Panel tasting results

47 Rhine Riesling reviews are published in the latest issue of Vince Hungarian print wine magazine. 4 wines received 5 stars, the highest recognition, 2 wines from Australia and 2 wines from Hungary. Let us introduce Pannonhalmi Prior 2024, the wine from the cover of the magazine.

Intense and beautiful

The grape for Prior was harvested in several stages, the crop from a prestigious single vineyard was handled separately. Following destemming and selecting the grapes by an optical sorting machine, the pressed juice was settled and then slowly cold-fermented in stainless steel tanks and finally kept on the fine lees for a long time.
Vince panel review:
“A lemon-yellow hue with greenish undertones. An intense and beautiful, varietal aroma of ripe citrus, green apple, linden blossom, and mineral notes. A wine with a firm structure and crisp acidity, featuring the slight residual sugar so characteristic of Rieslings. On the palate, honey, grape blossoms, juicy pear, ripe citrus, petrol, and stony minerality linger for a long time.”
Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery has a very detailed website. We have every piece of information about the vineyard (like planted in 2023, Guyot training system, low cordon, 5210 vines / hectare) and about the wine (it contains 6 g/L acidity and 3.3 g/L residual sugar), and extras like the number of bottles (5700) and the number of magnum bottles (600). The retail price (winery webshop) is only 6900 HUF (approximately 17.5 EUR)
See the full fact sheet of Pannonhalmi Prior 2024

Did you know?

– The word “prior” stands for a superior in abbeys, a prior comes after the abbot.
– Pannonhalma Archabbey is the only winery in Hungary that received the title Winery of the Year twice.
– Zsolt Liptai chief winemaker was named the Winemaker of the Year in 2024.

Winery of the Year 2023: Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery

Winemaker of the Year announced: Zsolt Liptai from Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery!

10 great wines to remember #5

Teleki Tradíció Chardonnay Brut 2022 is a traditional method sparkling wine from Villány wine region, and it is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Vince magazine. With reason, it came second at the annual large sparkling wine tasting with 67 bottle fermented sparkling wines.

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 painted by Emma Katalin Dobos)

Teleki Tradíció Chardonnay Brut 2022

17.10 points (second best after Kreinbacher Prestige Brut Magnum 2019)
Vince panel review
“Light yellow colour, tiny bubbles. Good intensity on the nose, discreet yeast and elegant, crystal clean, citrusy fruitiness. Refined, well-made sparkling with fruits in the focus, with subtle acidity. Creamy texture and creamy aftertaste, great balance, elegance!”
The retail price is only 5999 HUF (around 15 EUR) on the webshop of the winery!

22 categories and special awards

The annual awards of Vince wine magazine and wine club were given out on 8 November at Vince Gala event at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest. First the team and trustworthy experts of the magazine nominated three wines in each category – partially based on the monthly panel tastings –, and then the readers could vote for their favourite ones. Congratulations to the winners!
See the full list of winners below the photo.

The winner wines from our cover photo:

– Kovács Nimród Battonage Chardonnay 2023
– Pannonhalmi Főapátság Infusio 2022
– Heimann és Fiai “Piros” Siller 2024
– Steigler Pet-Nat Zöld Veltelini 2024

Venue: Museum of Fine Arts

Vince print wine magazine will announce the Vince Award winners at the grandiose gala tasting event at the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts. The venue is worth a visit in itself – especially for the William Blake temporary exhibition, but on the 8th of November all the Gala Award nominated wines will be available to taste (See the list below.) Plus, if you vote, you can help your favourite winery, and you can win – among others – voucher for the Michelin awarded Virtu restaurant.

