Balaton wine means Olaszrizling. That is why the work done by the organisers of GROW du Monde in organising this year's competition deserves all the praise. The international Olaszrizling competition and the movement it is based on were founded in 2021 by three wine writers: Hungarian Zoltán Győrffy, Croatian Saša Špiranec and Serbian Igor Luković.
"GROW du Monde is an international wine competition that brings together Olaszrizling, Graševina, Grašac beli, Laški rizling, Welschriesling, Ryzlink vlašský - everyone can name this great variety according to their preferences and traditions. Wine judges from all over the world are looking for the best and most authentic wines made from the grape variety that we, the founders and organisers, have believed in for a long time," say the organisers, summing up the mission of the wine competition.
The competition is hosted by a different country each year on a rotating basis, with Hungary hosting for the first time this year. The international jury evaluated 349 Olaszrizling wines from 7 countries in Balatonfüred. To do well in such a strong field of Olaszrizling is a great feeling, so when we heard that our 2023 Olaszrizling had won the gold medal, we were over the moon.
The grapes for our 2023 Olaszrizling come from the Szil region on the outskirts of Paloznak. The vineyard is young, just six years old, but our winery is young too, and as one of our first plantations it will grow and mature with us. The wine was fermented under reductive conditions, then 70% was aged in steel tanks and 30% in barrels.