The 2017 International Final of the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition will be hosted in Budapest by the Bailliage of Hungary on September 29th and 30th within a Grand Chapitre programme commencing on Thursday, September 28th and concluding on Sunday, October 1st.

Hungarian wine has a history dating back to Roman times. After the Ottoman Empire ceded Hungary to Austria in 1699, the Germanic influence was felt with the introduction of grape varieties such as Blauer Portugieser. That influence was evident in 1730 with the start of the world’s first vineyard classification in Tokaj, based on soil, aspect and propensity to noble rot.

The phylloxera epidemic at the end of the 19th century hit Hungary hard. Traditional varieties were replaced and whilst the next century saw the introduction of modern grapes which were easier to grow and to vinify, since 1989 there has been renewed interest in the traditional varieties and considerable new investment, particularly in Tokaj-Hegyalja. Today, therefore, Hungarian winemakers use all sorts of exciting, unusual grape varieties to make their wines.

To soak up this history and see first-hand the modern day developments, the young sommeliers chosen to represent their respective national Bailliages will be taken to Tokaj on the Thursday for an educational tour. In a change from previous years, the preliminary rounds of the competition will be held on the Friday, September 29th, with the Final to place the three winners being held on the morning of Saturday 30th. As usual this Final will be open to members and guests wishing to watch the event.

The Awards & Induction Ceremony will be part of a Grand Gala Evening on the Saturday. The evening will include the Bailliage of Hungary’s Induction Ceremony and the Gala Dinner to celebrate the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition and the culmination of the Grand Chapitre.

Hungary has a long tradition of winemaking making it an ideal location for the event. The Competition Committee, with the approval of the International Board, is therefore delighted that Bailli Délégué Iván Novák and his team are enthusiastically looking forward to welcoming the 2017 International Final to Budapest.

Marie Jones
International Vice President
Member of the International Jeunes Sommeliers Competition Committee