Voting period: until Saturday (25th October) midnight.
Vote here (first you should click “Elfogadom a felhasználási feltételeket”, meaning “I accept terms of use”)
The voting page is in Hungarian, but our translation of the 22 wine categories can help.
With your vote you can win:
– Vince Gala event double ticket
– 15 000 HUF voucher for Virtu restaurant
– Ford test drive
– a yearly subscription to Vince magazine

Vince Gala event

Date and time: 16.00–23.00, 8 November 2025
Venue: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
Prices: Single ticket: 27 500 HUF, double ticket: 49 990 HUF
Buy your ticket here (in Hungarian, but Google can help)
Masterclasses: Champagne, Burgundy, Provence, more info here (in Hungarian, but Google can help)

Vince Award nominated wines, nominated by the experts of Vince Magazine

Again, vote here (first you should click “Elfogadom a felhasználási feltételeket”, meaning “I accept terms of use”)

1. Fresh white wine made of international variety
   – Balassa Rhine Riesling 2024
   – Anonym Pince Frazír (Sauvignon Blanc) 2024
   – Etyeki Kúria MSP Konkret Chardonnay 2023
2. Fresh white wine made of important variety of the Carpathian Basin
   – Balassa “Kacsa” Furmint 2024
   – Jásdi Csopaki Olaszrizling Hegybor 2024
   – Demeter Zoltán Tokaji Hárslevelű 2023
3. Fresh white wine made of other variety
   – Holdvölgy Intuition No2. 2023
   – Steigler Zöld Veltelini 2023
   – Válibor Budai Zöld 2024
4. Fresh white blend
   – Gizella Tokaji Cuvée Hárslevelű Furmint 2024
   – Kislaki – Légli Géza Birtok Rizling 2024
   – Gál Tibor Egri Csillag 2023
5. Barrel aged white wine made of international variety
   – Kovács Nimród Battonage Chardonnay 2023
   – Kislaki – Légli Géza Matacs Chardonnay 2024
   – Bujdosó Our Sea Chardonnay 2023
6. Barrel aged white wine made of important variety of the Carpathian Basin
   – Barta Öreg Király dűlő Furmint 2023
   – Kikelet Tokaji Hárslevelű “Tarczal” 2022
   – Gizella Bomboly Furmint 2023
7. Barrel aged white wine made of other variety
   – Györgykovács Imre Tramini 2022
   – Spiegelberg Juhfark 2022
   – Folly Kéknyelű 2024
8. Barrel aged white blend
   – Gizella Szil-Völgy Furmint-Hárslevelű 2023
   – Barta KVG 2023
   – Figula 30 Olaszrizling-Furmint 2023
9. Fruit driven red wine made of international variety
   – Németh János Deviant Syrah 2023
   – Jakab Badacsony Pinot Noir Easy 2023
   – Szászi Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
10. Fruit driven red wine made of important variety of the Carpathian Basin
    – Vida Bonsai Öregtőkés Kadarka 2023
    – Sebestyén Kadarka 2023
    – Heimann & Fiai Szekszárd Kadarka Bio 2024
11. Fruit driven red wine made of other grape
    – Szászi Birtok Csókaszőlő 2024
    – Vylyan Csóka 2019
    –Szentesi Fekete Muskotály 2024
12. Fruit driven red blend
    – Kislaki – Légli Géza Birtok Vörös 2023
    – Riczu Tamás Villányi Kikerics 2022
    – Streit-Zagonyi Legacy 2022
13. Barrel aged red wine made of international variety
    – Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir 2023
    – Gere Solus 2022
    – Bakonyi Péter Cabernet Franc 2020
14. Barrel aged red wine made of important variety of the Carpathian Basin
    – Bukolyi Marcell Kékfrankos Reserve Nagy-Eged Grand Superior 2021
    – Centurio (Ludányi Balázs) Diós Kékfrankos 2023
    – Orsolya Kadarka 2023
15. Barrel aged red wine made of other grape
    – 2HA Tabunello 2022
    – Balla Géza Ménesi Fekete Leányka Sziklabor 2022
    – Szentesi Tihanyi Kék 2023
16. Barrel aged red blend
    – Pannonhalmi Főapátság Infusio 2022
    – Sebestyén Iván-völgyi Bikavér 2020
    – St. Andrea Nagy-Eged Egri Bikavér Grand Superior 2021
17. Rosé, siller
    – Figula Bella Róza 2023
    – Sebestyén Pince Szél Rosé 2024
    – Heimann és Fiai “Piros” Siller 2024
18. Natural wine or sparkling wine
    – Bott Frigyes Muzsla 2023
    – Steigler Pet-Nat Zöld Veltelini 2024
    – Hummel Góré Hárslevelű 2019
19. Charmat method sparkling or aerated sparklig wine
    – Bujdosó Gyöngyözőbor 2024
    – Holdvölgy Hold and Hollo Uppp 2023
    – Pelle Frizzi 2024
20. Traditional method sparkling wine
    – Kreinbacher Brut Classic 2019 Magnum
    – Sauska Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2019
    – Kreinbacher Egoiste Magnum 2017
21. Late harvest sweet wine
    – Barta Öreg Király Dűlő Késői Szüretelésű Furmint 2018
    – Oremus Late Harvest Tokaj 2022
    – Tóth és Tóth Debrői Borok Debrői Hárslevelű Késői Szüret 2023
22. Sweet Szamorodni or Tokaji Aszú
    – Barta Öreg Király Dűlő Aszú 6 puttonyos 2019
    – Grand Tokaj Terroir Selection Amforában Érlelt Tokaji Eszencia 2013
    – Kikelet Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2019

