Keep an eye on Hungary’s Mátra wine region, some fascinating developments are taking place in this sleepy part of the country.
Exciting new wines to emerge from Hungary’s Mátra region
Bonacchi Chianti Riserva 2016
No love at first sight. But eventually I liked it, even if I’m not excited.
Special moment – opening a Wendouree Malbec 2010
A rarity. Wendouree wines are difficult to get even in their home, Australia, but in Europe it’s basically impossible. I found a few available bottles in a UK online shop many years ago and I’m glad I ordered some, possibly I will never be able to get more. This was my last bottle.
La Rasina Toscana Sangiovese 2020
I have had some disappointing chianti recently, then bumped into this. Now we are talking.
Supermarket wines: San Zenone Chianti 2020
One might expect that in most European countries there’s an abundance of basic Bordeaux and Chianti wines on the market, but Hungary is not flooded with these classic offers, unfortunately. But at least there is a good one out there, and it’s the Aldi version called San Zenone, current vintage is 2020. Continue reading
Péter Pince Arcus 2019
New vintage of the Péter Pince Arcus. A bit different, than the 2018, but none the less great… Continue reading
Kaiken Aventura 2019 Norte
A new wine from Kaiken. Pure malbec, raised without oak – that’s where I got interested. Haven’t tasted their well known wines for years, what I remember is what was once the mainstream New World style: in your face, ripe, sweet and oaky numbers… big on flavour but boring and predictable. This is different.
Jorge Navascues Cutio 2018, Carinena, Spain
A grenache, finally. I drank less of them in the last few months than it’s usual for me, but here you go. A spanish one that also contains a bit of carignan.Supermarket wines: Pierre Chanau Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux 2019
New vintage of this great value entry level Bordeaux red, the Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux from Auchan’s own label series. The 2018 was probably even better, though I’m not sure – they are a bit different, showing vintage character I guess. Both very well made and enjoyable.
Must try red – Producteurs Plaimont Monastère rouge 2014
Tannat from its homeland, or nearby – OK it’s not from Madiran, but from Gascony. Then it’s a proof that they can match the quality of the more famous appellation, this is a great wine which I enjoyed a lot.