Best of Budapest & Hungary

The National Hárslevelű Wine Competition took place on Friday, June 23, 2017. Wines from numerous wine regions in several categories were nominated for the competition.

   The results have shown once again that some level of residual sugar helps to bring out the best in Hárslevelű.  
The panels made up of experts and winemakers judged wines from Somló, Villány, Tokaj, Mátra, Lake Balaton, Bükk and of course from Eger and Debrő. Gold medals were awarded in all categories and also a high number of silver and bronze medals. The proud winner of this year’s Double Gold award is István Gecse with his sweet 2014 Debrői Hárslevelű. The unique climate, the various soil types and tradition all contribute to making Debrői Hárslevelű a special wine, typically in the off dry category, with rich fruit and strong character. The ripe grapes endow the wine with a complex nose and opulent fruit beautifully balanced by lively acidity.

„The Jury had their work cut out as there were so many top quality Hárslevelűs entered this year from all over the country ranging from dry to sweet”, said András Főczény, President of the Verpelét Appellation. „14 gold and a large number of silver and bronze medals were awarded and the Chairmen of the panels have all confirmed that the wines in the competiton showed a good level of consistency.”

„Thanks to the special microclimate Botrytis may be a wonderful gift of nature”, said István Gecse, whose 2014 sweet Debrői Hárslevelű has won the Double Gold award.

János Bolyki’s 2013 Meta Téma Harvest I, II and III wines have all won silver and gold medals. „I have entered three Hárslevelűs and all three has won some medal. The grapes come from the same plot, the 3,7 hectare Középbérc-vineyard and from the same vintage. The difference lies in the timing of the harvests. There were three harvests, one in the middle of October, one at the end of October and one at the beginning of November with correspondingly ascending residual sugar levels.”

The gold medals and special awards will be presented to the winemakers at 7 pm on Thursday, July 6 as a side event of the Eger Bull’s Blood Celebrations. Each year the festivities attract a large number of visitors to Eger so this event presents an excellent opportunity to draw the attention of wine lovers to Hárslevelű.