SUMMA
SUMMA - International conference of non-alcoholic hungarian wines
Date: May 20, 2026.
The market for non-alcoholic and reduced-alcohol wines is growing dynamically worldwide. Nowadays, de-alcoholizationtechnologies are receiving increasing attention due to significant changes in consumer habits, health awareness, theregulatory environment and changing market demands. Technological developments, competition are intensifying, and formanufacturers, not only cost-effectiveness, but also the quality and aroma profile of de-alcoholized wines are becoming keyfactors. Companies such as Flavourtech are actively experimenting with new processes so that alcohol-free wines offerconsumers not only an alternative, but also an authentic experience.
By organizing the SUMMA International WineConference, the University of Pécs, Viticulture and Enology Research Institute provides a scientific and professional space for thoseinterested in alcohol-free wines, which is a unique domestic initiative. Our main goal is to promote international knowledgesharing, build market relationships (networking) and, last but not least, position Hungary, and within it our university, as theleading professional meeting place in the region. By organizing an successful conference, we encourage innovation andresearch cooperation between our partner wine regions in the field of new de-alcoholization technologies.
The conferencewill be enhanced by renowned experts in the field, such as Dr. Mattias Schmitt (Geisenheim University) from Germany andKlaas Leenders (Flavourtech) from Australia. During the conference, in addition to plenary lectures and an internationalperspective, we will also pay attention to an interdisciplinary approach: the physiological effects of alcohol-free wines,nutritional aspects and communication opportunities. A particularly interesting part of the conference will be the practicaldemonstration and guided tasting, with the help of which participants can get acquainted with alcohol-free (zero) winesmade from Hungarian wine grape varieties by renowned domestic wineries.
Honorary Patron of the conference: Dr. István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture
Patron of the conference: Pál Rókusfalvy, Government Commissioner Responsible for National Wine Marketing
Chair of the Professional Committee: János Frittmann, Chair of the The National Council of the Wine Communities
8:00 – 8:50 Arrival of the guests/ on-site registration
Opening speeches
9:00 – 9:05 Zoltán Madaras, President, Research Institute for Viticulture and Oenology of UP
9:05 – 9:15 Dr. István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture
9:15 – 9:25 János Frittmann, Chair of the National Council of Wine Communities
9:30 – 9:50 Opening lecture by Pál Rókusfalvy, Government Comissioner Responsible for National Wine Marketing
10:00 – 10:20 An overview of the technology: Leon Skalitis, Flavourtech CEO
10:30 – 10:50 The alcohol removal process in practice : Dr. Matthias Schmitt, researcher in oenology - Geisenheim University
11:00 – 11:20 Conscious nutrution and current trends: Péter Fodor – Director, MEVID
11:30 – 11:50 Non-alcoholic wine products in medicine: Prof. Dr. Ferenc Gallyas, Professor of Biochemistry - University of Pécs Medical School
12:00 – 12:20 Consumer behavior and decision-making mechanisms: Prof. Dr. Mária Törőcsik, Professor Emeritus- Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Pécs
12:30 – 12:50 Grant opportunities and the funding environment in the wine sector: Dávid Hollósi, Director - Agriculture and Food Industry Division, MBH Bank
13:00 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:40 – 14:00 Overview of the international wine market: Górski Łukasz, sommelier
14:10 – 14:30 Infrastructure and laboratory facilities of the Research Institue for Viticulture and Oenology: Dr. László Kőrösi, Director of the Laboratory - Research Institue for Viticulture and Oenology of UP
14:40 – 15:30 Guided tasting of non-alcoholic wines: István Ipacs Szabó, Head Winemaker, Research Institue for Viticulure and Oenology of UP
10:00 – 14:00 Poster session on related fields of study, with a maximum of 12 posters.
16:00 Closing of the conference
The conference will be conducted in English and Hungarian, with simultaneous interpretation provided.
The speakers are invited experts; the audience consists of professionals, educators, researchers and students (BSc, MSc, PhD) working in fields related to this area of study; winemakers, representatives of wineries, viticulture experts, representatives of the agricultural sector, students and teachers from agricultural schools, as well as anyone interested in the topic.
REGISTRATION: https://easyreg.hu/conference/summa-en
More information: borbirtok[at]pte[dot]hu