10 great wines to remember, #3

Towards the end of the year, we look back to some of the great wine moments we have enjoyed. All the 10 wines we will list until New Year’s Eve are special for some reason and they are all worth buying, multiple bottles, if you can afford. (The order is NOT a ranking.)
(Cover picture background was painted by Emma Katalin Dobos)

 

Tűzkő Domb is the gem, the flagship wine of the estate. The carefully selected grape comes from Mórágy vineyards. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc aged in Hungarian oak barrel for 18 months. “Deep ruby red color that suggests elegance at first glance. The nose reveals complex fruitiness and delicate spiciness: sour cherry, red berries, tobacco leaf and a hint of earthy, peppery character give it a rich aroma. A balanced, sophisticated red wine with substance and style.”
It pairs perfectly with venison, game, red meat, long seasoned cheeses, chocolate and sour cherry desserts. Serving temperature: 16-18 °C.
The retail price is now only around 17 EUR!

 

Tűzkő Estate website and webshop

Read more about Tűzkő Estate

Wine of the Week: Tűzkő Kékfrankos Selection

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

Winelovers Wine Awards results announced on 22 July

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. The most successful winery of the contest is Sauska (Tokaj and Villány), with 7 gold medals, plus 6 silver and 2 bronze medals.

This year’s gold medal winners by Sauska

– Sauska Brut NV Magnum, Tokaj, 92 pts
– Sauska Kékfrankos 2022, Villány, 91 pts
– Sauska Cuvée 13 2021, Villány, 90 pts
– Sauska Chardonnay 2024, Tokaj, 90 pts
– Sauska Csukma Merlot 2019, Villány, 90 pts
– Sauska Brut NV, Tokaj, 90 pts
– Sauska Extra Dry NV, Tokaj, 90 pts
See all the medal winner Sauska wines here

Vince Award 2024 in 22 categories

Vince wine magazine has an annual award to acknowledge the best Hungarian wines in 22 different categories. Wine connoisseurs can vote for a few more days – until the 10th of November, and the award ceremony will take place on the 16th of November in Budapest, at Vince Gala,  in the Museum of Fine Arts. Some of the nominees are featured in our cover photo – they all deserve to win!

Easy to vote

The list of the nominees were created by the staff and regular tasters of Vince magazin. The voting platform is in Hungarian, but here we are to help you.
– First of all click here.
– Then click the little box at the bottom to accept the terms of use.
– Click ont he box ’SZAVAZOK’ at the bottom (it means ’I VOTE’)
– To go tot he next page click on ’KÖVETKEZŐ’, to go back click on ’ELŐZŐ’.
– At the end you should provide your email address and click on ’ELKÜLDÉS’ (meaning ’SENDING’)

See the translation of each category here:

1. Light white wine made of international grape variety
2. Light white wine made of an important grape of the Carpathian Basin
3. Light white wine made of other grape variety
4. Light white blend
5. Barrel aged white wine made of international grape variety
6. Barrel aged white wine made of an important grape of the Carpathian Basin
7. Barrel aged white wine made of other grape variety
8. Barrel aged white blend
9. Light red wine made of international grape variety
10. Light red wine made of a grape of the Carpathian Basin
11. Light red wine blend
12. Barrel aged red wine made of international grape variety
13. Barrel aged red wine made of an important grape of the Carpathian Basin
14. Barrel aged red wine made of other grape variety
15. Bikavér (Egri Bikavér or Szekszárdi Bikavér)
16. Barrel aged red blend
17. Rosé, Siller
18. Natural wine or sparkling wine
19. Charmat method or aerated sparkling wine
20. Traditional method sparkling wine
21. Late harvest wine
22. Tokaji Aszú

More information about the protagonists of our cover photo

Eszterbauer Nagyapám Kadarka, Szekszárd
Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir 2021, Etyek
Kovács Nimród Battonage Chardonnay 2022, Eger
Pannonhalma Archabbey Prior 2023, Pannonhalma
Steigler Bio Zöldveltelíni 2023, Sopron
Vesztergombi Merlot 2021, Szekszárd
Vylyan Csóka Variáció 2019, Villány

https://www.vylyan.hu/en/estate/wines/variation-wines/

St. Martin’s Day is celebrated all over Hungary with new vintage wines and goose dishes (see the reason for goose dishes below). Babarczi Winery celebrates at Izsóp restaurant in the picturesque town of Pannonhalma. The main course – the star of our cover photo – is rosé goose breast with Benedictine sour cherry liquor flavoured sauce and French potato, paired with the stunning Babarczi Merlot 2021. The new vintage wine is certainly a crispy, juicy Irsai Olivér.

