Jury

Winemaker

I graduated as a food engineer at the Corvinus University of Budapest in 2008. I worked at Vincze Winery, The Gróf Buttler Winery, and since 2016 I have been working as one of the wine managers of Ostoros wine.

doc SPU Nitra

He worked in two Slovak wine companies in a senior position. It has successfully participated in the transposition of EU regulations in the field of viticulture and winemaking into the national legislation of the Slovak Republic. Professor of viticulture and viticulture at the Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering of the SPU Nitra. Author of the Winery and Sommelier book.

Balla Géza Pincészet - Sales Representative

Laboratory technician at Géza Balla Winery. WSET intermediate wine knowledge course.

Independent expert - dipWSET

Wine consultant and sommelier in Moscow. Diploma WSET holder, Austrian Weinakademiker and current student in the Institute of Masters of Wine. From 2015 she is Italian Wine Ambassador in Russia and judge at Vinitaly 5StarWines international wine competition.

Wiengut Anselmann - Owner, winemaker

Born into a winemaker family in 1965, he has been surrounded by the world of viticulture and wine since birth. He graduated from Stuttgart University with a master's degree in agriculture and viticulture. In 2010, the German Agricultural Association was awarded the title of Wine Maker of the Year. The 125-hectare Anselmann estate is located in the southern part of the Rhineland-Palatinate, near the village of Edesheim. In 2010, the wine estate was awarded the 'Federal Prize of Honor' by the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Babiczki Wine Kft. - Owner, winemaker

Head of Unit

I was born in a valley famous for its white wine: Verdicchio in Marche region. I am a winemaker graduated in Bordeaux. After working in the wine production for many years, I joined the OIV in 2011 and I am actually the Head of Unit of the Enology commission.

Mendel University in Brno - Head of department

Leader of wine courses for the National oenology centre and the Wine academy in the Czech Republic. Training and selection of wine tasters in the Czech Republic according to the standard O.I.V. .Taster of several national and international wine competitions in the Czech Republic and abroad (Vino Ljubljana, VinAgora, Master Tasting AWC Vienna, Oenoforum, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, IceWine du Monde).

Szabó Pince - Oenologist

He graduated from Corvinus University of Budapest in 2012 as a horticultural engineer, majoring in viticulture. He spent his semester at the Research Institute of Viticulture and Enology of the University of Pécs. Since 2013, he has been a winemaker and winemaker at the Szabó family winery in Croatia. As a winemaker, his goal is to make quality wines that express the uniqueness of the South Baranya production area.

SC Wine Princess SRL - Owner

He graduated in 1984 from the Viticulture Department of the University of Horticulture, Cluj-Napoca. Since then he has been an engineer, then chief winemaker and CEO of the State Farm and Vineyard of Peach. In 1999 he established his own viticulture and wine business Wine Princess Kft. Since 2008 he has been the associate professor of the Department of Viticulture and Wine at the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Marosvásárhely. He has been a member of the Hungarian Wine Academy since 2004 and has been selected as the first Hungarian producer to be a member of the Pannon Bormíves Guild. In 2018 he was awarded the "Wine Producer of the Year in Hungary" by the Hungarian Wine Academy.

Taste Hungary - Co-Founder & Writer

Carolyn is one of Taste Hungary's co-founders, and also a food and travel writer who has authored two culinary guidebooks to Hungary. After spending years researching and writing her books—Food Wine Budapest (Little Bookroom) and the Food and Wine Lover’s Guide to Hungary: With Budapest Restaurants and Trips to the Wine Country (Park Kiadó)—Carolyn and Gábor founded Taste Hungary in 2008 with the intention of sharing their passion for Hungarian food and wine with like-minded travelers who seek to experience the region’s authentic flavors and experiences. Carolyn has also written for dozens of international magazines and newspapers, including: Saveur, Explore Parts Unknown, Afar, CNN.com, Frommer’s, Gourmet, Gastronomica, Olive, and The Globe & Mail. Carolyn studied journalism at NYU, holds a culinary school degree, and is currently working on her WSET Diploma. She is a member of the Global Food Tourism Association and the Confrérie de Tokaj (the Tokaj Wine Guild). Carolyn is a mom of three, and she never tires of exploring Budapest, traveling, and dreaming up new food tours.

Garamvári Szőlőbirtok - Chief winemaker, executive

I run the Balatonlelle winery of the Garamvár Vineyard, where we make wines and sparkling base wines from the produce of 85 hectares of vineyards. Every year is another challenge, as well as another opportunity to try to show as much as possible in our wines and champagnes about the characteristics of the grape variety, place of production and vintage.

NÉBIH - Head of Department

Deputy Head of the Directorate of Wine and Alcoholic Beverages at NÉBIH. He has been engaged in organoleptic wine analysis for 20 years, and is a qualified wine jugde. He is the secretary of the National Wine Expert Committee since 2013.

Auchan - Procurement director

I have been working in domestic retail for 25 years, and I have also been dealing with wine procurement for 13 years. I regularly give lectures for wine regions about the development and trends of the wine trade. In addition, I participate in wine competitions in the wine region as a wine judge. I am credited with the development of several private label wines.

Erdővég-Csohota Farm - Managing director

István borned at the Kárpátalja region on Nagymuzsay. He is the managing director of the viticulture and winemaking section of the "Erdővég-Csohota" family farm which was established in 1993. He is the president of the Hungarian Winemakers of Kárpátalja Association.

Brazilian Enology Association - Director

Winemaker of the Maison Forestier. Director of the Brazilian Enology Association since 2010. President of the 5th and 6th Brazilian International Wine Competition. Judge in several international competitions.

Entrepreneur

Viticultural engineer, owner of pincefalvak.hu, instructor of the Central European Wine Institute.

Scientist

Member of National Wine Expert Panell 1996 -2012 and member of International Wine Competition Juries

Borbély Családi Pincészet - Winemaker, owner

A second generation winemaker, he was raised to love and respect grapes and wine. With their wines, they have achieved great success at various national and international wine competitions. He is a member of the Vinum Vulcanum Badacsony Wine Knighthood and their winery is a member of the Badacsony Wine Association and the Tourist Association. Between 2012 and 2019 he was among the 5 nominees for the Wine Producer of the Year. Since 2013 he has been the chairman of the Badacsony Wine Region Mountain Community Council and a delegate of the wine region to the National Council of the Mountain Community. 2018 Farmer of the Year Award Young Farmer. From 2019, member of the National Wine Expert Committee.

