Tony Jordan Rising Star: Sauska

Australian winemaker and judge Tony Jordan was a key member of the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) from its very beginning (2014) until his health allowed (2018). The influential wine expert died a year later and was replaced by a Hungarian Champagne-expert, György Márkus. With the founder Tom Stevenson and Essi Avellan MW, the other key judge of CSWWC they created a special prize to honour Tony Jordan. This prize is given every year to a relatively young, but outstanding sparkling wine producer.
“… we are thrilled to be recognised as one of the most promising emerging wineries in the international sparkling wine world. In Tokaj, we have long been curious about the possibilities this remarkable wine regionholds for sparkling wine. We experiment, learn and refine our craft, discovering more about its potential along the way. These awards make that journey all the more rewarding.” – commented Sauska.

The superstar magnum from Tokaj

Sauska Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2020 received a gold medal at CSWWC, and at the gala dinner the magnum was named the Best Hungarian Sparkling Wine.
It is a blend of Chardonnay and Furmint, aged on the lees for minimum 48 months, and the dosage is 4 g/l.
“Quince and Sicilian lemon zest drive the aromas next to biscuit and subtle toasty aromas coming from the long lees ageing. Vibrant and juicy palate with crisp acidity, thanks to the blend of Furmint and Chardonnay. Sea breeze and wet rock minerality enhances the refreshing lemon zest and lime-juice citruses. Refreshingly dry, pure and very, very long – the emblematic minerality of Tokaj break-through in the aftertaste. Creamy and elegant, the ideal aperitive.”
And what does RC on the neck of the bottle stand for? “Each bottle is marked the monogram RC, announcing the decades-long expertise of Régis Camus, our consultant from Champagne, and the inspiring power of Tokaj.”
See the magnum on Sauska webshop
More about Sauska

All Hungarian medal winners

Anonym
– Anonym Pince 2020 Brut Etyeki Pezsgő (Magnum), Etyek-Buda
Etyeki Kúria
– GOLD Etyeki Kúria NV Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Noirs, Etyek-Buda
– SILVER Etyeki Kúria NV Méthode Traditionnelle Brut, Etyek-Buda
Kreinbacher
– GOLD Kreinbacher Birtok 2018 Égoïste (Magnum), Balaton & Upper Pannon
– SILVER Kreinbacher Birtok 2019 Prestige Brut (Magnum), Balaton & Upper Pannon
– SILVER Kreinbacher Birtok NV Brut Classic (Magnum), Balaton & Upper Pannon
Sauska
– GOLD Sauska 2020 Blanc de Blancs (Magnum), Tokaj
– SILVER Sauska 2018 Furmint Brut, Tokaj
– SILVER Sauska 2020 Blanc de Noirs (Magnum), Tokaj
– SILVER Sauska NV Brut, Tokaj
– SILVER Sauska NV Brut (Magnum), Tokaj
– SILVER Sauska NV Rosé Brut (Magnum), Tokaj
Szentpéteri
– SILVER Szentpéteri Borpince 2021 Cuvée Brut, Kunság
– SILVER Szentpéteri Borpince 2022 Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, Csábor, Kunság
– SILVER Szentpéteri Borpince NV Cuvée Brut (Magnum), Kunság
Törley
– SILVER Törley NV François President Brut, Etyek-Buda

See all 2026 results here

Photos: Patrik Fábián and Antonio Fekete, Michelin Guide

Royal bubbles by Barta Cellar

Barta Tokaji Furmint 2020 traditional method sparkling wine was selected the Best Sparkling Wine of the Hungarian Academy od Sciences and it won gold medal at the latest edition of Winelovers Wine Awards international wine contest. And why royal? Because the Furmint grape comes from the legendary Öreg Király vineyard meaning Old King. “2020 was, again, a year ideal for producing a great base wine from Furmint from the Dobozi sub-vineyard of Öreg Király, which then underwent the usual traditional method secondary fermentation. Disgorged in January 2026.” The dosage is only 6.9 g/L.
More about Barta Cellar