Date and time: 18.00–22.00, 8 November 2024
Venue: Izsóp Restaurant and Bistro,Szabadság square, Pannonhalma, Hungary
How to get to Pannonhalma: By car it takes 1.5 hours via M1 motorway. By public transport take a train to the city of Győr, then change to local train or bus to Pannonhalma.
Price of the course paired with wines: 14 500 HUF / 36 EUR
Tickets are available at the restaurant, contact them here.
The menu:
– Starter: Smoked goose breast tartare, porcini, aioli + Irsai Olivér 2024 (new vintage wine)
– Soup: Goose ramen soup with refreshing vegetables + Chardonnay 2023
– Main course: Rosé goose breast with Benedictine sour cherry liquor flavoured sauce and French potato + Merlot 2021
– Dessert: ‘Lúdláb’ cake + Marianum 2021

More about Babarczi Merlot 2021

New release: Babarczi Merlot 2021 from Pannonhalma

Why do we eat goose on St. Martin’s Day?

Saint Martin has a special importance for Hungarians, since the famous bishop was born in the province of Savaria in 316 in the Roman Empire, in the territory of Hungary. Savaria is now called Szombathely, a city of about 90 000 inhabitants, and the church stands at his presumable birth place to commemorate him.

As a teenager, he became Christian to his father’s dislike. His father was a soldier of the Roman Empire and made his son join the army as well. According to the legend once Martin cut his coat with his sword and gave half of it to a beggar in the street, who had been robbed of his clothes. At the age of 22, Martin baptized, and devoted all his life to God. He founded the first monastery in Europe. He was so modest, that – as the legend says – he hid among the geese to a avoid being made a bishop. As a memory to his modest character, people eat dishes made of goose on his name day on 11 November.

St. Martin’s Day is the time to celebrate the new vintage as well, since most of the wines have already been fermented by this time. As a consequence, several wineries prepare with special goose dinners paired with wines from the new vintage.

More about Babarczi Winery

 

 

Winery of the Week from Szekszárd

Eszterbauer Winery has just released its first organic wine called Brothers BIO Merlot 2023. The estate has had its webshop renewed, the team participates in several wine events and they don’t stop collecting gold medals at national and international competitions. What is their secret?

 

The last time when we visited Eszterbauer estate was a bit more than a year ago. We took our WebWineWriting winners there along with some importers. We had a great time there, the cellar is spectacular, but most of all we experienced warm and kind hospitality. Delicious meal, a lovely walk in the garden – as if we were members of János Eszterbauer’s family.
Now in a short video Miklós Klein, the head winemaker is talking about his work – in Hungarian, but we help. Miklós alias Mikey is responsible for the vineyards and the vinification procedure as well. He explains that he has been working at the winery for 15 years now, and he starts work happily every day due to the superb team. “It is great to work with people whom you like so much.” Also, he speaks about the ideal working conditions, since the new vinification plant was completed in 2019, and it was created to meet all their requirements. He hopes to continue the work for a long time in the future.

 

Watch the video – in Hungarian, but the nice shots make you understand Miklós’s words

 

Brothers – the first certified organic Eszterbauer wine

Family is the first – as we can see it on all the labels of the Eszterbauers. Each wine is an homage to an ancestor or a person closely related to the family. With the first certified organic wine the descendants appear as well: the name Brothers refers to János Eszterbauer’s grandson. The grape for this Merlot came from the legendary Görögszó vineyard along with some fruit from Bodzás and Baranya valley vineyards. The velvety, fruit driven, soft yet refreshing Merlot has a really approachable price of only 2690 HUF / approximately 7 EUR.
Find Eszterbauer BIO Brothers 2023 on Eszterbauer webshop (in Hungarian, but google help).

