Taschner Irsai Olivér from Sopron

Kurt István Taschner is well known for being the first to release a wine of the new vintage, and a regular winner of the “National New Vintage Wine Contest”. The contest will take place later, but Taschner Irsai Olivér from Sopron is already available!

The winemaker about the wine

“The intensity with which the aromas—reminiscent of grapes and flowers—burst from the glass is particularly striking. A hint of ginger complements the fresh, fruity notes. The aroma is so inviting that you almost want to take a bite. The palate is lively, with wild, spirited acidity; its flavour profile evokes green herbs, grass, and citrus, and it has a slender body. The aroma is enchanting, while the palate is more playful, but both embody the unique character of aromatic grape varieties.” And it costs only 1950 HUF / 5-6 EUR!
See the wine on the webshop of the winery (in Hungarian)
More information about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine Cellar
If you are interested in importing, contact Kurt István Taschner

The ‘fav’ grape of many wine lovers

Irsai Olivér is planted widely in Hungary due to its popularity. Wonderful examples of the grape are produced in Kunság region, where the best winemakers can hold in check the aromatic character of the variety. Also popular in Mátra, Balaton, Etyek–Buda, Neszmély, Sopron. Ripening early, it gives a very aromatic, intense wine with grapey aromas, delicate spices. Easy drinking wine with medium-low acidity and alcohol, almost always vinified reductively for instant consumption.

Irsai Olivér – it wasn’t because of gambling debts

For a long time, the legend persisted that Irsai Olivér was a merchant who bought a grape variety for 100 ‘pengő’ (the currency of Hungary at that time) so that his name might be remembered by future generations. It is also said that Pál Kocsis, who bred the Irsai Olivér grape variety in 1930, did not name the variety – created by crossing the Csabagyöngye and Pozsonyi Fehér – after himself because he was a passionate card player and had gambled away even the right to name it.
He may well have played cards, but a more likely explanation is that Kocsis’s simple surname (meaning ‘coachman’) would not have suited this aromatic, fragrant, almost flamboyant variety, so he chose instead to name it after the son of a merchant friend, Olivér M. Irsai. In this way, the grape variety was indeed given a more exciting name, and he also paid a truly kind gesture to his friend. Olivér M. Irsai’s son was also given the name Olivér; we knew someone who knew him, and it is possible that he is still alive.

Upgrade: Taschner Chardonnay in Hévíz, at the largest natural lake of the world

Albino Perle tells you immediately what it is: ‘albino’, so white made of black grape, and ‘perle’, a wine with bubbles. Easy going and fun, perfect with our chicken dish, which is so easy to make. And if you want a “royal upgrade”, visit Hévíz, the largest natural lake of the world, and enjoy a traditional method Chardonnay sparkling wine from the same Sopron producer, Kurt István Taschner.
For the recipe of the chicken & pistachio, scroll down.

 

Taschner Albino Perle is an aerated sparkling wine made of 100% Cabernet Franc, it has intense, juicy aromas and flavours of yellow fruits, and it costs only 1950 HUF (around 5.40 EUR) on the webshop of the winery!
Taschner Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs 2023 has won two gold medals at Berliner Wine Trophy with its layered, complex aromas, creamy bubbles and matured, toasty notes. The sparkling wine is available at many restaurants, among others at Liget Royal restaurant in the town of Hévíz. The renovated restaurant offers traditional Hungarian dishes and has a good selection of Hungarian wines.
More about Liget Royal restaurant
More about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine Cellar

Did you know, that the little town of Hévíz boasts the largest natural thermal lake in the world?

