bikaver Archives - Hungarianwines

5 must-try gold winners from the 45th National Wine Contest

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:35:38 +0000

As we reported earlier, 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. The special awards are listed here, now let us recommend 5 must-try wines among the gold medal winners.

Borbély Karós Olasz rizling Limited Selection, 2021, Badacsony

This wine has reached the position of the 5th best white wine at the contest (since 505 wines entered the contest, this is quite a thing!). The estate is specialised in Olaszrizling (they use an archaic spelling written separately), they have several wines made of the variety. Karós is a single vineyard wine from a small, half hectare vineyard on Gulács mountain. Old plantation with vines from the 1960s, thus the roots go extra deep resulting complex and mineral wines, the training system is also old, goblet. The wine was fermented in 500 litre new oak and aged on fine lees for about 6 months. Concentrated wine with characteristics of the variety, subtle oak spices and deep reflection of the terroir.

More about Borbély Family Winery
If you are interested in importing, contact Tamás Borbély

Babarczi Aeternum 2022, Pannonhalma

The family winery has collected two gold medals, one for the red Aeternum and one for Babarczi Sauvignon Blanc 2025. The white wines have long been the favourites of many wine connoisseurs, but the Babarczi estate has also been making serious red for a while.
“This premium wine is about perseverance. About values that do not fade, do not go out of fashion, and are not made for the moment. Just as family ties are not for a short period of time, Aeternum also requires time and gives time. Attention, patience, presence. A wine that stays with us. In aeternum.” Aeternum is a Bordeaux blend aged in French oak for 12 months.
More about the winery

Feind & Feind Balaton Rosé, 2025, Balatonfüred–Csopak

This rosé is actually the best rosé after the special award winner Babiczki wine, so it received the second highest score out of the 100 entered rose wines. Balaton Rose 2025 is a Blend of Kékfrankos, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Feind & Feind has won another gold for their Merlot 2021, and a silver for the aerated sparkling Bollicine Rose 2025, this latter one is in the photo. The winery has all the most modern equipment to produce sparkling wine from the aerated wines through charmat method to the traditional method. “A light pink, gently sparkling wine with aromas of fresh red berries, lively acidity, and a crisp, fruity finish.” And Bollicine costs only 1899 HUF at the winery webshop! (Around 5.5 EUR.)

More about the winery

Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery Rajnai Rizling 2024, Pannonhalma

This Rhine Riesling wine received the 8th most points among white wines, thus obviously gold. Earlier the same wine received gold at VinAgora wine contest. The Archabbey won two more gold medals: Prior 2024 is another Rhine Riesling of the winery, it won Vince Magazine panel tasting earlier this year, and this wine is also featured in the cover photo. The third gold winner is Infusio 2023, the flagship red blend of the winery. Though it is not much of a piece of news, Infusio always wins, undoubtedly one of the best red wines of Hungary. Funny enough, the Rhine Riesling with the highest score is the cheaper one for only 4550 HUF! (Around 13 EUR.)

More about the winery

Vesztergombi St László Bikavér, 2021, Szekszárd

Csaba Szekszárdi, the founder Ferenc Vesztergombi’s son has his nameday today – happy nameday Csaba! The winery must have a separate cellar for the gold medals: whenever they enter a contest, gold medal is guaranteed. This Bikavér is actually the best Bikavér of the National Wine Contest, it received the highest score among the entered Bikavér wines. St László Bikavér 2021 is made of Kékfrankos, Kadarka, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. After fermentation in stainless steel tank, ageing took place in wood for 24 months.

More about the winery

The post 5 must-try gold winners from the 45th National Wine Contest appeared first on Hungarianwines.

The couple who sell a pallet or two of wine at an exhibition

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:08:05 +0000

Importer of the month: Hundert Weinhaus

Wineries attend exhibitions to network and secure orders, but this is hard work and extremely costly, and sometimes an exhibition yields no results but costs a lot of money. However, this is not the case with the Weinfestival Basel. The Swiss go there to taste and then order, so in addition to fruitful connections, there is also immediate success. Last November was a success for the Villány wineries exhibiting, and István Bicsek and Marietta, the owners of the Hundert Weinhaus wine shop, played a major role in this.
Author: Ágnes Németh

Contact

Hundert Weinhaus
Address: Leuenallee 8A, CH-4702 Oensingen, Switzerland
Email: info@hundertweinhaus.com
Tel: +41 (0)79 555 99 15
https://hundertweinhaus.com/

Wineries in the Hundert Weinhaus portfolio

A Gere Winery (Villány), Árvai Family Winery (Tokaj), Bock Winery (Villány), Bodri Winery (Szekszárd), Erzsébet Cellar (Tokaj), Eszterbauer Winery (Szekszárd), Fritz Cellar (Szekszárd), Gróf Degenfeld Estate (Tokaj), Günzer Winery (Villány), Heumann Winery (Villány), Hétszőlő (Tokaj), Jammertal Wine Estate (Villány), Kikelet Winery (Tokaj), Koch Winery (Hajós–Baja / Villány), Mészáros Winery (Szekszárd), Pajzos (Tokaj), Ruppert Winery (Villány), Teleki Wines (Villány), Thummerer Winery (Eger), Törley Winery (Etyek–Buda), Tornai Winery (Somló), Vylyan Vineyard and Winery (Villány)

Foreword

I have never taken so long to write an article, and I am solely to blame for this. I usually send my questions for the Importer of the Month series by email, which is what I did in the case of Hundert Weinhaus – roughly two years ago. However, Marietta Bicsek, one half of the owner couple, was busy preparing for a pre-Christmas expo and didn’t want to bother with writing, so she called me. I was on vacation at the time, walking around Bordeaux with my children, and unfortunately, by the time I got home, my memory of our pleasant and informative phone conversation had faded. I felt ashamed about this, and that was the end of it. Until last November, when we attended the Franc & Franc conference in Villány together, picked up where we left off, talked a lot, and I got to know two wonderful people in Marietta and István.

After the first Swiss Furmint February

This Sunday, February 1, the first event promoting Furmint took place with the participation of seven Hungarian wine merchants, and of course Marietta and István were there too. “The audience was primarily professional, the masterclass led by Lilla Fülöp was a great experience, and finally, all the merchants living in Switzerland who distribute Hungarian wines were present at the same time with their excellent wines. In the evening, we had dinner at the same table to discuss the events of the day. Jörg Waldthaler, the organizer of the event, did a lot to make this happen, and we are confident that the promotion of Hungarian wines in this form will continue.”

Those fabulous and lavish Swiss events

Even two years ago, during our conversation, Marietta mentioned that Switzerland is known for its expos, or rather fairs, where wine lovers can taste wines and order the quantity they want on the spot, and the exhibitor has to deliver it by Christmas. That’s wonderful, I said, and Marietta reported on the results so far with great joy and satisfaction. But she also added that there had been some hiccups.

“I always emphasize to our winemaker partners that they should only include wines in the exhibition that they actually have in sufficient quantities. You simply can’t tell a Swiss guest that the wine they ordered is now sold out. Unfortunately, this happened at the last event. I called the winemaker, who didn’t really understand why it was such a big deal that a vintage had sold out,” Marietta told us two years ago.

