stages, and the exhibitors will constantly offer their wines. Among them will be Béres Vineyard from Tokaj, Bock Winery from Villány, Garamvári Vineyard from Balaton, Steigler Cellar from Sopron, Thummerer Winery from Eger and the Tornai Winery from Somló – they all have sparkling wines to sparkle the summer nights!

Did you know, that Debrecen is the 2nd largest city of Hungary?

Visit Debrecen, enjoy the zoo and the museums, the vibrant squares and parks.
Discover Debrecen – more information here

Date and time: 6–8 August 2026, evenings (from about 5 pm)
Venue: Nagyerdő (‘Great Forest’), Debrecen
Tickets: An entrance ticket is required for the event, which costs 5,000 HUF / person on Thursday, 6,000 HUF on Friday and Saturday, and a three-day pass is 13,000 HUF. Admission is free for children under 12.
Wines must be paid for at the exhibitors.
More information

Wineries mentioned in the introduction

Béres Winery

Bock Estate

Garamvári Vineyard

Steigler Cellar

Thummerer Winery

Tornai Winery

Savages y Suefo is one of the many bands to play, listen to them here:

As we reported earlier, 233 wineries entered 995 wines from all the 22 wine regions at the 45th Hungarian National Wine Contest. A special feature of the contest is that a panel of influencers / celebrities taste some wines as well and select the so-called consumers’ favourites. The 5 winners are featured in the cover photo.

Consumers’ favourites

– Olaszrizling category: Gedeon, Olaszrizling, 2025, Kunság
– Irsai Olivér category: Günzer Tamás, Irsai Olivér, 2025, Villány
– Rose category: Hilltop Neszmély, Pinot Noir Rozé, NV, Neszmély
– Sparkling category: Garamvári, Classic Brut, NV, Balatonboglár
– Kékfrankos based wines: Thummerer, Egri Bikavér Classicus, 2022, Eger

Who participated in the panel this year?

– Péter Kabát, former footballer from the national selection
– Paulina, award-winner singer
– György Háder, editor of “Bochkor” morning radio show
– Dóra Szabó-Thalmeiner, TikTok influencer (cooking theme)
– Beatrix Csiky, gastronomic content creator
– Barnabás Hack, chef of Costes Downtown restaurant
– Dóra Tomcsányi fashion designer

Let us intruduce the bubbly favourite of the consumers:
Garamvári Classic Brut

Garamvári Vineyards from Balatonboglár wine region has not only won the admiration of the consumers, but that of the professionals as well: Garamvári Sparkling Brut received gold medal at the contest. The family winery has collected 3 gold medals and 1 silver medal altogether.
Garamvári Sparkling Brut – gold medal
Garamvári Optimum Brut 2019 – gold medal
Garamvári Sínai-hegy Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – gold medal
Pannon Imperial Extra Dray, NV – silver medal
Garamvári Sparkling Brut is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Furmint. “An authentic “Blanc de Blancs”—that is, a sparkling wine made exclusively from white grapes—is light, cheerful, and mood-lifting. The lively acidity of the Chardonnay pairs perfectly with the fruity, floral, and pastry-like flavours of the Pinot Blanc and Furmint, resulting in a wine that can be described in a single word: freshness.”
The retail price on the webshop of the winery is 5600 HUF (around 16 EUR).
More about Garamvári Vineyards

SEE ALL RESULTS HERE

233 wineries entered 995 wines from all the 22 wine regions at the 45th Hungarian National Wine Contest organised by the National Council of Wine Communities. 10 grand gold, 215 gold and 78 silver medals were given along with 18 special awards.

To make it clear: 3 major wine contests are organised in Hungary, two international ones, VinAgora and Winelovers Wine Awards, and one national one: the Hungarian National Wine Contest.

