Tűzkő Kékfrankos 2022 – a price-value champion

With 1063 entries at the 4th edition, Winelovers Wine Awards have become the largest wine competition organized in Hungary. Samples came from 13 countries, 8 wines received grand gold medal, six from Hungary, one from Romania and one from Italy. Taste the top 100 Hungarian wines (and many more) of the contest in a grandiose event on 27 September in the 5-star Corinthia Hotel Budapest.

New category this year: “Retail”

This year the contest has added a new category, the “retail wines”, sponsored by Auchan. Tűzkő Kékfrankos 2022 from Tolna wine region received gold medal (90 points) and costs only 1850 HUF / 4.75 EUR in retail, which makes it a real champion in the price race. Destemmed grape from Mőcsény vineyard fermented in stainless steel tanks at 28 °C, under controlled temperature, and it was pressed after malolactic fermentation. The wine aged in 2nd and 3rd use barrels for 8 months. The wine has ruby colour, the intensive, attractive nose is abundant in cherry, rose pepper and red pepper notes. Vibrant palate, subtle tannins and long, fruity aftertaste.

More about Tűzkő Estate

Are you interested? Contact Bulcsú Ősi commercial manager.

About the event

Date and time: 27 September 2025, 14.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, 43–47 Erzsébet krt, Budapest, Hungary
Message from the organizers: “Do you agree with the professional jury’s decision?
See for yourself on September 27 at the Winelovers 100 Grand Tasting, where we will bring you all of the wines that made it into the top 100!”
More information and exhibitors’ list
Tickets: 15 900 HUF / 40 EUR in advance (not too much time left) or 18 900 HUF / 48.5 EUR on the spot
Buy your ticket here (in Hungarian) or contact the organisers here.

An article about the premium Kékfrankos of the estate

Did you know, that Marchese Piero Antinori is one of the owners of Tűzkő?

Wine of the Week: Tűzkő Kékfrankos Selection

Top 25 wines of Pannon broader wine region

Hungary is divided into 6 broader wine regions and 22 subregions (which are often referred to as wine regions only). Pannon includes 4 wine regions: Szekszárd, Villány, Pécs and Tolna. Tolna is lesser known besides the iconic Villány, the famous Szekszárd and the city of Pécs. Yet, our cover star is from Tolna: Chardonnay Barrique 2021 from Tűzkő Estate. At the annual selection of Pannon Top 25 Tűzkő wine was the only one from Tolna, 6 wines came from Szekszárd and 6 from Pécs, while from Villány there are 10 wines in the Top 25. 2 wines are from Pannon (which means that the grape can come from anywhere within the broader wine region). The contest is organized by Pécsi Borozó wine magazine.

Tűzkő Chardonnay Barrique 2021 – bronze by Decanter

At the recent DWWA the above mentioned wine received bronze medal and the panel wrote the following review: “Lemony and mineral nose with subtle savoury notes. Crunchy green apple on the palate, long.”
Tűzkő website is under construction, but meanwhile you can find information about the estate here.

Success of Tűzkő Chardonnay vintage 2019

Tűzkő – The Best Chardonnay of Winelovers Wine Awards

Our latest article of the rebranding of Tűzkő estate

The bird must stay! Tűzkő Banka Grüner Veltliner 2022

The Top 25 wines (selected out of 128 submitted wines)

• Alisca Hadrianus Cabernet Franc 2020 (Szekszárd)
• Belward Campus Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Pécs)
• Bock Capella Cuvée 2011 (Villány)
• Bock Bock Cuvée 2017 (Villány)
• Danubiana Pannon Zöldveltelini 2022 (Pannon)
• Ebner Marcus Merlot Selection 2018 (Pécs)
• Ebner Cabernet Franc 2017 (Pécs)
• Eszterbauer Sógor Kadarka 2022 (Szekszárd)
• Eszterbauer Tivald Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Szekszárd)
• Fritsch Ágoston Rozé Cuvée 2022 (Villány)
• Fritsch Olaszrizling 2022 (Villány)
• Gere&Schubert Cserszegi Fűszeres 2022 (Pannon)
• Günzer Tamás Bocor Kékfrankos 2020 (Villány)
• HMJ Szabina Cuvée 2018 (Villány)
• Hudák Weingarten Sempre Cuvée 2020 (Pécs)
• Kvassay Levente Rozé Cuvée 2022 (Villány)
• Makk 3 Test-őr 2021 (Pécs)
• Schieber Trilógia Kékfrankos 2020 (Szekszárd)
• Schieber Patina Syrah 2021 (Szekszárd)
• Schunk Syrah 2021 (Pécs)
• Szende Múzsa Merlot Selection 2018 (Villány)
• Szende Irsai Olivér 2022 (Villány)
• Tűzkő Chardonnay Barrique 2021 (Tolna)
• Vesztergombi St. László Bikavér 2019 (Szekszárd)
• Vylyan Mandulás Villányi Franc 2019 (Villány)

