Like almost every wine day, this one also originates in the USA, where Cabernet Sauvignon Day always falls on the day before National Labour Day, which is 29 August – today this year. Trends come and go, but Cabernet Sauvignon seems to stay in the limelight, thus it really deserves to be praised. We have collected 3 Hungarian examples of this brilliant variety.

„It’s the guy who shows up at a Halloween party dressed as himself.” „Like that cool uncle of yours, Cabernet Sauvignon will give you plenty of alcohol.” „Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a hybrid, or genetic cross, between important wine parents Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, both grapes used in the blends of the Bordeaux region (so Cabernet Sauvignon is a native Frenchman). But Cabernet stole the show”– these wise statements were written by Emily Bell on Vinepair, if you need polish your knowledge regarding the variety, read the whole article. And since Cabernet Sauvignon can really shine almost everywhere on the globe – provided that it is handled with care and ripens fully –, Hungary gives some lovely examples as well.

Vesztergombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Szekszárd, 2016

Ferenc Vesztergombi, winemaker of the year 1993 and his son, Csaba adds together lifetime experience and knowledge gained abroad on the best slopes of Szekszárd. „Complex nose and palate enhanced with notes resulting from oak ageing. Due to its structure it is also possible to keep in bottle for a prolonged period of time.”

Chateau Teleki Cabernet Sauvignon, Villány, 2015

The southern most wine region of Hungary, Villány has mediterranean climate and ideal conditions for the variety. The winery was founded by Zsigmond Teleki, the world famous viticulturist, who has inevitable role in defeating the plague of phylloxera. „Its intense, spicy nose is full of vitality. The forest fruit character and the touch of smokiness gives a picante note to the wine. Rich, refined flavours.”

Kristinus Cabernet Sauvignon, South Balaton, 2015

Lake Balaton is huge, therefore it includes a huge wine region including six regions, most of them do not have red wine production at all. South Balaton is the „darkest” in the sense that this region has the right conditions for ripening black grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Kristinus Estate is one to watch constantly with great wines to keep and with superb value wines as well, like this one for only 10 euros in retail. „Ripe blueberry fragrance followed by gradually appearing spices (anise, fennel and black pepper). When tasting, the promised notes appear in the sip of the dry wine and exhibit fruity mouthfeel in addition to slight spiciness. An excellent accompaniment to heavy dishes and steaks but also worth trying with chocolate dessert.”