Thummerer Archives - Hungarianwines

“Good buy” when you say goodbye to Budapest

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:13:54 +0000

Budapest Airport wine shopping – we have checked the prices for you! 5 best buy wines from Hungary

The term “duty free” has become an expression without the real meaning that some duties are not added. Yet, Heinemannstore at Budapest Airport applies a so called “single price” strategy, as a consequence, the prices are reasonable. We have checked the prices of several wines, and we can say: yes, go for them! What is more, there is a wide selection of styles, wine regions and wineries. Whether you are looking for a Kékfrankos, Villányi Franc, Bikavér or something noble from Tokaj, you will find great wines. And in some cases, the wines are cheaper than at the winery!
By Ágnes Németh

Should I board or should I check in?

When you need to take a few bottles of wines from one country to the other by plane, there is always some Mathematics involved. Is it more economical buying wine in shops with the best prices and then check a suitcase in with the wines? Or should I rather buy some wine at the airport and take the bottles on board, sparing the cost of the checked in suitcase. From Barcelona, for example, the airport shopping is not a solution, since they sell wines (cavas) from only a few producers, and they are the big ones. Freixenet (owned by Henkell), Codorníu (owned by a US investor) and a few more. What is the point of buying a bottle of Freixenet, when it is available everywhere in the world, in every hypermarket, from Australia to Canada? Whereas in Budapest, the wines of several renowned wineries are available, trustworthy wines from prestigious family wineries, at every price range.
I often conduct tastings of Hungarian wines, and I can easily put together a nice flight at Heinemann Duty Free shop, and even the prices are reasonable (to see why the prices are reasonable, scroll down).

Would you fancy a Bikavér from the “double” Winemaker of the Year?

Thummerer Winery is the only estate in Hungary receiving the prestigious Winemaker of the Year award twice. In 1995 the award went to the founder, the late Vilmos Thummerer, while last year the winner was József Lamport, chief winemaker of the winery. Thummerer is one of the most trustworthy Hungarian wineries with constant high quality, elegant wines and reasonable prices. Bikavér is a true Hungarian wine, a red blend with strict regulations. A Superior Bikavér has to be made of at least 5 grape varieties, the majority must be Kékfrankos. The minimum ageing is one year in oak barrel and 6 months in bottle.
Thummerer Superior Bikavér 2022, Eger, airport price: 16.99 EUR
Webshop price of the winery: 15.46 EUR

The “Tokaj trick”

Tokaji Aszú is undoubtedly the “king of the wines” and the “wine of the kings”. The hand-picked botrytised berries turn the Furmint and Hárslevelű wines into liquid gold with unparallel rich and complex flavours and aromas. And yes, the hard work and the fruit of the unique terroir has its price. If you cannot afford a Tokaji Aszú at the moment, you can still enjoy Tokaj buying a more affordable Tokaji Szamorodni. This wine style is also traditional and strictly regulated, and the lower price is due to the less labour consuming harvest method: for Szamorodni wines the intact and the botrytised berries are harvested together. (Read more about the different Tokaj styles here.) And you can also try Katinka, it is also a noble sweet wine, and it is “just” a late harvest wine, so there are no botrytised berries at all, yet the brilliant acidity and the typical Tokaj grapes make it a stunning wine. No wonder Katinka has been the most sold wine of the airport shop several times!
Patricius Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2018, Tokaj, airport price: 34.99 EUR, winery webshop price: 32.84 EUR (12 000 HUF)
Patricius Stilla Aurea Tokaiensis Tokaji Szamorodni 2021, Tokaj, airport price: 17.99 EUR, winery webshop price: 19.16 EUR (7000 HUF).
Patricius Katinka, Tokaj, airport price: 14.99 EUR, winery webshop price: 16.42 EUR (6000 HUF)

Look for the coolest offers!

