Our VinAgora Top 25

Only one report is missing about the VinAgora Gala yet , namely as we promised, our experiences about exhibited wines.
Telling the truth, it is very difficult to declare this or that was the best one, or we liked only this or that, but the fact is, among the lot of good wines, we have found even more beautiful items. After a long discussion, we have drawn up an own VinAgora Top 25 hit-list about wines we liked mostly from entered and tasted wines of the Gala. (please find below our favourite list on wineries and wines in alphabetical order) As you can see, in some cases we were on the same opinion as the international VinAgora jury, but in other cases assessed wine more than the jury on the competition.
But I think this is good so... such as Varietas delictat! :)



WEINKOMPLOTT Top 25 hit-list - VinAgora 2010


Bodri - Szekszárdi Cabernet Franc 2007 !!

Dúzsi Tamás - Szekszárdi Shiraz Rosé 2009 (Vinagora Gold)

Dúzsi Tamás - Cabernet Sauvignion Rosé 2009

Dúzsi Tamás - Görögszó Szekszárdi Cab. Franc - Cab. Sauv. Cuvée 2006 (VinA.Gold)

Eszterbauer - Tüke Szekszárdi Bikavér 2008 !!

Feind Borház - Balatonfőkajári Olaszrizling 2009 (VinA.Gold)

Gróf Degenfeld - Tokaji Muscat Lunel 2009 (VinA.Gold) !!

Günzer Tamás - Villányi Pinot Noir Res. 2008 (VinA.Gold) - /real excellent/

Günzer Tamás - Villányi ördögárok Merlot Res. 2007 (VinA. Gold)

Heumann - Villányi Merlot 2007 (VinA. Silver) !!

Heumann - Villányi Kékfrankos 2007 !!

Konyári Pince - Loliense (red) 2008 (VinA. Silver) !!

Konyári Pince - Loliense (weiß) 2009

Konyári Pince - Sessio 2008 (VinA. Silver)

Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pince - Infusio 2008 (VinA. Silver)

Rád-IKON Zrt. - Cabernet Franc - Evangelista 2008 (VinA. Silver) !!

Sauska - Cabernet Franc 2007 (VinA.Gold)

St. Andrea - Merengő egri Bikavér 2006 (VinA. Silver)

Takler - Bartina Cuvée 2006 (VinA. Gold)

Thummerer Vilmos - Egri Syrah Selection 2006 (VinA. Silver)

Tiffán Ede - Cabernet Franc Selection 2007 (VinA. Gold) !!

Tiffán Ede - Elysium 2007


Tornai - Top Selection Nagy-Somlói 2007!!

Tornai - Top Selection Grófi Juhfark 2008!!

Tokaj Kereskedőház Zrt. Tokaji Aszú 6 putt. Muskotály Premium Selection 2006

(!! - quite best buys)

Why should we drink Hungarian wine?

While in Hungary people of the wine scene are talking about questions such as which wineries have the best wines, which grape variety they like - which one not, which wine regions are fashionable nowadays, which wine festival they should visit next time… till people outside of Hungary do not know too much about Hungarian wines.

We - in Munich - continuously try to answer basic questions of European people (customers) such as:

Why should we buy and drink Hungarian wine? Anyway.... what about Hungarian wines? We know almost nothing about them....

Well, to be quite frank, they are right, because if I would be an everyday person, for example in Germany or in Great Britain, who is only a normal fine wine drinker (so somebody who likes real good wines, but knows only French, Spanish or Italien types) does not follow any wine blog with attention, can not speak any Hungarian, has never been to Hungary, has no relationship with any Hungarian person... so how I would be informed on wonderful Hungarian wine products?
It is also true, not so many people is writing about them in newspapers, and we can not find so many Hungarian bottles on shelves in exclusive wine shops or in wine bars outside of Hungary... How could I be convinced to buy fine wines from Hungary?

Well... I think, nohow...
But now - if this person somehow could find us and may read now our website, I would like to give shortly two small reasons why it is worth getting to know Hungarian wines.
Could the following answers carry conviction?

...Look, here is Hungary, and the land of Hungary – in the middle of Europe – is blessed with perfect soil types and climate conditions for viticulture and wine making. The viniculture of Hungary dates back more than 2,000 years. As already the Celts and the Romans produced wine in this part of the world. And Hungary has a special terroir what other countries do not have….

