Hungary has a long history of winemaking but it does not have many old vineyards – the 20th century wasn’t kind to us. But you can see a kadarka plot in these pictures (click on them to enlarge), planted in 1935.
I liked the 2019 vintage of Tanyamacska and have been following the wine since that release. The 2020 was a little step back but still good, and the current 2021 is unfortunately disappointing. I must add that in my view 2021 is a poor vintage throughout Hungary – most wines are sharp and sour to taste, lacking balance and drinkability.
From the Bordeaux varieties it’s cabernet franc which is the most accepted and famous in Hungary. And not just because Villány declared it as its main variety, although no other region focuses on it to this extent. I tried four recently, and I was really happy with only one of them, the Kiss Gábor; the others are not entirely convincing and some are also overpriced.
Very few red wines are made in Hungary with carbonic maceration, the only well-known one is Vylyan’s Bogyólé. I’m a fan of such wines (just like of Beaujolais crus, which is kinda geeky stuff), I don’t think that they are junk or suitable only for beginners. Not at all. So I’m happy to see the category growing, and here is another good one, a cabernet franc from the southern bank of Lake Balaton. Continue reading
I bought this bottle at the cellar door, when visited this great Csopak producer in July. I’m still impressed, I reckon this is one of the best olaszrizling (welschriesling) out there. Continue reading
As a winelover you won’t often find a Hungarian red for 1100 HUF or 3 Euros which is worth drinking. But the Csányi Shiraz is an exception, it always delivers, and the 2021 vintage is no exception. Continue reading