– The 4.6-hectare, 46,350m2 to be exact, 38.5-meter-deep lake is fed by a spring containing sulphur, radium, and minerals, and thanks to its abundant water flow, the water is completely replaced within 72 hours.
– The water of Lake Hévíz is equally rich in dissolved and gaseous substances, combining the beneficial properties of carbonated, sulphurous, calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen carbonate medicinal waters.
– The lake’s water surface could accommodate up to 6 and a half football fields. The water flow from its spring is approximately 410 litres per second.
Fun fact: In 1914, Nelly, the elephant was transferred from the Budapest Zoo to cure her leg ache.
Read more about Lake Hévíz

Chicken & pistachio

Pistachios are a trendy nut these days, and they also go well with chicken, making it even more crispy.
– Heat a little butter mixed with a little olive oil in a frying pan and fry a few chicken breast pieces.
– When they are golden brown, remove them from the pan, place them in an ovenproof dish, add a little cream, grated cheese and sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
– Put the chicken in the oven for 20 minutes.
– Meanwhile, put some peeled and sliced ​​apples in the same pan, caramelize them, add a little champagne and cook until soft. Season with salt, pepper and freshly ground ginger.
– Garnish the chicken with the ginger apples.

Some more articles about Taschner wines

Twice as faithful – Taschner Fidelissima Cuvées from Sopron

“Wine course” in Sopron any time with Kurt István Taschner

Getting high in Sopron

16–18 May 2026, Vienna

A professional jury has selected 25 Hungarian Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) wines, which will represent the variety at VieVinum Austrian wine expo on 16–18 May 2026 in Vienna.
For the list of 25 wines scroll down.

Selected wines by wine region

9 Szekszárd,
7 Villány,
3 Sopron,
2 Balaton-felvidék,
1 Badacsony,
1 Balatonfüred–Csopak,
1 Eger,
1 Etyek–Buda

Wines from our cover photo

Bock Kékfrankos Selection 2023, Villány

Yield controlled fruit from Fekete-hegy vineyard. Fermentation in stainless steel, ageing in 2nd use barrique. Cherry, sour cherry and chocolate on the nose and palate.
More about the winery

Etyeki Kúria MSV Konkrét Kékfrankos 2023, Sopron

Hand harvest, gentle destemming, fermentation on the skin. Ageing for a year in concrete tank. Pure fruitiness – sour cherry, cherry, redcurrant – complemented by a hint of spiciness and some minerality.
More about the winery

Heimann Bati Kereszt Kékfrankos 2021, Szekszárd

The grape comes from the north-facing Bati Kereszt vineyard. Beautiful aroma with a lighter body, very floral, cool, and playful. The 2021 vintage is particularly young and vibrant.

More about the winery

Wine of the Weekend

Kurt István Taschner has been working for Chardonnay variety for a long time. He was the first to make bottle fermented ‘blanc de blanc’ in Sopron wine region, and his still Premium Chardonnay is the favourite of many wine enthusiasts. A true spring wine! The winery offers two types of visit and has two food options, see below.

Taschner Premium Chardonnay 2024, Sopron

Its golden hue is inviting at first glance, and its aroma reveals delicate oak spices and ripe, white-fleshed fruits. On the palate, fresh and lively, yet round and harmonious: juicy apple, pear, and apricot notes emerge, accompanied by a hint of vanilla and a soft creaminess on the finish. An excellent choice for mushroom dishes and poultry, but it also pairs wonderfully with bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.
Read more about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine House

Sopron is only an hour by train from Vienna, 2.5 hours from Budapest, and the gorgeous city is well worth a visit! Kurst István Taschner offers several types of visits at the estate.

Wine tasting at Taschner

Do you want to taste diverse wines and learn about them, but a wine school cannot be scheduled in your life? In this case a winery tasting with a wide range of wines and with a patient “teacher” is a good option for you. Kurt István Taschner loves his homeland and he never runs out of stories about Sopron. Plus, we can find the whole “course material” in his cellar, from bottle fermented sparkling wines to natural sweet wines.
At the winery Kurt István Tascner offers two types of tasting package. The words Poncichter and Buschenschank are Swabian words connected to wine cellars. Sopron wine region is near the Austrian border, the traditions, words and of course meals are interwoven with German words. ‘Poncichter’ is a word used even nowadays for pubs selling wine, and the original form of the word is Bohnenzüchter, which means beangrower. ‘Buschenschank’ is a specific type of wine tavern where, at certain times, the proprietor serves wine produced on their own premises. The name derives from the ‘Buschen’, a bundle of green branches placed above the entrance gate, indicating that the tavern is open.

