Winelovers Grand tasting

We could have picked other letters of the alphabet, the range of wines offered to taste at this grand tasting is quite wide. Apart from the 83 individual exhibitors from all over Hungary, the Hall of Top Wines also awaits wine enthusiasts with international samples at discounted price. The venue is again the glamorous 5-star Corinthia Hotel Budapest.

Date and time: 29 March 2025, 12.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsébet krt 43–37, Budapest, Hungary
Tickets:17900 HUF / person, more information here.
List of exhibitors (tasting at their booth is included in the ticket)
List of wines in the Hall of Top Wines (price of sample is paid separately, samples are for 2–5 EUR / 50 cl

Fehérvári Wine Estate, Somló

A quite young estate, though based on family traditions and with strong passion towards the volcanic Somló wine region and its authentic varieties. The estate has gained its reputation with the elegant, traditional method white and rosé sparkling wines, they have collected several international and national accolades in the past few years. However, they equally pay attention to the still wines of indigenous grapes. Juhfark, the icon grape of Somló is obvious, but they also cultivate a much less-known grape called Arany Sárfehér as well.

More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Feind Winery, Balatonfüred–Csopak

The family estate is located right at the “edge” or “corner” of Lake Balaton, in the village of Balatonfőkajár. If you drive from Budapest towards Balaton, the modern estate building with its tempting wine bar is your ideal “first stop”. The winery has a wide range of affordable, lovely wines of both local and international grapes. Feind Chardonnay 2023 has just won gold medal at Berliner Wine Trophy. Berekszél Rhine Riesling is another excellent example of how famous grapes can adapt Balaton terroir. The winery makes superb red wines as well, we can honestly say that Feind Shiraz is the best all around the lake.

More about Feind Winery

Frittmann Winery, Kunság

Frittmann is a family winery founded by two brothers, and currently the second generation is also active in the life of the estate. The largest Hungarian wine region is most known about the easy-to-drink, aromatic white grapes, like Cserszegi Fűszeres, an indigenous grape in Hungary. The winery has just won a gold medal at Berliner Wine Trophy for its Cserszegi Fűszeres 2024 along with Néró Rosé 2024. The winery also makes a bottle fermented sparkling wine of the authentic Ezerjó grape. Red wines are also important, Kadarka is a star and also look for their complex reds like Cabernet Franc Selection from vintage 2020.

More about Frittmann Winery

Wine of the Week

The phylloxera plague devastated the majority of the vineyards in Europe, just a few survived. Kunság wine region in Hungary has sandy soil, a type that the evil bug is not keen on, therefore vines can grow on their own roots. The oldest parcels of Frittmann Winery are situated in Faluhely vineyard, the plantations are more than 60 years old. This is where grapes for the barrel aged Ezerjó Selection come from.

MEET THE FRITTMANNS AND TASTE AT BORJOUR MAGNUM IN BUDAPEST ON 15 FEBRUARY.

Thousand reasons

The name Ezerjó literally means ‘thousand good’ and restricted to mainly two wine regions in Hungary, Mór and Kunság. As the Frittmanns say, “A thousand threads connect us to Ezerjó”.  Most of the Ezerjó wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, thus the barrel aged Frittmann Ezerjó Selection is a unique wine in this aspect. “Lemon in colour, this wine displays notes of honey, butter and vanilla, as well as some yellow-fleshed fruit. On the palate, the aromas echo those of the bouquet, with toasted notes appearing alongside apple, pear and mango flavours. The latter give the wine a particular creamy character, but the main structural element is the straight and lively acidity. A spicy aftertaste lingers on the palate.” Certainly, the winery makes stainless steel aged, easy-going wine as well, what is more the estate makes a bottle fermented sparkling wine of the variety as well named Frittmann Gold.

More about Frittmann Ezerjó Selection

Guest house in the estate

Frittmann guest house has an ideal location for those planning to discover the region and indulge themselves in Hungarian traditions. Paprika is our most important and wellknown spice, and the little town of Kalocsa is the epicentre of the magical red powder, the Paprika Museum is also worth a visit. There is a Lace Museum in Kiskunhalas, another nearby town, while Kecskemét, the largest town of the area offers plenty things to see among others with the ‘Cifrapalota’ (something like ‘Pretty Palace’). Frittmann Winery has a guest house with some cosy rooms, and the vicinity to the tasting room is a serious argument for the place (just a few steps).

