Is silver the new gold?

Zsuzsanna Babarczi from Babarczi Vineyard and Winery sent me the link first about their Marianum Cabernet Franc receiving silver medal. She asked me if I knew how many points were needed for a gold medal. Looking at the lists and scores, the findings were quite surprising: gold medal winners received at least 95 points. Is it a kind of inflation of scores? Are we flooded with 90+ point wines? Well, yes, and we should be happy with that. We will present 7 wines with 90 or 90+ scores – and they are all silver winners from the latest edition of DWWA.

Hungarian wines at DWWA – great performance

– Hungary won 140 medals altogether
– 4 platinum awards (3 sweet wines from Tokaj and 1 Olaszrizling from Balatonfüred by Zelna – a nice surprise, especially since it has a good price, too).
– 9 gold medals (6 sweet wines from Tokaj, 2 sparkling wines from Somló and 1 red wine from Eger (a Bikavér by Thummerer).
– 57 silver medals
– 70 bronze medals
– Compared to the number of medals, Hungary performed really well with this amount of platinum, gold and silver)
Austria: 184 medals (2 Best in Show, 3 platinum, 10 gold)
Bulgaria: 53 medals (no platinum, 1 gold)
Croatia: 314 medals (3 platinum, 16 gold)
Czech Republic: 121 medals (no platinum, 3 gold)
Serbia: 85 medals (no platinum, 9 gold medals)
Slovakia: 5 medals (no platinum, no gold)
Slovenia: 196 medals (1 platinum, 7 gold)
Ukraine: 14 medals (no platinum, 1 gold) – bottles delivered “by hand” via Hungary

Overall results of the whole contest

Decanter World Wine Awards 2022: Results announced

7 stunning wines with 90 or 90+ points

Patricius 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú Hárslevelű 2017 (94 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“A modern style Hárslevelű with a youthful, pure lemon nose. The palate opens into luscious ginger-tinged orange marmalade and brown sugar.”
More about Patricius Winery

Bock Winery, BV Cuvée, Villány, 2019 (93 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“An international style with evident Pinot influence. Soft and rounded, ripe blueberry and cherry with some bitter cocoa intensity.”
More about Bock Winery

Babarczi Marianum, Pannonhalma, 2019 (92 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“A positive Cab Franc with vivid varietal characters of graphite and paprika. The palate is dry with polished tannins and toasty oak.“

More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

Vesztergombi Alpha, Szekszárd, 2017 (91 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“Complex cigar box and cassis aromas with some floral notes. Well evolved and not jammy, with firm tannins.“

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Steigler Premium Furmint, Sopron, 2020 (90 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“Quince, red apples, and a note of Pepsi cola with some spice, bacon, and oak notes. A crisp, driven acidity provides energy.“

More about Steigler Cellar

Tornai Top Selection Grófi Juhfark, Somló, 2019 (90 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“Yellow candied fruit, tropical fruit, hints of honeysuckle, and rose petals with a little bit of attractive phenolic grip.“

More about Tornai Winery

Tűzkő Cabernet Franc, Tolna, 2019 (90 points)

DWWA tasting note:
“Fresh and mineral. The concentrated blueberry and blackberry fruit flavour is pure and intense. A fresh and authentic wine.“

More about Tűzkő Estate