The quality of Hungarian wines developed a lot in the last 20 years. Hungarian wine makers are working on their best and want to rebuild the reputation for fine wines that Hungary enjoyed before pestilence, war and Communism reduced them to ruin and however in the last 20 years Hungarian governments did not lay any emphases and spend no money on wine marketing like Chile, Italy, France, Spain or Austria, Hungarians have excellent products which have energy and vitality and the country has very interesting and unique (autochthon) grape varieties which you can not find in other countries in Europe.

If it is said that the terroir provides character of the wine and the winemaker its personality and Hungarian wineregions are blessed with superb soil and climate conditions, and winemakers do give their excellent knowledge, Hungarian fine wines simply must be really very good!

However Hungarian wines and wine makers do not have so much official support and ready united international marketing concept at the moment, one thing is sure: If you like gourmet dishes and fine wines or you are a wine lover searching for specialties of the world, you can not miss Hungarian fine wines and the wine varieties of this country!

Decanter World Wine Awards 2010

At the beginning of the summer we have always such a lot of national and international wine competitions where Hungarian wines are awarded with medals, prizes or tropheé-s that I can not follow with article writing... I am always reading every newspaper, internet websites (in Hungarian, in German, and in English, too) and I am always finding something interesting... But now I have to promise myself, from today I will concentrate only on the most important competitions! Therefore I am writing now about (the pritty missing) very important international wine competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards!

This year, as in the previous year too, the Decanter competition took place in the middle of May, in London. International jury, complicated judging system... So that (I think) we should not take care on the circumstances rather on the results!

What is new this year?

Hungarian wines were able to collect 40 bronz medals(!!!) (while last year they got only 21)... 2 Regional Trophy, 3 gold medals, and 15 silver medals. (unfortunately this is 2 less than last year) But to be quite frank, in sum, we can be really happy to have this list.So let's browse our list in details which Hungarian wines are on the Decanter TOP...

Regional Trophy

Dobogó Pincészet - Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2005

Egri Korona Borház - Egri Kékfrankos Selection 2006

Gold Medals

Disznókő - Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2005
Dobogó Pincészet - Mylitta 2008
Patrícius Pincészet - Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2003

Silver Medals

Bock Borászat- Bock Syrah 2007

Borpalota Borászat - Fríz Mátrai Hárslevelű 2008

Chateau Dereszla - Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2005
Chateau Dereszla - Tokaji Kabar Late Harvest 2009

Disznókő - Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2001

Dobogó Pincészet - Tokaji Furmint 2008

Gróf Degenfeld - Andante Furmint Botrytised 2007

Heumann Pincészet - Kékfrankos 2007

Nagyrédei Szőlők Borforgalmazó Kft. - Mátra Mountain Pinot Grigio 2009

Pannon Tokaj - Dominium Tokaji Cuvée 2006

Patrícius Pincészet - Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2003

Patrícius Pincészet - Tokaji Dry Furmint 2008

St. Andrea - Merengő Egri Bikavér Superior 2006

St. Andrea - Örökké 2008

Bronze Medals

Balatonboglári Borgazdaság Zrt. - Chapel Hill Sparkling Chardonnay NV

Balatonboglári Borgazdaság Zrt. - Monte Cappella Sparkling Pinot Grigio NV

Béres Pincészet - Tokaji Cuvée 2005

Bock Borászat - Villányi Capricornus 2006

Bodri Pincészet - Bikavér 2007

Disznókő - Tokaji Late Harvest 2008

Günzer Tamás Pincészete - Villányi Ördögárok Merlot Reserve 2007

Heumann Pincészet - Merlot 2007

Heumann Pincészet - Terra Tartaro 2007

Heumann Pincészet - Villányi Cabernet Franc 2007

Hilltop - Eva's Vineyard 2009

Kovács Nimród - Battonage Chardonnay 2007

Kovács Nimród - NJK 2006

Nagyrédei Szőlők Borforgalmazó Kft. - Baron Lazare Pinot Grigio 2008

Nagyrédei Szőlők Borforgalmazó Kft. - Monte Cappella Pinot Grigio-Chardonnay 2009

Nyakas - Budai Irsai Olivér 2009

Pannon Tokaj - Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2005

Pannonhalmi Apátság - Hemina 2008

Patrícius Pincészet - Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2002

Sauska - Sauska 5 2007

Sauska - Syrah 2007

Somogyi Tibor Pincészete - Villányi Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Thummerer Pincészet - Egri Bikavér 2006