I found this wine at champion price in June, of course I grabbed the last bottle. Zenit is a crossing between Bouvier and Ezerjó grapes created in Pécs Research centre in Hungary by Ferenc Király in 1951, but it was officially recognized only in 1976. Thanks to its good abilities („usefully early ripening”, as it is written in Wine Grapes) Zenit is getting more and more popular. It gives slightly aromatic wines with pleasant, refreshing but not too high acidity. With low yield it can give elegant, subtle wines, and MSP Zenit is a beautiful proof of that made by Sándor Mérész chief winemaker of Etyeki Kúria (hence the name MSP, now MSV, “p” stood for project and now “v” stands for vision).
Etyeki Kúria MSP Zenit 2023, Etyek, airport price: 9.99 EUR
Webshop price of the winery: 12.45 EUR (4550 HUF)

Kékfrankos, Villányi Franc and Duennium for the eternity

Kékfrankos is the most important black grape variety of Hungary with a potential to become sexy and trendy. It is fruit driven, juicy, enjoyable and truly Hungarian – though it is also famous in our neighbouring countries in other names like Blaufränkisch and Frankovka Modra. Vylyan Kékfrankos is a “cool” wine and not just because the label features Dr House.
(Read the story of the label here.) Villányi Franc is an appellation in Villány, our southernmost wine region, with strict regulation, made of 100% Cabernet Franc wines. Super Premium Villányi Franc wines have to be aged for at least one year in oak barrel and one year in bottle, and the maximum yield is 35 hl/hectare. Vylyan Super Premium Villányi Franc has this label only for the airport, the “normal” name is Mandulás, referring to one of their most important vineyards. And Duennium, the flagship wine of the estate is a great choice if you want to give a very special wine for a very special person. The little plant on the label is Ginkgo biloba, the symbol of eternity. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (30%) and Syrah (10%) wines are aged separately in Hungarian oak (80% new) barrels for 18 months, and after the blending of the best barrels, the wine rests in stainless steel tank for 6 more months.
Vylyan Kékfrankos 2023, Villány, airport price: 11.49 EUR, winery webhop price: 8.18 EUR (2990 HUF)
Vylyan Super Premium Villányi Franc 2021, Villány, airport price: 31.99 EUR, webshop price: 25.68 EUR (9390 HUF)
Vylyan Duennium 2017, Villány, airport price: 38.99 EUR, winery webshop price: 35.28 EUR (12 900 HUF)

Half bottle, full pleasure

Did you know that Hungary has a long tradition of sparkling wine production? Hungarians made sparkling wine earlier than the Spanish. (The first Spanish bubbly was made in 1872, whereas the first Hungarian sparkling company was founded in 1834, and the second in 1859.) Nowadays many wineries have one sparkling wine in the portfolio, while Sauska produces a whole range in their own state-of-the-art sparkling cellar, under the guidance of the world-famous Régis Camus from Champagne. Sauska Brut is made of Furmint, Hárslevelű and Chardonnay, the dosage is only 8 g/L, and it is aged on the lees for at least 18 months. This little gem is a lovely gift to your friends, to each of them. I wonder if it were available chilled as well! Though then it would never reach those friends…
Sauska Brut NV, Tokaj (half bottle), airport price: 9.99 EUR
Winery webshop price: 10.92 EUR (3950 HUF)

Why are the prices so good?

(Information received from the representative of Heinemann)
Heinemann has fundamentally redefined the concept of Travel Value and Duty Free shops. Anyone with a valid boarding pass can shop at Heinemann Duty Free. Heinemann applies a uniform pricing policy regardless of the passenger’s destination, meaning travellers pay the same price whether flying within the EU or to an international destination.

Duty Free: Available for passengers traveling to non-EU destinations, offering products exempt from local taxes and duties.
Travel Value: Available for intra-EU travellers where taxes apply, though Heinemann still offers competitive airport pricing through the uniform pricing.

Beyond the advantages of the consistent pricing, the retail developed further permanent and seasonal offers and services such as:
– Year-round best prices in Spirits, Wines, Chocolate, Beauty in Special Offer and PriceHighlight concepts.
– Member Pricing: Special discounts and reduced Member Prices are available exclusively through the Heinemann x ME loyalty program.
– Click & Collect: Items reserved online prior to departure are non-binding until paid at pickup, and the final price is determined by the register price at the physical airport shop.
– Collect on Arrivals.

The post “Good buy” when you say goodbye to Budapest appeared first on Hungarianwines.

