Just the second xinomavro on the blog, I should buy more as it’s again so interesting and delicious.
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local varieties
Highly individual – the 2020 edition of Tihanyi Kék, the ancient Hungarian variety, from Szentesi József
Szentesi Kékszilváni 2019
Kékszilváni, which translates to blauer silvaner and is most likely the same variety indeed, can be tasted again from Hungarian vineyards. You guessed it right, the man who brought it back is József Szentesi.
Szentesi Laska 2020
The first review of a laska on this blog! This black grape was planted in Hungary in the past but then disappeared, and of course it’s József Szentesi who brought it back for us. In 2020 it produced a wine that holds great promise for the future.
One more csókaszőlő on the horizon!
Just a micro batch, but there is now one more csókaszőlő red wine on the market, joining the very few others that exist today. Szentesi József, Vylyan, St. Andrea and Bussay are the producers who already released such variety (I might miss a name or two), and now you can taste one from Kovács András and Tóth Kinga, if you are lucky enough – it’s extremely limited. Continue reading
Grapes never tasted – Szentesi Kék Bajor 2020
Kék bajor is another almost extinct Hungarian grape variety József Szentesi is trying to bring back to life. According to him, it gives lighter wines. This is not the first vintage, but I’m not sure if it was ever released on the market – this 2020 is now available to buy.
Itt és Most Tihanyi Kék 2021
I must mention that Itt és Most Pince‘s owner is a fellow winemaker in the same village where I also make my wine – I’m a bit hesitant to write about his wines, but this is such an important one. To my knowledge it’s only József Szentesi who has been making wine from tihanyi kék, an almost extinct Hungarian red grape. Until 2021, when Itt és Most Pince made their first harvest from their new plantings…
Just arrived – my order of the latest Szentesi collection
This is quite possibly the most exciting two cases of Hungarian wines you can get in 2021. Continue reading
Vylyan did it again: Macska Portugieser 2021
I thought it was probably just a vintage thing for Vylyan, they nailed it in 2020 and made a standout Portugieser, but the new vintage is just as lovely, if not even better.
Supermarket wines: Teleki Kékfrankos 2019, a nice one
Teleki is one of the most widely available entry level wine brand in Hungary, made in big quantities and available at every corner. Everyone knows it, this is what many regular wine consumers identify with quality wine and with villányi (Villány is kind of Hungary’s Barossa). I’m happy to say that it’s actually really nice! Continue reading