The vinagora is a traditional, international wine competition, regularly organized since 1992 and it's part of the VinoFed (Organization of Big International Wine and Spirit Competitions) and enjoys the professional patronage of OIV(International Wine and Spirit Organization), and UIOE(International Organization of Winemakers).

Since 2000, the biennial event has figured among the ten most recognised wine competitions in the world.

For the ones of you who are taking wine seriously, consider that VinAgora has developed the most up to date wine judging IT system of the world! It was successfully used during the Mondial du Pinot Noir in Switzerland, and at Vino Ljubljana in Slovenia. Worthless to say the jury is composed by experienced, internationally acknowledged wine sommeliers and judges who will give to each participant a detailed wine description with results of his/her own wine(s). The awarded wine gets the opportunity to participate at the 17th Budapest International Wine Festival in September.

How are the wines assessed? On the basis of three criteria:

On the score received for the quality of the wine, on the number of elements defining the character of the wine and on a list of the most characteristic elements of the bouquet and flavour.

If you will miss this chance, September the harvest month will refresh your throats with the international renown 17th Budapest Wine and Champagne Festival and Fair. The official dates are 10-14 September.

For nearly two weeks 15 countries and 200 vineyard will introduce and showcase 3,000 different wines for sampling! Wine tasting is the central part of the festival, but there are plenty of opportunities to participate in any of the numerous events organized around the Buda Castle. On Saturday a colossal parade with around 800 representatives from the various wine regions will stage a procession and a show with dancing and music around the Buda Castle district dressing in folk costumes. Not to be missed!

Wine classes, lectures, workshops, parades, folk music and classical music concerts and even court jesters. Also chefs and restaurants will set up stalls featuring delicious food with suggested wine pairings.

If you are definitely not missing these events in Hungary and in Budapest it is advisable to book your hotel in advance. There are many accommodation solutions for every budget. Students, families, young travellers or backpackers can find youth hostels or hostels offering bed nights form 9 euros at the Moha Hostel, the Goat Hostel, Grand Hostel of Budapest, Domino Hostel, Marco Polo Hostel, Mellow Mood Central Hostel, Riverside Youth hostel, Karat Hostel. Families and wine lovers may prefer private apartments in Budapest city centre around the castle itself like the Anna Centre apartment, Apartment St. Michael, Navigare Budapest Apartments, Akademia Budapest Apartments, Arcadia Apartments Budapest, Gabriella and Elizabeth Apartments Budapest, Budapest in flat, Aida Budapest Apartment.