Hungarian viticulture and winemaking has always been the jewel of Hungarian agriculture, Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas said on Sunday in Ópusztaszer.

The wine sector contributed 30 billion forints (EUR 100 million) to the performance of Hungarian agriculture in 2012, and thanks to last year's better harvest, this figure grew to 39 billion forints in 2013, Mr. Fazekas added speaking at the Bországgyűlés ("National Wine Assembly") event organised at the Ópusztaszer National Heritage Park.

Mr. Fazekas also stressed that tourism, the hotel and catering industry and trade related to winemaking adds significantly to the importance of the sector, adding that in addition to the economic data one must not forget the significance of viticulture when it comes to the environment and unemployment.

During the EU financial period 2014-2020, funding for the wine industry will be 8.5 billion forints (EUR 28 million) per year, 2 billion forints more than during the previous 7-year cycle, and may be spent on planting new vineyards, purchasing machinery and reinforcing market presence, Minister Fazekas stated.

Mr. Fazekas explained that other countries have much grater opportunities when it comes to mass produced wine, and so the goal for the Hungarian wine industry must be to increase quality to the highest possible level. To ensure a new era in the quality of Hungarian wine production, the Ministry has launched a national wine excellence programme and introduced a new Wine Communities Act to enable organisational changes.

The Ministry's Commissioner for the viniculture and wine immodesty Eliza Kiss said that the newly organised National Council of Wine Communities (HNT) could operate as a true advocacy organisation for Hungary's 72 thousand winemakers.

120 "hilltop judge" positions were re-advertised last year, in addition to which the HNT became the direct employer of these experts, who also perform official duties in representation of the authorities, in place of the wine producers they monitor, Ms. Kiss said, adding that one of the most important tasks for 2014 is the further education of hilltop judges.

The National Wine Tasting initiative launched last year has resulted in the publication of an album showcasing Hungary's best white wines, and this year it's the turn of red and rosé wines. The premium quality products chosen in this way will take part in the highest level international wine competitions as members of the "Hungarian National Wine Team", Commissioner Kiss explained.

(MTI; Photo: Kelemen Zoltán Gergely/MTI)