The Buyer | Winelovers Wine awards releases brochure with all medal winners

Nearly 900 entries, 258 wineries, 22 countries, 60 wine regions, a 54-member jury from 25 countries, 161 gold medals, and 6 grand gold medals – just a few numbers from the 2024 Winelovers Wine Awards that shines the light on wines and producers from across Central and East Europe.

You can now find out for yourself who won want in a specially produced English-language digital brochure that contains all the medal-winning wines, with special emphasis on the Grand Gold and Gold winners, including bottle photos.

Behind the scenes insights are also included from the international jury and buyers who took part in the competition’s side events. Notable experts like Essi Avellan MW, Caroline Gilby MW, Job de Swart MW, Piotr Pietras MS, and Jonas Röjerman MW offer their perspectives. On the buyers' side, Lisa McBain, Ewa Hangel, and Robert Bradshaw share their experiences from the event.

The brochure also includes an exciting article of Trifecta Wines winery, which won the most gold medals and thus the Winery of the Year award.

Judging for the 2024 awards took place in Budapest over three days in June where the judges were tasked with putting the 868 entries through their paces and pick out the ones that deserved to be in the competition’s Top 100

The Winelovers Awards has also been expanded by its owners, Hungarian-based Hungary-based Trinety Media, to include a number of side events and the chance for the influential judges to meet producers outside of the competition’s judging days.

István Tábor, founder and owner of Winelovers Awards, explains: “We organise the Winelovers Wine Awards based on the pillars of brand building and commerce. The composition of the professional jury, the scoring methodology, the side programs and events related to the competition, the magazine containing the list of the 100 best Hungarian wines, the tasting event built around it, and the digital magazine sent to the international mailing list all represent the interests of the participating wineries. These provide a unique and exclusive opportunity to create a long chain of synergies and lay the foundation for market success, even with a single wine entry."

He adds: "In the current market situation, wineries most need help finding export markets. Thus, each year we increase the number of trade-oriented side events to help wineries establish business connections.”

This included the Winelovers "X" trade tasting and "Meet the Buyer" event which allowed buyers and importers specifically looking for wines from Central and Eastern Europe to meet potential wineries in 10-minute pre-booked sessions.

Producers could also take advantage of a 'Tasting break' sponsorship package which allowed them to present their wines and themselves during the judging breaks on competition days. There was also the chance to 'Taste with an expert', where one of the judges would review three wines from each participating winery.

"We aim to strengthen this strong B2B focus in the future," added Tábor.

Highlights

Here are the stand out performances in the 2024 awards:

Six wines were given the Grand Gold award for scoring 95 points or hight.
All six Grand Gold wines were from the region of Tokaj-Hegyalja that covers northeastern Hungary and southeastern Slovakia.
The Grand Gold wines included a Tokaji Esszencia, a Tokaji Aszú, a Tokaji Fordítás, a dry Furmint and a dry Hárslevelű.
The highest score, 97 points, was awarded to the Matyisák Pince és Kádárüzem Tokaji Esszencia 2008.

The best reductive white wine was Hárslevelű 2021 from Dóka Éva Winery
Best barrel-aged white wine was Balassa István "KAKAS" 2022 Tokaji Furmint.
Best rosé went to Szentpéteri Borpince Nero Rosé 2023.
Best sparkling wine was Kreinbacher Birtok Extra Brut Magnum 2019.
The best fruit-forward red wine was Maul Zsolt Creator Kékfrankos 2020
Best tannin-focused red wine was Fritz Birtok Primus Szekszárdi Cuvée Prémium 2020.
Best sweet wine and best Furmint were both the Matyisák Pince és Kádárüzem Tokaji Esszencia 2008.
Best Olaszrizling was Illés Borászat Badacsonyi Holdkő 2022.
Best Kékfrankos was Fyrmonia Organic Winery Kékfrankos 2022.
Best indigenous white grape variety was Zsirai Pincészet Középhegy Tokaji Hárslevelű 2022.

Top 100

The Winelovers Wine awards also picks out the Top 100 scoring wines in the competition. This year’s Top 100 wines features wines from 11 countries. Here are some of the key findings:
* Best ranking foreign wine was the 2022 Late Harvest Furmint from Ukraine's Chateau Chizay Winery (ranked ninth overall).

Best tannic wine was the 2016 Canyon from Azerbaijan's Savalan Aspi Winery (ranked 16th).
Best sparkling wine was Carassia Rosé Magnum from Romania's Carastelec Sparkling Winery (ranked 25th).
Best Cabernet Sauvignon was the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from Romania's Pivnitele Birauas Winery.
Best Chardonnay was the 2022 Battonage Chardonnay Selection from Slovakia's Csernus Winery & Vineyards.
Best Syrian went to Romania’s Carmele Recas winery for its 2021 vintage.
Best of Indigenous Black Grape Variety was Unplugged Zweigelt 2022 from Hannes Reeh GMBH in Austria.

The most successful Hungarian winery was Trifecta Wines with six gold medals, earning them the Winery of the Year title.
The most awarded foreign winery was Romania's Crama Girboiu with four gold medals.

Judges’ comments

Here are some of the thoughts of the judging panel.

Caroline Gilby MW: ”Tokaji Aszú is undoubtedly among the best sweet wines in the world, and there were several examples this year that beautifully demonstrated this. These wines showcase extraordinary complexity alongside the balance of sugar content and vibrant acids.”

Czinki Tamás on the diversity of the judges: "Sommeliers, wine experts, wine bloggers, and marketing professionals were present, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the wines. The market doesn't always seek the perfect wine, and this diversity reflects that."

The results will be published later this month in a dedicated online brochure that will be distributed to 1000s of traders, wine experts, and journalists worldwide. The 100 Best Hungarian wines will also be featured in a printed magazine.

* You can find out all the results and medals on the competition's website.

* Download and explore the digital magazine here: https://wineloverswineawards.com/brochure

For more information:
https://wineloverswineawards.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wineloverswineawards/
https://www.instagram.com/winelovers_wine_awards/