Veni, Vidi, Vinitaly - Hungarian wines were presented in Verona

From April 6–9, 2025, Hungary proudly participated in Vinitaly, Italy’s most prestigious wine trade fair, held in Verona. Represented under the national umbrella brand “Wines of Hungary”, the country showcased its diverse wine portfolio on the international stage. The centerpiece of Hungary’s presence was a striking 60-square-meter custom installation, located in Pavilion D within the "Vininternational" section of the fair. A total of 13 Hungarian wineries joined as co-exhibitors, presenting the richness and innovation of Hungarian winemaking to a global audience.

Breaking from previous formats, the Wines of Hungary team introduced a new concept at this year’s stand: a shared tasting zone replaced individual winery counters. Visitors could sample 44 different wines – 3 to 5 from each of the 13 participating producers – organized into five curated categories and presented in a self-service format. For those seeking deeper insight, Péter Blazsovszky, wine and gastronomy expert of the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency (MBÜ), was on hand to offer sommelier guidance. Four of the participating wineries also chose to attend in person, using the opportunity to promote their estates and wine regions directly, while building valuable business relationships with international buyers.

In addition to the communal tasting zone, a dedicated wine bar was set up to shine a spotlight on Hungary’s iconic sweet Tokaj wines. Visitors had the chance to explore the rich history, production methods, uniqueness, and modern styles of these world-renowned wines. Due to overwhelming interest, the originally planned three daily pop-up tastings were expanded to five or six sessions each day. These engaging events were also led by experts from the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency (MBÜ), offering visitors an in-depth and memorable tasting experience.

As in the previous year, the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency (MBÜ) once again seized the opportunity to host a prestigious session within the fair’s official Tasting Room Masterclass program. The highly anticipated presentation was led by Wojciech Bońkowski MW (read our previous interview with him here), and focused on Hungary’s exceptional volcanic wines. Selected Tokaj and Somló wines from the exhibiting wineries were featured during the session. Tickets for the 50-seat masterclass were sold separately – and despite the fee, it sold out in advance, reflecting the strong international interest in Hungary’s unique terroirs.

Based on feedback from attendees, Vinitaly 2025 proved to be a great success for Hungary’s wine sector. The openness and enthusiasm of the international audience toward Hungarian grape varieties and wine regions was truly heartwarming. Once again, it became clear that Furmint is one of today’s trendsetting keywords in the global wine conversation, while Tokaji Aszú continues to be regarded abroad as the crown jewel of Hungarian winemaking.