WineMag.it - Editor in chief

Editor in chief of WineMag.it, italian online wine journal. Wine selector of vinoungherese.it, leader of Hungarian wine import in Italy.

ARGEA MONDO DEL VINO S.P.A - Plant Director

I’m Oenologist, I worked a long time in a big company as sparkling wine production manager. After 31 Years I decided to have new experiences in others cellars to improve my knowledge about red and white wines. I worked In private or cooperative cellars as Production Director and since march of 2022 I’ m a Plant Director in Mondodelvino s.p.a.

Winemaker

I am a member of the third generation of Bujdosó Winery. As a young "wing-spreading" winemaker, I am trying to gain experience and shape my taste during foreign harvests for the time being.

NÉBIH BAII - Analyst

MOVINO, spol. s r.o. - Production Manager

He is currently the President of the Association of Slovak Winegrowers and Winemakers, as well as the Production Director and Consultant of MOVINO Veľký Krtíš. The company farms 240 hectares of vineyards and sells about 2.5 million liters of wine. He is also a member of the Wine Qualification Committee of the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Grand Cru, s.r.o - Owner

Pavel graduated in 1995 of the Mendel University in Brno. From 1999 he is the owner of the Grand cru s.r.o. In 2009, he was already the winemaker of the year in the Czech Republic. Furthermore he takes place as an independent judge at many international wine competitions.

Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg - Konzultáns

Works at MONDIAL DES VINS BLANCS Strasbourg France, at the Congress Centre. She is also Judge-Expert at numerous international wine competitions under the Patronage of the OIV and VINOFED. Specialist oeno-events in Alsace. Member of the Association of Sommeliers in Alsace.

Diploma in wine tasting

I have worked in the wine sector for almost two decades (champagne production using the traditional method), from a laboratory manager position to a plant engineer position. I have been a graduate, certified wine taster since 1985 (certificate of the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Food). I regularly judge at the “Transylvanian Vineyard” wine competition, at the Carpathian Basin Wine Competition, at the MUNDUS wine competition, and at many local and county wine competitions in Romania.

Wine Treasury Ltd. - Managing Director

Ágnes Herczeg is an economist, an internationally recognized wine expert and consultant. He has been actively involved in wines since 2000. He earned his WSET Diploma in London in 2010 and the WSET Certified Educator title later this year, followed by the Fine and Rare Wine Specialist title in 2011. In 2015, she was named Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2019, she won the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition) Future 50 awards. Ágnes founded her consulting company in 2007, and her clients include Lidl Hungary, of which she is a wine strategy consultant and brand ambassador, but also a wine strategy consultant for several Hungarian companies and wineries. He is a judge of the Decanter World Wine Award and the International Wine Challenge.

FOOD & WINE - Editor-in-Chief, owner

Editor-in-chief of FOOD & WINE, gastronomic expert, author of wine and gastronomic articles, editor. Among other things, he is the author of the Borigo wine magazine. Co-host of the gastronomic program of Forbidden Radio. He is a regular participant and expert in gastronomic TV tests and programs. Foodstylist for foreign films and series. Winner of the Best of Budapest "Blogger of the Year" award. He is a "Par Excellence" award-winning wine expert of the Hungarian Sommelier Association.

TAJNA s.r.o - Production manager

He teaches at the Slovak University of Agriculture. He is also the head winemaker of the TAJNA s.r.o winery and makes his own wine. He is a regular member of the jury at both international and Slovak wine competitions.

ALESIA CONSULT EXPERIENCE OENOLOGY - Director general

Béatrice Da Ros is a French oenologist, a former President of the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits competitions (VINOFED). Former Chief executive officer of “L’Union des Oenologues de France” (French Oenologists Union), who participated in the creation of the international wine competitions organized by “EURL Œnologues de France” (Vinalies Internationales, Mondial du Rosé), while acting as a consultant providing tailored Oenology Experience, is still a member of the International Federation of Wine and Spirit Journalist and Writers (FIJEV) and an expert for the two OIV think tanks on Consumer Right & Information and Vitinicultural, training & education.

INAVI - Consultant

Winemaker Agronomist, Uruguayan Wine Institute Advisor, Winemaker Consultant

Faktor Kft. Fritz Borház - Cellar manager, oenologist

He graduated as a viticultural engineer in Kecskemét in 2004. He has been working in the Szekszárd wine region since 2007 as a winery manager. He has been strengthening the Fritz Borház team in Szekszárd since 2014. The biggest professional success was that in 2019, based on the results of domestic and international wine competitions, one of the most successful wineries in the Pannonian wine region became the Fritz Wine House, and in the same year it was chosen by the Szekszárd Winemakers' Guild.

MTA - Consultant

DiplWset, international wine academician, member of the Hungarian Wine Academy, board member of the Association of International Wine Academics, economist, economic director in civilian life. Passionate wine taster, judge atnational and international competitions.

Vienna DC a.s. - Chateau Rúbaň - Winemaker

I have been a winemaker since I was a child, I used to be the chief winemaker of ELSKO, now I am the chief winemaker of Chateau Ruban. As an international wine judge, I travel and taste a lot, and I usually attend the tastings of the Slovak Quality Control Office and I am also a member of the organization.

Rád-Vin Kft. / Podmaniczky Vineyard and Cellar - Estate manager, winemaker

I gained my experience mainly in large wineries (Varga Pincészet Kft., Törley Pezsgőpincészet Kft., Ital Magyarország Kft. / Bognár Pincészet). I spent my internships abroad in Austria, South Africa and the USA. I am currently working as a property manager on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, in Rádpuszta. I also contribute organically to our family winery. I earned my WSET Level3 qualification in 2015.

