Meet the Judges of BIWC 2025: Horia Hasnaș

In this special series, we introduce the jury members of the 14th edition of The Balkans International Wine Competition – respected professionals with years of experience, insight, and deep knowledge of the Balkan wine region. Today we turn to Horia Hasnaș, Romanian journalist, wine writer, judge and World Champion in blind tasting with Team Romania in 2023. Horia has been part of BIWC since its very first edition, bringing his unique energy and perspective to the competition.

You have been jurying from the very beginning of the BIWC. How have the wines from the region changed?

In more than a decade, the wines of the Balkans have definitely changed. First of all, they have become better. Also, the number of wines has increased a lot. And I’m happy to discover that a huge part of these wines are made with local varieties. Winemakers have realized that local grapes make the difference. And the quality keeps improving year after year.

What is the biggest challenge in judging wines from such a diverse region as the Balkans?

It’s not easy… It’s challenging because you have to discover so many varieties and such different expressions of the same variety. That’s due to the diversity of terroirs, but also because of the different approaches by winemakers. Especially the “young wolves” – with a lot of knowledge – want to create a new wine style: more elegant, more expressive.

What are the advantages and challenges of evaluating wines from such a diverse winemaking region?

Ha ha… First of all – it’s never boring! And second – you keep learning all the time. You’re also forced to travel more and discover new people, new stories, new challenges. Being a juror at BIWC is hard and demanding, but also charming. And I’m truly happy to be part of this story.