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Wine Gala – official award ceremony

VinAgora was founded in 1992 and up to present it is considered to be in the World’s ten most respective international wine  competition.  During the competition Hungary was not the only the one representing numerous domestic wines, but  a significant number of bottles arrived (unfortunately, pitty without some of their wine makers). Hearing the numbers of participants from the foreigner countries and the number of bottles of wine in the competition made me feel as floating in a huge pond filled with wines. As it was told at the award ceremony, 19 countries have participated with 579 kind of different wines and within that number also a couple of champagnes.

The award ceremony’s announcement  took place at the New York Palace in Budapest. Locals and foreigner awarded wine makers took the so-called stage and received  congratulations  to their awards  from the founder Mr. Dr. Miklós Kállay – president of the 15th VinAgora International Wine competition and Mr. Zoltán Zilai – executive director of the wine competition  – organiser of the Hungarian Grape and Wine Culture NP Inc. 

Mr. Dr. Miklós Kállay said: „Q” … „The first VinAgora competition was held in ’92. In those days there were only 119 competitors.  The competition is organized  every second year.  The development is pretty obvious because from the 74% of the wines competing were nearly one-third  from abroad. The samples: 44% of white wine, rose 7% to 32% of red wine, champagne and the so-called still wines. The competition is overseen by the members of the International Federation of Wine Competitions.”

Mr. Zoltán Zilai – executive director said: „Q” … “Was a huge task for the jury judging the high number of wines to give awards, medals of up to 30% of the wines entered in the competition.”

The VinAgora tournament welcomed wines from  Downunder (6 different Gatt wines receiving silver-and-bronz medals). Having a short chat with the representer at the Gatt table was as having a session about what is so unique of the Gatt wines. The young man told me the secret is in the Hallmark Barossa Shiraz‘s characteristic power and opulence origins from the vineyard  that grows in the heart of the Valley Sumptuous furthermore, the blackberry and Satsuma plum flavor on a long and generous palate with notes of licorice. Rodust structure and fine graphite tannins from 18 months in new American and French oak barrels.  He added saying it can be drink now or place it into a cellar for 15 yrs … oh well having to not have any cellar, so went for it on the spot and it was superb. 🙂

Not far from saying … Knowing the fact where Hungary geographically sits …  there is not any country in Europe where there is as much mineral hot water flowing under the ground … The Hungarian Gold!  Can be also be said … at the four corners of its territories has special soil which makes the vineyards  rich  and special tastes of wines, like nowhere else in Europe.   Heading back to the nineteen countries participating  at the international competition, three gold,  five silver medals and a special prizes was given this year to Uruguay’s Bodega Narbona winery Narbona Tannat Roble 2011 having the  title: “Country’s Best” … i.e.“The nation’s top wine”.  Not too much of a surprise,  the winemaker of Agrolaguna  from Croatia received three gold and three silver medals having in the competition twelve bottles of wines. In addition to the still white and red wines category, the entered bottles of champagne also received awards. Well recognised by the jury awarded with the Silver the  Aurora Brut Cardonnay – Serra Gaucha, from Brasil.

After the award ceremony …the tasting started … rolling around the long-and-wide tables, the invited media folks and shortly joining by the visitors having purchased their entry tickets, began the tasting show. The  floor was opened to the visitors from 2 p.m. till 8 p.m. where the estimated number of visitors throughout the day were around one thousand. During  the tasting at the same time with mainly the local wine makers anyone could have gone into a chat. They were curious to know by asking after tasting one-and-another wines, which one took the hook on them and then after they talked in-depth of that special year’s summer condition, the special soil of  the vineyard. Emphasizing the grapes scent and taste  dominant to the wine they are proud to present here at the VinAgora. Had to concentrate which are the wines preferring to taste, cause naturally even having a sip of couple and not all of the overall of 579 different wines which would have had been more than dangers!

Such competition is also a grand opportunity in learning the differences, whereabouts of a famous local and foreigner wine regions. They say in a competition there are always winners and losers. Here there were not any losers and most of all the visitors have had a chance to not just simply have a glass of wine but at the same time to know more about where it comes from and the manner it is produced and last but not least to meet the wine makers personally.

“VinAgora best Hungarian Type Wine” named “Olaszrizling” group by the Neszmély Szöllősi Winery. In 2011 “Melegeshegy Riesling” was awarded the prize and at the same time the winery was awarded as the “Most Successful Family Winery”  Five wines named after his family name has been awarded this year!  In 2013 “Rosé Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon”, “Merlot” and “Gamay” blending by the Rose Mundial at Cannes – France, also deserved gold award.

Another excellent rosé wine from the Hungarian wine cellar of  Eva Gálné Dignisz has released. In the year 2013 she won the award with her Pinot Noir Rosé 2013.,  as the “Winemaker of the Year”.

Update  and snaps by Aggie Reiter