Champagne Louis Roederer - Responsable de visites

VINALMA s.r.o. - Director

Oenologist, wine consultant, wine merchant. Partner and commercial director of VINALMA, s.r.o., focused on import and distribution of fine wines and promotion and export of Slovakian wines Ambassador and jury member of many prestigious national and international wine competitions (e.g. Vinalies Internationales Paris, Mondial du Rosé Cannes, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Les Citadelles du Vin Bordeaux), panel president (Bacchus IWC Madrid, Premios Zarcillo IWC Burgos, Mondial des Pinots Sierre, Les Grands Concours des Vins du Monde Strasbourg, Sélections des Vins Canada Québec, Prague Wine Trophy, The Winemaker of the Year of the Czech Republic, Vino y Mujer and Premios Zarzillo Spain ) Director & chief oenologist of the Vino SAV (Wine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences wine selection) Director & Ambassador of the Danube Wine Challenge IWC

Dúzsi Winery - Winemaker

After the Soós István Wine and Champagne Industry Technical School, he studied geography first in Pécs and then viticulture and winemaking in Geisenheim. Bence contributes primarily to the success and growth of the business in the viticulture and winemaking management of the cellar. It thus plays a very important role in the renewal of the winery. He has converted some of our areas to organic cultivation, making more and more spontaneously fermented batches on an experimental basis.

Dúzsi Tamás és Családja Pincészete - Oenologist

He studied viticulture and oenology in Budapest, Geisenheim, Montpellier, Bordeaux and Lisbon. He has been a member of the National Wine Expert Committee since 2013. In addition, he strengthens the presidency of the Hungarian Foreign Economic Association. He has been judging at several international wine competitions since 2013.

DJK Consulting - Manager

Viticulturist, winemaker engineer. Founder of the Balaton Uplands Pántlika winery, owner and chief winemaker until 1996. He is the founder and Chief Justice of the Order of the Seven Wine Judges. Wine teacher, wine expert.

Editor of Pécsi Borozó

The editor of the Pécs Wine Bar, the editor-in-chief of winesofa in English, the host of the wine YouTube channel Lecsengés, is a journalist. He is a regular participant in several major international wine competitions and a member of FIJEV. He is an external author of countless wine magazines, travel and history, geography, and arts newspapers.

Cote Rocheuse - Executive director

Leonid Fadeev is a wine judge, Stage 2 MW student, WSET/IWSC “The Future 50 Awards” winner, Weinakademiker, DipWSET and WorldSom Magister Sommelier. He is a highly proficient wine expert who strove to gain wine education in Europe and continues to work hard on this. He began his wine career in March 2013 when he was tasked with running a vine growing and winemaking start-up in the south of Russia (Anapa, Krasnodar region). In February 2021, he founded his own consultancy agency — Vine&Wine Consulting. Currently he is steadfastly developing the company whilst continuing his wine education.

SIMONIT & SIRCH - Vine Master Pruners - Consultant

I graduated as a winemaker at the Corvinus University of Budapest, while I worked as a sommelier at the Kistücsök Restaurant in Balatonszemes. After my university years, I mastered the unique pruning technique with the team of SIMONIT & SIRCH pruning masters in Italy. I also work for a representative of an international company in Italy, Austria, Germany and South Africa. In 2021, the trainings in Hungary were also implemented.

Estación Enológica de Castilla y León - Director

Technical manager of the Enological Station of Castilla y León. Professor at the Department of Analytical Chemistry of the Superior School of Agricultural Engineering of Palencia belonging to the University of Valladolid. Director of the International Wine Tasting Premios Zarcillo. Member of the Group of Experts on Methods of Analysis in the O.I.V. Member of the Interministerial Committee for the Review of Wine and Derivatives Analysis Methods.

Transfiguratio Cella Vinaria - Owner

He cultivates a family estate of more than three centuries in the Old Town of Zala Wine Region. Cca. He makes 10,000 bottles of wine, tasting them at a table for 12 people in the spirit of wine culture.

Frittmann Testvérek Kft. - Managing director, winemaker

In 1982, as a private individual, he started viticulture and winemaking in the family vineyard and cellar. In 1989, he began building his own stores and wine shops with partners (now called franchises) who sold only their wines. In 1994, they began selling their bottled wines. In 2003, he was first nominated for the title of “Wine Producer of the Year” Became Wine Producer of the Year in 2007 In 2015, they won the “Winery of the Year” award. Since 2011 he has been the vice-president of the Hungarian Wine Academy Since 2012, he has been the vice-president of the National Council of Mountain Villages.

Frittmann Borászat. - project Manager

4th generation grapes from the Great Plain come from a wine-producing family. He works as a winemaker in their family winery. He has gained professional experience in grape and winemaking in several European countries. Since 2010, JuniBor, as an active member of the Association of Young Hungarian Winemakers, and from 2019 as the president of the association, has been trying to address the members of the young generation in the spirit of wine culture. Since 2013, he has been participating in professional reviews as a member of the National Wine Judging Committee (OBB). From 2019, he will represent the grape and wine sector as a member of the Sector Skills Councils (ÁKT).

Frittmann Brothers Ltd. - Winemaker

I graduated as a viticultural winemaker at the former Corvinus University in 2007, while I also completed a trade manager training at the Budapest College of Economics. I started working in the family business in 2008. I have been on study trips abroad several times in America, South Africa, Spain and Germany.

Tringa Kft. - Oenologist

In his family business, Tringa Wine Cellar, he has been involved in viticulture and winemaking for about 15 years, and in the meantime he graduated as a viticultural engineer at Károly Eszterházy University to raise his professional knowledge. He believes in the power of autochthonous varieties, but we must not forget the worldly varieties either. It strives for continuous improvement in the vineyard, cellar and other areas of life as well.

Danubiana - Estate manager

He has been working as a winemaker for 25 years, during which time he worked as a winemaker in Mátraalja, Villány and Szekszárd. He started his career at the Szőlőskert Szövetkezet under the guidance of Benjamin Bárdos in Nagyréde. In Szekszárd he worked for 9 years at the then Liszt Winery. In Villány he became the Deputy General Manager and later the General Manager of Csányi Winery. Currently he works again at Takler Wine Estate in Szekszárd. As a winemaker, he is looking for quality and harmony in wines, just like in any other area of life.

