“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

Some statistics of the past 30 years

The most prestigious Hungarian wine award is to be announced on 8 December, but we have already learnt the names of the nominees. Every year renowned wine people can vote and this year more than 850 professionals voted. The 5 winemakers who collected the most votes are the following ones: Mihály Figula (Balatonfüred-Csopak), Tamás Günzer (Villány), József Lamport (Eger), Zsolt Liptai (Pannonhalma) and Csaba Vesztergombi (Szekszárd). At this phase the members of the Hungarian Wine Academy will decide who will be the next holder of the title. The wineloving public can meet the nominees in a wonderful gala event with dinner, music and wines on 10 November at the glamorous Pesti Vigadó. Star guest, Erika Miklósa opera singer.

Tickets: 20 000 HUF / person (ticket website in Hungarian)

Statistics of the past 30 years of the Winemaker of the Year award

– The youngest award winner is Tamás Borbély from Badacsony.
– One winner from outside the borders of Hungary (Géza Balla, a Hungarian in Transylvania, Romania).
– 2 of the recent nominees are sons of former award winners (Figula and Vesztergombi).
– 8 of the 30 award winners deceased.
– Only 2 female award winners out of the 30.

Wine regions with the most award winners

– Szekszárd: 5
– Villány: 4
– Eger: 4
– Etyek–Buda: 3
– Tokaj: 3
– Balatonboglár: 3
– Kunság: 2
– Neszmély: 2
– Badacsony: 1
– Balatonfüred–Csopak: 1
– Hajós–Baja: 1
– Arad (Romania): 1

See former award winners under the photo

Winemaker of the Year 1995 RIP

On the 21st of December, the iconic winemaker of Eger wine region returned to his ancestors at the age of 78. “Vili Papa” (something like “Uncle Vili”) – as he was known is a huge loss for the whole wine community of Hungary.

Thummerer Winery is a family estate founded in 1984 when they first started grape cultivation and wine making.

Vilmos Thummerer was the first winemaker of Eger wine region to win the prestigious title: Winemaker of the Year 1995.

In 2011 the estate won the other most prestigious title: Winery of the Year.

The winery is famous for its Bikavér wines, while Thummerer Egri Csillag proves that the winery makes superb entry level wines as well. The beautiful cellar carved in the soft volcanic tuff rock is worth a visit in itself. The family has a restaurant in Noszvaj with a couple of rooms, warm hospitality and delicious dishes. Recreation with horses also plays a significant role at Thummerer estate.

Our deepest sympathies to the family.

More about Thummerer Winery

Thummerer Winery

Wines of the latest 3 winners – shipped to every European country

The winner of the prestigious award “Winemaker of the Year” has just been announced: the winner is Dr. Beáta Pühra Nyúlné from Nyakas Winery. She is the second female winner in the 30 year old history of the award. The award winners are all successful winemakers both in Hungary and at their export markets, all have a long history of quality winemaking, a large number of medals at wine competitions, and the personality of the winemaker is also taken into account.

The process of the award

The award belongs to the Hungarian Wine Academy. In the first round the members of the Academy plus renowned wine experts nominate winemakers. The list of the 5 nominees consists of the 4 winemakers getting the most nominations, plus 1 winemaker nominated by the previous Winemakers of the Year.

Then comes the voting period: the members of the Academy vote for the 5 nominees. The award is the guarantee of quality – if you order from them, you won’t get disappointed.

Dr. Beáta Pühra Nyúlné, Winemaker of the Year 2021

Beáta arrived at Nyakas Winery in the year 2000, where her duty is to manage the winery, control quality and run the bottling plant. She loves her position at Nyakas, since she has the chance to grow in her profession and she has the support of the team to fulfil her ideas. The winery cultivates 188 hectares at the moment producing more than 1 million bottles. Under the management of Beáta in the past 20 years the winery has received more than 100 medals at national and international competitions. Beáta’s personal favourite variety is Rhine Riesling, she believes it is the “queen of the grapes”, which is a real challenge for the winemakers.

Wine recommendation: Nyakas Menádok Rhine Riesling 2017

Harvest took place late in October, 30% of the berries were shrivelled, thus there is some residual sugar – in perfect harmony with the elegant acidity. Typical notes of the variety, creamy texture, long finish. The wine was kept on fine lees for wine month, which gives extra complexity. Berliner Wine Trophy gold winner in 2020 8among other medals).

Order Nyakas Menádok Rhine Riesling 2017 from Winelovers Webshop

Who will win out of the five nominees? The contest is probably more exciting than ever. Badacsony is a wine region out of the 22, which has never received the prestigious title, even though the mountain has an international fame and it bears the love of local winelovers. Maybe now?

The Hungarian “wine Oscar”

The Winemaker of the Year title has been the most prestigious and most important in Hungary since its foundation in 1991. There is another important prize called Winemaker of the Winemakers, which might be more respected within the trade – since in this latter one the winemakers themselves select the best among them. However, nationwide the Winemaker of the Year by Hungarian Wine Academy is “The Prize” which brings fame and fortune for the winner. Its marketing and economic benefit cannot be underestimated.

The 2020 nominees and some expectations

The contest has two turns. In the first one some 300 wine people are asked to name 3 winemakers who deserve the title (I, the editor of Hungarianwines.eu, am one of the 300). This year the nominees are Tamás Borbély (Badacsony), Mihály Figula Jr (Balatonfüred-Csopak), István Ipacs-Szabó (Villány), Zsolt Liptai (Pannonhalma), Beáta Nyúlné Dr. Pühra (Etyek–Buda). In the second turn the members of the Hungarian Wine Academy vote for one of the 5 nominees, and the winner is announced on the 4th December.

– Sopron – zero

If you look at our map above, you will see the six great Hungarian wine regions. Sopron is the only one with zero winners, which is quite surprising, considering the rich tradition of Sopron wines. It is a pity, we hope that the new Sopron wine marketing team will help putting Sopron in the limelight – producers like Kurt Taschner definitely deserve it.

– Villány – the leader

No wonder, the pioneer of the post communist wine era, Villány is on the top along with Szekszárd. Even now we have István Ipacs-Szabó among the nominees, and what is great in his nomination, is that a winemaker can be recognized even if his name is not identical with the name of the winery. Traditionally, if you look at the list of the 29 winners, you will see that in most cases the winner is the owner / heard of the estate – just think of József Bock, Attila Gere, Vilmos Thummerer, Ferenc Vesztergombi, Tamás Dúzsi, Vencel Garamvári, János Frittmann or Csaba Koch. István Ipacs-Szabó has been the chief winemaker of Vylyan Vineyard and Winery ever since the beginning, the reputation of the winery highly depends on his talent – though in case of Vylyan the estate manager, Mónika Debreczeni is also a wine expert with great knowledge.