Hungarian Wine Summit 2024: Uncorking excellence – Exclusive PHOTO REPORT

Earlier this week, Daily News Hungary received an exclusive invitation to the grand opening of the Hungarian Wine Summit 2024, organised by the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency. The Hungarian Wine Summit epitomises an unparalleled wine event in Hungary, drawing and connecting not only local wine enthusiasts but also key figures of the domestic and international wine scene and the B2B wine market. Held from the 21st to the 25th of April, the summit offers attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hungary’s rich wine culture through nine comprehensive masterclasses and a three-day study tour to explore the most esteemed wine regions of the country.

The opening day of the Hungarian Wine Summit 2024 at Millenáris Park kicked off with the organisers’ captivating speech, expressing that these times signify the true golden age and opportunities for Hungarian wine. In a reflective tone, the sentiment echoed the troubled past of Hungary, emphasising the appreciation for the present freedom, allowing Hungarian winemakers to expand their businesses, learn new techniques to perfect their winemaking process and reach potential customers from all corners of the globe.

Celebrating Hungarian wine heritage

Pál Rókusfalvy, the Government Commissioner of National Wine Marketing, warmly welcomed the attendees and informed them about the schedule of the opening day’s three unique masterclasses, during which wine enthusiasts would get the chance to acquaint themselves with the finest Hungarian wines from the country’s 22 wine districts. Rókusfalvy emphasised that

“for Hungarians, wine signifies much more than a simple marketable product; it’s a cultural value that preserves and transmits traditions, forming part of the Hungarian historical identity”.

Moreover, he highlighted the praise Hungarian wine has received throughout history from influential figures such as Goethe, Voltaire, Beethoven, Thomas Jefferson and most recently, Pope Francis, who gave his apostolic blessing to Tokaj and Hungarian wine in general last Christmas.

Rókusfalvy concluded his speech by wishing the participants an unforgettable time during the upcoming 3-day study tour. The four parallel study tours in different wine regions included visits to Tokaj, Eger,Etyek, Buda, Szekszárd, Villány and Balaton. The commissioner also expressed his hopes that the Hungarian Wine Summit will become one the most renowned and anticipated events in the international wine calendar.

A taste of Hungarian excellence

After the opening address, the audience, including the representatives of Daily News Hungary, was invited to take part in the first masterclass, which included the introduction and sampling of 6 Hungarian All-Stars:

• Magnum Brut NV from Sauska Winery – An elegant and fruity white wine with floral freshness and toasty notes of pistachio and hazelnut
• Tokaj Furmint Szent Tamás by Balassa Bor – A refined, complex dry white wine with a mineral undertone
• Agapé Nagy-Eged-hegy dűlő Egri Bikavér Grand Superior 2018 – A fantastic red wine with red berries and flowers (rose, hibiscus). Medium-large body and extremely fine tannins.
• Figula Köves 2022 from Figula Winery –  An Italian Riesling-dominated white wine with bold aromas of herbs and citrus fruits and a crispy minerality, designed for decades.
• Szent Tamás aszú 6 puttonyos by Royal Tokaji – A harmonious yet robust volcanic white wine. Its aroma is dominated by apricot and flower honey, combined with a beautiful acid backbone.
• Bock Villányi Franc Essencia 2020 by Bock Estate – A medium-deep dry red wine with soft tannins. Characterised by warm spiciness, ripe blackberries and black cherries, with cloves, cardamom and cinnamon in the long aftertaste.

During the first masterclass, esteemed Hungarian wine educators introduced the key aspects of Hungarian wine production and consumption to the international audience. They discussed the country’s flagship varieties and styles, the six wine regions in the 22 wine districts in the country, the total of 414,000 tonnes of grapes harvested in Hungary annually and the 2.9 million hectolitres of wine produced in Hungary in 2023. As we learned, out of this, 70% was white wine, 20% red wine and 10% rosé. The speakers also touched on the unique structure of the Hungarian wine sector, which comprises more than 12,000 wineries of varying sizes.

The educators also mentioned the 1.27 million hectolitres of Hungarian wine exported all around the world, and the top three countries that appreciate Hungarian wine the most: Slovakia, Germany and the Czech Republic. They highlighted how the continental climate and the silica-enriched, and in some regions, volcanic soil are perfect for wine production, concluding that Hungary is situated in a truly fortunate geographic location in terms of wine production.

A journey into Hungarian viticulture

During the breaks between the three masterclasses, the audience had the chance to engage, forge friendships and professional connections as well as check out unique innovative installations related to wine and winemaking. For instance, one installation allowed visitors to listen to the sound of the Hungarian vineyards, created by monitoring the electrical signals emitted by grapevines, which were then converted into music.

Another installation featured several different types of volcaniclastic rocks from Badacsony, Somló and Tokaj, Hungary’s most famous wine regions. Furthermore, visitors could sample the distinctive scents of three exciting grape varieties, Furmint, Blue Frankish and Italian Riesling, encapsulated in tiny glasses. There was also a small fair with a handful of booths offering handmade wine-related products and traditional Hungarian sausages.

In conclusion, the Hungarian Wine Summit 2024’s opening day was a resounding success, leaving attendees eager for the rest of the event, where they would continue to uncover the richness and diversity of Hungarian wine culture. Daily News Hungary believes this summit truly cements Hungary’s position as a key player in the Central and Eastern European wine scene.

To get a further glimpse into the opening day of the Hungarian Wine Summit 2024, we invite you to explore the gallery below:

• Learn about the 5 most magnificent historical wine regions in Hungary HERE.
• News of the Hungarian wines has reached overseas – find out which Hungarian wine made it to the top 10 New York Times list!