Deputy Secretary of State for Protection of Origin

Gál Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet - Manager, winemaker

Graduated from the University of Horticulture and Food as a Certified Food Engineer - Winemaker. She was first head of the wine laboratory at the university's winery, then head of the company. After that, she worked for a family company founded by her husband, which since 2004 has been expanding its winery as a Gál Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet. In addition to the vineyards of Szigetcsép, since 2011, grapes have been grown in the Balaton Uplands, Lesencefalu. Since 2002 she has been the Chairman of the Kunság Wine Region Sziget Community, and since 2004 she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Kunság Wine Region Winery Committee. In 2013 she received the Wine Producer of the Year award. In 2012 he was elected to the Hungarian Wine Academy, and in 2019 he was elected to the National Wine Expert Committee.

Stavbyt - Director

He lives in Nagymegyer, graduated from the Faculty of Food Industry of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava as a chemical engineer - majoring in food biochemistry and analysis. Utilizing his qualifications, he took part in the juries of numerous domestic and foreign wine competitions and exhibitions as a judge or president. As a winemaker, he produces wine in his own vineyards for family, guests and friends.

Agronomist and Winemaker

CERVIM - President

He is responsible of the "Mondial des Vins Extrêmes" International Wine Competition. Taster in different international contests as: Berliner Wine Trophy, IWCB di Bucharest, Mondial des Pinots, Bacchus, Vins du Valais, Portugal Wine Trophy, International Wine City Challenge and Mondial des Bruxelles.

Granium s.r.o. - Winemaker and marketing consultant

Wine and wine marketing consultant, wine journalist. He runs his own estate in Garamkövesd in the Highlands. Secretary-General of the Association of Hungarian Winemakers Abroad, President of the Slovakian Association of Hungarian Winemakers, responsible for the development of the wine regions of the Carpathian Basin. He is an invited wine judge and writer of many international wine competitions, and is a hobbyist in his profession.

Gere Tamás & Zsolt - Oenologist

Through his father, Tamás Gere, he strengthens the “team” of second-generation Hungarian winemakers, and their family winery is an integral part of Villány's image. The first self-bottled wines were launched in 1988, which have now become nationally known. Their winery currently farms on 35 hectares, and their plantations are located in the best areas of one of the most famous Hungarian wine regions, Villány, Nagyharsány and Siklós. One of the most respected young wine producers in Hungary never leans back. He is still looking for ways to move forward after many awards and recognitions.

Gincsai Pezsgőház - Chief winemaker

For nine years I ran the moon valley winery in the Tokaj wine region. The Gincsa Champagne House was founded by my wife, where we would like to present the hidden treasures and unique possibilities of the Neszmély wine region.

Günzer Tamás Pincészete - Managing Director

Agricultural engineer, winemaker. He has been engaged in viticulture and winemaking since 1991. He owns a 70-hectare family winery. In 2012 he was a special prize winner of the Association of European Wine and Gastronomic Associations (CEUCO), in 2015 he was the Agricultural Man of the Year in the Processor-Food category. In 2019, he was awarded the Winery of the Year.

UNION ESPAÑOLA DE CATADORES - President

President of the Spanish Union of Tasters, which since 1985 has been dedicated to promoting the culture and knowledge of wine and food through its organoleptic qualities, and organizer, among others, of the National Competition for Young Wines (Premios Bacos) , International Wine Competition Vinos Bacchus developed under the patronage of the OIV and VINOFED, itinerant competition "Albariños al Mundo" and Best of Spain Wine Challenge competition organized each year in Ireland.

OENOLOGIC Consulting - Owner, consultant

"I consider myself an open-minded and nature-loving agricultural expert who strives for the simplicity. I started this profession as an Agricultural Technologist and Horticultural Engineer, later I also worked in the wine section. I obtained my winemaking experience and my diploma in New Zealand. After returning home, I worked as a production and technology manager for some superior wineries (like Bock/Sauska) in the region of Villány. In 2018, I founded my own company (OENOLOGIC), where I work as a viticultural and winemaking consultant. My specialization is biodynamics and organic cultivation technology. Currently I am working on foreign and Hungarian projects as well."

Sauska és Társa Kft - Winemaker

"I'm Ádám Hanusz, the manager of the Sauska winery's site in Budafok. My main task is sparkling wine and champagne production. We harvest grapes from the area of Tokaj. We work with Furmint, Chardonnay and Pinot noir varieties. The base wine is made in a different location, in Tokaj. Followed by that the champagne making and fine-tuning ends in Budafok. In my opinion, champagne production is a very diverse and complex process. This requires a lot of experience and time to understand how can we get out the most of the given circumstances. "

VINOFED - Vice-President

Son of a winegrower, enologist. Since 1991 public servant of the federal ministry of food and agriculture. Since 2006 activity within the Berlin Wine Trophy, Portugal Wine Trophy, Asia Wine Trophy. Since 2016 Vice-President of Vinofed.

EnoVia s.r.o. - Owner, oenologist

He is an acknowledged enologist, advisor, lecturer and author who published five books Slovenské vína (Slovak Wines) in 2001, Sprievodca vínami Slovenska (Slovak Wine Guide) in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020. He also serves as a member of expert juries at Concours Mondial, International Wine Fair, Vinitaly, International Wine Challenge, Vinagora, Grand Prix Vinex, and others. In 2000, he was a co-founder of the Association of Sommeliers of the Slovak Republic, where he worked as the director of education for 11 years. He currently works as product marketing and wine production advisor for several Slovak wineries and is executive director of EnoVia. Thanks to his abundant experience with wine gastronomy and enology, he also serves as the executive sommelier of the Medusa Group, the largest network of restaurants in Central Europe, and is involved in the building of a professional training academy for sommeliers. In 2013, he cooperated in the production of a 22-part TV series entitled Vínne cesty Slovenska (Wine Routes of Slovakia) for Slovak Radio and Television. He even brings his enological enthusiasm to the making of his own wines.

Winemaker

Takler Borbirtok - Winemaker

Since the turn of the millennium, he has been strengthening the winery with full activity, expertise and dedication. Of his wines, he is also the most proud of the 2008 Syrah Reserve, which was also chosen as the "Vinagora Champion" award-winning wine. He would love to make a great wine once in Argentina (Mendoza). He likes the blends in his opinion, this puts the point on the "i". "The hardest thing is to make and carry the wines of the more modest vintage with the same enthusiasm and dedication from vintage to bottling."