The famous Swiss precision is also characteristic here: once a dear customer falls in love with a certain vintage of a certain wine, it must be delivered later. The Swiss are interested, open-minded, and, last but not least, solvent, so it is worth showing them the top wines. Of course, this requires a professional and, above all, enthusiastic presentation, which István and Marietta provide with great enthusiasm.

High quality red wines are best sellers

Hárslevelű is an important indigenous grape of Hungary

Bikavér, the famous red blend is also successful

If logistics work, everything else will work too

István was born in Switzerland, but one of his parents is Hungarian, and they have many Hungarian relatives whom they visit often. During these family gatherings, István and his family tasted several red wines, and during these years, the quality of Hungarian wines improved dramatically. The political system had changed, and talented winemakers, armed with experience gained in Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Tuscany, were producing increasingly remarkable wines. István and his family often took wines home with them to Switzerland, much to the delight of their Swiss friends. No wonder that the idea soon arose: why not open a wine shop and officially import Hungarian wines? István’s main job is related to customs, so they easily overcame the bureaucratic obstacles that would have daunted others.
They brought back what they liked, and since white wines are less commonly tasted, Tokaj Furmints were added to the selection relatively late, as they themselves were later amazed by the greatness of these wines.

If Wines of Hungary doesn’t move, Villány will

In the meantime, they started attending wine fairs, where personal feedback and positive reception from customers further strengthened them. The organizer of the Basel wine fair also encouraged them and suggested that it was time for a larger, more prominent Hungarian presence. The organizer contacted the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency, but unfortunately without success. They did not give up, however, and tried the Villány wine region. Fortunately, the Villány winemakers saw the opportunity, so last November they offered tastings at a joint stand, with several of them present in person.

At the end of November in Villány, Marietta talked about her recent experiences in Basel, but she also made a worried phone call. When I asked her about it, she told me that once again, one of the wineries had run out of the wine that the guests had ordered. “But I solved the problem,” Marietta announced, “I found the wine at Bortársaság, bought the necessary quantity from them, so the customer will finally get the wine they chose.” It is obviously more expensive and complicated for them, but that’s how the Bicsek couple are: they do their work with perfectionism, thus maintaining their good reputation among their growing circle of customers.

“In addition to the Weinfestival Basel, the Expovina Primavera spring event in Zurich and the Expovina Weinschiffe autumn event are the most important Swiss wine exhibitions, in which we participate every year. These events have always been very successful, with discerning visitors eagerly purchasing premium/super-premium red wines from Villány-Szekszárd and special dry white wines, mostly from Tokaj. (Over time, they have learned that Tokaj is not just about sweet wines and grape varieties).”

Marietta and István Bicsek in Villány, at Vylyan with Boglárka Dóra Kovács (Villány wine marketing)

“We serve even students in the same way”

Nearly a decade and a half of dedicated work has borne fruit. Marietta told us that at a wine fair, of course, not all interested visitors are wealthy wine collectors; there are also students who just want to taste and learn. “There are exhibitors who immediately push the order form in front of the tasting guest, but we never force an order, and even if someone clearly isn’t going to order wine, we still present the wines to them in the same way. We have even had a merchant, who had tasted our wines years ago as a student, greet us thanking us for our openness earlier.”
The webshop is now doing well, and they have even opened a small shop where customers can pick up bottles and ask Marietta and her team for advice in person, as they have a personal relationship with all their partners.
“Visitors are always very interested in Hungarian varieties such as Furmint, Hárslevelű, Kékfrankos, and Kadarka, while Bikavér, as a Hungarian cuvée, is also an important item in the range. In terms of style, light white wines, full-bodied red wines, and dessert wines are popular. Among the wine regions, Villány and Tokaj are the most attractive to our customers.”
They travel to Hungary a lot, always looking for something new. In June, for example, they will definitely be tasting a range of Hungarian wines, as they are participating in the 5th Winelovers Wine Awards and the Winelovers X professional walking tasting that is part of it.

Cserszegi Fűszeres – a flavoursome white grape of Hungary

Irsai Olivér is a nother popular, aromatic white grape

Olaszrizling is the most planted quality white grape in Hungary

The post The couple who sell a pallet or two of wine at an exhibition appeared first on Hungarianwines.

Intense “Szekszárd-course” in the Polish Trybuszon magazine

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:39:54 +0000

Panel tasting and an 8-page article about Szekszárd wine region

Tomasz Witkowski has been a devoted ambassador of Hungarian wines in Poland for many years. Not only by managing 2Bratanki wine shop in Krakow and the nation-wide webshop, but also by writing articles and promoting our wines at events. The next event where Polish wine enthusiasts can taste Hungarian wines is the Warsaw Wine Experience on 16–17 November.
For the English translation of the comprehensive Szekszárd article scroll down.

Our earlier interview with Tomasz Witkowski

“Poland is a blank page to write on”

The Polish webshop with the largest selection of Hungarian wines

https://2bratanki.pl/

The three best wines

The Szekszárd article was complemented by a panel tasting of 24 Szekszárd wines, all available in Poland. The three wines with the highest scores are:
– Vida Bikavér 2017
– Szeleshát Nyék 2017
– Heimann Franciscus 2018

Tomasz Witkowski’s article from Trybuszon magazine, 2025 autumn issue

Szekszárd unknown, or welcome to the land of Kadarka and Kékfrankos

The name – which should be pronounced [seksard] – is specific to the Polish ear, but it says a lot: the wines made here are truly sexy!

It’s hard to find. It’s never on the road. When driving south on the M6 highway from Budapest, towards the Croatian border, our oenological destination is usually Villány, famous for its red wines. Meanwhile, along the way, about 1.5 hours after departing from the capital, on the right side you can see a distinctive strip of green hills stretching for about 30 km. They’re easy to miss in the landscape. However, if you slow down and leave the highway, you’ll find yourself in the very heart of a very important wine region.

Szekszárd vineyards – photo from Trybuszon magazine

Is this Hungary or Germany?

Someone might ask, looking at the names of the most important wine producers from Szekszárd. Heimann, Takler, Eszterbauer, Sebestyén, Schieber, Bodri, Lajver… To answer this question, we need to delve into history. We know that viticulture in Pannonia dates back to the 3rd–4th centuries AD, when the Romans planted vineyards here. After the fall of the Roman Empire, winemaking traditions were adopted and continued in the Middle Ages by monks and local peasants. From the 11th century, vineyards were mainly managed by monasteries and churches. In 1061, the abbey in Pécsvárad was founded, which played an important role in the development of winemaking in the region. Wine from Szekszárd began to gain a reputation as a high-quality product.

Then the Turks arrived and took over these beautiful lands for 145 years. During their occupation, many vineyards were destroyed, and cultivation survived only in less accessible areas. When the war ended in 1686, Szekszárd was devastated and depopulated. The new rulers – the Habsburgs, although not always sympathetic to Hungarian aspirations for independence – provided the region with political and economic stability that fostered the development of agriculture and crafts. They encouraged the region’s repopulation by bringing settlers from Germany, primarily Swabians – who, after settling in their new homeland, became known as Danubians (Donauschwaben) and possessed knowledge of agriculture and winemaking. Where did they come from? Mainly from southern Germany, Austria, and also from present-day Alsace and Switzerland. They settled in many regions of the Pannonian Basin, with Szekszárd being one of the most important.