– Poncichter tasting: 6 entry level wine samples, mineral water, bread with olive oil. Price: 4300 HUF / person (around 11 euro)
– Buschenschank tasting: 6 + 2 wine samples (2 from the more exclusive and expensive wines), mineral water, bread with olive oil. Price: 8200 HUF / person (around 21 euro)
As for food:
– A rustic cold platter is available for groups of minimum 6 people for 4900 HUF / person (around 12.5 EUR)
– A plate of ‘Poncichter Ragout” followed by strudel as dessert is available for goups of minimum 8 people for 4900 HUF / person (around 12.5 EUR)

Book your visit here

 

Wine & Food weeks and a hotel above the city

Sopron wine region started a joined restaurants & wineries campaign last year, and “Soproni Ízkavalkád”, the ‘Festivity of Flavours in Sopron’ has returned. Deák restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes paired with local wine, while the renewed Hotel Sopron promises relaxing stay, a great “house wine” and a stunning view of Sopron.
Background photo for the cover photo: Hotel Sopron.

16th edition with estates from ALL the 22 wine regions of Hungary

More than 150 wineries will exhibit at Borjour Magnum, the annual tasting of not only the well-established, famous wineries, but also of the ones yet to be discovered. Literally all the 22 wine regions will be represented including the rarely mentioned Csongrád and Bükk, along with some Hungarian wineries from beyond the borders. Early bird tickets are on sale!

Date and time: 14 February 2026, 15.00–21.00
Venue: Budapest Congress Centre, 1123 Budapest, Jagelló út 1–3.
Tickets: an early bird ticket is 16 900 HUF (instead of 30 000 HUF), it is approximately 44 EUR. The best value ticket is the limited-edition dual ticket (Valentine Ticket) for only 39 900 HUF / 2 people (approximately 103 EUR).
Website of the event

Truffle-seeking demonstration and other extras

Borjour Magnum offers some side programmes, for example a little show with Samok, a dog will demonstrate in every hour how he finds truffles in the forest. Glass test, Coravin show, olive tasting, cheese premier and tasting of delicacies made of plants grown in the wild by Dzsindzsa.

Some of the exhibitors:

Borbély Family Winery (Badacsony), Dominium Winery (Mátra), Feind Winery (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Frittmann Winery (Kunság), Gál Tibor Winery (Eger), Garamvári Vineyard (Balatonlelle), Homola Winery (Balatonfüred), Koch Winery (Hajós–Baja), Kovács Nimród Winery (Eger), Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery (Pannonhalma), Sabar Wine House (Badacsony), Szeleshát (Szekszárd), Taschner Winery (Sopron), Teleki Wines (Villány), Tűzkő Estate (Tolna).

See all the exhibitors here
(Click on ‘KÖVETKEZŐ’ meaning ‘NEXT’ at the bottom of the page to see more)

A place to find new favs

Borjour Magnum is huge indeed and features several relatively or actually unknown and / or new wineries, thus it is the best place to discover new favourites. For example, we have not heard of Rózsa Winery (Tokaj), Katalin Rábai (Neszmély), Neiner Cellar (Szekszárd), just to mention a few.

Sopron white and red blend

Sopron is the capital city of our westernmost wine region, near the Austrian Burgenland. And Sopron has a peculiar importance for Hungary: it is often cited as the City of Loyalty or the Faithful City. Fidelissima means “most faithful” in Latin, and Kurt István Taschner is undoubtedly a faithful and active citizen of the city, this is why he makes a white and red blend with the name Fidelissima.

The Faithful City

After the I World War the Treaty of Trianon attached Sopron and its surrounding villages to Austria, however a revolt broke out. Negotiations started with the help of Venice, and as a result a referendum was announced. On 14–16 December 1921 people over the age of 20 voted. The participation vas very high (89.5%), and the majority voted for staying Hungarian citizens – especially in the city of Sopron, where 72.8% voted for staying. It was the only case when the Treaty of Trianon was modified!
The Fire Tower in our cover photo is the symbol of Sopron, it is highly advised to visit with a museum inside and great view of the city. We once had the chance to taste Tascher’s méthod traditionnelle sparkling wine up there, with Kurt István Taschner himself.

