26 September, Corinthia Hotel Budapest

If you happen to stay in Budapest, this grandiose tasting on Saturday is simply a must. And you can test yourself: do you agree with the international judges of the Winelovers Wine Awards contest? At Winelovers 100 event, you can taste and check the points, since all participants receive a free copy of the Winelovers 100 magazine.

Date and time: 26 September, 2026, 15.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsébet krt 43–47, Budapest, Hungary
Ticket at the venue: 19 900 HUF
Exhibitors and more information

Hungarian wineries at Warsaw Wine Experience – more than ever!

The friendship between the Polish and Hungarian peoples has a long history, but this legendary relationship was overshadowed by the former Hungarian regime. Those dark days are over; Hungary has a new government, and hopefully our Polish friends will once again welcome us with open arms. Polish importers 2Bratanki, Kociolek i Vino and WinaWulkaniczne have joined forces and will be presenting the widest selection of Hungarian wines to date at the Warsaw Wine Experience on 22 and 23 November 2026. Let’s introduce seven of the confirmed participating wineries!

The wines featured in the cover photo – made by 7 of the confirmed wineries

– Tóth Ferenc Winery, Eger: Egri Csillag Superior 2025 – gold winner at the latest edition of Berliner Wine Trophy
More about Tóth Ferenc Winery

– Etyeki Kúria, Etyek: Blanc de Noirs and Brut NV bottle fermented sparkling wines – gold and silver from the latest edition of Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships
More about Etyeki Kúria

– Tornai Winery, Somló: Orange Wine – a new release of the 80-year-old winery, an orange wine made of Hárslevelű
More about Tornai Winery

– Fehérvári Wine Estate, Somló: Blanc de Blanc Grand Reserve 2020 – a stunning new release, traditional method sparkling wine from the volcanic Somló
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

– A.Gere Winery, Villány: Gere Solus 2023 – the icon Villány Merlot has just received 100 points from Stuart Pigott independent wine expert, former wine writer of James Suckling
More about A.Gere Winery

– Steigler Cellar, Sopron: Fusion 2023 – a gold winner white blend at Berliner Wine Trophy 2026 winter tasting, made of Zöldveltelini (Grüner Veltliner), Furmint and Muscat Ottonel
More about Steigler Cellar

– Sauska, Tokaj: Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2017 – grand gold winner at the latest edition of Berliner Wine Trophy
More about Sauska

The list is still growing, we will update our readers soon, and see you, Polish friends in Warsaw!

More about Warsaw Wine Experience

More about 2Bratanki

More about Kociolek i Vino

More about WinaWulkaniczne

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:

Vince magazine top red

Vince Hungarian wine magazine publishes the best new releases every month, and in the latest issue the best wine is red Kékfrankos based blend by Steigler Cellar from Sopron wine region. The estate is the master of Kékfrankos wines, as the recent Best of Kékfrankos title proves as well.

Steigler Fusion Cuvée Bio 2023, Sopron

Vince score: 16.90 points (out of 20)
The blend aims a “harmonious fusion”: Kékfrankos gives the acidity, Cabernet Franc gives the spices while Merlot complements the velvety structure. All the grapes come from organic vineyards mainly of mica schist soil.
Vince panel review of the wine: “Dark ruby colour. Very intense and picante nose full of spices, red fruits and some exciting vegetal notes. All these notes are nicely complemented on the palate by the oaky tunes. Medium body and refreshing, vibrant acidity that lifts up the palate and enhances fruitiness. Juicy, lovely sour cherry flavours, yummy!”
The wine costs only 3900 HUF / 10.76 EUR on the webshop of the winery!

 

More about Steigler Cellar

Our recent article about Steigler’s Best of Kékfrankos by Winelovers Wine Award

Best Kékfrankos: Steigler Spern Steiner 2022

 Read our earlier article about the unique “Steigler attitude”

“What we do is controlled idleness”

 

Winelovers Wine Awards results are out!

