Taste it on 3 October in Szekszárd!

The subtitle reveals that the winner of the Siller tasting of the Hungarian online wine magazine called Borsmenta is from Szekszárd. The third one is as well (from Tüske Cellar), altogether 4 Siller wines arrived from Szekszárd to the tasting of 14 Siller wines. The second best is from Osváth Cellar in the village of Soponya, and the winner is Heimann & Fiai Piros Siller BIO 2025!

Obligatory with fish soup

Borsmenta is an online, quality wine and gastronomy magazine with trustworthy wine reviews. The editor-in-chief is Edit Szabó, a renowned wine writer and radio broadcaster, the author of several books.
As Borsmenta comments, a good Siller is “light, firm, fruity and pale red. Not pink like rosé, not red either, but red like May cherries. It is a little fuller in body than rosés, and in its aroma, it is more reminiscent of red wines, but in hot summers it is worth cooling it, and even adding soda is not a sacrilege. Yes, everyone read it correctly: Siller can be used to make a perfect red spritz.”
The magazine also emphasises the role of Siller in gastronomy: “Siller is therefore a great refreshment, but it is also at least as important that it is an excellent accompaniment to dishes with Hungarian flavours and spicy paprika. Every family in Szekszárd serves Siller with their Christmas fish soup, there’s no question about it, but it also goes well with chicken stew, ‘lecsó’ (the Hungarian ratatouille), paprika potatoes, Easter ham or Hungarian cold dishes.”
See the full article (in Hungarian) here.

“Ultralight red wine”

Borsmenta about the winner Heimann & Fiai Piros Siller BIO 2025: “The winemaker presents their Siller, which goes by the name Piros (meaning ‘Red’), as an ultralight red wine – and not by chance. It is based on Kékfrankos, the spicy associations flash subtly in the fruity flavour, and the pleasant bitterness that appears in the aftertaste is particularly lovely. It is adorable, just as it is, exactly what one imagines a Siller to be. It does not require food, but it does not refuse it either. Whether we serve it with fish soup, paprika potatoes or chicken stew, we have a winning case.”
Another seasoned description of the wine by Eric Danch of the American Danch & Granger Selection: “This has been a long time in the making. Over a decade ago, Heimann, along with 10 or so other producers in Szekszárd, re-introduced Siller as “Fuxli” into the market. Somewhere in between a rosé and a light red, it was meant to revive a style lost during Communism. It was more of a dark, reductive, and slightly bitter rosé often meant to be used for a Fröccs (aka spritz). Since then, what is a Siller has been reinterpreted and in our opinion, become one of the most delicious wines in Central Europe. We now have versions from Austria, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia and more than 5 from Hungary. It’s now time for an update from Zoltán Heimann. This is just vintage number two, and quite different from the first. Last time it was more of a rosé with a firm tannic structure, this vintage is juicy, aromatic and more of a light red with white wine extras. Two-thirds of the blend is direct pressed Kékfrankos fermented like a rosé which is then blended with whole cluster Kadarka with a little stem inclusion for good measure. Aged for just a few months in tank, this is spicy, fresh, and chillable non glou-glou goodness from Southern Hungary.”
Buy the wine from Danch & Granger Selection

Tasting of novelties at the Heimanns on 3 October

Every year the Heimann family welcomes followers at a relaxed walk-around tasting their home in Szekszárd. Ági, Zoltán Heimann Sr’s wife provides delicacies made from local ingredients (she has a stunning garden with herbs and vegetables), and to elevate the event, an art exhibition is inaugurated as well.
The participation fee is 25 000 HUF, out of which 10 000 HUF is redeemable on the spot or on the webshop. For club members participation is free, but registration is necessary. Maybe it makes sense to become a member. The wine list will soon be announced, we will report it as well.
More information about Heimann & Fiai and Heimann Family Estate

Our earlier article about a Canadian importer selling Heimann wines

Importer of the Month: Salivate Wine Consulting, Canada

Tornai Winery celebrates 80th anniversary

This year is a special one for Tornai, the celebration goes on all year long. It started with the release of the first traditional method sparkling wines of the estate, and in the summer the very first orange wine has hit the shelves. 100% Hárslevelű, 100% flavours!

Orange wine boom still continues, as Decanter wine writer Gosia Young in her article analysing the results of the 17th Decanter World Wine Award. Hungarian producers are also eager to try themselves making the long macerated, amber colour wine, and adventurous wine connoisseurs greet their efforts.