More information about the Fire Tower

Taschner and other producers

Stefánia Palace is a lovely event venue, and on 21 June it will host Sopron wine region and its wineries. The tasting will present a great opportunity to taste the iconic Kékfrankos wines of Sopron along with other important varieties, like Zenit. The entrance ticket is only 4000 HUF (around 10 EUR), so it is a steal!

Date and time: 21 June 2025, 17.00–21.00
Venue: Stefánia Palace, Stefánia road 34-36., Budapest, Hungary, 1143
Tickets are available here for 4000 HUF (around 10 EUR) in case of purchasing in advance and the price is 5000 HUF on the spot.
Exhibiting wineries: Bónis-Reitter, Sopron Kúria, Gangl Winery, Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine House, Vincellér Wine Estate, Winelife Winery, Zachár Wine, Puklus Winery.
Wine bites will be available to purchase (not included in the entrance ticket).

Experimenting spirit

All the labels floating in the air in our cover photo are from Taschner winery run by Kurt István Taschner. Quite likely he is the only one to make varietal Pinot Meunier wine in Hungary, and also, he might be the only one using the variety called “Korai Piros Veltelini”. He obviously makes Kékfrankos, it is kind of obligatory in Sopron, in the city where for a while Blue Frank (meaning Kékfrankos) was a functioning currency. Zenit is a Hungarian variety to watch, Kurt makes a stunning sweet, late harvest wine of this grape. Irsai Olivér, the flamboyant aromatic wine of Hungary is always the first bottled wine of Taschner, and in 2024 it was chosen The Best New Vintage Wine of Hungary.

Read more about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine House

Some more articles about Taschner

 

“Wine course” in Sopron any time with Kurt István Taschner

Taschner Irsai Olivér 2024 from Sopron has arrived!

Taschner – a winemaker obsessed by beauty

Experimental spirit

Zenit, a grape to watch

‘Zenith’ (in Hungarian ‘zenit’) is “the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the nadir and vertically above the observer”. And also, Zenit is a Hungarian white grape with a potential to give refreshing yet complex wines. Taschner Zenit 2024 from Sopron is one of the 127 Hungarian gold medal winners from the latest edition of Berliner Wine Trophy.
The cover photo was taken by Kurt István Taschner in his vineyard.

Hungary is among the top 5 medal winner countries

Berliner Wine Trophy calls itself “the largest international competition”, but actually it is not. According to the website the organizer holds 4 different wine contest sessions (Asian Wine Trophy, Portugal Wine Trophy and two sessions of Berliner Wine Trophy with altogether 14 000 entered wines, while Decanter World Wine Awards received more than 18 000 samples last year.

Nevertheless, Berliner Wine Trophy is one of the most popular wine contests among Hungarian winemakers. This year 34 countries entered wines in the Winter Tasting, and Hungary is the country with 4th most medals after Italy (421 medals), Spain (335) and Germany (190). The 5th is France with 177 medals.

There are 5 Hungarian Grand Gold winners, all of them Tokaji Aszú wines. As for the dry whites, it is good to see that there are so many gold winner wines made of indigenous grapes, like Rózsakő by Borbély(Badacsony), Cserszegi Fűszeres by Frittmann (Kunság), Furmint by Tornai (Somló) and the star of our cover photo, Zenit by Taschner (Sopron).
See Berliner Wine Trophy results
Our article is to be continued with medal winner red wines of the contest from Hungary

Have you heard about Zenit?

Zenit is a crossing between Bouvier and Ezerjó grapes created in Pécs Research Centre in Hungary by Ferenc Király in 1951, but it was officially recognized only in 1976. Thanks to its good abilities Zenit is getting more and more popular. In Bükk wine region some young pioneer winemakers take Zenit very seriously.

