One of the 7 champions

VinAgora is one of the two most important international wine competitions held in Hungary. The results have been announced! Altogether 929 wines were judged from 16 countries, 7 champion awards, 15 grand gold medals, 187 gold and83 silver medals were given. We will soon report more, but let us share now one of the 7 champions – a lovely, easy-going bubbly for the upcoming summer!
To read about Irsai Olivér grape variety, scroll down.

Pearls in the glass

Feind Irsai Olivér “Gyöngyözőbor” 2024 is an aerated sparkling wine made of 100% Irsai Olivér grape. (The traditional method sparkling champion is Kreinbacher Brut Classic from Somló.) The estate is capable of making traditional method as well, and they make great bottle fermented sparkling wines, but Feind is equally outstanding when it comes to the easy-going bubbles. This wine is quite dry, there is only 6.5 g/L sugar in it, which is not so typical in case of entry level sparkling wines. However, Irsai Olivér is a grape variety with flamboyant aromas, the wine in good hands can be attractive without sugar – as this Feind Irsai proves it. And the indicative price is only 4 EUR!
See the VinAgora info about the wine
See the 7 champions and all VinAgora results here
More about Feind Winery

Feind wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom at Wine Society and in the USA by Credo Imports. If you are interested in importing Feind wines, contact Andrea Sajó of Feind Winery.

Feind wine bar – the first stop to Lake Balaton

Find winery is located at the east corner of Budapest, in Balatonfőkajár, which means that this estate is the first one if you are driving from Budapest (92 km). At Feind wine store the whole range of Feind wines is available, while in the wine bar guests can taste the wines with cheese or ham platters. The wine bar can seat 40 people ideal for smaller events, gatherings. From spring to autumn, the terrace is also available. Guests are welcome to taste wines and enjoy the atmosphere without prior reservation.

More info here

The gambler’s grape

Have you not heard of Irsai Olivér grape? We are here to help you:)
Irsai Olivér grape is planted widely in Hungary due to its popularity. Wonderful examples of the grape are produced in Kunság region, where the best winemakers can hold in check the aromatic character of the variety. Also popular in Mátra, Balaton, Etyek–Buda, Neszmély, Sopron.
Ripening early, it gives a very aromatic, intense wine with grapey aromas, delicate spices. Easy drinking wine with medium-low acidity and alcohol, almost always vinified reductively for instant consumption.
Irsai Olivér is a crossing between Pozsonyi Fehér and Csabagyöngye created by Pál Kocsis in 1930. There are several legends of the naming of the grape, one says that Kocsis was a passionate gambler and he gave away the name of the crossing due to his massive debt, but the truth is likely to be much simpler: Irsai Olivér was of the son of a respected wine merchant friend of Kocsis.