7 Top Tips for Budapest Wine Festival

  • 10 Aug 2023 5:46 PM
7 Top Tips for Budapest Wine Festival
The 32nd edition of the annual open air grandiose wine event is coming closer – first tip is that discounted tickets are available until 20th August. In this article HungarianWines.eu recommend 7 exhibitors well worth tasting from different wine regions of Hungary.

1. Dubicz Winery and Vineyard, Mátra

A family owned winery from volcanic Mátra, the second largest wine region of Hungary, the largest mountainous region.

Dubicz has a wide portfolio from the easy going aromatic whites – like Irsai Olivér, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc – to the single vineyard, barrel aged white and red wines, for example from Olaszrizling and Kékfrankos. Their award winning labels are also popular within and outside Hungary.

A recent accolade: 1014 Irsai Olivér 2022 won silver at the latest edition of VinAgora international wine competition.

More about Dubicz wines

2. Borbély Family Winery, Badacsony

Another volcanic wine region from the opposite part of Hungary. Badacsony mountain and wine region is located on the North shore of Lake Balaton.

The most important grape variety is Olaszrizling here (also known as Grasevina or Welshriesling), and the Borbélys make several Olaszrizling wines, two of them are single vineyard ones.

Kéknyelű is anothet grape visitors cannot miss: this elegant, unforgettable white grape is available only from Badacsony. Tamás Borbély holds the prestigious title Winemaker of the Year from 2021, and with this he is the youngest award winner so far.

A recent accolade: Borbély Karós Olasz rizling Limited Edition 2019 dry and Borbély Zeusz Late Harvest 2019 both received gold medal at the latest edition of the Hungarian National Wine Contest.

More about Borbély wines

3. Tornai Winery, Somló

We can still continue with volcanic wine regions: Somló is the smallest one in Hungary, however its fame is international. Tornai is again a family owned winery led by Tamás Tornai, whose father founded the estate.

Tornai is a regular winner of international wine contests, it is enough to mention the IWC Trophies in 4 consecutive years. Their impeccable and complex white wines made of mostly indigenous grape varieties – like Juhfark, Hárslevelű – impress both winelovers and wine experts.

A recent accolade: at the latest edition of Mundus Vini German international wine contest Tornai won two gold medals for Tornai Top Selection Grófi Hárslevelű 2019 and Tornai Top Selection Szürkebarát 2015 (Pinot Gris). Grófi Hárslevelű has been selected Best of Show.

More about Tornai wines

4. Lajver Wine House, Szekszárd

A state-of-the-art winery from the picturesque valley of Lajvér stream. A large portfolio from superb price-value wines to exciting, complex wines in every style.

White, rose, red, sparkling – Lajver can offer everything at stabile, great quality. Incognito is a white wine made of the black Kékfrankos grape – but it is sold out, the next vintage is released in November.

Another reason to taste what is available, for example their méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine, the Lajver Blanc de Blancs Brut 2019 made of Chardonnay and the flagship red blend, a Szekszárdi Bikavér “a lá Lajver” – Signum!

A recent accolade: Lajver received gold medals at the latest edition of Berliner Wine Trophy for Lajver Batonnage Chardonnay 2021 and Lajver Signum Bikavér 2020.

More about Lajver wines

5. Teleki Wines, Villány

Villány is the southernmost wine region of Hungary, hence it has Mediterranean climate and it is ideal for great red wines. By now Villány has achieved international fame with its varietal Cabernet Franc wines called Villányi Franc. Csányi Winery is the largest winery of the region with nearly 500 hectares and a large portfolio.

The estate makes outstanding bottle fermented sparkling wine made of Pinot Noir, they have some easy going white and rosé with Irsai Olivér among the latest releases, but the main focus is on black varieties, mainly Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kékfrankos, etc.

A recent accolade: Chateau Teleki Merlot 2019 won gold medal at the latest edition of CWSA Chinese international wine contest. 

More about Csányi Winery / Teleki wines

6. Garamvári Vineyards, South Balaton

The winery was founded by Vencel Garamvári, a pioneer of bottle fermented sparkling wines. The estate in fact two wide portfolios: the méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines are made in their Budafok cellar, while the still wines are produced on the South Balaton estate. Vencel was the first to use Furmint grape for sparkling wines, first only from Tokaj, but now they have a successful Furmint Brut from Balaton as well.

The founder is a great fan of Champagne, now wonder we can find several products using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc is also a frequent player.

A recent accolade: Garamvári wines are always among the most highly rated wines of the annual Balaton Wine Competition, this year Sínai Cabernet Franc 2019 has been selected the best red wine of the contest.

More about Garamvári wines

7. Sauska, Tokaj & Villány

A visit to the Budapest Wine festival cannot be complete without tasting Tokaj wines. Sauska is an excellent choice, since at one place one can taste the renowned sweet wines of Tokaj including Tokaji Aszú, the great dry wines made of Furmint and Hárslevelű that gained new fame to the region, and also stunning bottled fermented sparkling wines produced under the guidance of cellar master Regis Camus from Champagne.

And if that’s not enough, Sauska has a Villány estate with outstanding red wines made of international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but also local ones like Kadarka or Kékfrankos.

A recent accolade: Sauska 5 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2017 received gold medal at the latest edition of Decanter World Wine Awards.

More about Sauska wines

Event organizers’ message to Xpats

“Enthusiasts of wines will have the opportunity to taste the excellent selections of our country’s diverse wine and champagne offerings from renowned domestic wineries. As a guest of honour, South America will showcase the characteristic flavours and aromas of its wines.

And speaking of flavours, the Gourmet court will offer a variety of premium dishes and fantastic culinary creations. For the first time this year, we will open our VIP terrace to the general public, providing special experiences and privileges for our VIP guests.”

More:
Tickets and full details

Source:
hungarianwines.eu
Republished with permission

Related links

Budapest Wine Festival, Castle District, 7 - 10 September

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