Exquisite reds, whites, and rosés are poured in profusion during Saturday’s VinAgora Wine Gala in Budapest, the culminating event of Hungary’s most prestigious wine-evaluating competition. Everyone is welcome to sample many of the good libations entered for the expert judges’ consideration, after both Hungarian wines and international varieties were appraised in strictly controlled blind taste-testings earlier this month.

Established in 1992, VinAgora is now one of the world’s most highly esteemed wine competitions. With a focus on Central European wineries but an eager openness to discover outstanding varieties from around the world, VinAgora shines as a guiding light for oneophiles to learn about the newest developments in the winemaking scene, and Saturday’s grand gathering offers a rare opportunity to sip these exciting selections all in one place.

Among entrants hailing from Australia, Peru, Taiwan, Spain, and many other far-flung places – in addition to domestic selections from all of Hungary’s diverse wine regions – this year’s winner of the Great Gold Medal is Narbona’s Tannat Roble 2011 from Uruguay, while Gold Medal recipients include Víno Dalibor Reisling 2013 from the Czech Republic’s Vinarstvi U Kaplicky winery, Vina Laguna Festigia Merlot 2010 by Croatia’s Agrolaguna cellars, and Hungary’s own Egri Kékfrankos-Merlot Rosé 2013 by Varsányi, Hilltop Neszmély’s Prémium Pinot Grigio 2012, and Tokaji Muscat Blanc 2013 from the revered Gróf Degenfeld estate.

All of the lauded wines will be available at Saturday’s public sampling so that plentiful top-class glassfuls are promised to every guest, while revered vintners are often present at their tasting stalls to provide insight about the background of each bottle. Adding to the intoxicating excitement, during the course of the gala VinAgora’s 2014 Champion prizes will be announced as both connoisseurs and casual tipplers enjoy the tasteful proceedings to the fullest extent within downtown Pest’s majestic New York Palace. Check out www.vinagora.hu for complete program and ticket information.VinAgora Wine GalaJune 28, 1pm to 8pm
New York Palace – Boscolo Conference Center Pest VII, Erzsébet krt. 9-11