 

Almost 10 year old beauty with still a lot of potential. The first vintage was released in 2009 (vintage 2006) to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the building of Tűzkő cellars. The next vintage was 2009 and then after a long break 2013 followed. Only 300 bottles are made in each vintage, so you’d better hurry to get some of the last bottles of 2013.

What
A blend of Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Why
A special wine made only in exceptional vintages. The estate belongs to the world famous Marchese Antinori, and this wine is outstanding, made according to the principles of the celebrated SuperTuscan hero.
“Deep ruby colour. The nose is rich of fruit and spices with some minty character given by the Kekfrankos and the Cabernet Franc. A real iconic red from Hungary. The elegance is predominant in the taste, given by the silky tannins and the refreshing length of the acidity. The oak is so well balanced that is only perceived in an enhanced fruitiness. The ageing potential is huge, decades, but the wine is fully enjoyable now.“

What to pair with
Noble partner of venison plates with forest fruits.

Where and how much
– If staying withing Hungary, the easiest way it is to order from Tűzkő webshop, the price is 12 000 HUF (29–30 euro). If you are abroad, contact the winery to see the options.
– Other Tűzkő wines including the elegant and multi award winning Tűzkő Domb are available on Winelovers Webshop. The ship to every European country!
– Tűzkő wines are available in several countries:
The Netherlands (Activin B.V.), Belgium (Drankenservice Vandermolen – Vanko bvba), Germany (Xaver Troiber e.k. ; Weinland Ariane Abayan GmbH ), Poland (LAUBEL – Peter Illesy), Switzerland (Globalwein AG – Philipp Reher), Taiwan (European Consumer Product Trading Co. Ltd.), Canada (Mark Anthony Brands), USA (Hemispheres LLC), Israel (Havit Hungarit), Italy (Marchesi Antinori S.p.A)

More about Tűzkő Estate on Hungarianwines.eu
Tűzkő estate official website

 

 

 

A refreshing white from Antinori’s Tűzkő Estate

Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio became immensely popular in the United Kingdom and it is still one of the most sold white wines. As Oz Clarke renowned wine writer said “Pinot Gris has the potential to be one of the world’s great white grapes, in some of the world’s most unlikely places.” David Wyatt from Virgin Wines quotes mentions a reason behind the popularity quoting Dave Roberts wine buyer: “Pinot Grigio is without doubt the world’s favourite Italian white grape variety. The secret to its success has to be the charm of its simple and easy going flavour profile. It’s not a grape variety that makes wines that task the drinker with layers of complexity. PG is just a straight up glass of orchard fruit refreshment, nothing more, nothing less and if you’re serving up simple pizza and pasta dishes you’d be hard pressed to find a better bed mate.”

Tűzkő Pinot Grigio – with a bronze from New York

In Hungary the grape is known as Szürkebarát and has grown for a long time, it was the favourite of our parents back in the 70s, and it is a key player in many wine regions nowadays (for example in Mátra or Badacsony).
Tűzkő Estate in Tolna wine region names its Szürkebarát wine using the Italian name – no wonder, the estate belongs to the Super Tuscan legend, Marchese Piero Antinori. The estate makes a refreshing, easy going, lovely Pinot Grigio – with great success. As we reported earlier, the 2020 vintage received bronze medal along with two other Tűzkő wines at Finger Lakes Wine Competition. Finally the medals have arrived at the estate (as featured in our cover photo). Tűzkő’s Pinot Grigio is indeed a great example of the variety boasting a bouqet of the flowers of the meadow and some green herbs in the finish. A lovely, full bodied wine wine which pairs well with fish dishes and even more complex plates made of poultry.

More about Tűzkő Estate

The white and rosé wines of Tűzkő Estate are just about to be released, but meanwhile we can find some comfort in the cold of winter: Tűzkő Domb, the flagship wine of the estate.

The wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the grapes are hand harvested from 16 year old vines in the low yield vineyard called Tűzkő Domb (Tűzkő Hill) in Mórágy village. Moderate barrique maturation and long bottle ageing make this wine elegant, subtle and long lasting.

