Changing the game – ancient varieties to return in Hungary

Image ~ ~ Zoltán Németi

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!

Tokaj view

Image ~ ~ Zoltán Németi

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.