WineCompass has already proven its speed, accuracy, and professional reliability at numerous international wine competitions. Now, it crossed the Hungarian border once again, demonstrating that it can be easily adapted to wine competitions of any size or profile. Although the program has been available for several years, it is continuously refined and updated to meet current needs. For this event, it was also translated into Croatian to ensure a smooth and intuitive user experience. With only tablets and a stable internet connection required, everything was in place for seamless judging.
The Journey: from Winter to spring
The Borkult team set out from Hungary to Vrbnik with a three-member delegation. After crossing the border, they were met with wintry conditions, including snowfall near Zagreb. However, as they approached the coast, the weather shifted to warm spring sunshine. Along the picturesque Kvarner Bay, the team navigated the narrow streets of charming seaside villages, occasionally challenging the driver. Thanks to Porsche Hungaria, the eight-hour journey was both comfortable and safe behind the wheel of a Škoda Superb Plug-in Hybrid.
Introducing WineCompass
The Kvarner Wine Trophy was held for the second time. While still a young competition, it is defined by a forward-thinking approach and a strong focus on innovation. In line with this vision, the organizers chose WineCompass as their official judging system. With the presence of the WineCompass developer as part of the Borkult delegation, the entire process, from tablet setup to live operation, ran flawlessly. Despite the system’s complexity, its user-friendly interface allowed judges to quickly become confident users after a short introduction.
The Jury and Judging Process
More than 200 wines and nearly 60 spirits were entered into the competition. Among the wines, whites dominated (65%), followed by reds (26%), with rosé and orange wines making up less than 10% (1.7%). Judging took place over the course of a full day, with three breaks, concluding in the late afternoon. Thirty judges worked in panels of six. While most entries came from Croatia, samples also arrived from Serbia, North Macedonia, Hungary, Romania, and Kosovo. The highest distinction awarded was the Diamond title, followed by gold, silver, and bronze medals. Additionally, technically outstanding wines scoring above 71 points received special recognition even if they did not earn a medal. To ensure fairness and objectivity, the highest and lowest scores from each panel were excluded from the final results. Between the flights, judges were treated to the breathtaking views of the Kvarner Bay, providing a truly exceptional setting for the competition. A distinctive element of the event was the dedicated spirits panel, which evaluated 58 entries including gins, whiskies, and liqueurs.
Looking Ahead
The event fostered strong professional and personal connections between the organizers and the Borkult, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. Our partners were highly satisfied with the system, and we greatly valued their shared professional mindset and welcoming attitude. With this in mind, we look ahead with confidence and hope to continue this successful partnership in the years to come.
The results are available on Friday, March 27, and updates will be shared on the VinAgora social media channels.