What did they contribute to local winemaking? Primarily, they planted new vineyards on hillsides, restoring abandoned and uncultivated vineyards. They introduced a systematic approach to cultivation (organized rows) and soil care, careful and systematic pruning, and began aging wines in oak barrels, which improved their quality.

Gradually, an entire infrastructure was established, with settlers building wine cellars, many of which, carved into the stone hills of Szekszárd, survive to this day. They established winemakers’ communities and guilds, which helped regulate the quality and integrity of production. Without a doubt, the Habsburg era was a period of renaissance for Szekszárd – thanks to post-war reconstruction, the influx of new residents, and investments in quality, the region gained a lasting position as one of the main centers of red wine production in Hungary. The Germans not only rebuilt winemaking here – they redefined it, giving it a shape, quality, and reputation that have endured to this day.

Warm, getting warmer…

The climate is getting warmer year by year, but for us Poles, a summer visit to Hungary still evokes associations with the Mediterranean. The further south we go, the more pronounced these associations become. When we stand in the main square of Szekszárd, we’ll see fig trees, olive trees, and oleanders, as if we were already in nearby Croatia or Italy. At the intersection of these two geographical worlds, a unique climate has developed, further nuanced by the diverse topography.

Moderately warm and moderately dry, with annual sunshine of around 2,050 hours, providing ideal conditions for growing grapes, especially red wines. Szekszárd, along with Villány, is among the warmest wine regions in Hungary. Closed valleys protect it from cold winds and Sleepy frosts. The local climatic conditions are also significantly influenced by the proximity of the Danube, which enhances the effect of solar radiation. The hills are 150–250 m above sea level, with slopes facing south (these vineyards are warmer) or north (cooler). Hot summers and relatively long, warm autumns allow the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. Szekszárd lies on rolling hills, whose soils are a mixture of loess, silt, clay, and sand, often with a high limestone content. This diversity of soils gives the wines complexity, finesse, and elegant structure. In the region’s best vineyards – for example, in Görögszó, Strázsahegy, and Gurovica – red clay is also common, allowing the soil to perfectly manage heat and water. Experienced winemakers know that when the vine roots reach red soil after a few years, the leaves become greener, the plant grows more vigorously, and copes better with drought – this allows for the production of must with a very high extract.

The Kingdom of Kékfrankos

German settlers who developed the devastated region brought with them varieties they knew well from their homeland. The most important of these was Blaufränkisch, known today in Hungary as Kékfrankos. This, arguably the most important red grape variety in Central and Eastern Europe, perfectly reflects the region’s terroir: it produces fruity, spicy, dry wines with a distinct acidity. The cropping structure is decidedly It is the leader, growing on almost 700 hectares. Absolutely all producers cultivate it, treating it as a material for single-varietal wine and/or as a base for bikavér. Bikavér?! But how can that be? After all, bikavér is primarily associated with Eger… But it is. It turns out that the idea for it was born in Szekszárd. The name bikavér (bull’s blood) is attributed to János Garay, who in his poem “Szegszárdi bordal” (Szekszárd Wines) from 1846 described the color of red wines from this region as “bull’s blood.” Only later did winemakers from Eger borrow the idea for this blend, and the rest (i.e., the legend of bull’s blood drunk by the heroic defenders of Eger Castle) is history. Over time, Szekszárdi Bikavér has undergone many changes, and today the region offers two versions of this iconic red wine: Bikavér and Premium Bikavér. According to regulations, in both cases, the wine must mature in wooden barrels for at least one year. After this time, Bikavér can be released on the market, while Premium Bikavér cannot be sold before December 31st of the year following the grape harvest. Both types must be a blend of at least Four grape varieties are used, with Kékfrankos accounting for at least 45% of the wine and Kadarka accounting for at least 5%. Other permitted grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Winemakers are permitted to supplement the blend with various varieties (e.g., Blauburger, Menoire, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Sagrantino, Tannat), but combined, they can only account for 10%. What are the organoleptic characteristics of both varieties? Bikavér displays dark garnet and ruby shades in the glass. On the nose, we find ripe black fruit and notes of barrel aging. The wine is characterized by a distinct yet balanced acidity and an elegant, mature palate. Premium Bikavér has a deep garnet color, a complex and multi-layered aroma, and a full body with a strong structure and a wealth of flavors. The wine is not dominated by tannins, it has a velvety texture and elegance. The second largest variety in terms of area planted is Merlot, followed by Zweigelt, and then almost equal areas are occupied by Cabernet Franc (which produces exceptional wines in neighboring Villány) and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, particularly important – both for the region and for Hungary in general – is Kadarka, which – although it is found in Szekszárd only on Approximately 80 hectares – it is considered one of the region’s characteristic varieties and was grown here even before the Donauschwaben arrived. It fits perfectly with the local terroir, and its unique spiciness, elegant acidity, and light tannin structure produce excellent results in both single-varietal wines and blends. The return of Kadarka is one of the region’s successes in recent years. Of course, if someone wants to drink white wine from Szekszárd, they will find it too. Most winemakers produce Olaszrizling, Sauvignon Blanc, Királyleányka, Grüner Vetliner, or Chardonnay, but it is the red wines that truly define the region.

Father and son: Ferenc and Csaba Vesztergombi

Family is most important!

As throughout Hungary, in Szekszárd, too, the magical knowledge of winemaking has been passed down from generation to generation in many winemaking families. Moreover, some of the best wineries here cherish the memory of their German roots. The Heimanns are a perfect example of the wonderful results that can be achieved by focusing a family around work on a wine estate. They arrived in Szekszárd in 1758. They ran a farm typical of the time – combining viticulture with animal husbandry and agriculture – and this continued until the second half of the 20th century. After the fall of communism, in 1991, Zoltán Heimann senior transformed the farm into a classic winery – one of the first after the fall of communism. Together with his wife Agnes (an economist), they started everything from scratch: they purchased new They acquired plots of land, built cellars, and switched cultivation from quantity to quality. And suddenly, wonderful wines began to emerge! Interestingly, the flagship, the cuvée Barbara, came from Agnes’s hands.

The Heimanns successfully instilled a love of oenology in their son, Zoltán Jr. The ambitious young man was sent to Montpellier and Udine for training, and practiced in Australia, Germany, and Italy. When he returned home, he asked his father: “Dad, what should I do to be successful?” Zoltán Sr. replied: “Son, create the best Kadarka and Kékfrankos in Hungary.”