“Is there another Kékfrankos freak, like me?” – commented Tamás Varga, the winemaker of Steigler Cellar when learning the news. Indeed, he makes 9 (!) different Kékfrankos wines. As for Winelovers Wine Awards, the 5th edition broke another record: 1,161 entries were received from 15 countries! With this number of entries Winelovers Wine Awards have become the largest international wine contest held in Hungary, again.

Some more figures:
– 57 jury members from 19 countries
– 201 gold medals, only 6 grand gold medals (this latter one from 95 points)
– The most white entries: Furmint (56 entries), the second most: Olaszrizling (43 entries)
– The most red entries: Kékfrankos (47 entries)
– The country with the highest average scores: Austria
See all Best of wines below

9 lives of a grape

Steigler Cellar is located in Sopron, in the “capital of Kékfrankos”, and they take their destiny seriously. The range consists of a Classic Kékfrankos, three single vineyard wines (Spern Steiner, Steiger and Steinhaufen), a Premium Kékfrankos (the “super blend” of the three single vineyard wines), a rosé, a rosé pet-nat, a white Kékfrankos called Paradox and a traditional method sparkling wine, still ageing on the lees.
The Best Kékfrankos of Winelovers Wine Awards 2026 is Steigler Spern Steiner 2022.
The cellar of the organic estate is in located in the centre of the charming city of Sopron, well worth a visit!
Read more about Steigler Cellar

Read our earlier article about the unique “Steigler attitude”

“What we do is controlled idleness”

Why to visit Sopron
https://hungarianwines.eu/a-day-in-sopron-will-put-you-in-festive-mode/

Best of Grape Varieties

Best of Furmint: Szűcs – Patócs 2022, Tokaj, Hungary

Best of Hárslevelű: Sanzon Tokaj – Rány Hárslevelű 2021, Tokaj, Hungary

Best of Olaszrizling: Kreinbacher – Olaszrizling Selection 2022, Somló, Hungary

Best of Rhine Riesling: Csernus Winery & Vineyards – Rajnai Rizling 2025, Slovakia

Best of Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris): Éliás – Napról Napra Pinot Grigio 2025, Badacsony, Hungary

Best of Sárgamuskotály: Holdvölgy – Intuition No2 2024, Tokaj, Hungary

Best of Zöldveltelini (Grüner Veltliner): Weingut FJ Gritsch – Grüner Veltliner Singerriedel 2025, Austria

Best of Chardonnay: Cramele Recas – The New Chardonnay 2024, Romania

Best of Sauvignon Blanc: Misty Cove Wines – Misty Cove Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough, New Zealand

Best of Kékfrankos: Steigler –  Spern Steiner Bio Kékfrankos 2022, Sopron, Hungary

Best of Kadarka: Káldi Wine – Kadarek 2024, Szekszárd, Hungary

Best of Pinot Noir: Etyeki Kúria – Pinot Noir Selection 2022

Best of Merlot: Günzer Tamás – Bocor Grandior Merlot 2023, Villány, Hungary

Best of Cabernet Franc: Bock – Essencia 2021, Villány, Hungary

Best of Cabernet Sauvignon: Jammertal – Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Villány, Hungary

Best of Syrah: Czakó – Shiraz 2024, Etyek, Hungary

1st Blaufränkisch International Competition

306 wines from 13 countries were tasted at the 1st Blaufränkisch International Competition in Moravia, the Czech Republic. Jackfall Kékfrankos Premium 2020 from Villány is the best red Blaufränkisch / Kékfrankos, while Kúria Sopron Rosé Brut is the best sparkling wine of the variety. Besides them, Vylyan Kékfrankos 2023 (Villány), Kúria Sopron Kékfrankos 2020 (Sopron) and Podmaniczky Kékfrankos 2024 (Balatonboglár) received grand gold medals. Several other Hungarian wines won gold medals, among others Heimann Family Winery (Szekszárd), Koch Winery (Hajós–Baja), Kovács Nimród Winery (Eger), Steigler Cellar (Sopron), Vesztergombi Cellar (Szekszárd).

