A. Gere, Kancellár and Sauska will be there

The most vibrant wine thing today – this the tasting, where participants can indulge themeselves in unknown varieties, fruits of remote, historic terroirs, ancient cultures. From Armenia to Poland, CEE Wine fair showcases novelties even for the seasoned British wine trade. Regarding Hungary, A. Gere from Villány, Kancellár from Somló, Gilvesy from Badacsony, Sauska from Tokaj and Villány have already confirmed their participation along with a Szekszárd regional table. Save the date!

“There’s almost nowhere left in the wine world that hasn’t been fully discovered – apart from the heart of Europe. The central and eastern end of Europe, from the Danube to the Black Sea, is home to a long, authentic wine history; a myriad of unique grapes; amazing personal stories and many dynamic winemakers producing great wines in all sorts of styles.
The Ultimate Central & Eastern European Wine Fair aims to give buyers, merchants, distributors and writers the chance to discover why Central & Eastern European wines should be on the radar of anyone seeking the next big wine story.”

Experts about the 1st edition CEE Wine Fair

The wines from the cover photo

Gere Kopar 2021, Villány
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Kancellár Nagy-Somlói Juhfark 2021, Somló
More

Sauska Furmint 2025, Tokaj
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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.

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

The grapegrower and the winemaker share insights

The article below was written by Tóth Ferenc Winery team.
See the original here.

When we talk about Kadarka, we must picture a true prima donna. There is no doubt that it shows its finest side in Hungary’s Eger and Szekszárd wine regions. It is an elegant grape variety with immense potential, yet it is extremely delicate: it demands the utmost professional care from the vineyard to the cellar. In the right terroir and in careful hands, it offers an unparalleled experience, but it punishes even the slightest negligence immediately. Let’s take a peek behind the scenes and see what makes making Kadarka such an exciting—and at the same time, challenging—task.

“It can’t be easy representing Putin’s pal Viktor Orbán in Europe, but the Hungarian ambassador to the UK…” – started Jancis Robinson her last article about Furmint. I really know this feeling: wherever I conduct a tasting or speak about Hungarian wines, I start with apologising and claiming that Hungarian winemakers are not equal with the Hungarian government. I hope that the election of Sunday will bring a new era and our wines will not be subject of common despise due to a power we do not want.
Cover photo: Nadeem Ahmad

It is important to note that this is my opinion, that of Ágnes Németh, owner and editor-in-chief of Hungarianwines.eu, and not that of the wineries I represent.

“I will not be supporting your government with my presence”

In October 2022, I participated in the Blue of the Danube event in London, where countries along the Danube presented their red wines, primarily Kékfrankos. Also present was wine writer Wink Lorch, whom I greatly admire and who is, among other things, the author of the groundbreaking book *Jura*. “A great tasting, and how wonderful that so many countries are presenting their wines together. If there were only Hungarian wines, I wouldn’t be here,” he said, and his opinion wasn’t directed at me—he just told me because we’ve known each other for a long time. This wasn’t the first time he’d made such a harsh remark; earlier, in early 2022, I’d been hit with such a heavy dose of his contempt that I’d grown thick-skinned. I’d been involved in organising the first Hungarian Wine Summit, and I’d invited most of the foreign guests and arranged their travel—from buying plane tickets to personally escorting them. There were still a few plane tickets left when Russia “launched a special operation” in Ukraine, and Hungary quickly made global headlines by refusing to allow shipments aiding Ukrainians to pass through its territory. Polish wine writers began canceling their participation in the Wine Summit one after another, and some even stated in open letters that they would not participate in a state-sponsored event in a country that was complicit in the massacre taking place in a neighbouring country. The most offensive letter was the one from the editor-in-chief of an influential German publication, because he wrote to me and insulted me for being Hungarian, claiming I am complicit in the collective guilt my country bears.