Wine & Jazz on 6–8 August in Debrecen

Hungarianwines.eu — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:50:26 +0000

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:

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Consumers’ favourites at the 45th National Wine Contest

Hungarianwines.eu — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:49:02 +0000

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

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Results of the 45th National Wine Contest announced

Hungarianwines.eu — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:06:12 +0000

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

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Award winners of the 17th Hungarian Academy of Sciences wine contest

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:48:36 +0000

Barta, Béres, Thummerer are among the grand gold winners

Are you an academic? If you come to Hungary for academic reasons, and you are offered a glass of sparkling wine at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, accept it, enjoy it – it will be the stunning Barta Tokaji Furmint 2020 traditional method sparkling wine. 301 wines entered from 95 wineries, and from 20 wine regions. Let us present the winners.

Our cover star: Barta Tokaji Furmint 2020

Vintage 2020 is to arrive in the webshop any day! What we know for certain is that the grape comes from the prestigious Öreg Király vineyard (meaning ‘Old King’) and that it is made with the traditional method, of 100% Furmint, with at least 3 years of ageing on the lees.
The webshop will shortly be updated.
More about Öreg Király vineyard here:

Tokaj vineyards before and after

Hungarian Academy of Sciences wine contest top results

This year the contest saw a record number of samples, thanks to the rigorous tasting method of two rounds, lasting for a whole week. And the winners are:

Premium category white wines
Grand gold: Naár Tokaji Furmint 2023, Tokaj
Grand gold: Figula Öreghegy 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
Grand gold: Béres Tokaji Lőcse Furmint 2019, Tokaj

Premium category red wines
Grand gold: Thummerer Egri Syrah Superior Válogatás 2021, Eger
Grand gold: Bujdosó Merlot Válogatás 2020, Balatonboglár

Premium category sweet wines
Grand gold: Gróf Degenfeld Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2018, Tokaj

Premium category sparkling wines
Grand gold: Barta Tokaji Furmint Pezsgő 2020, Tokaj
Grand gold: Kreinbacher Brut Classic, Somló

Medium category (wines for events of the Academy) white wines
Veszprémi Érseki Pincészet Mandorla Rajnai Rizling 2024, Balatonfüred–Csopak

Medium category (wines for events of the Academy) red wines
Várszegi Merlot 2024, Balatonfüred–Csopak

Medium category (wines for events of the Academy) rosé wines
Gál Szent Márton Rosé 2025, Kunság

Official press release in Hungarian here

Tamás Freund, president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

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Hungary receives the 3rd most medals at Berliner Wine Trophy

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:23:26 +0000

The German international wine contest has always been popular among Hungarian winemakers, but this winter edition is the record so far: Hungary ranks 3rd in the medal contest with 178 medals after Italy (337 medals) and Spain (245). Even the organizer Germany has less medals (169). Hungary has collected 8 grand gold, 147 gold and 23 silver medals. Let us introduce some highlights of the award winners.

Teleki Tradíció Malbec 2023, Villány – grand gold

Obviously, Malbec is not a usual variety in Hungary, only a few wineries grow it. Csányi Winery tries to adapt to the climatic changes, and Malbec proves to be a good solution even in Villány, the southernmost wine region of Hungary. The grand gold medal is a huge acknowledgement, and keep in mind that this super premium wine costs only about 24 EUR in retail. “A lush, Mediterranean-style aroma, with notes of sun-dried forest fruits, and piquant oriental spices. Full-bodied, richly textured, harmonious wine, with vitality and appealing fruitiness.” Another accolade: Teleki Kővilla Syrah 2024 received gold medal.
More about Teleki Wines

Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd – 4 gold and 1 silver medal

Vesztergombi winery was the most successful winery of the previous edition of Berliner Wine Trophy winter tasting, and probably he is the most successful again (we are still counting). So, Ferenc and Csaba Vesztergombi are “regular winners”, but this is the first time that they win gold medal with a white wine. Szekszárd is more focused on red and rosé wines, thus this acknowledgement has special importance. Királylány, the white wine is the blend of Cserszegi Fűszeres and Királyleányka, and the retail price is around 5000 HUF! More about the grape varieties here. And the winners are:
Vesztergombi Királylány 2025 – gold
Vesztergombi Vintage 2021 – gold
Vesztergombi Kerékhegy Shiraz 2022 – gold
Vesztergombi Porkolábvölgy Kékfrankos 2022 – gold
Vesztergombi Csaba 2022 – silver

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Thummerer Winery, Eger – 4 gold medals