Château Rúbaň - Brand Ambassador

He is a recognized professional sommelier, winner of 10 international sommelier competitions and a long-time vice-president of the Slovak Sommelier Association, where he was also the technical director of sommelier competitions for 10 years. Jury member and judge of regular national and international wine competitions. He is currently the Brand Ambassador of the Château Rúbaň winery in the Highlands, who is also responsible for the promotion, marketing and distribution of the wines. He is also the owner of the Passion wine bar and vinotheque in Érsekújvár.

Fitomark Kft. - Manager

He is a winemaker of a family winery. After university he received a PhD in wine. He is trying to use his knowledge gained during his years of practice in developing a family winery.

Sortiment manager - Spar Hungary

I'm spar's sortiment manager for the wine category.

Eszterbauer Kft. - Chief winemaker

He was born and raised in Szekszárd. He graduated from the PTE TTK viticulture department in 2011, but already in 2010, next to the school, he started working at the Eszterbauer Winery, and he has been working here ever since. He is now the chief winemaker of the winery. From 2020, the management of viticulture and the entire production process will be part of it. Of course, the team is not one-man, as without reliable, skillful colleagues, the winery would not work well.

Posestvo Klenar- Owner

Like a boy I loved sports, mostly tennis. At 22 I changed a racket for a glass of wine. Finished the school for viticulture and enologie I started with my familly (Sabrina and Iztok) our wine story like a boutique familly wine cellar named KlenArt.

Posestvo Klenar - Owner

Main enologist in different cellars. Now owner Posestvo Klenar and consultant in Kutjevo d.d. and Dakovo winery. Slovenian representive in UIOE.

Koch Winery Ltd. - Winemaker

In addition to being an excellent winemaker, Csaba Koch is a member of the presidency of the National Council of Mountain Villages, the Hungarian Wine Academy, leading the Hajós-Baja wine region and, last but not least, a successful businessman. Koch Winery became the Winery of the Year in 2014, in 2017 it won the Most Beautiful Vineyard in Hungary award, and this year it won the prestigious CUECO - Best European Winery award. In 2019, he won the Wine Producer of the Year award in Hungary.

Koczor Pince - Managing director

"I think the profession of winemaker is not just a privilege for men. If someone does their job with dedication, attention, love, it becomes irrelevant that they are a woman, maybe a man. Of course, I also had to work hard to be recognized, but thanks to my persistent work, it has now borne fruit. "

Törley Kft. - Winemaker

Independent expert - dipWSET

She has been working in the profession of wines since 2008, when she started working at a wholesaler in Budapest, mainly for foreign wines. In addition to her work, she attended WSET trainings and, years later, taught at several WSET schools in Hungary. She received her diploma from WSET and the Austrian Weinakademiker in 2013. In 2010. In 2010 she completed the Sherry Educator training in Jerez as the fifth Hungarian. From 2016, she continued to deal with foreign wineries and wines at Bortársaság until January 2020.

Barta Winery - Director of Sales

Owner, winemaker

I am a member of our family's fifth generation of winemakers at the Kováts Cellar in Slingza, where we farm on 15 hectares mostly with white wine grape varieties. I have been running the family business since 2016, where I strive to combine inherited knowledge and new technological opportunities to show as much of the growing place, grape varieties, and the given vintage in our wines.

Journalist

As an employee of Decanter and then VinCE Magazine, she has been involved in wine journalism for nearly a decade and a half, from 2017 to 2019 as the editor-in-chief of the magazine. In 2020, a new Hungarian edition of one of the manuals of the world of wine, The World Atlas of Wine, was published and edited by her.

Törley Pezsgőpincészet Kft. - Wine manager

Zoltán started his career on the wine region of Eger and worked there for seven years. After 2013 he moved to the wine region of Tokaj where he met the owner of the Törley Champagne cellar. Now he is the vinery manager of the Törley Champagne cellar.

Nagyrédei Borászati Kft. - Managing director

He has been working at Törley Sparkling Winery since 2000, and since 2016 as Chief Technology Officer.

Thummerer Pince - Chief winemaker

He began his studies in winemaking in 1992, to the delight of his winemaker mother. From 1996 to 2001 he obtained a MSc degree from the then University of Horticulture and Food. From 2001 he started his career at Hungarovin, now called Törley Sparkling Wine Ltd., as a red wine technologist. Since 2004 he has been working as the chief winemaker at Thummerer Cellar. The past 27 years have confirmed that you have chosen a good career and will continue to encourage learning, openness and quality wine.

Associação Brasileira de Enologia - Director

Winemaker and post graduated in Viticulture. Director of Brazilian Association of Winemakers and Winemaker at Vinhos Larentis Ltda.

Légli Szőlőbirtok - Owner

After graduating from the university, from 1981 he spent his internship at the Balatonboglár Agricultural Combine. He started building his own estate in the Balatonboglár wine region in 1989, and the winery and wines have received numerous awards since then. He has been the founder and board member of the South Balaton Wine Route Association since 2000. In 2010, he was also awarded the title of Wine Producer of the Year and Winemaker of Winemakers. In 2013 he became the president of the Balatonboglár Mountain Village, in 2014 he was elected an honorary citizen of Balatonboglár. He has been the President of HNT since 2016. He is a member of the Pannon Wine Guild.

Owner - CEO

Tamás Lelovits is a winemaker, food technologist engineer, certified wine reviewer, member of the Villány Wine Review Committee, owner of Lelovits Winery. He has been participating in the evaluation of the field of hungarian wine competitions for years.

St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok - Winemaker

He graduated in 2013 from the Corvinus University of Budapest as a winemaker-winemaker. He worked in Tokaj, Austria and New Zealand on the Szepsy, Sepp Moser and Saint Clair estates. Since 2013 he has been a winemaker at the family-run St.Andrea Winery.

Tastevino - Owner

He is the owner of the Tastevino wine bar and vinotheque in Sopron, a wine merchant. He was the Hungarian sommelier champion in 2007 and the quarterfinal of the 2010 sommelier world championship.

Chateau Ksara - Oenologist, export director

Marketing and Export Director at Chateau Ksara, oldest and largest winery in Lebanon with 38% of the Lebanese production. Member of the UVL (Union Vinicole du Liban) technical Committee. Oenology Instructor at La Sagesse University Beirut (run by Lausanne University) Oenology Instructor at Notre Dame University.