This is how the Heimann & Fiai project was born, focusing on these two grape varieties, but moving toward ecology, minimal intervention, and spontaneous fermentation. Zoltán junior has already earned the nickname “Kadarka Man,” known not only in Hungary, and is becoming a star overnight. Always smiling, modest, and open, he is a true symbol of this extraordinary region. Be sure to try the classic wines created by Zoltán senior: blends such as Franciscus, Barbár, and Barbarossa are on par with great wines from Bordeaux or Tuscany. And compare them with the joyful, pulsating Kadarkas, Kékfrankos, and Bikavérs from the young Zoli. Both are delightful. In 2023, Zoltán Heimann senior was awarded the title of Winemaker of the Year in Hungary. He is an icon of Szekszárd, actively involved in regional wine associations and building local ties, and is a great community activist.

Also after the Hungarian transformation, another very famous Szekszárd winery was established – Takler Pince. A major player (approximately one million bottles annually), the company is still family-owned, run by Ferenc Takler and his two sons, András and Ferenc Jr. From the very beginning, they focused on quality and elegant style. Of course, they specialize in red wines, especially from varieties such as Kékfrankos, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Next to their vineyard, they built a chic and comfortable guesthouse and the excellent Primarius restaurant, named after one of their most famous wines. The cuisine is a subtle reinterpretation of Hungarian culinary tradition. The menu is seasonal, and each dish features a specific wine from the Takler vineyard. So if you go to Szekszárd this autumn, you’ll be able to try, for example, grilled carp fillet with potatoes, cottage cheese, smoked paprika cream, and fish cracklings (recommended wine: Örökség Kadarka), pork medallions with lemon and sage, served with potato wedges, romaine lettuce, and ajvar (recommended wine: Szenta-hegyi Kékfrankos), or finally, mouflon goulash with dried plums and red wine, served with potato dumplings with bacon and sour cream (and Szenta-hegyi Cabernet Franc). Admit it, are you hungry?

Of course, you must try the exceptional wines, such as Gurovica Kékfrankos or Örökség Bikavér (örökség means heritage, and this word well reflects the respect the Takler brothers have for the Hungarian winemaking tradition).

There are many more examples of family businesses in the industry, including the small but highly regarded 9 Sebestyén Pince, run by Csaba and Csilla Sebestyén, who farm 17 hectares, primarily growing Kékfrankos, Kadarka, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Their style reflects current trends – these wines tend to be lighter, more delicate, fruity, and don’t require a special setting like beef tenderloin steak.

Winemaking in Szekszárd is flourishing; in addition to long-established producers, new ones are emerging, sensing the region’s potential. A good example is 10 Szeleshát, or Windy Hill. This project was launched in 2001 thanks to the dynamic László Krajcsovszky. He reclaimed a derelict plot of land in the southern part of the region, planting it with vines. Merlot reigns supreme here (especially in the Gubac plot), and in the cellar is winemaker Krisztina Rosta – be sure to meet her if you want to meet someone with a true passion for winemaking, a passion that yields excellent results.

Year-Round in Szekszárd

Szekszárd is a truly ideal place for lovers of wine, history, and the tranquil, local atmosphere of southern Hungary. An idea for a great weekend getaway? Certainly. The winemakers of Szekszárd have rightly noticed that many smaller wine events are better than one large festival. This results in more people visiting the region, and the influx of wine lovers is more regular and lasts year-round.So, they start in February with Kékfrankos Toros, which focuses on the most widely grown grape variety here. The most popular winter events in this region have been welcoming wine and gastronomy enthusiasts for years, offering them the opportunity to actively relax in the winter weather, combined with a kékfrankos tasting. The event is organized by the Bodri, Takler, and Fritz wineries. The winter atmosphere is further enhanced by seasonal dishes prepared with local ingredients (including pork belly), which perfectly complement the tastings.

When spring blooms, it’s time for the Bikavér Borongoló – a hike along the Bikavér trail, from vineyard to vineyard. Bor – as you probably know – means wine in Hungarian, and ‘barangoló‘ means hike. A little play on words, but a huge success for this great event. Usually held in April or May, it’s worth buying tickets in advance. In June or July, five producers invite you to the Iván Valley for Kadarka Fusion – a tasting of Kadarka at its finest. The idea for this event originated with Zoltán Heimann Jr., who easily encouraged other winemakers to join him. No tickets, no rush, no tension, just a time to relax with a glass of wine, one of the symbols of Szekszárd.

Also worth mentioning are the summer Wine and String Instrument Festival (Borok és Húrok Fesztivál), as well as the Wine Days in Bátaszék (Bátaszéki Bornapok) at the end of August. Finally, as September and the harvest season arrive, we are greeted by the Szekszárd Open Cellars (Szekszárdi Nyitott Pincék) and the Szekszárd Harvest Festival (Szekszárdi Szüreti Napok), after which all that’s left is to eagerly await St. Martin’s Day (Márton-napra) and the new wines (újbor).

Today, Szekszárd is an example of a harmonious blend of history, nature, and human passion. Although slightly less well-known than Eger, Tokaj, or Villány, it is gaining increasing recognition for the quality and authenticity of its wines. It’s the perfect place for red lovers seeking depth, finesse, and unique character. Strolling through the local vineyards, visiting loess cellars, and talking with local winemakers is a journey through time and space – to the heart of Hungarian winemaking.

Szekszard – A walk around the city and surrounding area

The loess gorges, a local tourist attraction, are reminiscent of those around Kazimierz nad Wisłą and offer countless excursion options. They are also used by wineries as wine tasting venues. Lovers of classical monuments and traditional sightseeing should visit Garay Square and stop at the monument to the poet who first used the term Bikavér, or Bull’s Blood. Of course, the picture wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the memorial houses of two other poets – Mihály Babits and Miklós Mészöly. It seems that wine and poetry truly go hand in hand. The ruins of the former abbey are located in the courtyard of the town hall, and the town hall itself and the church at Béla Király tér 9 in the city center (the largest single-nave Roman Catholic church in Central Europe) are also worth visiting. To see the city from above, simply climb to the top of Bartina Hill, where (at the end of Kurta utca) awaits tourists the Szőolőo-hegyi kilátó – a small observation tower with a metal sculpture depicting willows with bunches of grapes, while the Bati kereszt kilátó viewpoint offers a magnificent view of the Szekszárd hills. If you need your morning coffee, Szekszárd offers one of the best cafés in the country – Caffé Carraro 1927 (Bátaszéki út 25).

The name includes the year of establishment and the name of the founder; today, the place isknown not only in Szekszárd but throughout Hungary. There’s also, for example, the wonderful Gingerbread Museum (Petrits Mézeskalács Múzeum, Munkácsy u. 9/B). https:mezeskalacsmuzeum.hu/. However, everything here is so focused on wine that you shouldn’t be surprised if you find Kadarka-flavored ice cream somewhere in the summer

Szekszárd from the kitchen

The region is ethnically and culturally similar to Pécs, Tolna, and Villány – it is made up of small villages nestled in valleys, where Germans, occasionally Serbs, Croats in some places, and Hungarians in others lived. Consequently, many dishes from Szekszárd have German roots, such as roasted pork knuckle with crispy skin and cabbage dishes. However, if you’re looking for gems of regional cuisine, you must choose chicken paprikaš in red wine, as nothing better has yet been invented for Kadarka. The proximity of the Gemenc forests also makes game popular here. Stewed in red wine and served with a rich sauce, it pairs well with full-bodied, Mediterranean-style wines from local producers. Fish is also a well-known and excellent accompaniment to Kadarka. Restaurants on the banks of the Danube serve the best fish soup in the area. Some wineries also have excellent restaurants. Heimann’s, Takler’s, and Bodri’s are definitely worth a visit – they all offer excellent, modern cuisine with a touch of tradition.

