Hungarian kadarka 10 years ago mostly meant a dull, 80 point wine, but producers really raised the game in recent years and pushed the variety to a new level – there are now many reaching the 90 point mark (I’m referring to the original, conservative and absolute 100 point scale, where serious wines start at 90, regardless of region or variety – today many critics use it differently, just think about the sometimes crazy Suckling scores). With their 2025 release Szekszárd producer Szekretár has now joined the top league.
great value
Sabar Olaszrizling Birtokbor 2025
Standout Cotes du Rhone: Saint Cosme 2024
Saint Cosme’s entry level Rhone red blew me away almost two years ago – and I think I even underrated it. It was clear that I would try the next vintage, so here it is, the 2024. To be more precise, the 2025 is already on the market, but let’s focus on its predecessor. It’s great.
Domaine du Peyra Cent pour Cent Grenache 2024
My thirst for grenache (be it varietal or blended) returned. I’m just more careful when ordering, I check the alcohol level even before the price… I look for an ABV of 14% or preferably less. That Cochon Volant was a nice discovery last time, and here is another lovely Languedoc red that fits the bill, Cent pour Cent by Domaine du Peyra. Continue reading
A great yet affordable Crozes-Hermitage: Emmanuel Darnaud “Mise en Bouche” 2022
I don’t think it’s easy to find value in the Northern Rhone, but I actually found some amazing wines in the last few months for fair prices. One of them was this beauty, which is a textbook example of syrah from the region, weighing in at a perfect 12,5% ABV. Highly recommended!
Supersmooth Languedoc red: Chateau de Caraguilhes “Cochon Volant” 2024
Never had a wine from this producer before, and what a nice surprise. So refined, skillfully crafted – these are things I love about French wines.
Superb Cotes du Rhone: Perrin Reserve 2023
I looked back and found the tasting note of the 2010 vintage of this wine in my notes, but I think I had tasted even earlier vintages. As far as I can tell, both quality and style are similar these days, making this an absolutely reliable red wine. The current release is as good as the ones back then.
Great value garnacha: Herència Altés Garnatxa Negra 2025
A new producer to me, and the first experience could not be more positive. This garnacha blew me away, I did not expected such a vibrant wine – I definitely need to try other bottlings in their range.
Supermarket wines: Séguret Les Aumoniers 2024 from Lidl
A named villages Cotes du Rhone from Lidl, and it is great value as usual. It’s even a bit cheaper than previous vintages – at least in Hungary -, I don’t even know how is that even possible. And as I have experience with the wine (see the 2018 here) I can confidently say it can be aged for up to 7 years, and it may improve a bit with time.
Supermarket wines: can you age an entry level Chianti from Lidl?
A cheap wine from Lidl that over-delivers in most vintages, I liked this 2018 quite a lot back then (gave it 87 points three years ago, see here), so I stocked up on it. I still have a few bottles and it is almost 8 years old – I bet most entry level wines under 5€ would be way over the drinking window (except Bordeaux and perhaps Rioja reds!). But not this one.