Tornai Narancsbor 2025 (‘Narancsbor’ means ‘Orange wine’) is made of 100% Hárslevelű grape with prolonged skin maceration. “The dry sip on the palate is reminiscent of figs, but there is no hint of sweetness. A tight sense of acidity and a clean, unique flavour. Notes of oily seeds and herbs, earl grey tea and dried peach alternate. A long, complex and particularly likeable finish, with a slight phenolic character, rounded off by a nutty oil flavour.”
Recommended food pairing: pumpkin cream soup with artisan pumpkin seed oil. (In the west of Hungary, in “Őrség” region, there are several traditional small pumpkin seed oil producers.)
It costs 3600 HUF / 10 EUR on the webshop of the winery.

More about Tornai Winery

Tornai wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom, imported by Astrum Wine Cellars. If you are interested in importing, contact the export manager.

Our earlier article about the new sparkling wines

New release by Tornai: Sparkling made of Csomorika

Heumann La Trinità Platinum, Kővilla Syrah Top Value Gold

As Gosia Young, wine writer of the British Decanter magazine writes in her article, “…the real thrill of the world’s largest wine competition lies in its margins: the grape you can’t pronounce, the region you couldn’t place on a map, the style nobody expected to triumph.” These 5 surprises are 1. red wine from Hungary, 2. Brazil as a wine country, 3. Žilavka white variety from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4. orange wines from “the Caucasus to the Pacific Northwest” and 5. Pico wine region in the Portugal Azores.

This year nearly 17,000 wines were judged blind from 58 countries at Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA). See all 2026 results here.

Excerpt from Gosia Young’s recent article (published on 21 August)

Hungary’s hue of red
Hungary is a country that many oenophiles file under sweet wine, and with reason: the honeyed Tokaji Aszú remains one of the world’s great dessert wines and it duly delivered the country a Best in Show this year. But the more surprising story was a red.
For the first time, Hungary earned a Platinum for a red wine: Heumann’s La Trinità, Villány 2019, a 100% Cabernet Franc, part of a banner haul of eight Platinums, up from three last year. It was a wine that turned heads in the judging room.
Dr Caroline Gilby, a Master of Wine who has followed Central and Eastern Europe for decades and was the Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia this year, picked out ‘a superb Hungarian Cabernet Franc’ among her personal highlights of the competition. A grape most drinkers associate with the Loire and Bordeaux is finding a second home on the Pannonian plain.

Heumann, La Trinità, Villány, Dél-Pannónia 2019

Platinum, 97 points
Distinctive red cherries and raspberries sit alongside attractive herbal notes, adding layers of complexity. Judicious oak gives structure and depth, with shapely tannins and juicy acidity bringing vibrance. Ageing beautifully, with more to come.
Available in the UK at Novel Wines

Teleki Kővilla, Syrah, Villány, Dél-Pannónia 2024

Top Value Gold, 95 points
Spicy blackcurrant, smoky blueberry and damson are lent extra complexity with violet florals and a minty zing. Fulsome and firm, concentrated and impressively long.
Not available in the UK yet, if interested, contact the export manager

More about Heumann Winery
More about Teleki Wines

Hungary has been selecting the best cake for the birthday of the country since 2007. The Cake of the Country 2026 is called ‘Bíborfehér’ meaning ‘Purple White’, and it was made in an artisan confectionery shop in the town of Gyula, east of Hungary. Some say the cake resembles the favourite Hungarian dessert “cottage cheese dumplings”. The cake is available in many places throughout the country.

The description of the cake

“It is an elegant combination of forest berries, toasted almonds, silky sour cream mousse and lumpy cottage cheese, made truly special by the sweet blackcurrant wine. Chocolate, vanilla and lemon further enhance the experience, and freeze-dried raspberries are really just the ‘icing on the cake’!” The cake is available in many places throughout the country, you can find the places on the website of the Chamber of Confectioners.

Wines to pair the cake

In an earlier article of ours about cottage cheese dumplings, Péter Blazsovszky sommelier and wine writer warns that high acidity of the wine can result a bitter sensation of the cottage cheese, thus instead of a semi dry wine he would prefer a late harvest, elegant sweet wine. However, the blackcurrant and raspberry give a fruity touch to the cake, therefore we believe that a crispy rose or a bright sparkling rose can work!