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Csaba Vesztergombi counting stars

Hungarianwines.eu — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:27:02 +0000

Berliner Wine Trophy 2025 Winter Tasting: Best Producer of Hungary

It is summer, so why do we share news about the winter tasting? Because the Best Producer of Hungary title did not arrive in time, the contest organisers did not do the Math properly. Well, Csaba Vesztergombi did, he simply counted his medals, 3 gold and 1 silver, and wrote an email to Berlin to admit his right for the title. Finally, the contest team admitted the mistake and sent him the certificate. So, while we are waiting for the results of the Summer Tasting to be published, let us congratulate to Vesztergombi Cellar in Szekszárd!
Photo: László Sebestyén, Magyar Konyha online

Vesztergombi medal winners at BWT 2025 Winter Tasting

Vesztergombi Merlot 2022, gold medal
Vesztergombi Porkolábvölgy Kékfrankos 2019, gold medal
Vesztergombi Bodzás Merlot 2019, gold medal
Vesztergombi Kerékhegy Cabernet Franc 2019, silver medal

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Are you interested in importing Vesztergombi wines? Contact Heritage Wine, they export to several countries from Estonia to New Zealand.

Counting at Berliner Wine Trophy

We, at Hungarianwines.eu also encountered several false data at BWT, we wrote to them many times. Now, checking our news back in March, again we can see that the numbers have changed meanwhile. We published a piece on the 17th of March and another on the 31st of March. At that time there were 185 Hungarian medal winners. Now the results page shows 198 medals.
Certainly, we will announce Summer Tasting results, but, as it seems, it might not be final…
Ágnes Németh, owner and editor-in-chief of Hungarianwines.eu

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32 Hungarian exhibitors at Prowein

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:56:45 +0000

Düsseldorf, 16–18 March

The German expo has long been an important meeting point for Hungarian wine and spirit producers and their existing and would-be partners. The estates with their wide range of quality products have encountered many new partners, and they are excited to participate again, at the renewed, most dynamic and most up-to-date Prowein ever. Find us at HALL 9 / B90 community booth of Wines of Hungary.

Some important things to know

– Wines of Hungary booth is at HALL 9 / B90 with 22 exhibitors, see them here.
Note that some exhibitors represent several wineries, for example Fine Wine Association of Hungary represents four estates, see them here.
– Three wine exhibitors will be located in other booths: Disznókő (HALL 9 / A72), Grand Tokaj (HALL 9 / D90) and Cabolo (HALL 9 / D102). This latter, Cabolo (Heritage Wines) is a company representing wineries in export markets, see more here.
– You can also taste ‘Pálinka’, our origin protected, national, high quality fruit spirit by seven exhibitors, four of them will share a booth at HALL 5 / E35.
– Six masterclasses await guests, one of them is about the different styles of Tokaj, to be presented by Konstantin Baum MW on 16 March at Prowein Forum. Konstantin will conduct three more tutored tastings at the Hungarian community booth, while Yvonne Heistermann sommelier will do two more, also at the Hungarian stand. See all the masterclasses here.

5 iconic wineries not to miss

Hungary’s “wine renaissance” started after the change of the regime, when the Iron Curtain fell down and estates could restart quality winemaking. Some estates have been successful since this new beginning in the 90s, and what is remarkable is that they are constantly improving, finding their path to be outstanding at international level. Let us introduce 5 great wineries with more than three decades of fame.

Bock Winery, Villány

If you have visited Villány, you are quite likely to have met József Bock, the leader of the wine region, a pioneer of Hungarian winemaking, a great guy always on the move. His son, Valér will be present at the booth, and he has already proven several times that he is worthy of the famous surname.
A must-taste wine: Bock Villányi Franc Essencia 2020, one of the recent Top 12 Villányi Cabernet Franc wines. Harvested from the three best Cabernet Franc vineyards of Bock, Fekete-hegy, Ördögárok and Makár. Aged in barrique barrels for 24 months.
More about Bock and the wines to be presented at Prowein

Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery, Pannonhalma

You can be sure that the monks know how to make good wines! Plus, they have someone above to help, a unique advantage… However, this winery does not rely only on divine support, their expertise and the terroir of this cool(er) climate wine region result impeccable wines. What is more, Zsolt Liptai chief winemaker has recently been selected Winemaker of the Year!
A must-taste wine: Pannonhalmi Tricollis White 2024. There is a temptation to taste the flagship wines of the estate or jump right to one of the most elegant red wines of Hungary called Infusio, but please, do not rush, taste the entry level Tricollis wines as well, especially the white made of Olaszrizling, Rhine Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer.
More about Archabbey Winery and the wines to be presented at Prowein

Patricius Winery, Tokaj

Péter Molnár is not only the estate manager, but the chief winemaker as well, with not less than a PhD degree of oenology. His deep knowledge is inevitably key to the success of the estate with legendary vineyards like Szárhegy and Lapis. They have a whole range of Furmint wines including a single vineyard one from Sajgó.
A must-taste wine: Patricius Sárgamuskotály 2023. You will surely taste the exciting Furmint wines and hardly anyone can resist the temptation of the luscious and majestic 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú, but believe us and taste the Muscat as well. Patricius can make a gracious, elegant wine of the aromatic grape, it is simply unparallel!
More about Patricius and the wines to be presented at Prowein

Tűzkő Estate, Tolna

The winery is owned by two Italian noble families, the Antinori and the Mazzei families, no wonder their main export market is Italy. If the country with the largest wine production of the world is interested in Tűzkő wines, why wouldn’t you be? Tolna is a wine region to watch with mainly white wines, but also exciting reds and lovely rosé wines.
A must-taste wine: Tűzkő Kékfrankos 2021. Kékfrankos is the most important indigenous black grape of Hungary, therefore a tutored tasting is dedicated to the variety as well by Yvonne Heistermann on 16 March. The flight includes this wine.
More about Tűzkő and the wines to be presented at Prowein

Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd

This winery was already outstanding in the 90’s, Ferenc Vesztergombi was the Winemaker of the Year in 1993, and they have gotten higher and higher ever since! If they nominate 5 wines to an international wine contest, usually they collect five gold medals. And not only judges at large wine contest, but rigorous wine critics with subtle palate love their wines as well. Csaba Vesztergombi, son of Ferenc works tirelessly to make unforgettable wines, and he does a really good job.
A must-taste wine: Vesztergombi St László Bikavér 2021. Bikavér (aka Bull’s Blood) is the renowned red blend of two wine regions, Eger and Szekszárd. The blend has to contain Kékfrankos and Kadarka in Szekszárd, hence this structured, layered Bikavér is made of 45% Kékfrankos and 5% of Kadarka along the French varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz). (The photo features the latest accolade of the wine.)
Vesztergombi wines will be presented at Cabolo booth at HALL 9 / D102.

