Winewriters’ choice

As we wrote yesterday, the 8th selection of the Circle of Hungarian Winewriters took place in December, and the results have just been announced. The conclusion of the red “Super” list is similar to the white one: instead of the heavy, blockbuster wines, the writers voted for more wines with fruit driven character and less body. The Grand Prix in the red category went to 2HA Shiraz (Badacsony) Three more “Super” wines of the latest selection (in the photo): Etyeki Kúria, Pinot Noir 2018 (Etyek), Szeleshát, Gubac Merlot 2018 (Szekszárd), Vesztergombi, Csaba 2020 (Szekszárd).
See the full list below.

Balaton, Eger and Szekszárd on the top

Taking a look at the two Super 12 lists of 2023, we can see that the most wines come from Eger and Szekszárd (4-4), then come Villány and Balatonfüred–Csopak (3-3 wines). Out of the 22 wine regions in Hungary, 13 of them are represented in the two lists.
The 22 wine regions are within 6 broader wine regions, if we look at them, Balaton is one of the winners with 7 wines, and both Grand Prix winners are located in Balaton broader wine region (2HA ln Badacsony and Figula in Balatonfüred). Pannon broader wine region (Villány, Szekszárd, Tolna and Pécs) also presented 7 “Super” wines. 17 wines are varietal wines, 7 wines are blends.

Super 12 Red Wines 2023

2HA, Syrah 2019 Badacsony
Almagyar Érseki Vineyard, Kadarka Superior 2020, Eger
Bock, BV Syrah Extreme 2020, Villány
Etyeki Kúria, Pinot Noir 2018, Etyek
Németh János, Kadarka Selection 2020, Szekszárd
Pannonhalmi Archabbey, Infusio 2020, Pannonhalma
Riczu Tamás, Villányi Franc 2019, Villány
Sebestyén, Iván Bikavér 2018, Szekszárd
Szeleshát, Gubac Merlot 2018, Szekszárd
St. Andrea, Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Nagy-Eged single vineyard 2019, Eger
St. Andrea, Merengő 2019, Eger
Vesztergombi, Csaba 2020, Szekszárd

About the Super 12 selection

It is the 8th edition of the white and red Super 12 lists selected by the Circle of Hungarian Winewriters. The wines are nominated by the member writers and they vote for all the nominees in several rounds. The final part is a blind tasting to choose the Grand Prix winners.
Last year the winewriters founded a special award to commemorate the recently deceased Dr. József Kosárka, a great friend, an enthusiast wine writer and founder and president of the Circle of Hungarian Wine Writers. The award goes to the winery whose wines receive the most nominations – this year the winner is St. Andrea Vineyard in Eger with 5 wines nominated by the members.

The “Super 12 White” wines

See the members of the Circle here