József Lamport head winemaker is the latest Winemaker of the Year, a well-deserved title, as it is proved again at the winter edition of Berliner Wine Trophy. (The founder, Vilmos Thummerer was chosen Winemaker of the Year in 1995.) The winery celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and these medals fit well on the birthday cake. The Bikavér wines and the Chardonnay are obvious, but Rébus may need some explanation. Rébus is a superior wine of the estate from two precious vineyards (Noszvaj Tekenőhát and Szomolya Nagyvölgy). Selected fruit, a blend of Merlot, Syrah és Cabernet Sauvignon, long barrel ageing. The result is a complex, soft textured, full bodied, yet elegant wine with long finish. It is only around 17 EUR in retail! And the winners are:
Thummerer Egri Bikavér Classicus 2022
Thummerer Egri Bikavér Superior 2022
Rébus Egri Cuvée Superior 2021
Thummerer Chardonnay Batonnage 2024

More about Thummerer Winery

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Winelovers Grand with more than 150 exhibitors on 21 March

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:13:36 +0000

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

The largest, annual walk-around tasting of Winelovers team will take place at the glamorous Corinthia Hotel, as usual. The organisers promise to present wineries from each of the 22 Hungarian wine regions, the list of exhibitors is continuously updated.

Date and time: 21 March 2026, 12.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsébet krt.43–47, Budapest, Hungary
Early bird tickets (until 20 February): 14.900 HUF (instead of 20.900 HUF) / approximately 39 EUR instead of 55 EUR.
Purchase your ticket here (in Hungarian) or contact the organisers here

Some of the exhibitors (with bottles in our cover photo)

Bock Winery (Villány), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek), Fehérvári Wine Estate (Somló), Feind Winery (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Gere A. Winery (Villány), Kancellár Wine Estate (Somló), Koch Winery (Hajós–Baja / Villány), Kúria Sopron (Sopron), Sauska (Villány and Tokaj), Thummerer Winery (Eger)

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4 of the 5 Kékfrankos wines with Grand Gold are Hungarian!

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:37:37 +0000

Cork Croatia tasting of 68 wines from 6 countries

Last month Croatian online wine publication, Cork Croatia held one of the broadest tastings of Kékfrankos / Blaufränkisch / / Frankovka (etc) grape variety. 4 of the 5 Grand Gold winners are Hungarian wines!

The Zagreb tasting is one of the most comprehensive panel tastings of the variety, the 68 wines cover the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, the region where Kékfrankos (as we call it) became significant and acknowledged. The event took place at LuMa Wine & Friends wine bar. Zoltán Győrffy Hungarian wine writer, editor-in-chief of Pécsi Borozó helped recruit samples and participated in the jury.
Tasters:
Dr. Ivan Pejić, mgr. Franjo Francem, Ina Bednar, Jana Koščec, Željko Suhadolnik, Ivan Dropuljić, Siniša Medenica, Ivo Kozarčanin, Tomo Jakopović, Darko Lugarić, Zoltán Győrffy.

The Grand Gold Winners

– Jackfall Kékfrankos (Villány) 2020 (HUN)
– Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2021 (HUN)
– Heumann Kékfrankos Reserve (Villány) 2018 (HUN)
– Fyrmonia Kékfrankos – Frankovka Modra 2022 (SVK)
– Thummerer Kékfrankos Superior Válogatás (Eger) 2021 (HUN)
Best of country and gold winner wines are below the photos

Best of Country wines

Austria: Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk (Burgenland) 2022
Croatia: Agapito Borgonja Rožoljo (Istria) 2019
Serbia: Vinčić Molovin Inat (Fruška Gora) 2020 Vinčić
Slovenia: Pinterič Modra Frankinja (Bizeljsko) 2022
Hungary and Slovakia Best of above, at the Grand Gold winners