More about Eszterbauer Winery

If you are interested in working with Eszterbauer wines, contact Ádám Mónus sales manager.

 

Our earlier article about Eszterbauer labels

Eszterbauer – a good example of rebranding

The story of Báró Steiner Bikavér, the Best Hungarian Red of Mundus Vini (2024 Spring)

Báró Steiner Bikavér 2020 – Best Hungarian Red Wine

112 wineries, 180 award winning wines

The 3rd edition of Winelovers Wine Awards international wine contest took place at the beginning of July with a parade of wine experts from Taiwan to the US. On 14 September the wine enthusiast public can meet the producers of many medal-winner wines and certainly they can taste as many as they can comprehend. The venue is the 5-star glamorous Corinthia Hotel Budapest, the very same place where the contest took place.

Date and time: 14 September 2024, 14.00–22.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzséber krt. 43–37., Budapest, Hungary
Some of the exhibitors: Eszterbauer Winery (Szekszárd), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek), Feind Winery (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Fehérvári Wine Estate (Somló), Heumann Winery (Villány), Holdvölgy (Tokaj), Koch Winery (Hajós–Baja / Villány), Pannonhalma Archabbey (Pannonhalma), Sauska (Tokaj / Villány), Steigler Cellar (Sopron), Tornai Winery (Somló), Vesztergombi Cellar (Szekszárd), Villa Sandahl (Badacsony), Zsirai Winery (Tokaj)

See the full list of exhibitors
Tickets: Before 13 September tickets cost 14 900 HUF / 38 EUR (on the spot it will cost 16 900 HUF / 43 EUR).
Tickets and more info here.

Let us introduce the WWA medal winner wines of the cover picture wineries

Eszterbauer Winery (Szekszárd)

The family winery in Szekszárd won 6 medals, 1 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze medals. Mesterünk 2021, the gold winner wine is a varietal Merlot (the bottle shot in the cover photo features the 2019 vintage, which was a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc). It aged for 19 months in small barrel. The grape came from Görögszó vineyard, and the wine is produced only in the best vintages. It received 90 points! ‘Mesterünk’ means ‘Our master’ and it refers to winemaker László Pálinkás’s grandfather and tutor, a great professional.

More about Eszterbauer Winery

Fehérvári Wine Estate (Somló)

The estate won 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals. The gold winner is Fehérvári Magnum Brut (NV), a bottle fermented sparkling wine made of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Furmint and Hárslevelű. “Our Reserve Brut Magnum sparkling wine carries both the exclusivity of traditional sparkling wines and the innovative curiosity of our winery. An exciting specialty that offers a wonderful sight as moonlight pearls in the glass with a yellow colour. In its complex aroma, juicy peaches, pears and citrus appear at the same time, with toasty, mature aromas in the background. Its fruitiness creates harmony with the biscuit flavours, which end with a creamy finish.”

More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Heumann Winery (Villány)

Villány family winery has vineyards in the Siklós part of the winer region and produces elegant, outstanding quality wines. At this year’s WWA the Heumanns won a gold medal for Terra Tartaro 2018 (with 91 points), while Laguna 2018 received 88 points and a silver medal. Terra Tartaro 2018 is made of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, from 15–30-year-old vines. The soil is mainly loess with high proportion of limestone. Destemmed, alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks at 28-30° C; matured in Hungarian barriques (225 l) and tonneau (500 l) for 24 months.

More about Heumann Winery

Pannonhalma Archabbey (Pannonhalma)

The legendary winery of the Benedictine monks collected not less than 6 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. One of the gold winners is the super elegant flagship red wine, a wine that wins whatever contest it enters: Infusio. The 2021 vintage received 90 points. And Pannonhalmi Hemina, a white blend from 2022 received even more, 92 points! The blend is made of 50% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Blanc, 15% Sauvignon Blanc, and 15% Viognier, aged in 500 litre Hungarian oak barrels. “The wine is based on Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc that ensure the full body and the creamy structure, ornamented with the calcareous minerality and the delicate notes from the aging in used barrels and enriched by the lively fruitiness of Viognier and the vivid acidity of Sauvignon blanc. It is a complex and rich wine that can even develop with bottle ageing.” We wrote about Hemina, the story of the name here.

