The Robin Hood of the Transylvanian forests

Interview with Zoltán Szövérdfi-Szép, the speaker of the Romanian masterclass
 
Zoltán Szövérdfi-Szép is one our jury members and he is the founder, the heart and the lungs of RoVinHud, a fabulous annual charity wine event in Timișoara / Temesvár, Romania. At Winelovers Wine Awards Zoltán will conduct a masterclass of Romanian wines – now he tells us what we can expect at the tasting. But he tells us more: he also explains the beginnings, how he raised enough money for the first bus for the disabled.
 

– So, what your masterclass will focus on?
– The masterclass will focus on the flagship variety of Romania: Fetească Neagră / Fekete Leányka, an old red variety which originates from the eastern part of the country, even though nice legends say that it would be an ancient Dacian domesticated grape, or it was the favorite wine of King Mátyás and originates from Transylvania, no evidence was found for these legends. I will try to show the different faces of the grape, different styles including the only one existing biodynamic Fetească Neagră! It will be an interesting line up with wines from the different parts of the country.

 
"It is still unbelievable"

Zoltán Szövérdfi-Szép – organising and pouring wines

Success story led by a lonely fighter

– Romanian wines are represented with the highest number at Winelovers Wine Awards. In the United Kingdom Romania is among the countries with the most sold wines (according to the survey by the Independent Wine Merchant). It seems that Romanian wineries are ambitious and they also put time and money into their export efforts. So can we say that it is a success story?
– We can say that the export strategy of Recas Winery is a success story. They represent more than 60% of the Romanian export and this is because Mr. Philip Cox, the co-owner and brain of the winery.
The producers are comfortable with the local market, because for the time being they can sell almost everything locally. But this period will end shortly, because the imports are growing and the prices of imported wines will push down the prices of local wines as well.  
 
– Tell us a few more words about your masterclass. Perhaps you have not put the wine list together completely, but I am sure you can mention some highlights. Why will this masterclass be unmissable?
– The pandemic showed us that nothing is unmissable in terms of wine and at certain point we have many other priorities. But Fetească Neagră is somehow a hidden gem, I am sure the audience hasn't had the occasion to taste a nice range of it. Of course, Balla Géza is a big star in Hungary and probably every wine consumer tasted at least once his Sziklabor Feketeleányka, which is a great wine, but there are so many more, with different styles to try.

Save the date of the 10th RoVinHud!

– Finally, back to RoVinHud: you have already announced the date of the jubilee event: 15–17 November, 2024. Do you have any speakers confirmed or any ideas to celebrate the 10th wine show?
– Of course, we have We have fixed the dates with Caro Maurer MW two years ago. 
We focus a lot on the quality of the event in the exhibition room and masterclass room as well. This is the reason why we invite our speakers at least one year earlier.
We already have 3 Masters of Wine confirmed and I am waiting for other answers as well.
And I am so grateful for all these amazing wine experts because they also work pro-bono in order to support our aim. After 2023, this year we raise again funds for the therapies of children with disabilities.
 
More information about RoVinHud