The names Etyek Sparkling Wine and Füred have been granted European Union protection.

The State Secretary emphasized that the significance of the independent protection of origin for Etyek Sparkling Wine and Füred Wine lies in the fact that these products have their own, distinct names and clearly describable characters. Legal protection not only highlights quality, but also creates new opportunities for producers.

The European Commission’s approval of the use of the name Etyek sparkling wine applies to sparkling wine produced from grapes from the vicinity of the Etyek settlement. So, not all sparkling wine produced in Etyek has to be “Etyeki sparkling wine”, and not all wine produced in Balatonfüred has to bear the name “Füred”, emphasized Imre Hubai. These names represent professional and quality standards that producers apply when their wines and sparkling wines truly embody the given protected style of origin. Both communities worked with exemplary professional soundness and cooperation, and the current recognition is due to this cooperation.

The State Secretary recalled that the Protection of Origin Program of the Ministry of Agriculture was launched ten years ago, which provides technical and professional assistance to producer communities so that the typical wine styles they have developed can also be reflected in the regulations. This tool also serves the purpose of presenting the variety of typical wine styles of Hungarian wine regions in an orderly manner. The program has, among other things, decided to grant independent protection of origin to Csopak wines, and five new designations – including the Nivegy Valley, Sümeg and Mura designations from the Balaton wine region – are already awaiting consideration in Brussels.

The Ministry of Agriculture remains committed to the protection of origin and the support of wine-producing communities. The State Secretary drew attention to the fact that within the framework of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy, there are funding sources available to promote geographical indications. Users of the names Etyeki Pezsgő and Füred are now also eligible for these subsidies.