Some argue that women are better in wine due to evolution: they must protect their child and in pre-historic times tasting skills were crucial to prevent the offsprings from poisoning. Others claim that women have better memories of taste and smell, while others believe that there are no differences at all between men and women regarding wine tasting. However we can see several examples of women who want to justify their right to be in a men’s world, they work hard, they are passionate and they don’t mind working far beyond the average working hours. Edit Szabó’s book called “Gyengébb? Nem!” is dedicated to them. We will feature five strong ladies, who will personally present their wines at Sofitel event.

More information and tickets

Mónika Debreczeni, Vylyan

Creativity and passion for art is reflected in every wine and every moment of Vylyan Vineyard and Winery. Mónika was forced to lead the winery alone when her husband passed away, she first took the WSET diploma course, and soon Vylyan became one of the most important winery of Villány. The estate is worth a visit any time of the year, many events are held, and it is also joyful thing just to lie in the grass enjoying the view and the sight of the artistic barrels in the garden decorated by contemporary artists.

Edit Bai, Dereszla

If you visit Dereszla Winery, you will have the chance to taste countless samples from barrels and stainless steel tanks. Edit, head winemaker of this world famous winery feels at home in the wine processing plant, she knows all the barrels like a mother knows the ability of her kids. Dereszla Winery and its younger sister, Henye is well worth a visit, they also have some lovely guest rooms and a wine bar, where tasting the new méthod traditionelle sparkling wine and the still wine made of Kabar grape is obligatory!

Zsuzsanna Babarczi, Babarczi

If you grow up in a winery, it is hard to escape your destiny. Zsusanna does not escape, but travels around the world to learn and taste as much as possible. The result is visible: wines of this relatively small family winery are more and more well known and we can find Babarczi wines on the wine list of renowned restaurants. Events are important, and the winery is open for visitors. Apart from the crispy reductive white wines now the winery has two red wines as well, and this new adventure seems to be a success, too!

Krisztina Csetvei, Csetvei Cellar

She studied marketing, but her fate was sealed when she spent her training period in a winery. She fell in love with wine making, and she never stops experimenting. Her Ezerjó wines are vinified in three different method: barrel, stainless steel and amphora. She works hard to make Mór wine region more popular, and the events, what’s more festivals at Csetvei Garden attract hundreds of people to this small town. Napholdcsillag (‘Sunmoonstar’) is a blend expressing Krisztina’s love of life and wines.

30 winemakers with 80 wines, beauty inside and outside

Edit Szabó Hungarian wine writer, editor in chief of Borsmenta wine website recently published her book with 26 interviews, all of them with female winemakers. The title of the book is a pun impossible to translate into English, but the message of “Gyengébb? Nem!” title is that women are not the least weaker than men. The book was received well both by the trade and winelovers, therefore the author decided to launch an event that has never been held before: a walk around tasting with only female winemakers. The venue is ideal for this display of beauty: while ladies of wine will pour their wines inside, participants can enjoy the fabulous view of Chain Bridge and the Danube, because Hotel Sofitel is situated right by the bank of the Danube.

Some of the women you will meet

We have already written about the above mentioned book, and posted three of the recipes of the book. Krisztina Csetvei from Mór shared a recipe of a fresh salad that fits perfectly with her Ezerjó wine made of local indigenous grape. Kata Zsirai from Mád, Tokaj presented a delicious duck breast with Furmint risotto and a stunning dessert matching with her ancient style Tokaji Fordítás. Besides them you will find several talented and ambitious women, for example Edit Bai, who has been the chief winemaker of Dereszla Winery for many years, Mónika Debreczeni, who leads Vylyan Vineyard and Winery with great passion and knowledge, Sára Matolcsy, owner of Etyeki Kúria, who has worked immensely hard to place Kúria among the top ones, Zsuzsanna Babarczi, who works industriously to make us recognize that Pannonhalma wine region exists or Zsófia Laposa from Laposa Wine Estate, who is one of the most active people to make Balaton attractive all year long.

Tickets, info

The event starts at 17.00 on 8 March in Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge. Tickets cost 6990 HUF in advance (22 euros) and 8500 HUF on the spot (27 euros), and include tasting of all the wines, water and some snacks made by Sofitel. Apart from the wines, the famous Hungarian spirit, pálinka can be tasted as well – of course presented by ladies.

Tickets and list of wineries