The numbers don’t lie

FIDESZ voters will surely dismiss this, viewing it as liberal hypersensitivity, and of course they’ll repeat what’s being broadcast on the government-controlled TV and radio: this isn’t our war; our government is doing everything in the interest of peace to keep our sons, husbands, and fathers from being sent to war. The Poles, who share a much longer border with Ukraine, do not see it this way, and no one else’s arguments—including this one and many others—penetrate the country’s bubble.

The numbers, however, do, and Hungarian winemakers feel it in their bones that somehow everything is getting worse. Hungarian society has become severely impoverished, wine sales are steadily declining, and while exports could be a lifeline, they too are falling. Exports of Hungarian quality wines to the United Kingdom were 45,896 hl in 2021, while in 2025 this figure will be 5,623.97 hl!

(To be fair, it should be noted that, due to Brexit, a significant portion of Hungarian wine enters the United Kingdom via Belgium, and this is reflected in the statistics. In 2021, 9,706 hl of wine went to Belgium, while in 2025, the figure was 36,373 hl. If we assume that the entire surplus—that is, 26,667 hl—went to the UK (which it clearly did not), then the total volume of Hungarian wine in the UK would be 32,290 hl, but this still represents a significant decline compared to 45,896 hl. And I also have information that sales of Hungarian wines have fallen to 10% at one of the largest British wine retailers.)

Pasi Ketolainen MW, a Finnish importer of Hungarian wines, also reported a sharp decline across the entire Scandinavian region. Things really went south for them when the Hungarian government blocked Sweden’s NATO membership—our government dragged its feet for 649 days before finally voting in favour, but by then the Scandinavians had already lost interest in us. In 2021, we shipped 2,236 hl of wine to Finland; by 2025, that figure had dropped to just 1,366 hl. A few days ago, I spoke with a Swiss merchant who deals in more than just Hungarian wines. He says that if he brings wines from two different countries to a restaurant, 90% of the time, the Hungarian wine isn’t chosen.
According to statistics, exports of high-quality Hungarian wine have increased overall; with a total of 338,688 hl of wine leaving the country in 2021, compared to 402,710 hl in 2025; however, this growth is largely due to Slovakia, as 76,010 hl went there in 2021, compared to 109,244 hl in 2025. And no, it’s not that Hungarian wine has become increasingly popular in neighbouring Slovakia; the growth is most likely due to the prevalence of VAT fraud, since no VAT is required between EU countries, meaning that those who purchase the same wine from a Slovak retailer can get Hungarian wine at a lower price. Of course, this is merely a hypothesis based on informal information.

“Hungary is moving forward, not backward”

That was FIDESZ’s slogan in 2022. Well, even our grapes are growing better, at least according to the Ministry of Agriculture. At the end of 2024, I received an email from a journalist at the British publication Drinks Business, who asked what miracle had occurred in Hungary that, out of 17 EU countries, Hungary was the only one where the volume of wine produced had increased by 2024. He cited the then-recent OIV report. It turned out that this was not the case; the figures provided to the OIV were simply incorrect. I notified the relevant authorities, yet the 2025 report still contains incorrect figures. But that’s just a minor detail.

Wine culture lacks culture

As the leader goes, so goes the people; setting an example is an indispensable factor not only within the family but also in the country. Viktor Orbán doesn’t concern himself with wine; he doesn’t particularly like it when he drinks, preferring to consume pálinka instead (fruit spirit of Hungary). But for anyone to think that quality pálinka producers are happy about this—far from it. With the stroke of a pen, he ruined the entire industry when he legalised home distilling. The shoddy but cheap stuff ruined the hard-won market for high-quality pálinka, and now it’s gone—many distilleries have closed, a few are barely hanging on, and some are trying to stay afloat by making gin or other spirits.

For the wine industry, the abolition of the “zero tolerance” policy—one of the 12 points of the Winemakers’ Manifesto that was never implemented—remains a sore spot. Viktor Orbán personally promised József Bock that this would change, but the rule remained in place. When zero tolerance was introduced, wine sales in restaurants dropped drastically and have remained low ever since; yet restaurants would profit more from serving wine, but Hungarian diners are forced to drink soda with their steak. Society isn’t treated like adults in this regard, just as it isn’t in so many others.