More about Pannonhalma Archabbey

Vesztergombi Cellar (Szekszárd)

The founder Ferenc Vesztergombi and his son, Csaba make stunning wines that are frequent protagonists of every top list and medal chart. At WWA they won a gold for Bodzás Merlot 2019 with 91 points, and 2 gold medals as well: Vintage 2019 and St László Bikavér 2021. The grape for this wine came from ‘Bodzás’ vineyard, hence the name (‘Bodzás’ means ‘Full of elderflowers’). A west facing slope planted in 2000, with vines at 230–250 metres above sea level. The soil is mainly red clay with some limestone pieces. Aged in 300L and 500L barrels for 24 months and 6 months in bottle before release.

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Villa Sandahl (Badacsony)

This unique estate in Badacsony collected 2 gold and 2 bronze medals at this year’s Winelovers Wine Awards. Uniqe, because the Swedish owned estate produces only Rhine Riesling wines, but what Rhine Rieslings! The king of white grapes feels great on the volcanic soil of Badacsony, and now it is proved again. Roses darling 2022 and Out of the blue 2022, the gold winners have not been released to the market yet, we have to wait. Freya’s Amulet, one of the bronze winners is available and we had the chance to taste this amazing wine. Complex, juicy, luscious Rhine Riesling with several layers. At Villa Sandahl each vintage has a different topic that appears on the labels, 2020 is about gods of the Old Norse era. “Freya is the goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, and sex (symbolized on the label with daisy flowers and bees), but she is also a brutal warrior. ”

More about Villa Sandahl
More about Freya’s Amulet

Zsirai Winery (Tokaj)

The winery run by the Zsirai sisters collected a bronze and a gold medal, and the gold winner is also the best white wine made of indigenous grape, namely of Hárslevelű: Zsirai Középhegy Hárslevelű 2021 received 95 points! ‘Középhegy’ (‘Middle Mountain’) stands for the vineyard, a windy, cooler ‘cru’. (Read more about Középhegy here.) The wine fermented spontaneously and aged in Hungarian oak barrels for 10 months. It has 8.5 g/l residual sugar and 7.4 g/l acidity. “ In addition to the elegant acid structure and minerality characteristic of the vineyard, the typical linden leaves come along nicely.”
More about Zsirai Winery

 

Find all WWA results here

 

 

 

Food for thought for sommeliers

Hungary celebrates its birthday, the foundation of the state by our first king, I. István (Saint Stephen) on the 20th of August. Since 2011 a Cake of the Country has been announced every year. This year the winner is called Poppy Flower, and since we are wine nerds, we try to pair it with wines.
Kind István was canonized in 1083, 45 years after his death.

A not-so-simple fairy tale

Every year there are some criteria that the pastry chefs have to meet, this year the so called “superfood” ingredients had to be used, at least two of them. These valuable food types were the berry fruits, certain vegetables, some cereals and some nuts. The winner, Alfréd Kovács (Édes Vonal pastry shop, Vác) confectioner used ingredients from his childhood memories, flavours and aromas recalling hide and seek and other infant games in the woods. Creamy white chocolate, poppy seed, almond flour, tart blackcurrant and black sesame brittle are the main components.
From today, the cake is available in more than 500 cake shops throughout Hungary.

Poppy seed kills?