35 Shiraz / Syrah wines available in Hungary

The latest panel tasting of the monthly magazine features 35 Shiraz wines from different countries, available in Hungary. The best result is five stars with the so-called Vince Award, and only 5 wines achieved it, 4 of them are New Worldwines (from the USA and Australia), and only one of them is Hungarian: Vylyan Syrah 2020 from Villány wine region.
Cover photo: Vince magazine / Alexander Csomor

Vylyan Syrah 2020, Villány

Vince panel review:
“Dark ruby colour. Mediterranean mood, intense nose with spicy barrel notes and dried fruits. Complex, powerful, full bodied wine with chalky tannins, great acidity, silky texture and exciting flavours: red berry fruits, subtle barrel spices, vanilla and chocolate. Lovely long finish.”

Mónika Debreczeni, founder of the estate about the variety:
“I love Syrah, spicy, exotic, exciting and easy to fall in love with. It may tend to get reductive, but we can forgive that and we have to let them breathe before drinking. Syrah is a good answer to the warming climate.”
More about Vylyan Vineyard and Winery

2020 vintage is not available on Vylyan webshop yet. If you are interested, contact Flóra Debreczeni, the manager of the estate.

Our earlier article about the “Beaujolais” of Vylyan

“Berry Juice” à la Vylyan – the winner label of 2025

Taste it along with six other stunning KNW wines on 17 September

Vince Borműhely (‘Wine Workshop’ by Vince wine magazine and club) will hold its next session on 17 September in Budapest at Michelin recommended Virtu restaurant, where 7 gorgeous wines will be presented by Nimród Kovács from Eger. Grand Bleu Kékfrankos, the iconic NJK, tha rare Double Barrel and the brand-new top blend, Fusion will also be available. The first KNW tasting got sold out in days, so you had better hurry!

Date and time: 17 September 2025, 18.00–20.00
Venue: Virtu restaurant, Dombóvári street 28. (MOL Campus), Budapest, Hungary
Tickets: 32 900 HUF / person (approximately 82–82 EUR)
Buy your ticket here (in Hungarian, but Google can help)
For more information contact the organizers
Wines to taste:
– Max, 2022
– Fusion, 2021
– Double Barrel, 2021
– WOW, 2021
– JAZZ, 2019
– NJK, 2018
– Grand Bleu, 2018

Fusion of great grapes, fusion of great terroirs

The blend is made of 40% Kékfrankos from Nagy-Eged mountain and 60% Merlot from Noszvaj. The highly concentrated and powerful “Kékfrankos sourced from the very top of the iconic lime stone based Nagy-Eged-hill, unites with the silky, supple and fruit-forward Merlot, grown in our Noszvaj based Nagyfai volcanic terroir. Aged in 225 L casks for 15 months, 30% of the barrels were new. 40% French and 60% Hungarian barrels.” Only 450 bottles were made!