Gold medal winners

Pinterič Modra Frankinja 2022 (SLO)
Riczu Kékfrankos (Villány) 2022 (HUN)
Etyeki Kúria Borászat Kékfrankos (Sopron) 2020 (HUN)
Agapito Rožljo Borgonja 2019 (CRO)
Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2017 (HUN)
Vina Jelenič Modra Frankinja Excellent 2017 (SLO)
Eszterbauer „Telihold” Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2023 (HUN)
Varsányi Kékfrankos Superior Grand Selection (Eger) 2019 (HUN)
Enosophia Miraz frankovka 2019 (CRO)
Jackfall Kékfrankos (Villány) 2018 (HUN)
Kollwentz Ried Point 2022 (AUT)
Enosophia Lingua Franka 2020 (CRO)
Vesztergombi Porkoláb-völgy Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)
Heimann Szivem Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2021 (HUN)
Molovin (Vinčić) Franovka Inat 2020 (SRB)
Damjanić Borgonja 2023 (CRO)
Vesztergombi Porkoláb-völgy Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2019 (HUN)
Papak Frankovka 2018 (CRO)
Ernst Triebaumer Ried Gemark 2022 (AUT)
Vina Belje Frankovka Premium 2022 (CRO)
Prus Modra Frankinja Barrique 2016 (SLO)
Koch Kirschner Kékfrankos (Dunántúl) 2022 (HUN)
Szemes Dél Kékfrankos Kopár-dűlő (Villány) 2021 (HUN)
Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk 2022 (AUT)
Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2018 (HUN)
Esterhazy Blaufrankisch 2023 (AUT)
Káli Kövek Kékfrankos (Balaton) 2023 (HUN)
Schieber Görögszó Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)
Vylyan Kékfrankos (Villány) 2023 (HUN)
Fyrmonia Kekfrankos – Frankovka Modra 2021 (SVK)
Schieber Trilógia Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)
Nittnaus Jungenberg 2021 2021 (AUT)
Trs Blaufrankisch 2020 (CRO)
Ernst Triebaumer Ried Oberer Wald 2022 (AUT)
Tűzkő Birtok Kékfrankos (Pannon) 2022 (HUN)
Klet Krško Turn – Modra Frankinja Premium 2021 (SLO)

Zoltán Győrffy Hungarian wine expert in Zagreb at the Kékfrankos tasting

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The Winewriters’ Favourite in 2025: Vesztergombi Cellar

Hungarianwines.eu — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:40:05 +0000

Hungarian Circle of Winewriters’ Super 12 lists announced

After 3 years of Eger holding the prestigious title called Kosárka Memorial Award, now Szekszárd took over with Vesztergombi (in our cover photo). As for the two Super 12 lists, this year Balaton gave us most of the Super wines, altogether 10 wines, including the two Grand Prix winners. To see the Grand Prix winners and the two Super 12 lists, go on reading!

See the full lists below.
The awards ceremony will take place in Székesfehérvár on 10 January.

About József Kosárka

Dr. József Kosárka was the founder and president of the Hungarian Wine Writers’ Association until his death in 2022. The prize, established in his memory, is awarded to the winery with the most entries from wine writers. The 2025 Kosárka Memorial Award went to the Vesztergombi Cellar from Szekszárd.

How Super 12 lists are created

The list of twice 12 is drawn up every year by the members of the Circle in several rounds, at the initiative of Dr. József Kosárka, according to his method. First, each member names 3-3 memorable white and red wines from that year, and then the members vote in the next round, but no one can vote for their own nominees in this round. Once the shortlist has been narrowed down, the wine writers vote again, with no further restrictions, and vote until the scores are tallied to produce two lists of 12.
The top-listed wines are judged by the experts at a blind tasting, which took place on 19 December 2025 at Champion Wine Bar in Budapest. The two wines with the highest scores will receive the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix.

More about the Hungarian Circle of Winewriters

The two Grand Prix winners:

– Földi Bálint Kéknyelű 2024, Badacsony
– Zelna Peregrina 2021, Balatonfüred–Csopak

Super 12 white wines (in alphabetical order)

– Balassa Szent Tamás Furmint 2021, Tokaj
– Csetvei Raw/Ka Amfora Ezerjó 2024, Mór
– Dobosi Birtok Baricska Olaszrizling 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Egersoul Egri Olaszrizling Nagy-határ dűlő Grand Superior 2023, Eger
– Éliás Fent a hegyen Olaszrizling 2023, Badacsony
– Figula 30 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Figula Sóskút Olaszrizling 2024, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Földi Bálint Kéknyelű 2024, Badacsony
– Györgykovács Nagy-Somlói Olaszrizling 2023, Somló
– Szászi Szent György-hegyi Rókaluki Olaszrizling 2023, Badacsony
– Tornai Prémium Hárslevelű 2021, Somló
– VáliBor Tabula Rasa Rajnai Rizling 2023, Badacsony

Super 12 red wines (in alphabetical order)

Actually there are 13 wines this year, because Gábor Kiss, the producer of one of the nominated wines died tragically and obviously we could not ask him for his wine to taste, therefore we asked for a substitute, yet we kept him on the list to express our respect and grief.