Cseri Winery, Pannonhalma

A relatively new winery from the must-watch Pannonhalma wine region. The whole family is involved in the winery, father and son in the winemaking, while the women play active role in the many events they organise on the premises. The estate plays a strong emphasis on Riesling wines, they have a whole series with 9 different wines! Their Septimus Riesling 2019 was selected the Best Hungarian White Wine in 2023 by the Hungarian Circle of Wine Writers. They are capable of less serious and more playful wines as well, the aerated Blabla is a good example – with a funny origin of the name.
More about Cseri Winery

Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd

“Wines of Szekszárd are yummie!” – says Csaba Vesztergombi, but his and his fathers’ wines are much more than yummie. When they enter a wine contest, they return home with a pile of gold medals, and quite likely they will be the second winery to win “The Winemaker of the Year” twice. Ferenc Vesztergombi won the prestigious title in 1993, and his son, Csaba has already been nominated 4 times (the winner is to be announced in December). The wine Csaba 2022 (Bordeaux blend) in the photo won gold medal at the latest edition of Winelovers Wine Awards, it is included in the Top 100 Hungarian wines. Vesztergombi Vintage, which will be featured in the masterclass in Warsaw, is a blend of Cab. Sauvignon, Franc, Merlot, Shiraz and Kékfrankos. We wrote about the story of Turul, another WWA gold winner here.
More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Zsirai Winery, Tokaj

The winery has vineyard in Somló and Villány as well, but the headquarter is in Mád, in the most precious village of Tokaj wine region. The estate is run by Petra and Kata Zsirai, the sisters inherited the company at a young age, but they manage, what is more, Zsirai has become one of the most established names of Mád. Their wines are available in several countries – for example in Canada, in the United Kingdom, in Switzerland and obviously in Poland. The cover photo features the single vineyard Zsirai Furmint Nyulászó 2021, which was described by Tamlyn Currin (JancsRobinson.com) with these words: “Floral on the nose. Definitely some sweetness – like a very sweet clementine. Deliciously sweet! Clementines. Passion fruit! Silk and tweed. Playful. Wonderful ripe citrus; mouth-watering and really, really long. Oranges on a finish that flares out, flushed with juice and fragrance.” The Warsaw masterclass will introuduce another single single vineyard from Középhegy vineyard – another stunning and unique example of the Furmint variety.
More about Zsirai Winery

The 12 wines of the masterclass at WWE

Speaker: Tomasz Prange-Barczyński wine expert, Ferment magazine:
Date and time: 22 November, 12.00
Tickets: 50 PLN, get your ticket here

1. Sauska Rose Brut, Tokaj
2. Sipos Kéknyelű, Badacsony
3. Zsirai Középhegy Furmint, Tokaj
4. Tornai Grófi Hárslevelű, Somló
5. Fehérvári Juhfark Grand Reserve, Somló
6. Jakab Pinot Noir High, Badacsony
7. Steigler Fusion Vörös Cuvée BIO, Sopron
8. Vesztergombi Vintage, Szekszárd
9. St. Andrea Merengő Bikaver Superior, Eger
10. A.Gere Kopar Cuvee, Villány
11. Heumann La Trinita Cabernet Franc, Villány
12. Füleky Tokaji Aszu 6 puttonyos, Tokaj

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.

The 7 participating wineries from our earlier article

The friendship goes on!

The list of Hungarian wineries exhibiting at WWE!

