Szekretár Unfiltered Kadarka 2023

Image ~ December 1, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

The more kadarka I taste the more I like the variety. It’s like a light pinot with a distinct spicy flavour – if you are into delicate red wines, it’s a must try. This one from Szekszárd producer Szekretár is definitely one to recommend.

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Old kadarka vines in Szekszárd at the Márkvárt Pince

Image ~ July 16, 2024July 16, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

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.

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Standout kadarka: Bock 2019

Image ~ May 29, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

Kadarka is an indigenous red grape variety to Hungary, even though it most likely originates in the Balkans. It produces a light red wine which tends to be fairly simple, but it’s quite distinguished and has some pinot-noir-like qualities and appeal. Continue reading →

Lajvér Kadarka 2021, Szekszárd, Hungary

Image ~ May 18, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

I liked what I tasted from Lajvér in the past, but this current release of their kadarka is a bit different. It’s from 2021 and similarly to most Hungarian wines of that vintage (BTW it was a poor one in many parts of Europe), I find it challenging rather than agreeable.

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Supermarket wines: Eszterbauer Sógor Kadarka 2023

Image ~ May 17, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

The Sógor kadarka is back on form! The 2023 is as good as the best vintage I have tasted yet, the 2019. It’s good news, regarding that the 2022 was a disappointment. It’s a bit early but so far it seems that 2023 yielded the most charming and delicious Hungarian wines in recent years. Even though it was a disaster for most wine producers…

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Top notch kadarka: Heimann & Fiai 2022

Image ~ November 19, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

The Heimann family did it again. An outstanding kadarka, great successor to the amazing 2021 – and one of the most exciting Hungarian red wines out there.

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Supermarket wines – Eszterbauer Sógor Kadarka 2020

Image ~ June 29, 2022June 29, 2022 ~ Zoltán Németi

Kadarka is difficult to grow which makes it expensive to produce, and there isn’t much of it planted. So to see this wine for just above 3 euros on shelves is a shame – a sign of hard times wine growers face these days.

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Exemplary Kadarka and great value: Eszterbauer Sógor 2019

Image ~ April 30, 2021 ~ Zoltán Németi

I could not name a Kadarka from the last few years which was affordable and as good and well made as this entry level Eszterbauer. It even surpasses most of the expensive ones, as they are faulty to some extent, more often than not (main reason is that the variety is extremely susceptible to rot/Botrytis, harvesting healthy crop is rare, just ask Hungarian grape growers). Continue reading →

Koch Frisch Kadarka 2018

Image ~ December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 ~ Zoltán Németi

Liked this Kadarka at a public tasting a few months ago, so wanted to try it at home. Continue reading →

Something unusual – Toronyi Kadarka 2016

Image ~ December 18, 2020 ~ Zoltán Németi

Late harvest Kadarka, made from Botrytized grapes is not uncommon in Hungary. But it’s not the reason the Toronyi 2016 from Szekszárd is so interesting. Continue reading →