Winelovers Wine Awards results annunced!

The 5th edition of Winelovers Wine Awards broke another record: 1,161 entries were received from 15 countries! With this number of entries Winelovers Wine Awards have become the largest international wine contest held in Hungary, again.
 

"By bringing together an international panel of wine professionals, the competition celebrates excellence through rigorous blind tasting while fostering collaboration, friendship, and the exchange of knowledge across the global wine community.  Surrounded by passionate producers, fellow judges, and the rich traditions of Hungarian wine, was an inspiring experience that highlighted both the remarkable quality of the wines and the vibrant spirit of Hungary's wine culture.")
Joan Harnish jury member (US / Spain)

Joan Harnish at the tasting

Some more figures
– 57 jury members from 19 countries
– 201 gold medals, only 6 grand gold medals (this latter one from 95 points)
– The most white entries: Furmint (56 entries), the second most: Olaszrizling (43 entries)
– The most red entries: Kékfrankos (47 entries)
– The country with the highest average scores: Austria
 
Best of countries 
(countries with significant number if entries)
Best of Austria: Winery Schneeweiss – Riesling Smaragd Ried Steinriegl DAC 2022, Wachau
Best of France: Champagne Brimoncourt – Extra Brut NV, Champagne
Best of Hungary: Matyisák Winery and Cooperage – Tokaji Eszencia 2004, Tokaj
Best of Italy: Compagnia Siciliana 1921 – Compagnia Siciliana 1921 Real Academia 2020, Sicily
Best of Romania: Balla Géza – Sziklabor Feketeleányka–Cabernet Franc 2019, Ménes
Best of Slovakia: Csernus Winery & Vineyards – Rhine Riesling, 2025, Ipolynyék
Best of Spain: El Vinculo – Alejairen Crianza, 2023, Tierra de Castilla y La Mancha


"The best part of the competition was how well organized it was. Wines came out timely and the staff was well trained. It really helps the judges focus on the task on hand. The quality of the wines overall was quite high."
Matthew Citriglia Master Sommelier jury member, US
 
Matthew Citriglia MS at the tasting with Jonas Rögerman MW on the right

Best of Grape Varieties
Best of Furmint: Szűcs – Patócs 2022, Tokaj, Hungary
Best of Hárslevelű: Sanzon Tokaj – Rány Hárslevelű 2021, Tokaj, Hungary
Best of Olaszrizling: Kreinbacher – Olaszrizling Selection 2022, Somló, Hungary
Best of Rhine Riesling: Csernus Winery & Vineyards – Rajnai Rizling 2025, Slovakia
Best of Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris): Éliás – Napról Napra Pinot Grigio 2025, Badacsony, Hungary
Best of Sárgamuskotály: Holdvölgy – Intuition No2 2024, Tokaj, Hungary
Best of Zöldveltelini (Grüner Veltliner): Weingut FJ Gritsch – Grüner Veltliner Singerriedel 2025, Austria
Best of Chardonnay: Cramele Recas – The New Chardonnay 2024, Romania
Best of Sauvignon Blanc: Misty Cove Wines – Misty Cove Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough, New Zealand
Best of Kékfrankos: Steigler –  Spern Steiner Bio Kékfrankos 2022, Sopron, Hungary
Best of Kadarka: Káldi Wine – Kadarek 2024, Szekszárd, Hungary
Best of Pinot Noir: Etyeki Kúria – Pinot Noir Selection 2022
Best of Merlot: Günzer Tamás – Bocor Grandior Merlot 2023, Villány, Hungary
Best of Cabernet Franc: Bock – Essencia 2021, Villány, Hungary
Best of Cabernet Sauvignon: Jammertal – Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Villány, Hungary
Best of Syrah: Czakó – Shiraz 2024, Etyek, Hungary
 
Grand Gold medal winners
Matyisák Cellar and Cooperage – Tokaji Eszencia, 2004, Tokaj, Hungary
Matyisák Cellar and Cooperage – Tokaji Eszencia, 2016, Tokaj, Hungary
Winery Schneeweiss – Riesling Smaragd Ried Steinriegl DAC, 2022, Wachau, Austria
Chateau Dereszla – Chateau Dereszla 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú, 2019, Tokaj, Hungary
Grand Tokaj – Gloria 5 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú, 2019, Tokaj, Hungary
Csernus Winery & Vineyards – Rhine Riesling, 2025, Hungary
 
SEE ALL 2026 RESULTS HERE
 
Taste the 100 best Hungarian wines in September at Winelovers Top 100 grand tasting!
Date and time: 26 September 2026, 14.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest
More information here