Buy the wine here

An earlier article of ours about KNW wines, including WOW

Happy guests, sold out wines – KNW recipe for success

A few tickets are still available

The annual wine tasting organized by Vince wine magazine team seems to be a great success – the basic entrance tickets are sold out, only some combined tickets are left. Participants can taste wines from all over Hungary from top producers like Villa Sandahl (Badacsony), Barta (Tokaj), Pannonhalma Archabbey (Pannonhalma), Steigler (Sopron), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek), Gál Tibor (Eger), Eszterbauer (Szekszárd), Holdvölgy (Tokaj), Heimann (Szekszárd), A Gere (Villány), Sauska (Tokaj / Villány), Vylyan (Villány).

Wine is art – so let’s go to the art gallery

The venue of this tasting undoubtedly elevates the event to another level: Vince Gala takes place in the house of the most important collection of pieces of art in Hungary, in the Museum of Fine Arts at Heroes’ Square. At the moment there is a Renoir temporary excursion, the organizers created a “Renoir tour with wine”, however, it was sold out immediately. Yet, Renoir exhibition is available to visit separately.

More information about the Renoir exhibition and the Museum of Fine Arts

The concept: Vince Award

The magazine awards the best wines in 22 categories every year. The nominations are made by wine experts and Vince team, and the winners are decided by public voting, therefore the wine consumers have the final word. The event hosts the award ceremony, we will certainly reveal the results after Vince Gala. All the nominated wines are available to taste at the event.
See the full list of wines to be tasted here.

Tickets still available

– Entrance and ‘Pálinka’ masterclass with Michelin star dessert

Participants can taste all the wines presented during the day, receive a welcome drink and wine bite, mineral water and can enter the masterclass at 16.45. At the tutored tasting 4 special spirits will be presented by Árpád Pálinka House and the dessert will be provided by Michelin star Costes restaurant. This type of ticket costs 34 980 HUF / 92 EUR.

– Entrance and Cocktail workshop

Participants can taste all the wines presented during the day, receive a welcome drink and wine bite, mineral water and can enter the cocktail workshop at 18.00. At this interactive workshop guests can make three cocktails: Remy Martin VSOP Sidecar, Metaxa 12* Greek Mule, Cointreau Mojito. Speaker: Dr László Pálffy. Sponsored by Roust Hungary. This type of ticket costs 27 980 HUF / 74 EUR.

Date and time: 18 November 2023, 15.00–22.00
Venue: Museum of Fine Arts, Dózsa György út 41, Budapest, Hungary
Food will be available to purchase by the following restaurants: Cut & Barrel, Párisi Passage, ARAZ, Kisfalucska, Osteria Pomo d’ Oro, Essencia, Dziugas, Rumour
To buy your ticket scroll down until you see JEGYVÁSÁRLÁS (ticket purchase), click on the square below to register and then you can go on buying your ticket.
For help contact the team.

Zsuzsanna Babarczi and the lastest 5 star acknowledgement

By Ágnes Németh

As we wrote earlier, Babarczi Merlot 2020 won gold medal at the latest edition of VinAgora international wine contest and not only a simple gold: it was selected the Best Merlot of the contest. Not long after that, the wine won gold medal at the other international wine contest organized in Hungary, at Winelovers Wine Awards. And the most recent acknowledgement: the Merlot won 5 stars at the latest panel tasting of Vince magazine, an influential print magazine in Hungary. Isn’t this row of success convincing? And who is the manager and the “engine” of this estate? A pretty lady with a smile that never fades, Zsuzsanna Babarczi.