More information about the accommodation

The 43rd edition of the most significant Hungarian contest of Hungarian wines received 897 samples from 230 wineries from all the 22 wine regions of Hungary. Let us introduce the top wines of the contest.

To make things clear

Hungary hosts two large scale international wine contests (VinAgora and Winelovers Wine Awards) and some competitions focusing on a grape variety (GROW in 2024, Portugieser du Monde, Franc du Monde).
However, National Wine Contest (‘Országos Borverseny’) is the most important national wine competition held annually and is organised by the National Council of the Wine Communities.

Download the result catalogue from here

Koch – the most successful estate

Koch Winery run by Csaba Koch (Winemaker of the Year 2019) has won not less, but 13 medals, 10 gold and 3 silver medals. The highest score went to Koch Prémium Cabernet Franc 2021 and Koch & Evans Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, both from Villány. Then comes the flagship blend of the winery, Csanád Cuvée with two vintages, 2019 and 2020. (The headquarters are situated in Hajós–Baja wine region, but they have vineyards in Villány as well.)

More about Koch Winery
More about the Koch & Evans project

Sauska – the best bottle fermented sparkling wine

The estate has vineyards both in Tokaj and Villány, and with these two wineries their portfolio includes every beauty from the exciting white blends through rosé wines and impeccable red wines to the luscious sweet wines. The sparkling wines have a special importance, no wonder one of the top sparkling wine geniuses of the world is involved: Regis Camus. The winner sparkling is Sauska Brut NV from Tokaj.

More about Sauska Brut

Feind – the best aerated sparkling wine

Feind Winery is a state-of-the-art, family run winery in Balatonfüred–Csopak wine region, and they have the most modern machinery to produce bottle fermented, charmat method or carbonated sparkling wines. The winner is Feind Irsai Olivér 2023 aerated sparkling wine – a refreshing, flavoursome delicacy ideal in the heat of the summer. Irsai Olivér is an indigenous Hungarian grape with intense aromas of the fresh, juicy grape.

More about Feind Winery
More about Irsai Olivér and other indigenous grapes

Frittmann – also the best aerated sparkling wine

Though the title went to Feind Irsai, Frittmann Frisecco has to be mentioned as well, since both wines received the same scores: 87.17. What is more, Frittmann Frisecco is also made of Irsai Olivér, proving that this variety has potential in Hungary. Frittmann is the leading family winery of Kunság wine region run by the Frittmann brothers and their children. János Frittmann was chosen Winemaker of the Year in 2007.

More about Frittmann Winery

Szeleshát – the best red wine

Out of the 897 wines, only 7 Grand Gold medal were given, 3 of them went to red wines. Szeleshát Gubac Merlot 2019 from Szekszárd received the highest scores: 93.17 points. Though Hungarian wine regions have several local varieties or wine styles – for example Szekszárdi Bikavér blend in Szekszárd –, international varieties are also important, and Merlot is the most successful when it comes to wine contest. Szeleshát Gubac is served in many top restaurants throughout Hungary.

More about Szeleshát
More about Szeleshát Gubac Merlot

Tokaj Oremus – the best sweet wine

Out of the above mentioned 7 Grand Gold medals, 4 were given to sweet wines. All of them are Tokaji Aszú wines, obviously from Tokaj. The winner is Tokaj Oremus Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos. The other three wines are: Grand Tokaj Terroir Selection 5 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2019, Babits Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2019 and Patricius 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2019. We have tasted the latest one – unforgettable, endless, gorgeous: a true Tokaji Aszú.

More about Tokaj Oremus
More about Patricius Winery

Béres – the best sweet gold winner

Since Tokaj sweet specialities are the most worldwide known wines of our country, it is worth mentioning, that 13 gold medals were given apart from the above-mentioned Grand Gold medals. Béres Vineyards received the highest scores: 91.4 points for their Béres Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos from 2017.

