The three wine families of Veszprém Archdiocese Winery have been given a design remake – figures from the ceiling paintings in the grand chamber of the Archbishop’s Palace, Veszprém, are now included on the labels. Wines from the Vesprim Infula, Mandorla and 1277 ranges can be enjoyed by all from mid-May.
1277 – from now on, this is the name awarded to the premium wines of Veszprém Archdiocese Winery. The year is an important milestone: the Archdiocese (and its predecessor, Veszprém Bishopric) has been engaged in grape cultivation and winemaking for nearly 750 years, since 1277. This year’s harvest receives a new name and labels; it is one of the three families of wine now available in shops.
The Winery’s white, rosé and red cuvées bear the name Vesprim Infula. The new name refers to the archdiocese because the word ‘infula’ means mitre. The label of these wines includes striking putti (cherubs) seen in paintings in the grand chamber of the Archbishop’s Palace in Veszprém; they are depicted using a light, modern graphic solution.
The middle category wine range is called Mandorla – this expression means the oval aureole or mandala encompassing an entire figure. This category includes varietal wines, for example the Olaszrizling (Welschriesling or Italian Riesling), Rajnai Rizling (Rhine Riesling) and Sauvignon Blanc. Inspiration for the packaging of Mandorla wines is once again taken from the fresco of the Archbishop’s Palace; figures appearing in this work find their way onto the new labels.
The most outstanding lots of the main varieties of the Winery, for example, the Rajnai Rizling, Sauvignon Blanc and Rouge Cuvée, belong to the premium wine range. “The name – 1277 – expresses our pride and respect toward the past and tradition,” says Antal Benesch, head winemaker of Veszprém Archdiocese Winery.
The three wine ranges differ in taste and design. “The packaging and flavour of our cuvées reflect a gracefulness, while the premium category is more full-bodied, and its label is characterized by refinement and elegance,” stresses the head winemaker.
Antal Benesch has run the Veszprém Archdiocese Winery for two years and his wines have won several prizes since then. In spring 2022, the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc won the prize for best wine at the Veszprém County wine competition of the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture, and at the national wine competition the Winery picked up a gold medal for its 2021 Olaszrizling. New wines are being made with exactly the same care and expertise, but this year’s image revamp and the formation of new wine families have been an important milestone for the Winery.
“Veszprém Archdiocese Winery has two vineyards on the north shore of Lake Balaton. One is in Mindszentkálla in the Kál Basin, the other is in Felsőörs in the Balatonfüred-Csopak Wine Region. The intention of the Archdiocese is to completely renew its two vineyards, as a result of which grapes will be grown over a larger area plus technological developments can also be expected,” the head winemaker explains.
Veszprém Archdiocese Winery worked in collaboration with Salt Communications on the development and planning of the design. Members of the new wine families can be purchased from mid-May in the Veszprém shop of the Archdiocese Winery (Szaléziánum Book and Gift Shop), in Felsőörs, and on the shelves and online platform of Bortársaság, furthermore, from the beginning of summer it will be possible to place orders on the webshop of Archdiocese Winery. The 2022 wines can be sampled at Veszprém’s Gizella Days in May, and at various culinary and wine festivals, for example, Rosé, Riesling and Jazz Days or the Veszprém Gourmet Festival.
