The newspapers are full of news about the EU expressing concern about the level of democracy in Hungary. Our publication is not involved in politics, we concentrate on wines, and we can say that in spite of all doubts in other fields, the wines are surely high quality within the the walls of the second largest legislature building of the world.

4th edition with a new category

In the first three years we also judged at the Wine of the House of Parliament contest. Our dear friend, Zoltán Sánta was the chief organizer until his sudden death in 2018. The process of the wine selection has been carried on with the same rigour ever since. This year 231 wines entered from 103 wineries in 18 wine regions. The aim of the contest is to select typical Hungarian wines mostly made of indigenous variety so that the diplomats and guests of the Hungarian Parliament could have high quality examples of our wine culture. The categories are made accordingly, thus the must-have category of Tokaji Aszú or Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) are also included. This year to follow the trends – and the popularity of it in Hungary – the rosé category was added.

The winners of the nine categories
– Olaszrizling: Petrányi Olaszrizling Birtokválogatás, 2017, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Furmint: MAD Furmint Selection, 2017, Tokaj
– Other white: Istvándy Kékderű Badacsonyi Kéknyelű, 2019, Badacsony
– Rosé: Gál Kékfrankos Rosé, 2019, Kunság
– Kékfrankos: Csányi Teleki Selection Villányi Kékfrankos, 2017, Villány
– Bikavér: Thummerer Egri Bikavér Superior 2016, Eger
– Kadarka: Németh János Szekszárdi Kadarka, 2018, Szekszárd
– Cabernet Franc: Vin Art Villányi Franc, 2017, Villány
– Tokaji Aszú: Béres 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú, 2016, Tokaj
Let us introduce three of the winners.

Kékfrankos – Teleki Selection Villányi Kékfrankos

Csányi Winery has received several national and international ackowledgements for this wine, which is made of Kékfrankos (known as Blaufrankisch in Austria), the most widely planted black grape in Hungary. A typical Kékfrankos is abundant in red fruits, complex, yet easy to drink, balanced, elegant. “Villányi Kékfrankos has the colour of ruby with medium intensity. The nose is dominated by ripe sour cherry and blueberry. The fruity notes of the nose are continued on the palate, whereas the aftertaste is rounded and long. A smaller portion of the wine was matured in barrel, while the majority was vinified in stainless steel tank.”
More about Csányi Winery

Bikavér – Thummerer Egri Bikavér Superior

If we counted the number of medals Thummerer Winery have won so far, we bet this estate would be crowned as the King of Bikavér. Vintage 2016 has also collected a handful of gold, for example at VinAgora international competition. The blend is made of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cuvée, Kékfrankos, Merlot and Syrah. “Only the most outstanding vintages produce Superior, which is the top category of the Bikavér. It contains varieties from both the Carpathian-basin and worldwide known varieties in equal balance. 18-month wooden barrel aging was followed by long aging in the bottles. Superior dry red wine with protected origin.”
More about Thummerer Winery

Tokaji Aszú – Béres 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú

The key to success in case of the Tokaji Aszú is the balance. The huge amount of sugar has to be balanced by acidity to impress the costumers. Béres Vineyard and Winery pays attention to every detail to achieve this balance: they buy their barrels from a local, very small and high quality cooperage, their vineyards are in the best places of Erdőbénye village and the grape is selected, the quality is controlled at every step. “Golden with an orange tint. Big and bold the nose reveals layers of dried fruits, beeswax, honey, caramel besides the typical notes of oak aging. An elegant acidity enlivens the palate highlighting a core of juicy tropical fruits and citrus. Residual sugar, volume and alcohol are all seamlessly integrated in this unctuous wine. The finish is laced with Earl Grey tea and chamomile. Opening a bottle of this Aszú is cause enough to celebrate.“

More about Béres Vineyard and Winery