The icon wine of the winery following the classic Bordeaux style and made only in exceptional vintages. This harmonious, full bodied, yet spicy and vibrant wine was born from the revival of traditions. Gold medal winner of several national and international competitions.

Deep colour, full bodied, matured wine rich in refined tannins. Thanks to the two varieties fruity and spicy notes meet, and the blend is made complex with some discrete barrel ageing and 10 months of bottle ageing. Refined, integrated tannins with the deep, warm character of Cabernet Franc and the velvety and chocolate character of Merlot.

Ideal with venison dishes, red meat and desserts made with chocolate and sour cherry.

Retail price: 15 euros

More about Tűzkő Estate

Tűzkő Estate is one of the most loved winery in Pannon broader wine region – according to the readers of Pécsi Borozó online wine magazine. The 4the annual selection highlights the most popular wineries, restaurants and hotels. Around 1500 people voted and the results have been announced online and so the 5 most loved Pannon region estates are:

• Belward Pincészet(Pécs wine region)
• Lelovits Tamás Pincészete(Villány wine region)
• Planina Borház(Pécs wine region)
• Takler Borbirtok(Szekszárd wine region)
• Tűzkő Birtok(Tolna wine region)

Antinori’s Hungarian mission

Marchese Piero Antinori is constantly looking for authencity in his foreign estates, so does he in Tolna wine region, Hungary. Tűzkő Estate is located near the village of Bátaapáti, among the hills of Tolna, near the river Danube. It has a long history closely related to that of the Counts of Apponyi family of French origin. Tűzkő Domb Cuvée (’Flintstone Hill Cuvée’) is the flagship wine of the cellar made of hand harvested, low yield fruit of the vineyard Tűzkő Domb. A classic Bordeaux blend (70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot) made only in the best vintages.

More about Tűzkő Estate

The 5 most beloved estate in Hungary

Though Pécsi Borozó was originally a local magazine of Pannon broader wine region, by now it covers national and international topics as well, therefore for the first time this year, readers could vote for wineries all over Hungary and in another category for Central European wineries. The two other top lists:

5 most loved Hungarian wineries

• Etyeki Kúria(Etyek-Buda wine region)
• Holdvölgy (Tokaj wine region)
• Késa Birtok(Balatonboglár wine region)
• Kreinbacher (Somló wine region)
• Paulus Wine House (Mór wine region)

 5 most loved Central European wineries

• Balla Géza(Romania)
• Bott Frigyes(Slovakia)
• Jeruzalem Ormož(Slovenia)
• Krauthaker (Croatia)
• Plantaže (Montenegro)

 

 

Exotic Wine Travel founder and co-owner, Dr. Matthew Horkey is a frequent visitor in Hungary, what is more, he and his partner, Charine Tan are working on a new book on Hungary called Discover Hungarian Wines. Matthew and Charine participated in Borjour Magnum, the largest indoor tasting of Hungary, and now Matthew posted the 5 white and 5 red wines he liked the most. Tűzkő Cabernet Franc 2015 is one of his discoveries: “The Tűzkő estate is a project of the famous Italian family, Antinori. They produce good value-for-money wines in the lesser-known district of Tolna. The Tűzkő Cabernet Franc is a riper style with black olive, cherry, and pepper notes. The tannins are chewy and this could develop further with bottle age. All in all, it’s impressive for a wine that can be found in supermarkets. Score: 89/100“.

Find the other 9 recommendations by Matthew Horkey

More about Tűzkő Estate

Download our free map of Hungarian wine regions

 

Marchese Piero Antinori is constantly looking for authencity in his foreign estates, so does he in Tolna wine region, Hungary. Tűzkő Estate is located near the village of Bátaapáti, among the hills of Tolna, near the river Danube. It has a long history closely related to that of the Counts of Apponyi family of French origin. Tűzkő Domb Cuvée (’Flintstone Hill Cuvée’) is the flagship wine of the cellar made of hand harvested, low yield fruit of the vineyard Tűzkő Domb. A classic Bordeaux blend (70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot) made only in the best vintages. This wine has collected several gold medals from national and international competitions. Ideal with venison and desserts with chocolate and sour cherry. „Deep colour, full bodied, matured wine rich in refined tannins. Thanks to the two varieties fruity and spicy notes meet, and the blend is made complex with some discrete barrel ageing and 10 months of bottle ageing. Refined, integrated tannins with the deep, warm character of Cabernet Franc and the velvety and chocolate character of Merlot.” The new, 2017 vintage is available!
More about Tűzkő Estate