June 7 | 10:00–16:15 – Wine Tourism & Media Day (Hungarian Pavilion)
Tastings and presentations designed for wine tourism professionals, media representatives, and influencers.
10:00-12:00 “Discovering Hungary”
A journey through Hungary’s wine regions showcasing carefully selected Hungarian wines presented by renowned winemakers Sarolta Bárdos, Csilla Sebestyén and Zsófia Kövesdi.
The tasting will be hosted by Sommelier Hiroshi Ishida.
12:00-13:30 Lunch in Miska Kitchen & Bar
13:30-14:45 “Wine Tourism in Hungary”
Top Hungarian attractions in Budapest and the country’s wine regions, by Motoji Katsuta
14:45-15:30 “Your Partner in Hungary”
A presentation by Vera Szűcs-Balás, Head of Education and PR at the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency, the organiser of the event series
15:30-15:45 Raffle followed by a closing speech
(Raffle Game Rules and Privacy Policy)
15:45-16:15 Pavilion tour (optional programme)
Hiroshi Ishida is a Sommelier, based in Tokyo. He is the co-founder of Michelin starred Restaurant L’aube, and corporate sommelier of the restaurant company “HUGE”, which operates 40 outlets in Japan. He was named Best Sommelier of Japan in 1996, 1998 and 2014, and was placed 3rd at the World’s Best Sommelier competition in 2000, and became Best Sommelier of Asia Oceania in 2015. In 2011, he was awarded the title of “Contemporary Master Craftsman” by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and in 2014 he received the “Medal of Honour with Yellow Ribbon” from the Cabinet Office. He was a judge for the Decanter Asia Wine Awards from 2013 to 2020.
Mr. Motoji Katsuta: “I am a former environmental engineer and, after turning 50, I changed my job to become a local staff member at the Hungarian National Tourist Office Tokyo Office. Since then, I have been to Hungary a total of 43 times, gaining knowledge and experience while promoting Hungarian tourism. In 2021, I was awarded the Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit by the then President, His Excellency Áder. In addition to being an avid railway enthusiast, my current hobby is promoting Hungary.”
Vera Szűcs-Balás has over two decades of experience in wine marketing and tourism within the public sector. As a wine specialist at the Wine Marketing Agency, she contributes to strengthening the international presence of Hungarian wines and represents the Wines of Hungary brand through professional education, strategic communication, and diplomacy.