If you are into monastrell and/or Jumilla, you should try the wines of Bodega Cerrón. They make more elegant wines than most in the region. This entry level red blend is a good startig point. Continue reading
Chateauneuf du pape with age
A frequent topic about Southern Rhone reds is ageability. I’m with those who say do not age them. At all. There are exceptions, of course, but the majority is at their best when released. Ripe, round and seductive, they don’t need years to soften; they only lose freshness. Continue reading
Marengo Nebbiolo d’Alba 2019
Szekretár Unfiltered Kadarka 2023
Supermarket wines: Gran Bajoz, Toro Vinas Viejas 2021 from Lidl
Telmo Rodriguez Gaba Mencia 2020
Nouveau time: Vylyan Bogyólé 2024
Shiraz icon: Wendouree 2021 from Clare Valley, Australia
Being able to taste a Wendouree in Central Europe feels special When my Aussie connection, Attila Halász came to Budapest in the summer, he brought two bottles with him actually – what a treat it was. Especially as one was the shiraz, the most admired wine of this cult producer.
Exemplary entry level kékfrankos (a.k.a. blaufrankisch): Béla és Bandi 2023
Hungary’s most planted red grape variety is kékfrankos (a.k.a. blaufrankisch, lemberger, frankovka etc.) but it’s really unfashionable among local consumers and it’s just the minority of the producers who take it seriously. No wonder then that generally quality isn’t good. But this example from Béla és Bandi is a true exception, it sets the benchmark for affordable kékfrankos – both stylistically and qualitatively.