More about Béres Vineyards

Some more ‘bests’

– The best white wine made of indigenous variety: Szende Irsai Olivér 2023, Villány
– The best aged white wine: Tokaj Art Wine Genius 2021, Tokaj
– The best rosé wine: Gál Szent Márton Rosé 2023, Kunság
– The best organic wine: Dobosi Bio Olaszrizling 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– The best Kékfrankos based red wine: Bodri Szekszárdi Grand 2017, Szekszárd

Winemakers of the Year tasting in stunning Budapest

Borjour wine event organiser company awaits wine enthusiasts with a unique river course: 10 winemakers with the prestigious title “Winemaker of the Year” will pour their wines on board of Zsófia cruise ship in Budapest. The gorgeous scenery with the second largest parliamentary building and with World Heritage Castle of Buda is unforgettable – imagine it with top wines and great company!

Date and time: 25 July 2024, 18.00–22.00
Arrival between 18.00 and 20.00, the ship departs at 20.00 and returns to the port at 21.30.
Departing dock: Zsófia Főhercegné, Salkaházi Sára rakpart, Budapest 1052, Hungary
Tasting closes at 22.00.
Ticket price / person: 13 500 HUF / 34 EUR
Glass rental: 2500 HUF in cash (will be given back after returning the glass)
Tickets are available here (in Hungarian, but simple and google can help)

Exhibitors:
Áts Károly Winery, Tokaj
Borbély Family Winery, Badacsony
Balla Géza, Ménes (Transylvania)
Frittmann Winery, Kunság
Kamocsay / Hilltop, Neszmély
Koch Winery, Hajós / Villány
Polgár Winery, Villány
Takler Wine Estate, Szekszárd
Tiffán Ede Winery, Villány
Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd

Wineries featured in our cover photo in alphabetical order

Borbély Family Winery

 

Frittmann Winery

Koch Winery

Vesztergombi Cellar

 

 

The “asparagus and Sauv Blanc time” of the year

Our wine educator used to say that Sauvignon Blanc is a variety easy to recognize even for beginners. It is true, and how delicious that revelation is! Though there is a trend to focus on local grapes and rediscover ancient varieties, it is nice to have stunning guest grapes. And guests should be treated well: we give them great soil, plenty of sunshine and loving care. Taste Sauvignon Blanc wines from different wine regions to discover the differences! Dubicz from Mátra wine region, Koch from Hajós–Baja and Frittmann from Kunság. This is the season of dishes made of fresh asparagus – an ideal pair of Sauvignon.

In Hungary there are 957 hectares under Sauvignon Blanc (source: HNT 2023), it is the 14th most planted white variety (out of the 125 white grapes planted in Hungary).
See all the grapes and their vineyard sizes here

Cserszegi Fűszeres is Hungarian grape variety giving juicy, lovely, aromatic wines. Its cheerful flavours can lift up our weekdays. As Frittmann Winery suggests with this photo – you don’t need caviar or foie gras and icon wines every day, some chips and a bottle chilled Cserszegi is good enough to enjoy the moment.

 

1. The variety was created by Károly Bakonyi, who crossed Irsai Oliver and Red Traminer.

2. The word ‘cserszegi’ refers to the village on the north-west of Lake Balaton, where Károly Bakonyi lived. ‘Fűszeres’means spicy, it refers to the spicy character of the grape.

3. At the moment there are 2700 hectares growing Cserszegi Fűszeres variety in Hungary, which makes it the 4th most planted white variety in the country – after Bianca, Furmint and Olaszrizling. Yet there is a serious decrease: in 2020 there were 4088 hectares under Cserszegi Fűszeres.

4. Cserszegi Fűszeres is an aromatic, spicy, muscat type grape with fairly high acidity. Not suitable for longer aging. The educated wine connoisseurs often despise the variety saying that it is not sophisticated, but it can be elegant, sleek and charming if made carefully. Rose petals, citrus fruits, elderberry are among its most typical notes.

5. The indigenous Hungarian grape can be found all over the country except Tokaj, and very popular among wine drinkers. Kunság, Hajós–Baja – the two less appreciated wine regions produce a lot of the grape, but we can find nice examples around lake Balaton as well.

6. The wine made of Cserszegi should be consumed young and chilled, and ideal in ‘fröccs’ (‘spritz’ – wine with carbon dioxide added water). It can be paired with light poultry dishes, fresh cow cheeses, dishes with fruit. Due to its intense aromas, Cserszegi matches nicely with oriental dishes like thai curry.

7. The name of the variety is unpronounceable indeed, no wonder a brand of Cserszegi was on sale in the United Kingdom with this name (“The Unpronounceable”). The Frittmanns also have had mercy on you – they have put only half of the name, so you can call the wine simply “Cserszegi”, as if it were a friend. And it will be, just give it a chance!