Babarczi Pannonhalmi Kékfrankos Rose 2025

Incredibly refreshing, crispy rose made of 100% Kékfrankos grape, no wonder this wine came to our mind when thinking of the perfect match with the cake. “Its aroma and flavour perfectly reflect the Pannonhalma wine region and the characteristics of this grape. The palate is pliable and the fruit is forward with dominant notes of strawberry, yet the bright acidity keeps the fruit in line.”
More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

Patricius Katinka late harvest 2023

This late harvest wine with amazing price-value (also available at the airport in Budapest) is a great choice for any cake, and we are confident that with Purple White it will also work. “A reference point among the late harvest wines of the Tokaj wine region. Selected bunches containing healthy, over-ripened and partly botrytized berries which were picked during the late – autumn harvest. The characteristic varietal notes of Furmint and Yellow Muscat form the foundation of this wine, braced by minerality and zippy acidity for great balance and topped off with an incredibly long finish and creaminess.”
More about Patricius Winery

The republic of Hungary is 1026 years old today, since our first king, Szent István (Saint Stephen) was crowned on this day, on the 20th August in 1000. We have a lot of great quality sparkling wines to celebrate, and – even better – several of them are available in magnum format. Béres Brut Magnum 2022 is a traditional method sparkling made of 100% Hárslevelű.
The opening photo was taken at Zazie bistro at the Winelovers Wine Award gala dinner.

Drop of life

Béres Tokaj is an estate with a true Hungarian story, a history every Hungarian can be proud of. The label of each Béres wine has the shape of a drop, not by accident. Béres Drops is pharmaceutical product that helps people live a healthier life not only in Hungary but beyond our borders as well. The inventor, Dr. József Béres Sr. was “a healer of the soil, of plants, of animals, and then of people.” His life was not easy, he had to fight for his invention and for many years he was not allowed to produce it. His son, József Béres is a seasoned wine enthusiast, he founded Béres estate, and then the inventor’s granddaughter, Melinda Regéczy-Béres was in charge with her husband. Now Melinda is head of communication at the pharmaceutical company of the family, and her husband, Dávid Regéczy is the managing director of the estate – and certainly the whole family is still involved.
Read about the life of Dr. József Béres Sr.

So tasty!

“Extremely vibrant, lively, and vibrating, yet full and elegant sparkling wine made from 100% Hárslevelű. Dry, fresh, yet with a very rich palate with hints of apple, pear, peach, citrus, and rhubarb with a strong minerality that lingers in the finish along with grapefruit-like citrusy and tart green apple characteristics.” – this is the description of the sparkling wine by the winery. Well, even if you are not a rhubarb fan, don’t be afraid! This sparkling wine is stunning, juicy, so delicious, that you will surely ask for another glass.
More about Béres Brut Magnum 2022
More about Béres Tokaj

Info, wine, cool cap, cute glass and love

Badacsony is a volcanic mountain on the north shore of Lake Balaton – and much more. The centre of Badacsony wine region, and a buzzing village at the foot of the mountain. Borbély Family Winery has its estate building and vineyards a bit farther away, but they also have a “wine terrace” just on the route up the mountain – an ideal stop for hikers to fill up the supplies!

1. You can find a lot of information about Badacsony mountain, for example here or here.
2. Borbély Family Winery can boast the youngest Winemaker of the Year ever, and of course, amazing wines, among others from the rare Kéknyelű variety. Borbély Wine Terrace is located on the famous “Római út”, the “Roman road” made actually by the Roman settlers. The place functions as a wine bar with a terrace and as a wine shop as well, where wines are sold at cellar price. Certainly, thirsty hikers can buy chilled wine. Open every day!
3. The cute, reusable plastic glasses are available at Borbély Wine Terrace, ideal for a “pit stop” on the mountain.
4. How about the cool cap in our cover photo? It is available in different colours, and really useful in the heat of the sun.
5. Love, love, love – of course there is a love story connected to Badacsony mountain. Read more about this love story and the first Borbély bottle fermented sparkling wine here.

Love is all around Badacsony

More about Borbély Family Winery

Vencel Garamvári, founder of Garamvári Vineyard, passed away on August 5th at the age of 85. He was a true gentleman, with refined taste, an experienced wine enthusiast, and a passionate lover of champagne and other sparkling wines. He was the first winemaker to make a bottle-fermented sparkling wine from 100% Furmint. A great man. Rest in peace!

In memoriam Vencel Garamvári

(1941 – 2026)
The text below was published by the family on the day of his death.