Some more figures

– More than 80 jury members tasted the wines
– The majority, 605 of the entered wines were white
– 100 rose wines were nominated along with 2 siller wines
– 104 aerated sparkling wines entered
– The award ceremony took place on 29 June

The two most successful wineries:

– Gál Winery, Kunság wine region
– Günzer Tamás Winery, Villány wine region

In the cover photo from left to right: the special awards

– Best white wine: Firmánszky, Sátor Furmint, 2024, Tokaj
– Best rose wine: Babiczki, Mátrai Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, 2025, Mátra
– Best red wine: Günzer Tamás, Bocor Grandior Merlot, 2023, Villány
– Best sparkling wine: Szentpéteri, Kadarka Blanc de Noir, 2023, Kunság
– Best aerated sparkling wine: Gál Winery, Anna Rosa, 2025 – Kunság
– Best sweet wine: Simkó, Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos, 2019, Tokaj
– Best organic wine: Zelna, Balatoni Olaszrizling „Balatonbor”, 2025, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Best aromatic white wine: Palik, Irsai Olivér, 2025, Mátra
– Best Kékfrankos: Riczu Tamás, Villányi Kékfrankos, 2022, Villány
– New talent winery: N3 Borműhely, Neszmély
– Young winemaker to watch: Martin Koronczai, Koronczai Winery, Balatonfüred–Csopak

Favourites of the consumers – photo below

– Olaszrizling category: Gedeon, Olaszrizling, 2025, Kunság
– Irsai Olivér category: Günzer Tamás, Irsai Olivér, 2025, Villány
– Rose category: Hilltop Neszmély, Pinot Noir Rozé, NV, Neszmély
– Sparkling category: Garamvári, Classic Brut, NV, Balatonboglár
– Kékfrankos based wines: Thummerer, Egri Bikavér Classicus, 2022, Eger
SEE ALL THE RESULTS HERE (THE SEARCH FIELD IS IN HUNGARIAN)

Hotel Moments, Budapest

Hotel Moments does not look majestic, yet the staff must know something. It is not the first time that they won the guests’ votes, they can boast with several acknowledgements. One of the reasons is undoubtedly the excellent value for money.

“The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.”
See top Europe hotels here

Why do guests love Hotel Moments according to Trip Advisor?

“Check out Hotel Moments Budapest, where cool architecture meets modern vibes in a central location. Its large well-appointed rooms boast great showers, strong Wi-Fi, and loads of storage space, while the fitness centre and sauna offer downtime. Don’t miss the daily walking and bicycle tours to explore the city. The different breakfast options and great cocktails will whet your palate, and the knowledgeable, friendly staff ensures a comfortable stay. Also, the pet-friendly policy makes it easy to bring your 4-legged friend. A superb value, this fantastic property stands out among Budapest hotels.”

Noble bubbles in your room

Though Hotel Moments does not have an on-site restaurant, actually, there is a restaurant “on-site”, meaning, in the same building. Apart from that, the hotel does have a lounge bar, and guests can enjoy room service with delicacies like in our cover photo.
Garamvári is a family winery with long tradition of making traditional method sparkling wines. Garamvári Classic Extra Dry is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, a lovely, fruity, easy going sparkling wine for only 5600 HUF (around 16 EUR).

More about Hotel Moments

More about Garamvári Vineyard

7 Hungarian highlights

1054 wines from 17 countries were entered into the 27th edition of VinAgora international wine competition, held in Budapest, Hungary. Champion winners were announced in 8 categories this year, while 17 Grand Gold medals were awarded. A total of 220 wines received Gold medals, representing more than one-fifth of all entries, while 100 wines were awarded Silver medals. In addition, 315 wines received the Commended distinction.

Wines of our cover photo

– Vesztergombi Vintage 2021, Szekszárd – Grand Gold winner

This vintage has several vintages–since here Vintage is the name of the wine. It is a blend of five grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Kékfrankos. The wine named Csaba also received gold medal.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Vesztergombi Cellar

– Vylyan Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Villány – The Best Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc

It is the VERY FIRST Sauvignon Blanc of Vylyan, it has just debuted, and it costs only 2790 HUF / around 7.8 EUR on the webshop of the winery! Vylyan won 3 gold medals alogether at VinAgora.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Vylyan Vineyard and Winery

– Frittmann Hajnal 2025, Kunság – gold medal

When an easy-going, affordable wine gets gold medal, there is hope for humanity. Yes, every-day, thirst quenching, charming wines can also be appreciated. This white blend costs only 1700 HUF / less than 5 EUR on the webshop of the winery!
VinAgora fact sheet
More about the wine

– Garamvári Mimi Blanc de Blancs brut NV, Balatonboglár – gold medal

Garamvári Vineyards is one of the most successful wineries of VinAgora–this year with 5 gold medals! Mimi is a special traditional method sparkling wine, actually, it is a love message made of Pinot Blanc…
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Garamvári Vineyard

There is a big boom of sparkling wines in Hungary, and traditional method bubblies made of native grapes are abundant, as Sarah March MW has written brilliantly in her recent comprehensive article. At Wine Paris participants can taste with Patrick Schmitt MW, the editor-in-chief of The Drinks Business.