I hope that more and more people are getting their news from the handful of remaining independent media outlets, that real news is breaking through the walls of our bubbles, and I hope that by the night of April 12, the only bubbles left will be in our glasses as we celebrate the end of a sad era.

Ágnes Németh
9 March 2026

Record number of wines were entered at the 57th Villány Regional Wine Contest. 361 wines were judged on 25 March, 257 of them are red – no wonder, Villány focuses on red wines. The Champion wine is Rejiji Wines Falcon Cuvée 2020, the most successful winery is Koch Winery with 6 grand gold, 14 gold and 15 silver medals. The best white wine is Gere Tamás & Zsolt Olaszrizling 2025.

Grand gold winner for less than 6 EUR (retail)

The white wine with the highest score is made by Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery. Zsolt Gere, the second-generation winemaker is a devoted professional, and his care and attention towards the vineyards and the wines is rewarding.
– This wine is made of 100% Olaszrizling variety.
– 26-year-old vines (on average) from Szarkás, Dobogó (Nagyharsány), Kenderföld (Kisharsány), Máriagyűd, Nagytótfalú (Siklós).
– 45 000 bottles were made.
– Alcohol: 12.5 %, acidity: 5.7 g/l, residual sugar: 1.4 g/l
Clear, pale colour, intense aroma. Crisp, lively style, citrusy, green notes blend with sweet, fruity, ripe pineapple notes. A harmonious, well-rounded wine with the almond aromas, characteristic of Olaszrizling. Light and easy to drink, with lovely acidity.
(Note that Olaszrizling is a completely different grape variety from Rhine Riesling.)
More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

In case you are interested in importing Gere Tamás & Zsolt wines, contact Zsolt Takács sales manager.

Koch Winery has its main estate in Hajós–Baja wine region, but they have a vineyard in Villány wine region with more and more importance. Pálma Koch, the founder’s daughter is in charge of the wines here, and in June the first large event of the estate will take place. Live music, white, rosé and sparkling wines, relaxed atmosphere, dinner and dance await guests.

Friss & Jazz

The name Friss (‘Fresh’ in English) refers to a range of wines of Koch Winery. Koch Frisch (with German spelling) wines are easy drinking, refreshing wines with reasonable price.
Date and time of the event: 6 June 2026, 15.30–24.00
Venue: Koch Winery, Diósviszló
Tickets cost not more than 40 000 HUF – or even less, if you buy it in pair – for a whole day of sunshine, wines and great food experience!
Buy your ticket here (in Hungarian)
Bus tickets are available from several villages.
Guest winemakers: Tamás Riczu and István Ipacs Szabó
Detailed programme below the photos

Natural, organic and biodynamic wines

Confetti claims to be the largest natural wine festival in Poland, but actually it is one of the largest in Europe for sure with more than 100 wineries from 16 countries, including Hungary. Csetvei Cellar (Mór / Somló) and Kristinus (South Balaton) will also be present at the 6th edition of Confetti. The event looks so awesome, that it might be worth converting to organic to be able to participate!

“Being precise does not mean standardizing” – it is an important sentence from Mirtha, an Italian winemaker. She means that natural wines are not accepted to be unclean, the era of the “funky” wines is over, natural wine lovers want great terroir wines without faults. You can listen to Mirtha and others talk about “that cool thing in wine that everybody loves and she does not” here, within the Confetti Questionnaire.

