Back in September I held a tasting of top Grenache wines taken from my collection. The lineup consisted of many that I regard benchmark examples of the variety and a few that I have never tasted before. Continue reading
Chateau Fontareche “Cuvée 1682” 2017, Corbieres
A nice Stellenbosch Chardonnay – DeMorgenzon DMZ 2018
Such an enjoyable and reliable chardonnay. I liked all vintages I’ve tried so far and the 2018 delivers again.
Királyleányka, a Hungarian aromatic white grape variety
Királyleányka is a white grape variety indigenous to Transylvania and Hungary, one that has big potential I believe, but sadly no producer takes it seriously. Most of it end up in blends, one can find only a few basic examples made entirely from this grape, from producers like Bolyki or Kősziklás, the latter is reviewed here.
Muscadet with age: Landron Amphibolite Nature Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine 2014
Fram Cinsault 2017
South African Cinsault in Old World mode. Being Hungarian, to me this looks like a Mediterranean version of our Kadarka wines – a pale, light red that’s easy to drink and love.
Star buy red – Domain Abbaye Sylva Plana “La Closeraie” 2018, Faugeres, Languedoc
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.