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Barbarossa and new vintage Barbár – fresh releases by Heimann

Hungarianwines.eu — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:03:47 +0000

Walk-around tasting of novelties and great favourites on 5 October in Szekszárd

Barbár, the iconic red blend of Heimann Family Estate has “received a brother”, Barbarossa. We had the chance to taste it: exciting, elegant, layered, definitely a new expression of the Szekszárd terroir, and at the same time worthy of the great flagship wine, Barbár. The new, 2020 vintage of Barbár and the new Barbarossa will be available to taste at a relaxed, familiar event at Heimann Family Estate in Szekszárd, along with the new Heimann & Fiai Bikavér.

Welcome in the family! A relaxed tasting on 5 October

Heimann family awaits regulars and new fans at a relaxed walk-around tasting at their estate in Szekszárd, in the picturesque Iván valley. Zoltán Heimann, the founder will explain the “baptising” stories of Barbár, Barbarossa and Franciscus wines in his enchanting baritone voice, Ági, his wife will provide mouth-watering bites of seasonal ingredients and delicacies like buffalo, while Zoltán Heimann Jr will present his low intervention, single vineyard Kadarka and Kékfrankos wines along with the novelty: the first vintage of Heimann & Fiai Bikavér.

The novelties

The producers have not revealed much of Barbarossa 2022, all that we know is that the wine was bottled on 16 July. As mentioned above, we had the chance to taste, though it was a very quick glance at the wine, since it happened during our our event (7th Hungarian Gettogether) and being the organisers, we were regrettably too busy to pay proper attention.
As for Heimann Barbár 2020, we know that it is the flagship wine of the estate made only in outstanding vintages, of Cabernet Franc, Kékfrankos, Merlot and Tannat. The wine is always a selection of the finest barrels. Vintage 2020 is not available on the webshop yet, but we can find earlier vintages back to 2016 also in magnum format on the renewed website of the winery.
Heimann & Fiai Bikavér 2022 is a “village wine” from Szekszárd from vineyards with loess on red clay bedrock. “Bikavér is our heritage cuvée based on Kékfrankos. Hand harvested grapes, spontaneous ferment with whole bunches, aged in traditional barrels.”

The very serious line up

A surprise welcome wine
Heimann Barbarossa 2022
Heimann Barbár 2020
Heimann & Fiai Bikavér 2022
Heimann & Fiai Kadarka 2023 BIO
Heimann Viognier 2023 BIO
Heimann & Fiai Szívem Kékfrankos 2020
Heimann & Fiai Bati Kereszt Kékfrankos 2021
Heimann Franciscus 2019
Heimann Barbár 2017

Date and time: 5 october 2024, 14.00–20.00
Venue: Heimann Family Estate, Iván valley, Szekszárd, Hungary
How to get there: By car it takes less than two hours via M6. If you prefer public transport, you can take Mecsek Intercity to Szekszárd, but then it is suggested to take a taxi – or a long walk (3 km)
Tickets: 20 000 HUF (around 50 EUR)
Buy your ticket here
A sip of culture: 16.00 opening of Péter Hecker‘s exhibition
Some paintings by Péter Hecker here and here

More about Heimann Family Estate and Heimann & Fiai

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Hiszünk a szavak erejében!

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 12:15:47 +0000

Ezzel a szlogennel buzdítottuk kreatív borleírásra vendégeinket a Gettogether rendezvényen, a játékban pedig partnerünk volt a Rekontir. A versenyre csak pár tucat borleírás érkezett, de ezért igazán nem hibáztathatunk senkit, a legtöbben inkább csak élvezték a kóstolt borokat.
Fotók: Fövényi Fanni

Mi a legjobbnak ezúttal Diószegi-Serföző Anna írását találtuk, amelyben Tóth Ferencék 2023-as Rajnai Rizlingjét mutatja be, azért szerettük, mert érzékletes, játékos, mégis pontos, informatív, sőt még egy remek ételpárt is javasol. Borsos Kittytöbb-mint-sommelier egy Zsirai borról írt olyan szépet, hogy azt Zsirai Kata el is vitte, így nem tudjuk közreadni, de Kitty írt egyet a Babarczi Marianumról is, ez lejjebb olvasható. Balog Andrea a bolgár Domaine Boyar Pure Pink borát angolul méltatta (a Concours Mondial de Bruxelles vendégkiállítónknál volt kóstolható), méghozzá versben, Kundermann Gergely blogger (Borföldrajz) pedig ugyancsak költőien írt a Tóth Ferenc 2021-es Superior Egri Bikavérről, és szintén Tóth Ferencéktől kóstolt Jakab Tamás borszakíró. Ő mindjárt két bort hasonlított össze, a Kadarkát és a Pinot Noirt. Robert Smyth borszakíró Gál Tibor 2021-es Pajadosát mutatta be, az Edith művésznéven író vendégünk pedig egészen forró hangulatban csinál kedvet a jéghideg 2019-es Sauska Brut Magnumhoz, és hozzá csatlakozott „Gourmand Gerzson” is:).

Diószegi-Serföző Anna: Tóth Ferenc Rajnai Rizling 2023, Eger

Ha petrolosságra számítasz, kedves kóstoló, ne Egerben keresd, annál inkább invitál ez a bor egy virágos-gyümölcslugasos kertbe. Pezsgő aranyszínével hívja fel magára a figyelmet, de az illattal csábít. Az illatos fehér virágokat követi a sárgahúsú, érett őszibarack, mely rögtön a napfényes nyárba repít, bármikor is kóstoljuk. A csábítás a kortyban teljesedik ki igazán: fehér rózsás lágyság keveredik a citromvirággal, leheletnyi nektáros akác, kirobbanó savak, és lédús barackkal marad hosszan a szájban. Ricottás krémmel töltött cukkinivirág kívánkozik hozzá.

Balog Andrea: Domain Boyar Pure Pink, Bulgaria

Könnyű, illatos, tiszta rózsaszínű rozébor.
If you want to smell the roses
If you want to taste springtime
You will feel love’s soft tenderness
When you pour some Pure Pink wine.

Fordítás:

Ha szeretnéd érezni a rózsák illatát
Ha bele akarsz kóstolni a tavaszba
Érezni fogod a szerelem lágy gyengédségét
Amint kitöltesz egy kis Pure Pink rozét.

Borsos Kitty: Babarczi Marianum 2021, Pannonhalma

Pannonhalma Királynője ismét bebizonyította, hogy nem csak fehérbort tud készíteni, hogy a Pannonhalmi borvidék nem csak fehér fajtákról szól, sőt… Illatában már simogat a bor. A fekete és a piros bogyós gyümölcsök játéka fogad, melyet egy nagy fűszerkosár egészít ki. Cigánymeggy-feketebors, fekete ribizli-étcsokoládé, szeder és szegfűszeg. Ízben simogat, majd megölel. A legnagyobb szeretettel és harmóniával kapom vissza az illatot puha, lágy tanninok kíséretében! Babarczi Zsuzsi for president!