– A. Gere Kopar 2021, Villány
– Bock Grand True 2022, Villány
– Bukolyi Kékfrankos Nagy-Eged Grand Superior Reserve 2021, Eger
– Ipacs Szabó Ég és Föld között Villányi Franc Super Premium 2022, Villány
– Jackfall Merlot 2020, Villány
– Kiss Gábor Enigma 2022, Villány
– Mészáros Grandiózus Malbec 2022, Szekszárd
– Németh János Kadarka Válogatás 2023, Szekszárd
– St. Andrea Hangács 2022, Eger
– St. Andrea Nagy-Eged Egri Bikavér Grand Superior 2021, Eger
– Szentesi Tihanyi Kék 2023, Etyek–Buda
– Thummerer Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Mezey-Öreg dűlő 2021, Eger
– Zelna Peregrina 2021, Balatonfüred–Csopak

The post The Winewriters’ Favourite in 2025: Vesztergombi Cellar appeared first on Hungarianwines.

Nominees are announced!

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:49:12 +0000

35th Winemaker of the Year of Hungary

The 5 candidates this year: Zsolt Gere, (Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery, Villány), István Ipacs Szabó (Ipacs Szabó Winery, Villány, Pécs Research Centre), József Lamport (Thummerer Winery, Eger), Attila Szentpéteri (Szentpéteri Winery, Kunság), Csaba Vesztergombi (Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd). The name of the winner will be announced on the 5th of December.

The most prestigious title of Hungarian wine life is given out annually at the end of the year. The process of the election begins with the nomination period: influencers, wine writers are asked to name the winemaker of their choice and then members of Hungarian Wine Academy vote for one of the 5 candidates (the candidates are those who receive the most nominations).

Some fun facts speculating on the result

– Szekszárd and Villány wine regions each have 5 winners so far, will any of the two take the lead?
– Eger has had 4 winners, with Lamport Eger can equalize.
– Zsolt Gere is nominated for the first time.
– Csaba Vesztergombi’s father is a former award winner (in 1993).
– The founder of Thummerer Winery, where József Lamport is the chief winemaker, late Vilmos Thummerer is one of the former winners (1995).
– Three of the nominees were nominated last year as well: József Lamport, Attila Szentpéteri, Csaba Vesztergombi. Lamport and Vesztergombi is nominated now for the 4th time.
– István Ipacs Szabó is also nominated for the 4th time, though in 2020 he was the chief winemaker of Vylyan Vineyard and Winery.
– Three of the nominees are winemakers of family wineries, following their father’s vocation: Lamport, Szentpéteri and Vesztergombi.

Former award winners

2024 Zsolt Liptai, Pannonhalma
2023 Tamás Günzer, Villány
2022 Mihály Figula Jr, Balatonfüred–Csopak
2021 Beáta Nyúlné Dr. Pühra, Etyek-Buda
2020 Tamás Borbély, Badacsony
2019 Csaba Koch, Hajós-Baja
2018 Géza Balla, Arad (Romania)
2017 † Mátyás Szőke, Mátra
2016 Pál Mészáros, Szekszárd
2015 † Mihály Szöllősi, Neszmély
2014 Tamás Dúzsi, Szekszárd
2013 Éva Gálné Dignisz, Kunság
2012 Károly Áts, Tokaj
2011 Péter Vida, Szekszárd
2010 Ottó Légli, Balatonboglár
2009 Dr. György Lőrincz, Eger
2008 † János Konyári, Balatonboglár
2007 János Frittmann, Kunság
2006 Vencel Garamvári, Balatonboglár
2005 Béla Vincze, Eger
2004 Ferenc Takler, Szekszárd
2003 János Árvay, Tokaj
2002 † Ernő Malya, Etyek-Buda
2001 István Szepsy, Tokaj
2000 † Mihály Figula, Balatonfüred-Csopak
1999 Ákos Kamocsay, Ászár-Neszmély
1998 † Tibor Gál, Eger
1997 József Bock, Villány
1996 Zoltán Polgár, Villány
1995 † Vilmos Thummerer, Eger
1994 Attila Gere, Villány
1993 Ferenc Vesztergombi, Szekszárd
1992 † Tibor Báthori, Etyek-Buda
1991 Ede Tiffán, Villány

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