A.Gere, Villány
“A nagy bajuszú Jász Laci pincéje”, Somló
“a szemüveges srác”, Somló
Babits, Tokaj
Barcza, Somló
Bogdán, Somló
Château Rúbaň, Slovakia (of Hungarian nationality)
Cseri, Pannonhalma
Etyeki Kúria, Etyek
Fehérvári, Somló
Fekete, Somló
Füleky, Tokaj
Gallay, Bükk
Genius, Villány
Harmónia, Tokaj
Heumann, Villány
Jakab, Badacsony
Juhász, Eger
Kancellár, Somló
Kolonics, Somló
Laposa, Badacsony
Mundi Gábor, Somló
Petrény, Eger
Sauska, Tokaj / Villány
Sipos, Badacsony
Somló Kincse, Somló
Somlói Vándor, Somló
Spiegelberg, Somló
St. Andrea, Eger
Steigler, Sopron
Tokaj-Hétszőlő, Tokaj
Tornai, Somló
Tóthborbirtok, Pannonhalma
Tóth Ferenc, Eger
Varsányi, Eger
Vesztergombi, Szekszárd
Vida, Szekszárd
Villa Völgy, Eger
Zsirai, Tokaj

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.

Bock, Villány – the most successful winery of the 5th Winelovers Wine Award

Bock Winery in Villány won the title of the Most Successful Winery, since they have gathered not less, but 10 medals! 5 gold, and 5 silver. We are not surprised by the high scores of Bock Cuvée 2021 and Bock Essencia 2021, but this time the iconic estate collected two silver medals for white wines well, for Bock Batonnage 2024 and Bock Sauvignon Blanc 2025. A must-visit booth for sure!
More about Bock Winery

Dereszla, Tokaj – heavy rain of medals

At the 5th edition Winelovers Wine Awards Dereszla has collected not less, but 15 medals! This is an outstanding achievement with 1 grand gold, 3 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 2 bronze medals. To win gold with a Tokaji Aszú is quite natural, the grand gold winner is a 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú from 2019. However, Dereszla got gold medal for the bottle fermented sparkling Dereszla Vintage 2022 as well! The retail price is only 5900 HUF (about 16 EUR), a really good price for this stunning bubbly. Also, do not miss Dereszla Kabar 2023, a silver winner, barrel aged white wine made of 100% Kabar, the lesser-known grape of Tokaj.
More about the winery

Fehérvári, Somló – gold winner sparkling wines

Fehérvári is a relatively young winery on the volcanic Somló mountain, but it arrived in the Hungarian wine scene like a comet, a sparkling comet. Their stunning traditional method sparkling wines have collected countless acknowledgements in the past years, and now there are two more gold medals: Fehérvári Reserve Brut NW and Fehérvári Reserve Brut Rose Magnum both received 90 points! Plus, their Blanc de Blanc 2020 has just been released, a stunning, beautifully aged sparkling wine.
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Feind, Balatonfüred–Csopak – 10 medals out of 10 entries

Feind Winery has entered 10 wines and received 10 medals! They are most proud of the gold-medal 2021 Merlot, a truly special wine that is not produced in every vintage, but only in the best years. The same wine received a gold medal at the National Wine Competition (2025), the VinAgora (2024) and the Berliner Wine Trophy (2026), while an earlier vintage, 2019 won gold medal at the Asian Wine Trophy. The new Bollicine product line also brought such excellent results. These light, aerated sparkling wines replaced the Play product line, the word bollicine means little bubble. Who could resist a little bubble?
More about Feind Winery

Holdvölgy, Tokaj – the producer of the best Sárgamuskotály

Earlier this year Holdvölgy has been awarded the Winery of the Year, a prestigious award well deserved. At the 5th WWA Holdvölgy collected 3 gold medals, the highest (92) score went to their Tokaji Aszú called Culture, vintage 2021. The estate has a whole library of Tokaji Aszú wines, if you are looking for a special vintage, contact them, you can choose from 20 vintages back to 2006! And the best Sárgamuskotály is Holdvölgy Intuition No2 2024, a wonderful proof that the aromatic variety can give elegant, outstanding wines.
More about Holdvölgy

Koch, Hajós–Baja / Villány – 10 medals from 2 wine regions

Koch Winery is located in Hajós–Baja wine region, however, they have a vineyard in Villány wine region giving stunning red wines. At the 5th WWA Koch Winery collected 10 medals: 2 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals. The two gold winners are Koch Merlot 899, vintage 2019 and Koch Premium Csanád Cuvée 2017 – both of them are made in their Villány estate. The number 899 in the name of the Merlot refers to the limited number of the product: this barrel selection was enough for only 899 bottles.
More about Koch Winery

