What started out as a competition to shine the light on Hungarian wines has in recent years been expanded to The Winelovers Wine Awards that focuses on wines from right across Central and Eastern Europe
A chance to promote the big steps that winemakers and producers are taking and invite some of Europe’s most influential wine buyers, importers and Masters of Wine to take part in the judging and see the diversity in wines for themselves.
Essi Avellan MW is one of the respected international judges that took part in the Winelovers Wine Awards
This year’s panel included: Essi Avellan MW, Caroline Gilby MW, sommelier Julia Scavo, Jonas Röjerman MW, Job de Swart MW and Piotr Pietras MS. Hungarian experts included Tamás Czinki MS, Sebastian Giraldo Makovej Advanced Sommelier, and Kristian Kielmayer.
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: "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.
Jakob Stolpe Swedish importer with Zsombor Gál (Homola Winery) at the Meet the Buyer side event
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.
Judges get down to the task of going through all the wines in the Winelovers Wine Awards
- 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.
Winery of the Year: Trifecta Wines (Tokaj, Hungary and Napa, US)
- 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 has been a long-standing judge in the awards
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.”
Master Sommelier Tamás Czinki
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.
* You can find out more about the Winelovers Wine Awards here.