The greatest ones of the smallest ones

My sister happens to be the tasting coordinator of Vince magazine. I remember, we were talking about this panel tasting: the topic was the smallest wine regions of Hungary: Somló, Pannonhalma, Mór and Pécs. I did not find a good idea to include Somló here, even though it is small, the smallest one, yet due to the intense influence of the volcanic soil and the international fame, Somló is somehow above the other three. I expected Somló superiority – I was wrong. The panel tasting ended with 4 five star wines, 3 from Pannonhalma and 1 from Pécs:
– Babarczi Merlot 2020, Pannonhalma
– Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery Infusio 2020, Pannonhalma
– Ács Winery Savannah 2021, Pannonhalma
– Planina Wine House Cirfandli 2021, Pécs

Zsuzsanna Babarczi – it is sometimes hard to be a woman in a men’s world

We have known each other for a long time and we met several times, certainly mostly at wine events within Hungary and sometimes abroad. “Zsuzsi” was always cheerful and radiated some inner elegance. Recently I had the chance to talk with her more. I learnt that she speaks fluent English and Italian, good French and also some German. She lived and worked in Switzerland for a while, but now she is the manager of Babarczi Winery and Vineyard, which means that she works night and day, deals with the sales, the problems of every employee, the events, the marketing and certainly with the products themselves. She lost her mother a few years ago and her father needs constant attention, so there is no time left for her private life. Yet she is optimistic and friendly, a great company. I am glad to see that finally she decided to have some new photos taken of her by a professional photographer. Job well done! The photos reflect the “Zsuzsi phenomenon”!

Hurry to grab the last bottles!

Babarczi Merlot 2020 aged in used oak barrels for 10 months. Elegant, fruit driven, velvety Merlot – a great example of the variety. According to Vince magazine panel: “Intense nose with forest fruits, raspberry, plum, spices and some toasty notes. The palate also features red fruits, mainly cherry and raspberry with some plum, chocolate and toast. A complex, elegant, intense, layered wine with subtle barrel use”.
There is only one serious problem with the wine: only 2400 bottles were made and there are hardly any left. It is time to get the last bottles and start negotiation about the 2021 vintage. The retail price is around 18 euros.

More about Babarczi Winery & Vineyard

Taschner Frühroter Veltliner – a great summer wine

Kurt István Taschner is our Winemaker of the Week (see our Facebook cover). He makes a wine nobody else does called Frühroter Veltliner (‘Early Red Veltliner’), which received outstanding review in the latest issue of Hungarian wine magazine called Vince.

Vince magazine panel tasting

Siller is not an easy genre – since siller is made with longer skin contact, there is a risk of getting a clumsy, tart, heavy wine. This is not the case with the organic siller of Steigler Cellar. Elegant and brilliantly refreshing. Made of 100% Zweigelt.

The latest panel tasting of Hungarian wine magazine called Vince is published in the June issue. The protagonists are vintage 2022 wines between 1500–2500 HUF / 4–7 euros, ideal for a summer garden lunch or for an evening on the beach. Around 50 wines were evaluated, all vinified in stainless steel and contain relatively low alcohol.

Steigler – an organic siller from Sopron

2022 Steigler is made of Zweigelt black grape, just like the earlier vintages. It fermented under controlled circumstances and matured in stainless steel for 3 months. Altogether 1000 litres were bottled with 12.5% alcohol.

According to Vince experts: Brilliantly clear, typical siller colour. Seductive, intense aromas with refreshing red berry fruits. The palate follows the nose with a huge basket of red currant, fresh sour cherries, cranberries. A pinch of pleasant tartness reminiscent of the skin of the fruit, crispy acidity, great balance. A true “joy wine”.

Price: 2500 HUF / 7 euros

More about Steigler Cellar

Sopron Steigler wines in the UK and the US

More than 100 Hungarian gold medals from Berlin