Azienda agraria cantonale di mezzana - Director

DAVINUS s.r.o. - CEO

CEO and owner of many awards-winning company DAVINUS. international wine judge at dozens of prestigious foreign and domestic wine competitions and chairman of the international juries of various competitions in Europe and the USA: Les Grands Concours Strasbourg (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), Finger Lakes International Wine Competition USA (2018), Bacchus Madrid (2019,2020, 2021) and competitions under OIV patronage in Israel, France, Spain, Canada, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Switzerland. Chairman of the committee of the Czech Republic’s national wine competition, The Wine Salon of the Czech Republic) since 2012.Chairman of the committee of the Czech Republic’s national wine competition, The Wine Salon of the Czech Republic) since 2012.

Mészáros Borház

Member of the National Wine Judging Committee, member of the Hungarian Wine Academy

VINOFED - President

Dr.Ing. Agronomist Director of viticulture-oenology research 1993-2008 Former President Vinea Former OIV Vice-President President Vinofed

MGM Mondo del vino S.p.A. - Winemaker

I graduated as oenologist at the University of Turin in 2010. I spent some years abroad France and Spain to improve my experience. After working as vineyard and cellar manager, I'm now oenologist in a sparkling winery and judge in PDO commission and others tasting juries.

Národní vinařské centrum - Project manager

She works in The National Wine Centre, which is a non-profit organization, whose objective is the promotion and common support of Moravian and Bohemian wines and viticulture in the Czech Republic and abroad. She is a project manager and her job is especially organizing training and lectures about wine for experts and the public. She also participates in the project of wine tourism in the Czech Republic. The GRAND PRIX VINEX international wine competition also belongs to her main projects. She passed the sensory exams according to European regulations and takes part in tasting juries, last year she was a juror of CMB in Switzerland.

SZIE Faculty of Horticulture - Dean

Between 2003 and 2008 he was an engineer at the Department of Oenology of the Faculty of Food Science of the Budapest University of Public Administration and Public Administration. From 2008 he was an assistant professor at the Department of Oenology of the Faculty of Food Sciences of the Corvinus University of Budapest, then from 2010 he is an assistant professor, from 2014 an associate professor there. Since 2016, he has been the head of department at the institution attached to Szent István University. From December 4, 2017, he is the dean of the SZIE Faculty of Horticulture.

Nyakas Pince - Wine manager

She has been working for Nyakashegy Kft since 2000 (now Nyakas Pince Zrt.), Now she is a wine manager. In 2018, she graduated from the SZIE ÉTK with the degree of Pálinka Master Engineer. This year, she was elected a full member of the Hungarian Wine Academy and was appointed Associate Professor at Szent István University.

University of Pannonia Ernő Soós Research and Development Center - Researcher

Wine Consulting, Osorio Wines; JGR Cork - General Manager

Her studies were conducted by 3 universities until 2012. From 2010 she has been the managing director of the Osorio wines. By 2015 she became the JGR Cork's sales manager.

VINARIUM INTERNATIONAL WINE CONTEST BUCHAREST - President

President of VINARIUM International Wine Contest Bucharest. PhD., Wine Scientist. FIJEV Member, author, editor. TV show producer.

Cantine Torrevento - Technical director

Winemaker National Delegate of the Italian Union of Oenologists at UIOE. Member of Italian VIN Academy.

OENOLOGUE DE FRANCE - rector

President of enologist of France during 9 years. General secretary of the INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF enologist. General Manager of Ormarine's Group. President of the tasting Group at the Institution National des Appellations d'Origine.

P-advisor Hungary Kft. - Owner - managing director

I have a degree in food engineering, winemaking, WSET level 3 and an official sherry educator. I work as an independent sommelier, educator and commercial in my own expert firm.

Szent Gaál Castle and Wine House - Estate Manager

She is an oenologist- winemaker, working in the Szekszárd wine region for twelve years. Until 2018, she was winery manager at Schieber Winery. She is currently the head of viticulture and winemaking at Szentgaál Castle and Wine House. The versatility of her profession inspires her every day, and the human presence is especially important to her, which can be felt in every moment. The work of a community personifies nature in the wines that emerge, an ongoing collaboration that engages man.

Prantner Pince - Oenologist

Several generations of his family have been involved in viticulture and winemaking. He studied at the Faculty of Technology of the University of Pécs as a viticultural winemaker. He has been working as a winemaker at our family cellar since 2014.

CDV - President

Oenologist who makes wines and distils Cognac in the Cognac area. Member of CDV for 20 years where he has been the technical manager and now the president.

Sauska és Társa Kft - Winemaker

For the past 25 years, I have gathered my experience in the wine region of Tokaj. During that time I have studied both local and world varieties. In the range of wines includes light white, terroir-type white and red wines, as well as sweet Tokaj wine specialties. In the past 12 years, we have also made a try in the world of champagne production, for now we became the determining factor of the wine region.

Schieber Pincészet - Chief winemaker

After my university years, I toured the world, during which I learned a new vision and world trends at foreign wineries. My goal to product meaningful wines that are good-natured, fruity, special, and beautifully carry varietal characteristics, carry the character and uniqueness of the Szekszárd Wine Region.

Tamás Riczu Winery - Winemaker

Tamás Riczu is a young, creative and talented winemaker from Villány, who has been a lover of grapes for more than 17 years. For him, growing grapes, winemaking is not just a profession or a livelihood, but a vocation, an eternal, endless “love” in which he always finds more and more challenges.

Csányi Pincészet - CEO

CEO of Csányi Winery since 2016. Professional lecturer and consultant for VinCe Magazine. Deputy Chairman of the National Committee of Wine Experts. He is a lecturer at CEWI.

Szeleshát Szőlőbirtok - Oenologist

She graduated from Corvinus University of Budapest in 2013 as a viticultural engineer. After university, she started working in the Villány wine region, and then gained experience in Austria, New Zealand and France. Since 2016, she has been a winemaker at the Szeleshát Vineyard.

Carefour Category Manager

Agricultural engineer with +10 years of experience specialized in the comercialitazion of wine in both online and offline channels, working from the supplier to the client role. Currently working as a Wine Category Manager at Carrefour Spain. Passionate about wine and its promotion.

VINISEERA Ltd. - Professional engineer

Among the many innovative and applied research results of the winery, it considers the results of organoleptic criticism to be the most useful information for consumers and the training of future wine lovers. He has been a long-time member of the VinAgora Wine Competition.

