First of all for clarity, each year Hungary hosts two large scale international wine contests (VinAgora and Winelovers Wine Awards) and also competitions focusing on a particular grape variety (GROW in 2024, Portugieser du Monde, Franc du Monde).

However, this National Wine Contest (‘Országos Borverseny’) is the most important national wine competition held annually and is organised by the National Council of the Wine Communities in Hungary.

Koch – the most successful estate

Koch Winery run by Csaba Koch (Winemaker of the Year 2019) has won not less, but 13 medals, 10 gold and 3 silver medals. The highest score went to Koch Prémium Cabernet Franc 2021 and Koch & Evans Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, both from Villány. Then comes the flagship blend of the winery, Csanád Cuvée with two vintages, 2019 and 2020. (The headquarters are situated in Hajós–Baja wine region, but they have vineyards in Villány as well.)

More about Koch Winery

Sauska – the best bottle fermented sparkling wine

The estate has vineyards both in Tokaj and Villány, and with these two wineries their portfolio includes every beauty from the exciting white blends through rosé wines and impeccable red wines to the luscious sweet wines. The sparkling wines have a special importance, no wonder one of the top sparkling wine geniuses of the world is involved: Regis Camus. The winner sparkling is Sauska Brut NV from Tokaj.

More about Sauska Brut

Feind – the best aerated sparkling wine

Feind Winery is a state-of-the-art, family run winery in Balatonfüred–Csopak wine region, and they have the most modern machinery to produce bottle fermented, charmat method or carbonated sparkling wines. The winner is Feind Irsai Olivér 2023 aerated sparkling wine – a refreshing, flavoursome delicacy ideal in the heat of the summer. Irsai Olivér is an indigenous Hungarian grape with intense aromas of the fresh, juicy grape.

More about Feind Winery

Frittmann – also the best aerated sparkling wine

Though the title went to Feind Irsai, Frittmann Frisecco has to be mentioned as well, since both wines received the same scores: 87.17. What is more, Frittmann Frisecco is also made of Irsai Olivér, proving that this variety has potential in Hungary. Frittmann is the leading family winery of Kunság wine region run by the Frittmann brothers and their children. János Frittmann was chosen Winemaker of the Year in 2007.

More about Frittmann Winery

Szeleshát – the best red wine

Out of the 897 wines, only 7 Grand Gold medal were given, 3 of them went to red wines. Szeleshát Gubac Merlot 2019 from Szekszárd received the highest scores: 93.17 points. Though Hungarian wine regions have several local varieties or wine styles – for example Szekszárdi Bikavér blend in Szekszárd –, international varieties are also important, and Merlot is the most successful when it comes to wine contest. Szeleshát Gubac is served in many top restaurants throughout Hungary.

More about Szeleshát

Tokaj Oremus – the best sweet wine

Out of the above mentioned 7 Grand Gold medals, 4 were given to sweet wines. All of them are Tokaji Aszú wines, obviously from Tokaj. The winner is Tokaj Oremus Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos. The other three wines are: Grand Tokaj Terroir Selection 5 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2019, Babits Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2019 and Patricius 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2019. We have tasted the latest one – unforgettable, endless, gorgeous: a true Tokaji Aszú.

More about Tokaj Oremus

Béres – the best sweet gold winner

Since Tokaj sweet specialities are the most worldwide known wines of our country, it is worth mentioning, that 13 gold medals were given apart from the above-mentioned Grand Gold medals. Béres Vineyards received the highest scores: 91.4 points for their Béres Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos from 2017.

More about Béres Vineyards

Some more ‘bests’

– The best white wine made of indigenous variety: Szende Irsai Olivér 2023, Villány
– The best aged white wine: Tokaj Art Wine Genius 2021, Tokaj
– The best rosé wine: Gál Szent Márton Rosé 2023, Kunság
– The best organic wine: Dobosi Bio Olaszrizling 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– The best Kékfrankos based red wine: Bodri Szekszárdi Grand 2017, Szekszárd

Source:
hungarianwines.eu

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