Six wines and one champagne won the Debrecen City Wine 2023 title, the winners were selected from almost 360 wines from more than 60 wineries in 17 wine regions – the organizers told MTI on Wednesday after presenting the winning wines.
According to their information, the first round of judging at the wine competition was carried out by experts from the Debrecen Winery, and at the final wine tasting, a prestigious jury consisting of well-known personalities of the Hungarian wine industry and wine culture selected the winning items from 106 wines from 25 wineries in 9 wine regions.
István Puskás (Fidesz-KDNP), deputy mayor for culture in Debrecen, said at the results announcement on Wednesday that it is important for the city to promote wine culture. Although there is no famous wine region in the vicinity of the city, he recalled that Érmellék, now part of Romania, was once called the vineyard of Debrecen, and many citizens of Debrecen had vineyards and wine cellars there.
The wines of the city of Debrecen have been chosen every year since 2014, the winning products carry the recognition label for one year, and consumers can meet them in the offerings of several local restaurants in addition to the official gastronomic programs of the city, he explained.
Wine academician Pál Kovács, the originator of the competition, indicated that the Debrecen Város Bora 2023 title was also awarded to the entire wine range this year, i.e. top wines were named in seven categories: champagne, classic white and red, rosé, premium white and red, and sweet white.
Winning wines awarded the title Debrecen City Wine 2023: in the sparkling category, Koch Borászat’s 2020 vintage Chardonnay Brut sparkling wine (Hajós-Bajai Borvidék); in the classic category, the 2020 vintage Chardonnay ’20 wine of Sümegi Ákos Winery (Szekszárd Wine Region), the 2022 vintage Kékfrankos Rosé wine of Szentpéteri Winery (Kunsági Wine Region), and the 2018 vintage Grand Selection Egri Kékfrankos Superior wine of Varsányi Winery (Egri Wine region).
In the premium category, Sol Montis Borászat’s 2021 Italian Riesling wine (Mátra Wine Region) and Thummerer Pince’s 2018 Egri Syrah Superior Selection wine (Egri Wine Region) were the winners.
In the dessert category, Péter Pincészet’s 2017 vintage Tokaji 6 puttonyos aszú wine (Tokaji Borvidék) can wear the Debrecen City Wine 2023 award label.
Photo: János Miskolczi