From the press release of the contest

The Blaufränkisch wines were evaluated by seven expert panels with strong international representation, including British Master of Wine Caroline Gilby, who expressed her delight at being part of the judging. “Blaufränkisch is a variety very close to my heart. I firmly believe it has a bright future in today’s modern wine world thanks to its freshness and elegance. This competition represents a key opportunity to build the story of Blaufränkisch and to demonstrate its ability to reflect its place of origin. I was surprised that an International Blaufränkisch Day did not already exist – when Pinot Noir has its own day and Furmint even has an entire month, Blaufränkisch certainly deserves one,” said Caroline Gilby MW.

See the result catalogue here

More about the contest

Let us introduce the two category-winner Hungarian wines!

Jackfall Kékfrankos Premium 2020, Villány

It is Jackfall’s first premium Kékfrankos wine. Dark ruby, deep-red colour. The aroma is lively, featuring black berries alongside a distinctive and complex bouquet of spices. On the palate, it offers excellent acidity, a polished, lively structure, and superb tannins. A complex wine with tremendous potential.
Retail price on the webshop of the winery: 6590 HUF (approximately 17.30 EUR).
More about Jackfall Winery

Kúria Sopron Rosé Brut, Sopron

Using the tank sparkling process, the Kékfrankos grapes were harvested at full maturity, and the must was fermented in a pressure resistant tank. The sparkling wine was aged for another three months on fine lees until bottling. Light salmon colour, with delicate, creamy bubbles. Very intense fruity notes: raspberry, currant and red berry compote, complemented by a hint of light floral character. On the palate, after a soft, elegant foam, we get back the fruits felt in the aroma. The red berries vibrate in the glass, then in the long, creamy finish, a soft creaminess and delicate tartness return. Drink with ice, a fresh experience in every sip.
Retail price on the webshop of the winery at the time of publishing (special offer): 4220 HUF (approximately 11 EUR).

More about Kúria Sopron

Wine & Food weeks and a hotel above the city

Sopron wine region started a joined restaurants & wineries campaign last year, and “Soproni Ízkavalkád”, the ‘Festivity of Flavours in Sopron’ has returned. Deák restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes paired with local wine, while the renewed Hotel Sopron promises relaxing stay, a great “house wine” and a stunning view of Sopron.
Background photo for the cover photo: Hotel Sopron.

More than 60 exhibitors

Taste Furmint wines from at least 60 wineries in one place, with one ticket. Certainly, Tokaj wine region will be represented with the most wineries, like Béres Vineyards in our cover photo, but participants can taste Furmint wines from other regions as well. Steigler Cellar will be there from Sopron, Kovács Nimród Winery from Eger,Borbély Family Winery from Badacsony and Tornai Winery from Somló.

Date and time: 26 February 2026 (Thursday), 16.00–21.00
Venue: Hungarian Heritage House, 1011 Budapest, Corvin tér 8
Tickets purchased in advance: 21 900 HUF / approximately 58 EUR
Tickets on the spot: 25 000 HUF / approximately 66 EUR
For the full list of exhibitors scroll down
Get your ticket here (at the bottom, page is in Hungarian, but google can help or you can contact the organiser here)

Furmint in a nutshell

– Furmint is one of the few grapes allowed to use under the appellation of Tokaj, it is the main grape of aszú wines along with Hárslevelű.
– Tokaj winemakers answered with stunning dry Furmint wines to the decrease of sweet wine consumption.
– Furmint is grown all over Hungary, marvellous Furmint wines are made in Somló, Badacsony, Balatonfüred–Csopak, Mátra and Eger.
– It ripens late and has a nose of fresh fruits, often compared to ripe pear. Its significant acidity and alcohol produce characterful wines sometimes with a touch of tartness.
– Furmint originates from Tokaj, and there are several evidences to prove that, one of them is the mention of the variety as early as 1611 in a document from Erdőbénye, Tokaj region.

The latest discovery about furmint, announced yesterday:

Turkish Kolorko grape variety is identified as Hungary’s Furmint

A Turkish grape is actually Furmint!

Béres Lőcse Furmint is available in magnum format!