Location: Wines of Hungary stand Hall 4 | B 135 & 153
Time: 9 February 2026, 10.00–10.30
Register here

Garamvári Lellei Furmint 2019, one of the stars of the tasting

Vencel Garamvári, founder of Garamvári Vineyard was the first to use Furmint variety for method traditional sparkling wine – the grapes came from Tokaj. A few years ago, Garamvári was a pioneer again to release the first bottle fermented Furmint sparkling wine from Balatonboglár wine region, from the south shore of Lake Balaton. The sparkling wine won gold medal at VinAgora international wine contest in 2023, and it was selected the Best Sparkling Wine of Balatonin 2024. The wine spent 32 months on the lees and it has a dosage of 7 g/l. Only 6686 bottles were made, the indicative price is 18.16 EUR.

More about Garamvári Vineyard

A recent article about a unique project of Garamvári Vineyard

BESPOKE – make your own sparkling wine!

35 Hungarian exhibitors at Wine Paris

35 exhibitors, but it means at least 50 wineries, since there are several associations among the exhibitors. Wines of Hungary, the official wine marketing body itself organises the pavilion of most of the exhibitors, and they will be present personally as well.
Date and time: 9–11 February 2026), open from 9 am to 7 pm on Monday and Tuesday, and closes at 5 pm on Wednesday, on the last day.
Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 1 Place de la Porte de Versailles 75015. Easy to access by tram or metro (fast and cheap).
Tickets: Media representatives can apply for free media pass. Buyers or other professionals can get invitations with free pass from exhibitors. In other cases, visitors can simply buy tickets, now 80 EUR / person / 3 days.
More about Wine Paris
Some of the Hungarian exhibitors:

Bock (Villány), Dereszla (Tokaj), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek, with Fine Wine Association of Hungary), Garamvári (Balatonlelle), Holdvölgy (Tokaj), Homola (Balatonfüred, with Fine Wine Association of Hungary), Patricius (Tokaj), Sauska (Villány and Tokaj), Tornai (Somló), Tóth Ferenc (Eger, with Fine Wine Association of Hungary), Tűzkő (Tolna)

To see all Hungarian exhibitors click here
More information about the wineries who exhibit with Wines of Hungary

9–11 February, Paris, France

35 exhibitors, but it means at least 50 wineries, since there are several associations among the exhibitors. Wines of Hungary, the official wine marketing body itself organises the pavilion of most of the exhibitors, and they will be present personally as well.

Date and time: 9–11 February 2026), open from 9 am to 7 pm on Monday and Tuesday, and closes at 5 pm on Wednesday, on the last day.
Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 1 Place de la Porte de Versailles 75015. Easy to access by tram or metro (fast and cheap).
About the expo: “Now a flagship event for producers and buyers from across the globe, Wine Paris will welcome over 6,000 exhibitors representing 60 countries and over 60,000 visitors from 155 markets in 2026.”
Tickets: Media representatives can apply for free media pass. Buyers or other professionals can get invitations with free pass from exhibitors. In other cases, visitors can simply buy tickets, now 80 EUR / person / 3 days.
More about Wine Paris

Some of the Hungarian exhibitors:

Bock (Villány), Dereszla (Tokaj), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek, with Fine Wine Association of Hungary), Garamvári (Balatonlelle), Holdvölgy (Tokaj), Homola (Balatonfüred, with Fine Wine Association of Hungary), Patricius (Tokaj), Sauska (Villány and Tokaj), Tornai (Somló), Tóth Ferenc (Eger, with Fine Wine Association of Hungary), Tűzkő (Tolna)

To see all Hungarian exhibitors click here
More information about the wineries who exhibit with Wines of Hungary

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“…eclectic but increasingly exciting”