Danubiana Kft. - Managing director

" I have been working in this profession since 1983. From 1990 I am the managing director of the Danubiana company. By now we managed to build one of Hungary's largest wine export company. Blending wines has always been my favorite area. Beside of that I am also engaged in grape production. "

Weincampus Neustadt - Research engineer

I´m graduated with a MSc in Agriculture from Hohenheim University and an engineering degree from Geisenheim University in Viticulture and Enology. Run a winery for more than 20 years before startingto work as a research engineer at Weincampus Neustadt/Weinstrasse. Regulary taster in different international contests as: MUNDUS Vini, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Best of Riesling, Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg.

Sebestyén Pince

she became acquainted with the world of international wines in Scotland, where she spent six years as a sommelier at Andrew Fairlie's 2 Michelin Star restaurant. Currently, she is assisting with the operation of their winery, working with her brother on blending their wines, shaping their style and learning about our production areas. She is an active member of the Szekszárd Wine Marketing Workshop.

Nachbil Winery - Oenologist

She studied viticulture and oenology in Budapest. Her love of the profession can be traced back to several generations in her family, breaking with tradition in that she is the first woman. She is the vice-president of the SZATMÁR COUNTY. She has been participating in wine competitions as a judge since 2002.

Sis systems - manager

Correspondante dégustation pour dossiers de presse. Conférences et évenements de promotion pour régions viticoles.

Znovin Znojmo Head sommelier

For the past twenty years, I have been working as a Head Sommelier and lately business manager for Znovín Znojmo winery. I graduated from the high school of Technology in the field of beer, wine, and spirit production (Czech Republic). I finished WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust, London) on the level “Diploma in wines and spirits” and I gained the “Weinakademiker“grade at Weinakademie Österreich in Austria. I am a holder of an International taster certificate (ISO) and an experienced wine-taster.

Freelance - Wine writer / Wine Educator

He is a Budapest-based wine journalist, writer and communicator. He is the author of Hungarian Wine: A Tasting Trip to the New Old World (Blue Guides, 2015). He has been covering wine for more than 15 years and writes on Hungarian wine for the Budapest Business Journal (BBJ), and is deputy editor of The Circle of Wine Writer's Circular. He has also written for Wine Pleasures, Wine Paths, Winesofa.eu, VinCE Magazin and Wine Connoisseur (US). Editing work includes Tokaj Guide by Gergely Ripka, Cuvée Magazine, Wines of Hungary by David Copp, and he contributed to the same author's Tokaj: a companion for the bibulous traveller. He holds the WSET Diploma and Advanced certificates from London's Wine and Spirit Education Trust. He is also a wine guide for Taste Hungary on wine tours in Hungary and Austria.

Chateau Valtice - Manager

My name is Marek Stastny, I am the manager of the family winery Chateau Valtice. We produce 4 million bottles of wine a year. In the company I take care of wine production, I am an oenologist and I go to judge wines at domestic and international competitions.

AgroVitis Consult/Corteva - Viticulture Consultant

"Authorized taster ADAR member (Association of Authorized Tasters of Romania) . My activity involves the interaction with the great wine producers from eastern Romania and the Republic of Moldova, establishing punctually the need of everyone in the management of the production of quality grapes. Wine tastings have contributed to the knowledge of the peculiarities of terroir on the varieties cultivated in that area and to the enrichment of my sensorial experience . JUROR VINARIUM 2022 , Technical Panel 2019-2021 VINARIUM."

Consultant

Certified engineer-winemaker.1964, working in the wine industry at Tokaj-Hegyalja, in all fields of wine technology in different positions. The chief winemaker-engineer at the Tokaj Trading House was his last official position.

Borsmenta Magazine - Editor-in-Chief

Slowly a quarter of a century I am paying close attention to the world of wines and gastronomy. As the editor of Magyar Televízió, I made several wine-themed portrait films, and then I continued my work in this field as the founding editor-in-chief of TV Paprika. Later, for seven years, I edited the Top 100 Wine magazine published by Népszabadság, and since 2016, I have been the editor-in-chief of my own magazine, Borsmenta Magazine. I wrote a book about leading Hungarian chefs (The Great Chef's Book) and female winemakers (Weaker? As a writer, journalist, communication consultant, program organizer and presenter, I try to serve the cause of Hungarian wine to the best of my knowledge.

Szeleshát Borászat - Manager

Szentpéteri Borpince - Oenologist

He graduated in 2010 from the Corvinus University of Budepest, Faculty of Food Science, as a winemaker. He then spent a harvest in Germany on the Rhine region to gain professional experience. As a member of the 3rd generation of the Szentpéteri Family Wine Cellar, in addition to maintaining traditions, he considers it important to apply innovative solutions in the Kunság Wine Region.

consultant

I have been working in the wine industry since 2006. In Tokaj, I supported several producer organizations (Tokaj Renaissance, Confrérie de Tokaj) and wineries with my work, and represented the noble wines of Hungary at numerous domestic and international events. In 2017 I moved to Austria and from there I carry on the reputation of Hungarian wines around the world. In recent years I have completed the WSET diploma course of Weinakademie Österreich and currently strengthen the possibilities of international market access for Hungary's products in several Austro-Hungarian joint wine projects as a professional consultant.

Takler Wine Estate - Managing Director

He has been involved in the family farm since childhood. He is currently responsible for marketing and public relations at Takler Wine Estate, and is vice president of the Hungarian Wine Academy and vice president of the Szekszárd Wine Region Council for the success of Hungarian wine.

Central Hungary ASZC Soós István Wine Technical School - Winemaker

I started my professional career at ÁGKER Kft., as a laboratory technician and then as a bottling manager. After a short break, in 1999 I continued my education as a technician at the Soós István Wine High School. And for the past more than ten years, I have been working as a winemaker on the farm. For me, as an employee of such an institution with a long history, we pass on not only as much knowledge as possible, but also the love and appreciation of the profession to our students. Because nowadays the image and the dedicated workforce are becoming more and more valuable.