“This wine was made from the selected harvest of Furmint vines from the Lőcse vineyard. The must, gently pressed with a maximum pressure of 1 bar, was settled for one night. The clarified must was fermented in new wooden barrels. After fermentation, it was aged for 6 months in barrels of various sizes (2 and 5 hectolitres) with different toasts. During aging, the wine developed its harmonious, rounded, mineral character due to constant lees stirring and micro-oxygenation processes. After the aging process, we crafted the final blend by skilfully marrying the best barrels.”
More about the wine and Béres Tokaj

Exhibitors of Furmint February Grand Tasting 2026

Angyal (Tokaj)
ÁTS (Tokaj)
Babits (Tokaj)
Bardon (Tokaj)
Béres (Tokaj)
Bodrog Borműhely  (Tokaj)
Boldog Balaton (Balaton)
Borbély (Badacsony)
Bott (Tokaj)
Dénes (Somló)
Dereszla (Tokaj)
Disznókő (Tokaj)
Dobogó (Tokaj)
Dorogi (Tokaj)
Emerencia (Tokaj)
Erzsébet (Tokaj)
Eskol (Tokaj)
Espák (Tokaj)
Frikker (Tokaj)
Füleky (Tokaj)
Gapa (Tokaj)
Gizella (Tokaj)
Grand Tokaj (Tokaj)
Gróf Degenfeld (Tokaj)
H-négyzet (Mátra)
Heidrich (Tokaj)
Holdvölgy (Tokaj)
IN Borok
Kálvária (the organiser’s own cellar in Budakalász, near Budapest)
Kikelet (Tokaj)
Kolonics (Somló)
Kovács Nimród Winery (Eger)
Kvaszinger (Tokaj)
Lenkey (Tokaj)
Mádi A (Tokaj)
Maison aux Pois (Tokaj)
Mariasy (Tokaj)
Montium (Tokaj)
Naár (Tokaj)
Napvirág (Badacsony)
P.A.N.K. (Badacsony)
Pálffy (Balaton Uplands)
Patricius (Tokaj)
Paunoch (Tokaj)
Pelle (Tokaj)
Pendits (Tokaj)
Préselő (Tokaj)
Rózsa (Tokaj)
Samuel Tinon (Tokaj)
Sanzon Tokaj (Tokaj)
Sauska (Tokaj)
Serpens Wine (Tokaj)
Somlói Vándor (Somló)
Steigler Pince (Sopron)
Szűcs (Tokaj)
T3 (Tokaj)
Tokaj Drei (Tokaj)
Tokaj-Hétszőlő Organic Vineyards (Tokaj)
Tokaj-Oremus  (Tokaj)
Tokajicum (Tokaj)
Tornai (Somló)
TóthBorbirtok (Pannonhalma)

Trifecta Wines (Tokaj)
Wine Mission

Zsirai (Tokaj)

 

10 great wines to remember #10

Zöldveltelini is not a typical grape for sparkling wines, at least not in Hungary. However, if you cross the western border, you will find tons of great examples of Grüner Veltliner (the German name of Zöldveltelini) in Austria. Steigler Extra Brut comes from Sopron, this side of that border, from the organic Steigler Cellar. Refreshing, elegant, expressing the variety with outmost balance.

Steigler Extra Brut 2023

Steigler sparkling is not brut nature, since the residual sugar is slightly above the allowed 3 g/l, it is 3.3 g/l, 12 months on the lees, subtle yeast, but plenty of juicy fruits, especially citrus fruits and above all enchanting floral notes, as if you were lying in the middle of a spring meadow, under a blooming tree.

See Steigler Extra Brut on the winery webshop

More about Steigler Cellar

Report about our latest visit at Steigler Cellar

“What we do is controlled idleness”

22 categories and special awards

The annual awards of Vince wine magazine and wine club were given out on 8 November at Vince Gala event at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest. First the team and trustworthy experts of the magazine nominated three wines in each category – partially based on the monthly panel tastings –, and then the readers could vote for their favourite ones. Congratulations to the winners!
See the full list of winners below the photo.

The winner wines from our cover photo:

– Kovács Nimród Battonage Chardonnay 2023
– Pannonhalmi Főapátság Infusio 2022
– Heimann és Fiai “Piros” Siller 2024
– Steigler Pet-Nat Zöld Veltelini 2024