Commemoration and new wines

The Research Institute Viticulture and Enology of the University of Pécs (PTE) presented its new wines, which commemorate Dr. Ferenc Jakab, director of the National Laboratory Virology of the National Laboratory of Virology at PTE, who passed away in February 2024. 

It has been a challenging year for the staff of the Research Institute Viticulture and Enology (SZBKI), as the year started with excellent weather conditions for grape production, but from May onwards a period of bad weather hit the vines. This year, due to the record early ripening, harvesting started on 18 July at the University Vineyard. Zoltán Madaras, president of SZBKI, said, "in the last 70 years, there has never been a harvest so early in Pécs." 

During the busy harvest period, the research institute's laboratory was a great help, measuring and analysing grape varieties around the clock, which gave the experts a good background to know which grapes to harvest and when. These data are also of great importance because, in addition to the wines produced for the market, SZBKI also has more than 400 different research lots. 

István Ipacs Szabó, the chief winemaker of the SZBKI, made a very fruity rosé with crisp acidity, which Zoltán Madaras said was the best rosé wine of recent years, and  

a tribute to a very dear colleague who was connected to the Research Institute of Viticulture and Enology in many ways. 

Dr. Ferenc Jakab, a determined, persistent professor, has become a leading figure in virology in Europe and an inescapable expert on the subject. In his private life, he was a motorcycle enthusiast, and whenever he could, he visited the Szentmiklós mountain site of SZBKI on his motorbike. Jakab Rozé pays tribute to the work and personality of the research institute, the wine label was created by Péter Králik. 

"Ferenc Jakab was a great supporter of both innovation and this research institute. When he could, he also held his professional meetings here on Mount St Miklós with his favourite wine, rosé. When we made the rosé in this challenging year, we thought we would dedicate it to him, since we owe them years of the same challenges and serious professional work here at the research institute and at the whole University of Pécs ", said Zoltán Madaras, who also briefly presented the new wines of the University Wine Estate. 

"Here on Mount St Miklós, we are mainly oriented towards white wines, and in recent years the market has also turned around so that white wines are in greater demand than reds. Since we started working together with István Ipacs Szabó, the flagship wine of SZBKI has become our Zenit, made from a grape variety that is more than 70 years old and bred in Pécs. This is the wine that sells the fastest and in the largest quantities in the research institute's repertoire. I was very pleased that István's experimental spirit has not waned, as last year he already had a Sauvignon Blanc, which he also made this year, " said the president of the SZBKI, giving an insight into the wine selection. 

In addition to the above, the winery also produces a Riesling made with a combination of Italian Riesling and Rhine Riesling, which is different from other Italian Rieslings in that it is a little more fragrant and aromatic, and makes an excellent sparkling wine. The estate's Jasmine wine has been a big hit for years, and this year, with the newly planted vines coming into production, they are able to make a larger quantity. SZBKI's Summa red wine will also be making its debut soon. 

Dr. Attila Miseta, Rector of PTE thanked all the staff of SZBKI for their hard work this year, and asked the audience to toast together in memory of Dr. Ferenc Jakab: 

"Let us remember Feri with love!" 

Every year SZBKI prepares wine packages for the approach of Christmas, and this year four different gift packages will be available for purchase, a red, a white, a sweet and a premium package. These will include products from producers and entrepreneurs in Baranya county. 

The gift packs will soon be available online in the PTE webshop.