National Council of Mountain Villages - Mountain Judge of the City of Eger

I am a vine-grower and economic engineer, I have been working as a Mountain Judge of the City of Eger for 16 years. In addition to my profession, I have been the main organizer of the Eger Bull Blood Wine Festival for 16 years. I regularly take part in wine judgments and professional trainings. In 2020, my social work was recognized with the Thrower's Sword award in Eger, which is a huge honor. As the proud father of a 4-year-old girl, my modern hobby is cycling.

Taschner Bor- és Pezsgőház - Owner, manager

He is an economist, a winemaker-engineer and has been leading his winery since 1997. It is known primarily for its white and rosé wines. He was the first to make bottle-fermented and aged champagne in Sopron. He is a regular member of the Hungarian Wine Academy. Chairman of the Sopron Wine Road Association.

WineSofa - Managing Editor

Freelance wine writer, translator, editor, judge and educator as well as Managing Editor of WineSofa. WSET diploma holder, Weinakademiker, Vinitaly Italian Wine Expert and currently Master of Wine Student. Focussed on Hungary and Central Europe and Italy. Regular judge at international wine competitions such as International Wine Challenge and Vinitaly 5StarWines. Member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers.

GemerProdukt Valice OVD - President

In the years 1997-2023, chief inspector of viticulture and winemaking at the ÚKSÚP. From 2023 until today, the chairman of GEMERPRODUKT VALICE,OVD and APVITPLANT Kft. The company manages 30 hectares of vineyards in the Tornaľský vineyard district of central Slovakia and produces wine from its own grapes. He has been engaged in organoleptic wine analysis for 37 years, and is a qualified wine jugde. He is a member of the Wine Qualification Committee of the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Chateau St Thomas - Owner & enologist

Owner & enologist at Chateau St Thomas, co-owner & master distiller in Arak Touma distillery located both in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. He is board member in the National Institute of Vine & Wine in Lebanon. He is also a lecturer in "Wine tasting techniques" & "Sensory analysis" in St Joseph University in Lebanon (ESIAM - USJ) and also a member in the Union of Enologist of France.

LABORATORY OF ANALYSIS - Enologist, chemist

Graduated from the chemistry department of the University of Athens, having specialized in enology and environmental chemistry. She runs her own laboratory in the centre of Athens where she provides services as an enology advisor and a chemist. International wine judge. She is member of the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers (FIJEV). As author, has published the books : “Enology’s Principles-The Art Of Sommelier”, Historical wine novel ( awarded: OIV 2015), “Wine treasure of Santorini”, “Bizarre wines of the world”, and “The faces of Greek wine” monograph on the faces of Greek wine.

Catad’Or - President, CEO

He is president and CEO of Catad’Or, Mr. Ugarte has a diploma in wines from the Catholic University of Chile and a recognized expert and international advisor in wine marketing. He currently advises the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. Jury in international competitions as Vinalies Paris, Citadelle du Vin, Bordeaux, SMV Canada, Quebec, among others. Co-author of the Latinamerican Wine Guide with Alistair Cooper MW.

Bodri Pincészet - Chief winemaker

Chief Winemaker, Head of Viticulture. Péter has been the chief winemaker of Bodri Winery for two years, but he has been a member of the team and family for a long time, as he is the husband of István's daughter, Orsi. He is also at home in the Villány and Szekszárd wine regions, as he grew up in Nagyharsány at the foot of the Kopár vineyard and visited several wineries in the two wine regions as a winemaker and consultant. Neither New Zealand, France, Turkey, California or South Africa are foreign to him. He tries to adopt his experience gathered there into the Hungarian environment. Together with excellent colleagues, he brings together and directs the production process from the grape to the bottle.

VinCE Magazine - Editor-in-Chief

She entered the world of wines in the field of strategic marketing and communication, graduating from the Weinakademie in Rust in 2015 after his WSET training in Hungary. She first worked for Vinoport and Borászportál online portals, as well as the editor-in-chief of Winelovers 100-year-old wine magazine, from the end of 2018 as a professional leader in the VinCE team, and from 2020 as the editor-in-chief of the magazine. In 2016-2018, she also taught courses at the Wine College. She regularly reviews domestic and foreign items; The Wine of the Parliament (2017, 2018), the wine selection of the Ministry of the Environment (2018), the Wine of Semmelweis University (2019), as well as the Top 100 - The 100 Best Hungarian Wines (2016, 2017) and the Winelovers 100 - The 100 Best Hungarian participated wine (2018) jury. As an international wine academician and wine expert, she considers it important to continuously expand her knowledge and experience, to promote open and honest communication within the wine sector, and to provide authentic information and education to consumers.

Owner

Varga Családi Szőlészet - Borászat - Owner

He was born in Transcarpathia and attended primary and secondary school. He then graduated from the Corvinus University of Budapest in 2010 with a degree in Horticultural Engineering. He is currently studying viticulture at Szent István University. He currently works in his own winery, which he started as a family business with his father 20 years ago. With his wines made in their winery, he has already participated in many exhibitions and wine competitions in Hungary and abroad with very good results.

Varga Pincészet - Winemaker

Vesztergombi Pince - Winemaker, owner

Member of the Hungarian Wine Academy Member of the Pannon Wine Guild Member of the the National Wine Expert Committee

Még Kft. - Responsible editor

Horticultural engineer, specialist journalist, editor-in-chief of the Wine Booklets.

Jury Management and Wine Fairs Director

Kristinus Borbirtok - CEO

Building up and managing an international operating winery estate with own vineyard company and hotel with restaurant and event location. Creating Biodynamic wines on 65 hectare. Farmer and Winemaker.

Winemaker

In 2013 I graduated as a wine and champagne production technician, then I worked for four years at Royalsekt Zrt. in Isaac in the champagne plant. I was also a champagne plant manager for four years. I joined the Gideon estate in 2021, where I am currently working as a winemaker.

Legal expert of VinAgora

As a lawyer, he is a member and legal representative of several wine professional organizations, including the Hungarian Wine Academy. As a philosopher, in addition to several studies, he is the author of the books "Wine and Myth" and "God on the Panther - The Experience of Wine and Intoxication", the first of which also won an OIV award.

VINEA Technical director

As technical director, she is incharge of all the enologists parts of their wine competitions: Mondial du Merlot et assemblages, Mondial des Pinots, Grand Prix du Vin Suisse, and she is also involved in searching wine judges and communication before, during and after the competition.