St. Tamás Winery’s Dry by Tokaj won - for the first time as a Hungarian wine - the Top Choice Awards “Top Imported White Wine of Canada” category. The award ceremony took place at the Hungarian Embassy in Ottawa on the 25th of November. 

The award is granted tothose enterprises and individuals, who believe with passion in what they do– said David Silvestre, the CEO of Top Choice Awards, presenting the award for the best Canadian products and services.

The award was handed over to István Szepsy, Chief Winemaker of St. Tamás Winery from Mád. "We tried to develop a wine in co-operation with our partner company, Vinum Tokaj International LLC. engaged in the promotion of the Hungarian wines on the North American market, which reflects in its components the best joint appearance of the region's distinctive grapes and which best meets the Canadian wine consumers taste, too," - said the wine creator. The Canadian wine promotion program was launched nearly a year ago by Vinum Tokaj International and Vinum Tokaj Canada with the opening of Tokaji Wine Boutique Restaurant and House of the Hungarian Wines in Toronto.

The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr. Bálint Ódor, Ambassador of Hungary to Canada, who described the new foreign trade policy focuses on the development of economic relations, highlighting the potential business opportunities related to the Hungarian wines. “Wine is not just a product, but more, an expression and reflection of a nation’s culture, and as such, it plays an important role in building the country's image as well, including particularly the strengthening of economic co-operations. And although the Hungarian saying states that "good wine needs no bush", good wine is in great need for appropriate marketing to meet today’s expectations and international market needs and such prestigious awards as the one presented today” – said the Ambassador.

In his greeting letter sent on the occasion of the award handing over ceremony, Mr. Tamás Tornai, President of the National Council of Wine Communities wrote: “The success of Dry by Tokaj relies in the co-operation and joint development, in the common work performed by the Vinum Tokaj International LLC. - company facilitating the promotion of Hungarian wines on the North American Market - and Szent Tamás Winery from Mád, Tokaj.

The appreciation goes first and foremost to the wine, to its creators, but the entire Tokaj Wine Region, all other Hungarian wine regions, as well as wine communities could be rightly proud of it. The wine achieving this outstanding success transmits a message to the Canadian wine consumers, while the co-operation shaped up by Vinum Tokaj International LLC. and Szent Tamás Winery could serve as a real stimulating example for other wineries and wine regions, too.

The remarkable legislative changes of the last a few years, the development of the professional environment, the high-volume investments realized have all contributed to have by now excellent quality Hungarian wines offered by the Hungarian wine sector, ones that are competitive also on the international market. Our efforts are confirmed by many international awards, so far mainly won on European wine competitions.

We consider the Canadian, and generally the North American market as a step forward, an excellent business opportunity for the Hungarian wineries, that is the reason why the Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with the professional players of the wine sector, launched the wine promotional program focusing on countries outside the European Union.

It is a particular joy for us that the outcome of the program has manifested within an unusually short period of time, within one year, in form of this great award and recognition. The Tokaj wines emerged in their reputation among the other Hungarian wines, as the Tokaji Aszú has been known and considered for centuries the wine of kings, the king of wines.

The fact that this award goes to a dry wine blending confirms the intention and goal of Tokaj wineries that it is a worth way to start conquering the world with the traditional Hungarian grape varieties. We hope that this award reaffirms the Canadian consumer confidence in the Hungarian wines, will arise curiosity to try other types, too and wakes up desire for adventure to explore truly special Hungarian wine regions.

Congratulations to the wine makers, and to all co-operating partners in the promotional activity! We encourage them for further co-operation and assure them about our continuous support! We are really proud of them! We wish that this recognition should be an encouragement for and during their further international challenges and competitions.”

Following the awards ceremony, representatives of the media could get acquainted during the wine tasting panel with St. Tamás Winery’s "Dry by Tokaj” and “Sweet by Tokaj” wines, developed especially for the Canadian market, presented by István Szepsy.

During the evening, an exclusive wine dinner was also organized at the Ambassador's Residence, which was graced by the presence of Mr. Andrew Saxton and Mr. Corneliu Chisu Members of the Canadian Parliament, who assured about their support the Ambassador, the representatives of the Winery and those of the wine promotional program in their efforts to make the Hungarian wines available in a broad range on the Canadian market.