2^nd INTERNATIONAL EVALUATION OF SIPON WINES Ormož 2011

Dear Sipon wine producer!

»C' EST BON« – it is good, excellent, it is agreeable ... this has also been confirmed by the results of the 1st international Sipon/Furmint wine competition - C'est bon 2010. In total, 62 Sipon/furmint samples were assessed by two wine-tasting committees, each consisting of five members – Slovenian, two Croatian and one Hungarian. The majority of the entered and assessed samples were Slovenian (44), 14 were Croatian and 4 Hungarian, with the wines of vintages from 1997 to 2009.

Prof. dr. Tatjana Košmerl (chairperson of the evaluation commitees) states: “The common opinion of both committees was that the tasting of the Sipon/Furmint wines was an exceptionally valuable experience, offering a wide range of quality, sweetness levels, vintages, and of the countries of origin. The tasters were more than delighted by dry wines, which showed characteristics of different wine varieties, harmony, perfection and latest technological knowledge. As expected, all the “predicates” triggered strong enthusiasm, if not surprise, over the possibilities which this variety can offer in the sense of aromatic potential, ability to improve in quality with aging and, last but not least, maintaining varietal aspect, which is not concealed by the level of botrytis”.

The most prestigious titles were, according to the highest rating in each category, distributed among more than excellent samples of the Sipon/furmint wines in the following manner:

• dry wine – Furmint 2008, Hungary – champion and champion national rated 90.33,

• medium dry wine – Furmint 2008, Hungary – champion rated 89.33,

• medium sweet wine – Moslavac 2002, Berry Selection, Croatia – champion and champion national rated 90.67,

• sweet wine – Sipon 2004, Ice Wine, Slovenia – champion and champion national rated 95.67.

The results of the 1st international wine competition encouraged us to organise

which will take place on 30. October 2011 in Ormož. The international committee/Committes will again be presided over by prof. dr. Tatjana KOŠMERL from the Faculty of Biotechnology in Ljubljana. The Committee/committees will be even more internationalized. This year, it will include tasters from Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia. The committe members will be listed on the following this web page.The samples will be assessed according to the international 100-point system. Further information on the assessment, sending of samples and awarded medals can be found under the Rules section on the above mentioned web page. On 2. November 2011, the results of the assessment will be published on the same web page.

The formal presentation of prizes to producers will take place on 11 November 2011 at 17:00 in the Knight Hall of Ormož Castle. Prize-winning wines will be presented to the media, catering industry and interested public. A wine tasting of all prize-winning wines will also take place as part of Martinovanje 2011 in Ormož.

We kindly invite you to participate with your excellent wines at the 2st International Šipon/Furmint evaluation and add your pebble in the mosaic of the new image of Šipon variety!

The Ormož, september 2011.