Steigler, Sopron – the producer of the best Kékfrankos

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!
More about Steigler Cellar

Caviar & Bull, sea & steak

The name of the restaurant may be familiar for world travellers, because there is a sister restaurant in Malta with the same name. The founder chef is Marvin Gauci, a multi-award winner chef, and he brought his concept to Budapest as well: the highest quality treasures from the seas of the world along with premium meats for meat lovers. Guests can enjoy a sea food menu (called Caviar tasting menu) and a meat menu (called Bull tasting menu), both for less than 30 000 HUF / 82 EUR. It may still sound high enough, but remember, you are in the heart of a capital, and all the ingredients are of high quality.
More about Caviar & Bull Budapest

Travel through five countries with sounds and visuals

Uncensored is a restaurant within the restaurant, a special room where guests can enjoy a unique experience. The courses are:
– Hungary: duck liver, apricot, mangalica ham, roasted onion, sourdough bread
– Russia: oyster, caviar, vodka granita, dill, fermented cucumber, pickled shallot
– China: tea-smoked seabass, spring onion, ginger, soy sauce, fermented pear, rice bread, crispy prawn
– USA: rib eye, spiced popcorn, BBQ sauce, corn, potato-bacon-cheddar croquette
– Brasil: banana mousse, banana jam, passion fruit, coconut cream, hazelnut
This concept is also imported by Marvin Gauci, but now it is Hungarian hands, chef Dávid Borbély is in charge. The seating is at 7.30 pm, available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The price of the menu is 25 900 HUF / approximately 70 EUR, so it costs even less than the Caviar or the Bull menus. (Though 15% service charge is added to the final bill.)
More about the Uncensored room and the “The Journey Degustation” menu

When a “diet woman” can’t resist the temptation of a dessert

I have had the chance to try one of the degustation menus of Caviar & Bull. It was a Wednesday, therefore The Journey Degustation was not available, so I went for the Kaviar menu, since I adore sea food. It was a magnificent series of dishes, for me the two highlights were the fresh bluefin tuna (with avocado, lemon gel, mint and pickled chili) served in crispy cones, and the basil poached meagre with champagne velouté (and gnocchi, black olive crumble and caponata). I try to skip desserts, but I could not resist the temptation this time: the “Citrus Harmony” was so refreshing, featherlight, layered and sophisticated, I loved it! According to menu it had puff pastry, orange & star anise white chocolate namelaka, vanilla orange gel, citrus ragout, white chocolate & citrus espuma, lime crumble and Moroccan citrus ice cream. (Telling the truth, I had no idea what namelaka is, but here is what I have found: “The term Namelaka comes from Japan and it’s literal meaning is ultra creamy / extremely creamy. The namelaka is very delicate, and surprises those who have the pleasure of tasting it. It is similar to a white chocolate ganache, but also a white chocolate mousse, and is a very special cream that contains no eggs or flour!”

A dedicated sommelier

When talking about Caviar & Bull, I must mention the smooth and casual service. We met several waiters during our dinner, and all of them were doing their job perfectly, plus they were really friendly. The sommelier is a seasoned professional, and I was happy to spot him serving Holdvölgy Expression, one of the most beautiful Tokaji Hárslevelű wines I have ever tasted. He served the wine to a table of foreigners and he commented to us proudly: “I have recommended this wine to them, and they accepted my recommendation!”. The wine list features many stunning Hungarian wines, like the above mentioned Holdvölgy wine, and several full bodied, Hungarian icon red wines, that can rival the international stars. NJK is the flagship wine of Kovács Nimród Winery from Eger, a Kékfrankos and Syrahblend from the high altitude, prestigious Nagy-Eged vineyard.

More about Holdvölgy
More about Kovács Nimród Winery