Who we are?

GROW is an initiative of three wine writers from three different countries, Saša Špiranec (Croatia), Zoltán Győrffy (Hungary) and Igor Luković (Serbia).

GROW is an acronym composed of the names Graševina, Olaszrizling and Welschriesling. All of these, and more, are synonyms for the name of the great variety widely distributed across Central Europe and the Danube basin.

The aim of the project is to promote this excellent variety on the international market, connect and share experiences among countries that cultivate it, discover all aspects of the variety and its potential, and ultimately, in a synergistic effort, develop The Variety alongside local tourism.

GROW du Monde is an international wine challenge that will gather wines made from Graševina, Riesling Italico, Grašac Beli, Laški Rizling, Welschriesling, Ryzlink vlašský, Olaszrizling or Riesling Italian - call this great variety as you prefer.

GROW founders
Igor Luković (Serbia), Zoltán Győrffy (Hungary) and Saša Špiranec (Croatia)

Competition

Wine judges from all over the world will search this year for third time for the best and most authentic wines made with the grape variety we believe in. This is the GROW du Monde.

This year, GROW du Monde will be hosted by Balaton Wine Region in Hungary from 28 to 31 May. The awards ceremony will be held on 31 May in Balatonfüred Congress Center.

GROW du Monde Results 2024 GROW du Monde Results 2024 (.pdf)
GROW du Monde 2023 Croatia
GROW du Monde 2023, Croatia
GROW du Monde Prizes

Application

The entry fee is 50 EUR net per sample.

For applications that include more than three samples from the same winery, the entry fee is 40 EUR net per sample.

The application form must be completed and sent to growbalaton@gmail.com.

The entry fee can be paid after the application form is completed and sent. Competitors will receive the invoice for the entry fee.

The final date for sending the application form: April 30th, 2024.

Apply here: Application form

Sample sending

Three bottles of each sample should be submitted to the addresses below:

Main postal address for sample delivery in Hungary

Pannon Borbolt Kft.

7622 Pécs,
Nyírfa u. 26.

Contact person:

Lilla Regényi
growbalaton@gmail.com
Tel: +36 20 32 53 007

CROATIA & SLOVENIA

Vinart d.o.o.

Delnička ulica 8b
10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Contact person:

Matea Tereza Čirjak
matea@vinart.hr
Tel +385 91 302 0082

SERBIA & NORTH MACEDONIA

Vino & Fino

Milentija Popovića 25/6
11070 Novi Beograd, Serbia

Contact person:

Branka Petronijević
branka.petronijevic@vf.rs
+381646151585

Austria

Tamás Jakab

Lerchengasse 15/5
8020 Graz, Austria

jakabt1973@gmail.com
Tel: +43 676 3949376

The final date to deliver the wine: April 30th, 2024.

GROW After - open wine tasting

On May 31, 2024, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., we will organize the "Grow After - Europe's best Olaszrizlings walking tasting".

The participants can taste the wines of at least 50 Hungarian, Croatian and Serbian wineries - but the number of participants is not yet final.

Buy your regular tickets for 9900 HUF!

Support tickets for the event can be purchased for HUF 20,000 through the Brancs community campaign:

Anyone who loves this variety, the Lake Balaton and believes in community cooperation can help us to bring here the world of wine. Even by purchasing a basic package, you will contribute to the successful realization of the most important international community event of Olaszrizling this May at Lake Balaton! Donate and taste the best Central European GROW-wines with us!

GROW After - walking tasting
GROW After - walking tasting

Judges

Judging panels are made by experienced international judges and some of them are:

Caroline Gilby MW (ENG), Ivan Barbić MW (SUI), Ronn Wiegand MW&MS (USA), Saša Špiranec (CRO), Igor Luković (SRB), Michal Šetka (CZE), Peter Moser (AUT), Tomasz Prange-Barczyński (POL), Robert Gorjak (SLO), Davide Bortone (ITA), Sue Tolson (ENG), Dániel Ercsey (HUN), Thomas Bohl (DEN), Tibor Vittek (SVK), Bruno Gaberšek (SLO), Tomislav Ivanović (SRB), Mirna Srebrović (CRO), Pál Kovács (HUN), Zsuzsa Toronyi (ENG), Lisse Garnett (ENG)

and others.

GROW du Monde Judges
GROW du Monde Judges

Contact

Contact competition director:

Zoltán Győrffy
growbalaton@gmail.com
Tel: +36-70/311-9835

Contact event management:

Lilla Regényi
growbalaton@gmail.com
Tel: +36-20/325-3007

GROW du Monde

Organizer:

Balaton Borrégió

Co-organizers:

Rizling Generáció
Balatoni Kör
Pannon Borbolt

Partners:

Badacsonyi Borvidéki Tanács
Balatonboglári Borvidéki Tanács
Balatonfüred-Csopaki Borvidéki Tanács
Balatonfelvidéki Borvidéki Tanács
Balatonfüredi hegyközség
Balatonlellei hegyközség
Somlói hegyközség

Official water:

Jana - Natural mineral water

Main supporters:

Balatonfüred Város Önkormányzata
Hotel Aura Balatonfüred
Balatonfüredi Kongresszusi Központ
Hotel Vinifera Balatonfüred
77 Elektronika Kft
MBH Bank

Official Media Partners

Pécsi Borozó
Wine sofa
Wine lovers

Supporters:

Amorim Hungarokork Zrt.
Cellarius Kft.
DD Inox Kft.
Dobosi Borbirtok
Figula Wines
Hableány Badacsony
Imprenta Nyomda Kft.
Jamnica Mineral Water
Jásdi Pince
Lázár Pince
Pécsi Tudományegyetem
Rondo Hullámkarton Gyártó Kft.
The Cap Csúziker Kft.
Tornai Pincészet
Trust Hungary Kft.
WineSofa
Zelna Borászat