VinAgora continues to consider the Champion award and the Grand Gold, Gold, and Silver medals as the highest professional recognitions. At the same time, the ongoing development and expansion of the awards system aims to more accurately and fairly reflect the true quality level of the entries.
While there are always minor updates and innovations, VinAgora’s core values remain unchanged: supporting wineries with authentic professional evaluations and providing consumers with a clear quality guide when choosing a bottle of wine.
Champion award, the pinnacle of the categories
The Champion award represents the highest recognition at VinAgora. For each main category — with a minimum of 10 entries — the judges select the winner from the top five highest-scoring Gold medal wines through parallel blind tastings.
In the still white, rosé, and red wine categories, only dry wines are eligible for the Champion title. For sparkling wines, only those produced using the traditional method with less than 12 g/l sugar may compete. For botrytized wines, a minimum alcohol content of 8% v/v is required.
A Champion winner can be announced in a total of 11 categories.
Prix Vinofed, the international recognition
VinAgora Champion award-winning wines in the white, rosé, red, and sparkling categories automatically receive the Prix Vinofed. This recognition is granted by VINOFED, the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions, to the best dry white, rosé, red, and the best brut traditional method sparkling wine.
Best of Country, the top wine of each country
The Best of Country special award gives prominent visibility to countries submitting at least 10 entries. In such cases, the highest-scoring Gold medal wine from that country receives the title.
It is important to note that the competition only awards this distinction to countries with a minimum of 10 entries. Last year, six countries received the Best of Country recognition.
VinAgora Best Hungarian Varietal Wine
If at least 15 samples are submitted for a given varietal, the highest-scoring Gold medal wine earns the title of VinAgora Best Hungarian Varietal Wine.
Spotlight Varieties: Merlot and Riesling in the spotlight
The Spotlight Varieties program, launched last year, continues in 2026 with Merlot and Riesling at the center of attention.
For each varietal, if at least 50 domestic and international entries are submitted, the highest-scoring wine receives a special award. Additionally, a TOP 25 list is compiled for both varietals, in alphabetical order — without publishing medals or scores — to provide broader professional and consumer visibility.
VinAgora Commended, a new professional level
One of this year’s most significant innovations is the introduction of the VinAgora Commended award.
VinAgora’s rules align with the OIV international standards, which limit medals to a maximum of 30% of entered wines. As the overall quality of entries rises, many wines achieve high quality yet do not qualify for medals under this strict limit.
The Commended award officially recognizes these wines. Wines that reach the medal scoring threshold (typically above 85 points) but cannot receive a medal due to the 30% limit may be awarded Commended status, up to an additional 30% per main category. In total, this ensures that the top 60% of the entries receive professional feedback on their excellence.
Commended wines are technically flawless, stylistically pure, and characterful, often offering excellent value for money. An official VinAgora Commended sticker is available for the award, providing a strong and easily communicable marketing tool for shelves and hospitality.
Additional special awards and partners
VinAgora’s special awards continue to expand each year through collaboration with professional partners, offering tangible support to wineries.
EvoCask, a leader in 21st-century wine aging technology, offers the Aging Innovation Award to a winery applying innovative winemaking solutions. The winner receives an EvoCask Model 11 wine aging tank worth over 1 million HUF, opening new possibilities for experimental aging and technological development.
Csonka és Fiai Kft. offers a special award for the Most Successful Family Winery, including a Beezer bottle cooler valued at €590.
molino.hu continues to support the Most Successful Young Winemaker award, providing a 100×200 cm roll-up and a 50×230 cm beach flag, ensuring effective visibility at events and professional gatherings.
Amorim Cork Hungary Zrt. awards two wineries that consistently use cork stoppers, providing 1,000 corks each.
Shoprenter supports domestic wineries’ online sales with the Harvest More Revenue Online award, granting 10 wineries a 1-year Shoprenter Silver subscription, free expert advice on launching an online store, and practical training materials.
Vince magazine presents the VinAgora Discovery award, offering a 1-year magazine subscription and a four-page exclusive feature, providing valuable media exposure and professional visibility.