Thummerer Pincészet - Egri Királyleányka 2009

Thummerer Pincészet - Syrah Válogatás 2006

Tokaj-Hétszőlő - Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2004

Tokajicum Borház - Muscat Lunel 2009

Törley - Campanula Pinot Grigio NV

Törley - Campanula Pinot Grigio 2009

Törley - Campanula Pinot Noir 2009

Törley - Donatello Pinot Grigio 2009

Törley - Gála NV

Törley - Szent Istvan Korona Irsai Oliver 2009

Varga Pincészet - Aranymetszés Balatoni Irsai Olivér 2008

Varga Pincészet - Badacsonyi Kéknyelű Jégbor Eiswein 2008

Villa Sandahl - Rhine Riesling Silver Line 2008 (Badacsony)

Vylyan - Duennium 2006

Vylyan - Villanyi Syrah 2007

Wunderlich - Cassiopeia Pinot Noir 2006

Wunderlich - Merlot 2006

Congratulations to the prize awarded wineries!

Participated at the 3. Vinagora Gala - Budapest

Following the annual VinAgora International Wine Competition, on 3rd of July, 2010, the increasingly popular and exclusive VinAgora Gala was held for the 3rd time in Budapest. This all-day wine Gala, year by year, provides the opportunity for the public, after that the expert jury has judged the wines and decided about medals and awards, to taste and assess the more than 500 different wines which were entered to the competition. The idea is that you can build up and compare your opinion about the wines with the opinion of the international jury. More over you can taste wonderful wines, new (till now unknown) vintages and you can get to know the news of the international wine market.

I think we can declare that this Gala is one of the most interesting and elegant possibility for public to get in touch with wines, winemakers and experts, too.
As you can see in our taken photos the place (the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest) is also very nice and gives a very special atmosphere to the winetasting Gala, while you are dropping and thinking about your wine.

But still unfortunately we could find two small problems at the Gala…
... 1.- the air-condition was missinging very much in the hall (as both outside and inside was heatwave...) and the wines were not cold enough for drinking…as the exhibitors did not have enough fridge and ice on stock in this more than hot weather… :(
So prepearing for the next time, we would suggest to the organisers the followings:

Please find solutions to chill the wines!!! or please find another palace with air-condition!!!

thank you for your efforts in advance!
See you next year again!

11. VinAgora International Wine Competition 2010

On 17-20th of June, 2010, the Vinagora International Wine Competition was held for the 11th time in Hungary (this year in Visegrád – in Hotel Thermal). This competition is member of the VinoFed and called the Wine Compass of Central Europe. The international expert jury (54 persons) assesses entered wines in every year (in this year 552 examples arrived from 21 different countries) in the following big categories:

A. „Stricto Sensu”: such us still white wines, white wines of aromatic varieties, still rosé wines, still red wines, pearl wines and sparkling wines

and

B. Special Wines: as natural special wines (late harvest and icewines), Botrytis type of wines (Tokaji Szamorodni, Tokaji Aszú, Sauternes, Rust) and fortified wines (e.g.: Jerez, Porto, Malaga, Marsala, Medera etc.)

From entered wines just 30% can get medals (by categories) and the medals can be only gold and silver!


This time 83 Gold and 84 Silver medals were awarded and from this ammount 121 Hungarian wines won Medal! :)

6 wines got Champion category prize, 3 wines Media Special Prize, 8 wines won „The best variety wine of the VinAgora” Special Prize, but in the „Best of Country” category Croatia and Slovakia were the best ones!

Congratulations to the Winners!


(informations and logos found on: http://www.aborfesztival.hu)

Results of the XI. Pannon Bormustra 2010

This year (in the middle of June 2010) was the eleventh time that the Archabbey of Pannonhalma hosted one of the biggest Hungarian Wine Competition – namely the Pannon „Bormustra”. (= wine muster or wine competition in Hungary)


As we know the Pannon Bormustra was launched in an unique way for commercially available Hungarian wines by the members of the Pannon Wine Guild in 2000 to be assessed by well-known domestic and foreign judges, so that Hungarian winemakers can be exposed to the highest international standards in every year.