Date and time: 19 Apr 2026, 12.00–19.00 (from 12.00 for trade members and from 14.00 for all guests). There is an afterparty from 19.00 to 22.00!
Venue: Stara Zajezdnia, Św. Wawrzyńca 12, 31-060 Kraków, Poland
Tickets: trade: 129 PLN / person (approximately 30 EUR), 199 PLN / person (approximately 47 EUR)
More information

The wines from our cover photo

Csetvei Juhfark 2024, Somló

Csetvei Cellar is located in Mór wine region, but they own a vineyard in the volcanic Somló wine region as well. This wine is made of Juhfark, the emblematic grape of Somló. Gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation on the skins, aged in stone clay amphora, unclarified, unfiltered, bottled without adding sulphur. Spiciness and dried southern fruits, raisins in the sip. A total of 340 bottles were made.
More about Csetvei Cellar

Kristinus Liquid Sundwoner 2022, Balatonboglár

An orange wine made of 40% Gewürztraminer, 20% Pinot Gris, 20% Welschriesling and 20% Chardonnay. Fermented spontaneously, long skin contact (30–90 days), aged in several vessels: amphora, used oak barrel, stainless steel. Unclarified, unfiltered, bottled with a small amount of sulphur (33 mg/L). “Sundowner means a drink that you enjoy in the late afternoon, around those few minutes when the sun disappears behind the horizon – a feeling that reminds us of this complex and structured orange wine.” (Movin Agency)

More about Kristinus

5 great wines and a superb speaker

Béres Vineyards is situated in the most picturesque village of Tokaj wine region, their wines are impeccable and have their own personality. And now they make wine lovers life easier by offering many concrete dates in the near future. The speaker has witty style of speech paired with very high skills of the English language and deep knowledge of Tokaj history and styles.

Available dates of the masterclass:
March 20., Friday 15.00
March 21. Saturday 11:00
March 26. Thursday 15:00
March 28. Saturday 11:00
April 03.  Friday 15:00
April 04.  Saturday 15:00
April 08.  Wednesday 15:00
April 16.  Thursday 15:00
April 18.  Saturday 15:00
April 23.  Thursday 15:00
April 25.  Saturday 15:00
May 01.  Friday 15:00
May 02.  Saturday 15:00
Booking: call Gergely Somogyi at +3620/218-1848 (alternative dates might be available as well).
Price: 7990 HUF / person (approximately 20 EUR)
Recommended eatery before or after the masterclass: Mondoha, a brand new “bakery bistro” in the village of Erdőbénye.
More about Béres Vineyards

Gergely Somogyi was shortlisted in Jancis Robinson’s wine writers competition with an article about the reconstruction of historic vineyards. 

Tokaj vineyards before and after

Importer of the Month: PaTrioVin, Denmark

Based on the company’s name, I had imagined an older Hungarian expatriate behind the Danish import firm and wine merchant PaTrioVin—and how wrong I was! A young woman, Patrícia, wrote back; she runs the business with her husband, and they represent wines from six Hungarian wine regions with tremendous enthusiasm and energy.
Author: Ágnes Németh
Photos: PaTrioVin

Wineries represented: Bock Winery (Villány), Dúzsi Family Winery (Szekszárd), Feind Winery (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Gróf Degenfeld (Tokaj), Kovács Nimród Winery (Eger). (Konyári wines and Etyeki Kúria wines are not currently available in the online store.)

PaTrioVin
Olesvej 354040 Jyllinge, Dánia
patriovin.dk
info@patriovin.dk

It’s much more than a hobby—it’s a true passion

“Delicious food, a friendly atmosphere, a pleasant ambiance, and best of all: excellent wines. I was very pleasantly surprised. Patrícia is a wonderful host who knows a great deal about Hungarian wines”—this is just one of the positive reviews on the website, and speaking with Patrícia on the phone, it quickly becomes clear that there are plenty of opportunities to meet her; she’s constantly either before or after tastings. When we spoke, she had just finished a Bock masterclass, and Dániel Konyári had already arrived from Lake Balaton—naturally, for another tasting. Of course, I’m curious to know if they run the wine business full-time.
“It’s more than just a hobby for us, but it’s not a full-time job; we’re not yet at the point where we can make a living from it, and it would also be risky because of our children,” says Patrícia, who currently works at an acoustics company.