The largest number of lots to date will go under the hammer at the Confrérie de Tokaj’s Great Tokaj Wine Auction
on 21st April 2018. Excitement will be palpable in the historic building that stages one of the Tokaj Wine Region’s
most prestigious events.
At the press conference on Thursday 22nd February at the Gerbeaud Atrium, Budapest, where the Confrérie
presented this year’s Auction wines to the press, it was noted that wines offered at the Auction are not otherwise
available on the market.
Record number of wines, record estimates
Member of the Confrérie de Tokaj Board, Laurent Comas said, “A record number of 31 wines from 24 producers with
a total estimate of 70 million Hungarian forints (over €225 000) will go up at the Auction. Dry lots are a Gönci barrel
(136 l), sweet wines as one or a half Gönci barrel (136 l, 68 l) and Eszencia as 10 litres.” All lots are bottled and
labelled for the buyer.
The 2017 vintage promises exceptional quality
As in previous years auction lots are selected by the expert wine tasting committee: Gabriella Mészáros,
international wine educator, and Ronn Wiegand, one of the world’s very few Master of Wine and Master Sommelier.
Gabriella Mészáros said, “This year we had significantly more wines to choose from, and those that made it onto the
Auction list were tasted on several occasions. Potential buyers can bid for fresh barrel lots as well as a smaller
number of bottled wines.” She added, “The 2017 vintage brings us exceptional quality in both dry and sweet wines.”
The Auction becomes an international event
Collectors, wine merchants and restaurant owners from Hungary and around the world are all among the bidders at
the Auction. Increasing the number of participants outside Hungary is a goal, as Samuel Tinon, vice-president of the
Confrérie, noted. In the last six months the Confrérie has presented wines and the historic wine region in several
cities (London, New York, Washington and Warsaw). In addition, this is the first occasion when members and guests
at the 67 Pall Mall wine club can join in the action live and bid from the comfort of the exclusive London club. The
next step is for a similar live link in the USA next year.
The Great Tokaj Wine Auction is not a goal in itself but a tool
Laurent Comas highlighted that the Auction supports the international renown of Tokaji wines and brand building,
and that it has become a leading event in the region.
The aim of the Auction is that the income support the development of the Tokaj Wine Region, so the Confrérie de
Tokaj is able to realise independent projects for which financing is difficult or impossible to procure: wine study
scholarships, local development and solutions to promote wine tourism in the historic wine region.
Three-days insight into the Tokaj Wine Region with the winemakers
Tokaj Spring, the three-day event around the Auction which includes wine and gala dinners, blind tasting of Auction
lots, concerts, castle visit and intronization of new members takes place the weekend of 20th to 22nd April in the
Tokaj Wine Region, Hungary. More information about the Confrérie de Tokaj, plus details about accompanying
events and wines available at Auction can be found at www.tokajiborlovagrend.hu/en/