The jury names the best wines in three categories: best red wines, best white wines and best 10 sweet wines, and furthermore - as a special and independent category - the best Bikavérs. Please, find the list below which winemakers and which wines were awarded with the respectful „Top Wine” or „Best Hungarian Wine”title this year.


White wine category

Spiegelberg - Somlói Furmint 2008
Tornai - Top Selection Grófi Hárslevelű 2008
Konyári - Szárhegy 2008
Bujdosó - Altanus Fehér Cuvée 2008
Borpalota - Fríz Mátrai Hárslevelű 2008
Bussay - Szürkebarát 2007
Varsányi - Verpeléti Olaszrizling 2007
Tokajicum Borház - Darázskő Furmint 2008
Tornai - Top Selection Aranyhegy Juhfark 2008
Nyakas - Budai Chardonnay 2009
Borpalota - Mátrai késői szüretelésű Szürkebarát 2005
Tornai - Top Selection Nagy-Somlói 2007
Jásdi - Ranolder fehér 2008
Spiegelberg - Somlói olaszrizling 2008
Konyári - Szárhegy 2009
Tokaj Kereskedőház - Tokaji Furmint 2009
Hilltop - Prémium Neszmélyi Pinot Grigio 2009
Béres - Tokaji Furmint Omlás 2007
Söptei - Pinot Blanc 2009
Dobogó - Furmint 2008
Tornai - Top Selection Grófi Juhfark 2008
Nyakas - Budai Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet - Hemina 2008
Figula - Szilénusz Cuvée 2007
Bussay - Tramini 2009
Szőllősi - Chardonnay Barrique 2006
Pántlika - Dörgicsei Chardonnay 2009
Figula - Csopaki Olaszrizling 2009
Levendula - Kései Olaszrizling 2007


Bikavér Category

St Andrea - Bikavér Merengő 2006
Mészáros - Bikavér Reserve 2007
Takler - Szekszárdi Bikavér Reserve 2006
St Andrea - Bikavér Merengő 2007
Thummerer - Egri Bikavér Superior 2006


Red wine category

Sauska - 7/ Villány 2007
Vylyan - Villányi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Takler - Szekszárdi Cabernet Franc reserve 2006
Csányi - Chateau Teleki Villányi Cab.Franc 2007
Heimann - Barbár 2007
Malatinszky - Noblesse Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Takler - Szekszárdi Syrah reserve 2007
Sebestyén - Szekszárdi Iván-völgyi Cuvée 2007
Vylyan - Villányi Cabernet Franc 2007
Heumann - Villányi Merlot 2007
Günzer Tamás - Villányi Pinot Noir válogatás 2008
Etyeki Kúria - Pinot Noir 2008
Vincze - Merlot Arcanum 2008
Vylyan - Villányi Syrah 2007
Malatinszky - Noblesse Cabernet Franc 2007
Sauska - 7/ Siklós 2007
Thummerer - Cabernet Franc válogatás 2006
Vincze - Cabernet Franc Arcanum 2008
Eszterbauer - Tivald Szekszárdi Cab.Sauv. 2008
Rád-IKON - Cabernet Franc Evangelista 2008
Koch - Villányi Cabernet Clonicus 2007
Cezar - Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Selection 2007
Takler - Szekszárdi Bikavér Reserve 2006
Takler - Szekszárdi Bartina Cuvée 2006
Mészáros - Merlot Cuvée 2007
Gere Attila - Syrah 2007
Tringa - Cabernet Sauvignon reserve 2007
Bock - Libra 2007
Bujdosó - Altanus Vörös Cuvée 2006
Mayer - Kopár Cuvée 2007


Sweet wine category

Orosz Gábor - Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2003
Puklus - Tokaji Kövérszőlő késői szüret 2007
Dobogó - 6 Puttonyos Aszú 2005
Patricius - Tokaji Aszúeszencia 2002
Borbély - Badacsonyi Olaszrizling Jégbor 2008
Pannon Tokaj - Dominium Aszú 6 puttonyos 2004
Andrássy - Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2006
Borbély - Badacsonyi Olaszrizling késői szüret 2006
Feind - Sárgamuskotály Prémium 2009
Bezerics-Németh - Pogányvári Cserszegi Fűszeres Pátria 2009


Congratulations to the certified Top Wines and Winemakers!


(yellow coloured items are available directly in our shop)