Furmint Introduced to the Society of Wine Educators

Since 1977, SWE’s Annual Conference has provided a unique venue for educators, students, and enthusiasts to convene and learn more about the world of wine and spirits. Featuring over 65 sessions the 41st Annual Conference organized in Portland had the most sessions to date. The Annual Conference also included exciting evening events and opportunities to network with wine and spirits professionals from around the world.

FURMINT, Hungary’s flagship grape variety made its debut in its dry versions at two sessions. Presented by the SOMM Journal, moderated by Eric Hemer, CWE, MS, MW – Senior VP of Education for Southern Glazer, the “Digging In To Unique Terroir” Seminar invited eight winery representatives from around the globe to talk about their unique terroir and how it affects their wine styles, and ultimately, their sales. The audience had the chance to taste each of the wines from these distinctive winegrowing regions, while the moderator developed a discourse with the winemakers – among them István Szepsy Jr., the 18th generation winemaker from the Tokaj Wine Region – to better understand how each soil, climate and geomorphology aspect come through in the character of their wines.

The “Game of Wines” presented by The SOMM Journal and The Tasting Panel Magazines led by “Coach” Robert Bath, MS/Head Beverage Professor at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Napa Valley offered a real opportunity for the attendees to taste eight wines—blind! Each wine was revealed with a five-minute presentation on typicity versus uncommon traits.

The dry Furmint, considered to be the new taste of the world, both in its regional and village level blends as well as its single vineyard selections showed up ready to titilliate the taste buds, to conquer and make an impact on the US wine market.

For the gallery please click on one of the photos