Jakab Tamás: Tóth Ferenc Kadarka és Tóth Ferenc Pinot Noir, Eger

Markánsan eltérő illatok, a fűszeres és a gyümölcsös ütközése – de nagyon hasonló íz: a málna diadala. Mintha uncsitesók lennének, pedig nem közösek a nagyszülők.

Kundermann Gergely: Tóth Ferenc Superior Egri Bikavér 2021, Eger

A fűszerek szinte csillámlanak a piros bogyós gyümölcsös illatban. Érett meggy, cseresznye, némi szilvával és csokival keveredik. Ízében dominálnak a fűszeres ízek és a savak, de ez kell egy egri bikavérhez. A hordós érlelésből származó enyhe csokis ízvilág teszi teljessé a harmóniát. Hosszú lecsengésében hosszú életutat érzek!

Robert Smyth: Gál Tibor Pajados Egri Bikavér Superior 2021, Eger

A lovely touch of Kadarka gives an aromatic kick to a beautifully northern, linear, contemporary wine with delightfully restraint tannins, juicy fruit and zesty acidity bringing length on the finish.

Fordítás:

Egy csipetnyi szép Kadarka ad aromatikus löketet ennek a szépségesen északi, lineáris, kortárs bornak. Gyönyörűen visszafogott tanninok, lédús gyümölcsök, az élénk savak pedig hosszan tartják a lecsengést.

Edith: Sauska Brut Magnum 2019, Tokaj

Magnum teste Brut-álisan lenyűgöző. Habzása fékezhetetlen, csókja felejthetetlen, örök szerelemre kárhoztat…

Gourmand Gerzson: Sauska Brut Magnum 2019, Tokaj

Amikor Sebastian a poharadba tölti, szádban a krém apró gyöngyökre bomlik, levegőt sem veszel, amíg a pezsgő körüljárja a nyelvedet.

The post Hiszünk a szavak erejében! appeared first on Hungarianwines.

90 or more Decanter points

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:11:25 +0000

Earlier we reported the amazing success of Gizella Winery (Best in Show) and Sauska (Platinum award) at Decanter World Wine Award. Hungary also collected 13 gold medals, mainly for Tokaj sweet wines. However, there are 56 silver winners with 90 or more points. At another contest these wines would be acknowledged by gold medals, therefore we should keep in mind, that these achievements astonishing! Let us congratulate to Csányi, Dereszla, Etyeki Kúria, Holdvölgy, Lajver, Patricius, Tornai, Vesztergombi, Weninger & Gere and 36 more Hungarian wineries!

Below you can see the wine reviews written by Decanter judges. If you click on “Fact sheet”, you may find European stockists of the given wine.

Csányi Winery Vesper, Villány, 2019, 90 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Juicy aromas of dark berries with smoky notes. Power and elegance in the same glass, excellent structure and full body.
Grapes: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 14% Kekfrankos
More about Csányi Winery
Fact sheet

Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszú, Tokaj, 2019: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Aromas of saffron with apricot jam, some juicy apple and tropical notes of papaya. Very juicy acidity, well made and long.
Grapes: 70% Furmint, 30% Hárslevelű
Fact sheet

Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszú, Tokaj, 2017: 90 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Nice citrusy notes on the nose, with touches of herbal elements and toasty undertones. Invigorating acidity, very juicy and harmonious.
Grapes: 70% Furmint, 30% Hárslevelű
Fact sheet
More about Chateau Dereszla

Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir, Etyek, 2021: 91 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Very vibrant on the nose, with notes of dark cherries, blackberries, peony and leathery nuances. Lovely texture, gloriously drinkable.
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Fact sheet
More about Etyeki Kúria

Holdvölgy Meditation Furmint, Tokaj, 2021: 90 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Elegant and fine tuned nose of ripe orchard fruit, toasted and nutty oak, sweet spices, apricots and honey. Textured and weighty.
Grape: 100% Furmint
Fact sheet

Holdvölgy Intuiton No1 Zéta, Tokaj, 2017: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Mature aromas of sultana, aprictos, white flowers, honey and sweet spices. Youthful and sweet, very long finish. Showing focus and finesse.
Grape: 100% Zéta
Fact sheet
More about Holdvölgy

Lajver Signum, Szekszárd: 90 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Fresh black and red fruit, some leafy nuances and cured meat undertones. Very dense and structured, with a fruity finish.
Grapes: 55% Kékfrankos, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fact sheet

Lajver Sauvignon Blanc, Szekszárd, 2023: 90 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Very fresh aromas of grass, guava, lime and green apples. Fruit driven palate, showing precision and a harmonious acidity.
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fact sheet

Lajver Kékfrankos, Szekszárd, 2021

Decanter panel’s review: Oaky character on the nose, with lots of black fruits and spices. Firm tannic backbone, with a long and intense finish.
Grape: 100% Kékfrankos
Fact sheet
More about Lajver Wine Estate

Patricius Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2018: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Aromas of honeysuckle, gingerbread, apricot jam and caramel with some floral nuances. Harmonious and vinious, waxy texture and long finish.
Grapes: 76% Furmint, 11% Yellow Muscat, 9% Zéta
Fact sheet

Patricius Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2019: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Complex oily aromas with caramel with tangerine notes, dried apricots and golden raisins. Racy acidity providing freshness, very lengthy finish.
Grapes: 89% Furmint, 11% Zéta

Fact sheet
More about Patricius Winery

Tornai Top Selection Aranyhegy Juhfark, Somló, 2020: 90 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Ripe melon, peach and tropical fruit aromas with oaky nuances. Peachy and mouthfilling, quite convincing on the palate.
Grape: 100% Juhfark
Fact sheet

Tornai Top Selection Apátsági Furmint, Somló, 2021: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Smoky nose with glossy oak aromas, touches of citrus, white pepper and quince. Textured and well layered, long saline finish.
Grape: 100% Furmint
Fact sheet

Tornai Top Selection Grófi Hárslevelű, Somló, 2017: 94 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Honeyed character on the nose, with aromas of apricot, pineapple and peaches. Spicy palate, very rich with a warm alcohol.
Grape: 100% Hárslevelű
Fact sheet
More about Tornai Winery

Vesztergombi “Vintage“, Szekszárd, 2019: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Lovely and beautiful aromas of red fruits with floral and herbal nuances, hints of vanilla. Structured, with powdery tannins.
Grapes: 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot
Fact sheet
More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Weninger & Gere Winery Villányi Franc, Villány, 2020: 92 pts

Decanter panel’s review: Herbal minty notes with sweet dark fruits of cassis, and blueberries. Dense on the palate with high ripe tannins.
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Fact sheet
More about Weninger & Gere Villány Franc

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The Ultimate CEE Wine Fair on 18 June in London

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 07:05:04 +0000

Registration is still open

Yes, the first Central Eastern European wine exhibition will take place in a church! The blessed event will be hosted in the historic building of St John’s Waterloo in London, on the 18th of June. From Armenia to Ukraine, this event showcases 500 wines from 52 exhibitors from 14 countries. The event promises to be a great hit, no wonder, trade and press members were quick to register. Hungary will be represented by 7 exhibitors, let us introduce three of the wines to be tasted next Tuesday.

