When the Languedoc delivers, it’s hard to beat. Continue reading
Solid Furmint sparkling from Tokaj: Péter
I find it a bit confusing that besides many sweet and dry white styles Tokaj producers started to make sparklings in recent years as well. Nevertheless this example from Péter Pince is quite convincing…
Changing the game – ancient varieties to return in Hungary
The first bunches of an almost extinct Hungarian grape variety called Laska, in the new vineyard of András Kovács and Kinga Tóth, in the Mátra region. It was brought back to life by the hero of local grapes, József Szentesi, who is the only one making wine from it currently. The cuttings were taken from his vineyard in Nadap (a virtually unknown wine region, which is one of the most unique terroir in Hungary) and produced just a tiny amount of bunches this year. Watch this space, some exciting wines to be emerged from this address in the coming years!
South African greatness – Keermont Terrasse White Blend 2014
Another South-African white wine I cellared for years, and just like Beaumont’s stunning Hope Marguerite, another success story.
Diacono Navarra 2018
Kind of OK cheap Spanish from Auchan. When it fails for is the finish… Continue reading
Affordable great Bolgheri – Grattamacco Rosso 2017
The little brother to the famous Super Tuscan Grattamacco, Rosso is already a serious wine, and a great value, too.
Tokaj view
The view from the front of Attila Orsolyák’s cellar, in Bodrogkeresztúr, Tokaj. I visited him a week ago, tasted through the barrel samples of 2018 and 2019, and left impressed. There are only tiny quantities to be bottled, as usual. My opinion has not changed – he is quite probably the best winemaker in Tokaj (and that means in the whole country), when it comes to dry white wines.
Great value red: Clos Mont Blanc Xipella 2015, D.O. Catalunya, Spain
A generous, warm climate red that overdelivers when it comes to value. And it’s not a boring, predictable one – a real winner.
Great dry Tokaji – Gizella Barát Hárslevelű 2018
Gizella is one of the best producers of Tokaj, making wines in a modern, precise and crispy, almost steely fashion. Their entry level white (reviewed here) and the Szamorodni (see here) are both at the top of their class, just as is this single vineyard Hárslevelű.
Savage Thief in the Night 2018
Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. Replace the latter with Mourvedre and you get a classic Rhone blend. This has nothing to do with Rhone reds, though.