Although Zenit is widely dispersed around Hungary, particularly in higher sites in Mátra, Eger and around Lake Balaton, the total area in 2008 was just 560 hectares. However, recently there has been an increase, in 2024 there were 660 hectares planted with Zenit. More and more wineries realize the potential of this grape, and the Research Centre in Pécs helps a lot – they even created a bottle fermented sparkling wine made of Zenit to show what it is capable of.

“Wines are crisp with flavours of apple and citrus but not overly aromatic; the best examples are potentially long-lived and subtle with a mineral edge.” (Excerpt From: Robinson, Jancis; Harding, Julia; Vouillamoz, Jose. “Wine Grapes”)

Tascher Zenit is a great and easy-to-fall-in-love example of the variety. The grapes for the wine came from Ranisch vineyard, one of the best plots of the estate. It was matured in stainless steel tank. The nose is abundant in notes of sugarmelon, apricot, a flowering meadow, but we can also detect some hints of of pear and citrus fruits and a touch of white pepper. The palate is dominated by white flesh fruit, with a pinch of bitterness of the grapefruit and some saltiness. A perfect partner of grilled vegetables and chicken dishes. The alcohol is rather high, 13.5%, but the juicy flavours balance it nicely.
Taschner won another gold medal with his Chardonnay Premium 2023.
More about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine Cellar

Our earlier article about Kurt István Taschner and his passion to take photos

Taschner – a winemaker obsessed by beauty

Bock, Feind, Taschner and many others at Budapest Congress Centre

1000 wines will be available to taste from 200 wineries in the largest indoor wine event in Hungary, organised by Borjour team. Wineries come from every part of Hungary, for example Babarczi from Pannohalma, Bock from Villány, Borbély from Badacsony, Dominium from Mátra, Eszterbauer from Szekszárd, Etyeki Kúria from Etyek, Fehérvári from Somló, Feind from Balatonfüred–Csopak, Frittmann from Kunság, Homola from Balatonfüred–Csopak,  Jackfall from Villány, Koch from Hajós–Baja, Kovács Nimród from Eger, Pannonhalma Archabbey from Pannonhalma, Patricius from Tokaj, Steigler from Sopron, Szeleshát from Szekszárd, Taschner from Sopron, Tűzkő from Tolna, Vesztergombi from Szekszárd, Vylyan from Villány.
Our cover photo: Bock Marcell bottle fermented sparkling wine from Villány

Date and time: 15 February 2025, 14.00–21.00 (professional hour from 14.00 to 15.00).
Venue: Budapest Congress Centre, Jagelló road 1–3, Budapest, Hungary
Tickets: 14 900 HUF / 36 EUR
To buy your ticket you should click on ‘JEGYVÁSÁRLÁS’ (purchasing ticket) here.
Food will be available to purchase from 25 gastronomic exhibitors.
Exhibitors in alphabetical order
Rent a glass: to rent your tasting glass, 2500 HUF cash is needed, it will be returned upon returning the glass.
Why to participate? Borjour Magnum is one of the most favourite events of the wine enthusiasts. The atmosphere is always casual, relaxed, and to wander around is like gold mining: guests can discover new releases by well know wineries and totally unknown, small wineries with great passion. Borjour Magnum is an event of joy, the joy of having cool winemakers making wines to enjoy, not somewhere in the ivory tower, but here, with us, for us.
More about Borjour Magnum (in Hungarian, but Google can help)

Marcell – dedicated to the first grandson

One of the exhibitors of Borjour Magnum is the multi award winning icon winery from Villány, Bock Winery. József Bock founder has won what a winemaker can win in Hungary: Winemaker of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, the Most Beautiful Vineyard of Hungary and tons of gold and grand gold medals from national and international competitions. Yet, József Bock is not only the founder and leader of a winery, the president of Villány wine region, but also a happy husband, father and grandfather. Marcell is a method traditional sparkling wine made of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Hárslevelű. It is a brut nature bubbly, so no sugar was added. The sparkling wine is named after József Bock’s first grandson. The current vintage is 2021, its retail price in Hungary is around 13 EUR. Certainly, Bock Winery is first and foremost famous for its long aged, complex red wines, so do not miss them!

More about Bock Winery