Of course, there is nothing wrong with poppy seed, it might make you sleepy in large quantity, but it is absolutely harmless, thus you can still find dishes with poppy seed in Hungary – with the approval of the European Union. We asked some Hungarian wine experts about pairing wine with the cake, and Dániel Ercsey wine writer responded this: “The best pairing is water, poppy seed kills any kind of wine.” Gábriel Nyulasi wine writer suggested a sparkling wine made of Olaszrizling and Rhine Riesling, it may work, Patrícia Mannheim thinks of a Blanc de Noir, possible, but a Pinot Noir rosé sparkling might have a better chance, as Bettina Kutasi suggested. Zoltán Lesti sommelier and winemaker is positive about pairing the cake it with wine, especially with red wine. As he says, he has tried it several times, his guests always loved it! Zsolt Váradi agrees, he recommends a Merlot (he mentions Lelovits, but we have not tasted that, this is why we suggest a great Heumann Merlot). Gábor Dudás reminds us that this cake does not focus on poppy seed, it is just one of the ingredients. Because of the rich white chocolate cream, he would prefer a liquor or a vermouth. “If it should be wine, I would think of a matured Tokaji Aszú or sweet or dry Tokaji Szamorodni.” Thanks for all the recommendations!

Heumann Merlot 2017, Villány

This Merlot has received 94 points and won the panel tasting in an important wine magazine of Hungary earlier this year. Debreceni Borozó has 2-4 print issues per year, and since it is distributed all over the country free of charge, it has a large readership and thus influential among the customers. The latest issue came out with a massive panel tasting section evaluating wines in different categories. The tasting of varietal wines made of Bordeaux grapes had the most samples – this is where Heumann Merlot 2017 reached the No1 position. “Dark ruby colour. Lovely, matured nose with black forest fruits, blackberry, ripe plum, chocolate, coffee. Dried leaves and spices. Full body with oily texture, integrated acidity, ripe tannins. Fruity, spicy, juicy. Very long finish and great ageing potential.”

More about Heumann Winery

Teleki Tradíció 1881 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2016, Villány 

The first bottle fermented sparkling wine of the Villány winery spent more than 20 months ageing on the lees. “Elegant, pale colour of peach with fine bubbles. Intense, complex nose with peach, orange and subtle yeast with some citrus notes. On the palate finely woven texture, firm structure, crystal clear flavours. Fresh, vibrant acidity makes the sparkling wine vivacious and refreshing, enhancing the fruity character. Ethereal, feather light with tiny, melting bubbles. Perfect harmony. Taste it slowly finding pleasure in every sip.”
The winery website is under construction due to its rebranding.

Read more here

Patricius Stilla Aurea Tokaiensis Sweet Szamorodni 2021, Tokaj

Szamorodni is a traditional style in Tokaj with using healthy and botrytised berries harvested together. This blend is made of 50% Zéta, 28% Muscat Blanc and 22% Furmint. After fermentation in stainless steel tank, the wine aged for 12 months in 220 L oak barrels. “The nose brings the aromas of the botrytized “Aszú” berries with lots of fruity notes, as mango, peach, quince, apricot. In the back the elegance of the barrel ageing also appears. On palate fine complexity, roundness and elegance can characterize the taste. At the end unique minerality completes the wine.” It has a residual sugar of 124.2 g/l balanced with 8.04 g/l acidity.
More about Patricius Winery

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

VinAgora results released

The OIV / Vinofed member VinAgora international wine contest results have just been announced. We are soon going to publish some statistics and interesting facts, meanwhile you can browse the medal winners on the official website of the contest. Tűzkő Estate is owned by two Tuscan noble families, Marchese Piero Antinori and the Mazzei family. With so much SuperTuscan “in their blood”, no wonder that a Merlot wine has won gold medal this year.

Silky Merlot from Mórágy vineyard

The fruit for gold winner Tűzkő Merlot 2019 came from Mórágy vineyard. After careful bunch selection and destemming, the fermentation takes place at low temperature in stainless steel tanks. The wine aged in 300 L second and third use Hungarian oak – the estate has a cooperage sister company called European Wine Cooperage. As Giulia Bernini of Tűzkő Estate said in a recent interview, the “homemade” barrels are key to their success. Vintage 2019 Merlot aged for 14 months.
“Intense ruby red in colour. The nose is defined by notes of mixed berries, blueberries, blackberries, and floral hints of violet. A wine with good structure and a soft finish.”
Food recommendation: Pairs perfectly with chicken, charcuterie, roast beef, roasted vegetable, grilled mushrooms and butternut squash.

More about Tűzkő Estate