One of the well-known and widely distributed roses in Hungary, the Konyári is also one of the best of its class, avoiding the typical mistakes of its peers. No off-putting bubble gum aromas here. It’s also contender of the prettiest rose label in the country…
Two rieslings from Luxembourg: Schmit-Fohl and Kohll-Leuck
Here we have two rieslings from Luxembourg, from two producers. Kohll-Leuck makes outstanding pinot gris (the Rousemen is one of the very best examples of the variety I have ever tasted), so my expectations were quite high towards their riesling, but the winner is Schmit-Fohl this time – a name new to me.
Svirce Plavac Mali Mediterano 2019
I had my first Croatian wine just a few years ago and while my experiences are still quite limited, I loved every single one from the country so far – including this plavac mali. Thanks, Matthew Horkey for introducing Croatia to me!
Dominio de Anza Rioja 2021
Opened this Rioja with high expectations, but it let me down. For over €20 and with a 94p WA score I hope for an outstanding wine but this is far from that. Re-tasted it in many contexts with the same conclusion.
Hungarian rose: Sauska and Font
Here are two well-known rose wines that are widely available on the Hungarian market. The Font is on the cheap side, it’s about 4 EUR (sold by Lidl) and the Sauska is on the expensive side of Hungarian rose at 8 EUR.
Supermarket wines: Lidls Deluxe Reserva Privada Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Chateau Purcari Academia Saperavi 2019
I can’t remember ever tasting a Moldovan wine, but here we go. It’s like what I would expect: an opulent, almost New World-like red. How to put it politely? Definitely not for the Burgundy lover…
Supermarket wines: Hacienda Uvanis Garnacha Old Vines Navarra 2022 from Lidl
Solid garnacha from Lidl. Old vine material for €4? It rather tastes like just cheap, €4 red wine, but a very good one.
Casa Castillo La Tendida 2020
Casa Castillo is a star producer of Jumilla, and their wines are different from most made in the region. Less oak and less sweetness, more purity – I’m gravitating towards the style, but I’m not fully convinced by this wine. And it’s not the first case when I expected more from a Casa Castillo red… Continue reading
Standout kadarka: Bock 2019
Kadarka is an indigenous red grape variety to Hungary, even though it most likely originates in the Balkans. It produces a light red wine which tends to be fairly simple, but it’s quite distinguished and has some pinot-noir-like qualities and appeal. Continue reading