Based on that label you would never guess this is a serious wine. It is. It’s basically non-existent on the market, as it’s a small producer and they sell everything at cellar door – there is only one wine place where you can do that in Hungary, near lake Balaton, where tourist are plenty. It’s a shame, as this little producers makes some of Hungarys most unique and long living wines.
I spent a few hours at Gyöngyöspata yesterday, which is a tiny town 80 kilometers from Budapest to the North-East. This is the heart of the Mátra wine region, home to many of the new wave, young winemakers who organized the first Volcanic Wine Festival three years ago, to attract wine tourists to this otherwise sleepy village, and to promote the high potential, but still hardly recognized (as a serious player) Mátra region.
Malbec is a new thing in Hungary and there isn’t much of it planted, but to judge from this example, it has a bright future. This comes from the sunny southern part of the country, Szekszárd, which is famous for its opulent, big and ripe reds, and while I struggle to like the Cabernets and Merlots made there, I simply loved this Malbec.
Yet another one from the endless row of great 2016 Southern Rhone reds. The first wine I tried from the producer and it convinced me, now I want to try more from their portfolio.
Grüner Veltliner is not a variety one associates with Australia, but taste this and you will probably agree with me: they should plant more. Continue reading
Not that I drink many white wines from the Languedoc and Provence, but probably this is the best I have ever tasted from those regions. I used to buy wines from this great producer, and while the rose is always good, the regular white wine I tried did not really impress me – but I knew that new wines are coming (top whites, as well as a new rose). As soon as it became available at one of my favorite French online shop Les Passionnes du Vin, I immediately made my order. Glad I did.
Drinking in Avignon wine #9. There should be a saying that goes like: never buy cheap Chateauneuf du Pape. It’s just a waste of many.