More about Frittmann Cserszegi Fűszeres

The first community Ezerjó pack of wines from Mór

Ezerjó Day is on 16 May, but the winemakers prefer to say May is the month of Ezerjó. This refreshing, juicy, lovely wine is indeed the ideal drink on a warm and sunny May day. 6 producers of Mór wine regionput together their Ezerjó wines to prove that this relatively unknown grape variety deserves more attention. You can still order it and enjoy it in May!

“My first impression was that Ezerjó produces simple, refreshing, zesty wines. But, as I explore this Hungarikum, I discover there is much more to it – and that it is capable of producing oak- and amphora-aged whites, as well as sparkling wines. In fact, many ‘good things’.”
Chris Boiling, Canopy (IWC), United Kingdom

List of wines and order here

Did you know?

– Ezerjó means “Thousand Good” – a tale telling name, isn’t it? Ezerjó used to be more popular, 10 years ago there were 4 times more vineyards planted under Ezerjó, now there are only 400 hectares in three wine regions: Mór, Kunság and Neszmély.
– Though it is an indigenous Hungarian grape, there is a little quantity in the neighbouring Austria as well. They use the same, but certainly in German: Tausent Güte.
– Ezerjó is a good parent: it is the parent of several grape varieties: Zengő, Zeusz, Zenit, Generosa.

Food pairings with Ezerjó recipes by renowned Hungarian chefs

Ezerjó wines not only in Hungary

If you cannot find an importer near your home, you can order Ezerjó wines from Winelovers Webshop. They ship to every European country!

Though Mór is the first wine region speaking about Ezerjó grape, Kunság, our largest wine wine region also produces a significant amount of this indigenous variety. Frittmann Winery has an iconic Ezerjó wine, which proves that this grape variety has the potential to give great barrel aged, complex white wines. As we wrote earlier, Budapest Airport has organized its very first wine contest. Frittmann Ezerjó Selection 2016 has won gold medal at this competition.

Frittmann Ezerjó Selection, 2018

The fragrance of this lemon colour wine shows notes of honey, butter and vanilla as well as some yellow-fleshed fruits. Aromas are nicely echoing the bouquet, and toasty notes appear along with flavours of apple, pear and mango. These latter ones provide a special creamy character to this wine, though keep its straight and vivid acidity as a primary structural element. Spicy aftertaste lingers on the palate. Recommended with poultry and fish dishes. Serve chilled to 14°C.

Where to find: Malux Hungarian Wine and Spirit (UK), Auchan, Lidl, CBA, CBA príma, Borvár, Magyar Borfutár, Pannon Piac, KozakItal.hu, TritonTrade.hu

And what are thos stripes on the label?

New Frittmann labels inspired by drone photos

Another recent success of Frittmann Winery

More than 100 Hungarian gold medals from Berlin

Ezerjó bubbles – Frittmann WInery makes bottle fermented Ezerjó sparkling wine!

Frittmann Gold Traditional Method 2019

More about Frittmann Winery

More about International Ezerjó Day

 

 

 

“The endless rows of vines of vast Kunság wine region” – the new labels of Frittmann Winery feature a simplified image of the vineyards of the largest wine region of Hungary. The most popular wines of the estate are available now with more up-to-date, clear labels, which are easy to differentiate.

Frittmann is a family winery founded by two brothers, they were the ones who proved that the ill-famedregion is capable of quality wines in good hands. Kunság had a reputation of fake or diluted wines, however the devoted Frittmanns fought adamantly against the common belief and now their sons follow the work and continue with their fresh ideas and strong presence in the social media. János Frittmann was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 2007 and in 2015 the winery was chosen Winery of the Year. Besides the owners, the two brothers, the wives also participate in the management, they run the guest house and the catering of the estate. Both couples have a son, who are deeply involved in the life of the estate.

Frittmann wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom (MALUX) and in Poland (2Bratanki).
If you can’t  find an importer near your home, order Frittmann wines from Winelovers Webshop. They ship to every European country. Check shipment rates here.

Interview with Tamás Frittmann

How to raise a grape to heaven?

Olívia – an Irasi–Generosa blend and her food partner

Meat stuffed pancake with Frittmann Olívia

More about Frittmann Winery