Date and time: 18 June, 10.00–17.00
Venue: St John’s Waterloo, Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8TY
Entrance is free, but registration is needed (only members of trade and press)
Register here.
Exhibiting countries: Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, North-Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine
More about The Ultimate CEE Wine Fair

Eszterbauer Báró Steiner 2020, Szekszárd

The family winery will exhibit under the name of the wine region, Szekszárd, with two fellow wineries. Eszterbauer is a winery with countless stories, each label tells tales of the ancestors. Báró Steiner 2020 has been selected the Best Hungarian Red Wine at Mundus Vini! This blend is actually a Bikavér (also known as Bull’s Blood) wine strictly regulated by Szekszárd wine region. The wine is a member of the premium line, a blend of selected lots from a great vintage. Bikavér wines should contain Kékfrankos and Kadarka indigenous varieties, the rest can be international (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot). Báró Steiner is a concentrated, great wine with intensive sour cherry and ripened black currant on the nose and abundant in berry fruits on the palate as well. Ripened, integrated tannins, velvety texture, long finish.

More about Eszterbauer Winery
Read the story of “Baron” Steiner, who was not an aristocrat, but a gambler…

Homola Rizling 2023, Balatonfüred

Homola wines will be poured under the name of Fine Wine Association along with Vida wines. The winery is located on the north shore of Lake Balaton, thus it was obvious for them to bring the “wine of the lake”, a blend with Olaszrizling base. Rizling is one of the winery’s most important wines is this elegant blend of indigenous Olaszrizling and Riesling, which perfectly reflects the “Paloznak” style. The fruits come from the best parcels around the estate, where the soil is typically Permian red sandstone and marl. The vineyards are under organic transition. Homola Rizling tastes fresh, juicy with a good acidity carrying the well known flavours of Csopaki Olaszrizling: citrusy, zesty with almond and a hint of saltiness.
Guests can also taste two Kékfrankos wines and the refreshing 100% Balaton wine.

More about Homola Winery

Vesztergombi Csaba 2020, Szekszárd

Vesztergombi wines will be available to taste under Heritage Hungary brand along with 16 other wines. Csaba is the name of the second generation winemaker, the son of the founder, a genious winemaker, and it also refers to one of the top wines of the winery. A classic Bordeaux blend of equal portion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. “Made only in exceptionally good years. We insist on this, even if we have to miss out on production for painfully long years. We insist on a constant and high quality.
The wine ages for 22–24 months in barrique.”
This wine received gold medal at Korean Wine Trophy, Berliner Wine Trophy and Portugal Wine Trophy.
About the name: Csaba is an ancient Hungarian name, some claim that the first Csaba was Prince Csaba, son of medieval Attila, the Hun, while according to others Csaba is a name with Turkish origin meaning pastor or gift. Csaba Cuvée absolutely falls into the category of a perfect gift…
Participants can also taste award winning Vesztergombi Szent László Bikavér 2021 and Vesztergombi Vintage 2019.

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

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The Star of Eger – the wine and the visioner

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:31:18 +0000

Titi Gál, the young father of Egri Csillag

Spring has come and so has the new vintage of Egri Csillag (literally the ‘Star of Eger’), the white blend of Eger wine region. Titi Gál, the winemaker of Gál Tibor Winery was the visioner, who realized 13 years ago that Eger needed a white blend. With the approval and enthusiasm of the fellow winemakers, the new blend was created. A blend that lightens up every day, charming and refreshing, crispy and vibrant. Also, it is the symbol of a community, a child, protected by the “parents”, the winemakers of Eger.

Fun fact: did you know that Eger is the most well known wine region within Hungary? Even the non-wine drinker Hungarians have some information about Eger. However, the winemakers of Eger realized that this knowledge was not enough, even though they were in the minds, they did not have an attractive image. Titi Gál was a leader in the project to renew the wine region, to rebrand and to do more than some “facelifting”. Eger Wine Workshop was born, a new Eger bottle was created, several new annual events were launched and Egri Csillag started to twinkle.

Titi Gál (Tibor Gál Jr)

Gál Tibor Egri Csillag 2023

Grape varieties: Olaszrizling 20%, Hárslevelű 30%, Viognier 20 %, Tramini 10 %, Szürkebarát 10%, Pinot blanc 10%.
Description: Golden yellow colour, elegant swirling in the glass. White flowers, white flesh fruits, gooseberry, mint and lemongrass on the nose. Easy to drink, zesty wine with firm acidity. Long lasting citrus fruits in the finish.
Alcohol: 12.9%, acidity: 5.3 g/l, sugar: 1.6 g/l, free sulphur: 33 mg/l, sugar free extract: 18.7 g/l
Technology: The grape varieties were harvested separately between 5 and 20 September. fermentation took place in stainless steel at law temperature. Blending was carried on shortly after fermentation. It was bottled after short maturation.
Food pairing: Fresh Cezar salad, spaghetti with pesto, grilled summer vegetables.
25 000 bottles were made. Webshop retail price: 2950 HUF / 7-8 EUR

Gál Tibor Wines are available in several countries, for example in the United States at Citadella Imports and at Palinkerie.
More about Gál Tibor Winery

Why was Egri Csillag born?

13 years ago, the producers of Eger wine region were looking for new ways to express the identity of the region. Egri Bikavér (literally ‘Bull’s Blood’) has long been established as a leading brand among Hungarian red wines but its white counterpart was missing. Eger is characterized by rich diversity of varieties so the tradition of blending goes back to centuries. There is no single white variety that could be considered dominant either in terms of acreage or production volume, nevertheless almost 45% of the area under vine is dedicated to white varieties. With this in mind it was clear that local winemakers should create a white counterpart to the iconic Egri Bikavér, a white blend marketed under a common brand name.

Why the name?

The term ‘Egri Csillag’ (Star of Eger) has two cultural references: Egri csillagok (plural) is the title of the most read Hungarian novel ever. And also, Eger has been an important trade route for centuries, and before the invention of electricity hundreds of torches were lit along the vineyards to mark the routes – they were often referred to as the “stars of Eger”.

What to know about Egri Csillag

– The first vintage of Egri Csillag was made in 2011.
– Initially ten wineries launched whites with the name Egri Csillag.
– Since then the number of participating wineries has steadily increased and today there are more than 25 different Egri Csillag wines available.
– Egri Csillag is a blend of at least four varieties.
– At least half of the varieties must be indigenous to the Carpathian Basin.
– There are three categories: classicus, superior and grand superior.
– All of them dry.
– Classicus is a light, crispy wine with intense fruit and floral aromas.
– Wines in the superior category show more concentration and are barrel aged.
– With grand superior wines there is an exciting extra dimension: all the grapes come from a single vineyard.
– With an annual production of one million bottles Egri Csillag is one of the market leaders today.
– Thanks to the volume and the three categories a wide range of customers buy the wines.
– You can find them in supermarkets, but also in wine bars and top restaurants frequented by wine connoisseurs.

Visit Eger

Eger is one of the most attractive places of Hungary with a medieval castle, picturesque cobblestoned streets, lovely baroque houses and a stunning Turkish bath.

VisitEger.com

The Turkish bath of Eger

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