REGISTRATION FOR CONSUMER TASTINGS

Over 150 sparkling, dry and sweet Furmint wines from 38 producers will be available to taste – some of which are seeking representation in the UK. Producers include Royal Tokaji, Szepsy, Barta, Patricius, Zsirai, Dereszla, Tokaj Hetszolo, Grand Tokaj, Disznoko, Tokaj Nobilis, SanzonTokaj, Pajzos, Gizella, Kolonics, Gilvesy, and this year, ten new producers will be in attendance showing Furmint (and a couple of their friends) from Tokaj, Somlo, Balaton and Eger wine regions.

London Tasting

Monday 21st February at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London EC2.
6pm-8:30pm

Edinburgh Tasting

Wednesday 23rd February at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ.
6pm-8:30pm

Furmint February is returning to the UK in 2022 and this year will include a tasting in Edinburgh as well as London.

Following on from their great success promoting Hungary’s flagship grape variety over the last few years, Wines of Hungary UK will be organising a series of activities this February to increase awareness of Furmint amongst the trade and consumers in the UK.

London Tasting

Monday 21^st February at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London EC2.

Over 150 sparkling, dry and sweet Furmint wines from 35 producers will be available to taste – some of which are seeking representation in the UK. Producers include Royal Tokaji, Szepsy, Barta, Patricius, Zsirai, Dereszla, Tokaj Hetszolo, Grand Tokaj, Disznoko, Tokaj Nobilis, Sanzon Tokaj, Pajzos, Gizella, Kolonics and Gilvesy.  This year, ten new producers will be in attendance showing Furmint (and a couple of their friends) from Tokaj, Somlo, Balaton and Eger wine regions.

Two masterclasses will take place:

• Furmint and Terroir, focus on single vineyards – Dr Caroline Gilby MW;
• Sparkling Furmint, introducing Furmint bubbles – Dr Orsi Szentkiralyi

To keep numbers COVID-safe, Wines of Hungary will hold two sessions (with a maximum number at each) and encourage members of the trade and media to register in advance for a specific session:

Session 1: 11am-2pm

Click here

Session 2: 2.30-5.30pm

Click Here

Tasting book

Edinburgh Tasting

Wednesday 23^rd February at Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ from 1-5.30pm

Over 80 sparkling, dry and sweet Furmint wines from 20 producers will be available to taste. Producers include Royal Tokaji, Sauska, Pajzos, Zsirai, Barta, Disznoko, Tokaj Oremus, TR Wines, Kolonics and, Gilvesy.

One masterclass will take place:

• 2pm – The Many Faces of Furmint – Caroline Gilby MW and Rose Murray Brown MW

Members of the trade and media can sign up at: https://wineeventsscotland.co.uk/events/trade-tasting-furmint/

Tasting book

Caroline Gilby MW says, “Furmint has been building a reputation over recent years as the next big thing among white grapes – for its amazing versatility and quality in both sweet wines and a new generation of dry wines. Furmint February 2022 aims to take a deeper dive into exploring Furmint’s ability to reflect a real sense of place. The best producers have moved beyond simply making good, clean wine towards expressing the complex volcanic soils of Tokaj and beyond in genuinely exciting single vineyard selections. There will also be a guest spot for the relatively new category of Furmint-based sparkling wines. Furmint’s relatively neutral aromatics, along with its vibrant, lively acidity, offer great raw material for fantastic bottle-fermented wines – well worth a taste.”

Throughout February, bars, restaurants and retailers will be encouraged to put Furmint in the spotlight, motivating customers to try the wines and learn more about Hungary’s flagship grape variety.  The most successful will have the opportunity to win a trip to Tokaj.

Those who demonstrate increased listings and promotional activities organised by their partners, could win a three-day trip to Hungary for three people. Participants need to send their application demonstrating the number of new listings, by the glass or any other promotional offers executed during February-March through their importer/distributor partners. The best importer/distributor wins a trip to Tokaj for their best performing partners (3 people/2 nights). The winner will be announced in end April by Wines of Hungary UK.

Zsuzsa Toronyi, Wines of Hungary UK says, “Our Furmint February activities have always been incredibly well received in the UK. After having to organise a virtual Furmint February experience in 2021, we are very excited to be able organise an in person tasting again this year and we’re delighted to be hosting an event in Edinburgh for the first time so that even more wine enthusiasts across the UK can try the wines. We’re making sure we have lots of measures in place to make the events as safe as we can in the current climate, including timed sessions, reduced numbers at masterclasses and testing for our winemakers. We can’t wait to shine a light on Furmint once again.”

Visit www.furmintfebruary.co.uk for more details and join in the conversation on social media throughout February using #furmintfebruary22

 FOCUS ON SINGLE VINEYARD AND SPARKLING FURMINTS

Furmint February is a campaign launched by Wines of Hungary UK in the United Kingdom which aims to celebrate and increase awareness of Hungary’s flagship varietal during the whole of February.

Born out of a highly successful and established promotion in Hungary which has been running for over 10 years, Wines of Hungary UK is celebrating Furmint with wine trade and wine lovers in the United Kingdom for the fourth time in 2022.

Caroline Gilby MW says, “Furmint has been building a reputation over recent years as the next big thing among white grapes – for its amazing versatility and quality in both sweet wines and a new generation of dry wines.

Furmint February 2022 aims to take a deeper dive into exploring Furmint’s ability to reflect a real sense of place. The best producers have moved beyond simply making good, clean wine towards expressing the complex volcanic soils of Tokaj and beyond in genuinely exciting single vineyard selections. There will also be a guest spot for the relatively new category of Furmint-based sparkling wines. Furmint’s relatively neutral aromatics, along with its vibrant, lively acidity, offer great raw material for fantastic bottle-fermented wines – well worth a taste.”

Throughout the month of February, importers and retailers are putting Furmint in the spotlight as they embark on activities such as tastings, dinners, and special offers, all designed to help wine lovers in the UK taste and learn more about this grape variety.

Calling importers/distributors to encourage sommeliers and wine buyers across the On and Off trade

Throughout February – March period, bars, restaurants and retailers are being encouraged to put Furmint in the spotlight through a series of tastings, dinners and special offers, all designed to help wine lovers to taste and learn more about Hungary’s most famous grape variety.

Wines of Hungary UK encourages importers, distributors to work together with on and off trade partners in February-March period to support Furmint listings and drive sales.

Execute sales support promotion aligned with winery in March- April 2022.

• Free stock, listing fee, promotional price (align with agency on the free stock and financials support)
• Encourage sommeliers, independents to work with the wines, put on menu, offer by the glass, organize tastings
• Participate in the Tokaj trip incentive via providing information to WOH UK about the new listings, promotion executions by partners

The importer/distributor can win the main prize: a Trip to Tokaj – the best importer/distributor wins a trip to Tokaj for their selected partners (3 person/2 nights)