It is with deep sorrow and a broken heart that we announce the passing of Vencel Garamvári, the founder of our winery and a defining figure in Hungarian wine and sparkling wine culture.
He was an inseparable part of the winery’s everyday life until the last moment, and finally, surrounded by his loving family, he passed away quietly – leaving behind a grandiose oeuvre that inspired generations. An unparalleled journey that we remember with respect and gratitude.
Vencel absorbed his father, József,’s love for winemaking and his humility towards nature. After graduating from the Budafok Oenological Technical School and the University of Horticulture, he earned a degree in winemaking engineering in 1966. He began his professional career at the Törley Sparkling Wine Factory in Budafok, where he soon became production manager and then director – thus laying the foundation stone for the production of premium sparkling wine in Hungary.
In 1990, at the dawn of the renewed Hungarian wine industry, he founded Vinarium, embracing quality Hungarian wineries, and then brought the Garamvári Vineyard to life, which, according to Vencel’s vision and guidance, has established and nurtured the Hungarian wine and sparkling wine culture: preserving ancient traditions, but also in the role of a pioneer of the profession and creativity, always keeping in mind uncompromising quality and the duty of striving for perfection, for more than 30 years now.
He was helped in this by his lifelong partner, Zsuzsanna, with whom he was able to achieve both his personal and professional successes hand in hand, until his last heartbeat. He inspired our family to do this, from which the third generation of dedicated winemakers has grown up, and continues the work that Vencel started. This is the legacy that he created, in South Balaton and Budafok.
As he put it: “I always dreamed of being surrounded by my own vineyards on all four sides.”
And the dream came true.
Vencel not only built the Hungarian wine industry, but also selflessly shared his knowledge and experience. He was a pioneer, but also a mentor and inspiration for generations.
His work, vision and love for winemaking will live forever in every grape, every bottle and every rising bubble of Garamvári.
We will preserve his memory and legacy with respect and love. With the sincere love of our hearts, we ask everyone who shares our grief – representatives of the winemaking profession, lovers of wines and sparkling wines, and our friends and acquaintances alike – to pay tribute to Vencel’s memory as he himself would have done: with a silent toast.

Hungarian wines by Credo Imports in three more states of the US

My dear aunt and dear cousins in Colorado, do you remember the days we spent at Lake Balaton? Now you can recall the good memories with some Balaton wines! Homola and Feind are two Balaton wineries, their wines along with other Hungarian wines are now available in three more states: Colorado, Georgia and Virginia. Credo Imports works with various local partners across these states, so look for Hungarian wines all around!
By Ágnes Németh

 

“Credo Imports has been busy expanding our presence in the US markets and have secured three new distribution states: Colorado, Georgia, and Virginia. This brings our total to New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, and Utah, with plans to expand into Illinois and Michigan soon. These three new states will carry Hungarian wines, and we are excited to continue sharing our portfolio from Hungary, Germany, Austria, and elsewhere. Our commitment to advocating for Hungarian wines has truly paid off in opening these new markets.” – commented Daniel Satola, co-owner of Credo Imports.

Homola 100% Balaton – a white blend of the lake

“A captivating fruit-forward blend from the Balaton Wine Region, featuring aromatic, local varieties: Tramini, Szürkebarát, Olaszrizling, and Sárgamuskotály. This wine showcases vibrant tropical fruit flavors with a subtle touch of saltiness, complemented by a crisp, fresh acidity.”
This wine aims to feature the most typical grapes of Balaton wine region. If I allowed some personal touch in the lead, let me go on: in my childhood summer was equal to Balaton, we spent many weekends on the north shore at different villages. I remember how cheerful my parents were at the end of a beach day, at a wine rustic wine bar of the times, drinking Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris) or Tramini (Traminer), two grapes of Homola 100% Balaton blend. This wine recalls good memories of that era, with the merits of modern technology and much more care and attention in the vineyard.

See the wine on Credo Imports website

More about Homola Winery

Feind Play Rose – bubbly refreshment

” After the popularity of our white sparkling wine we decided to make our first sparkling rose. It is fresh and fruity, everything we dreamed of. Perfect as an aperitif and as a summer’s day refreshment.”
Though Balaton is all about white wines, some wineries insist on cultivating black grapes as well, a Feind is one of them. Their Syrah is undoubtedly one of the best in the country, and this rosé also proves the relevance of black grapes around the largest lake of Central and Eastern Europe. Feind Play Rose is made of Kékfrankos and Zweigelt, and it is aerated, to make it more refreshing. Feind Winery is the “first stop” if you are driving from Budapest, with a wine bar and wine shop – a must stop indeed!

See the wine on Credo Imports website

More about Feind Winery

More about Credo Imports

Our earlier interview with Credo Imports owners

Credo Imports launches Vylyan, Lajver and Feind wines in the USA

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

The French châteaux are majestic, the Spanish bodegas are romantic, while the Hungarian underground cellar labyrinths tell tales about history. What’s more, they are really nice places to hang around during heatwaves. Let us invite you to 7 stunning Hungarian cellars, where – besides high quality, gorgeous wines – you can see wonders underground.

 

Chic in the cellar – Kovács Nimród Winery, Eger

“Carved in stone and elegantly furnished, our facility will meet the highest expectations of our most discerning visitors.”And it is true, proved among others by 5.0 evaluation on Tripadvisor. The winery is located in the historic Verőszala street, which is actually a line of cellars in the outskirts of Eger, the most visited city after Budapest in Hungary. The estate offers 5 different tastings from 5600 HUF to 19 500 HUF / person, and can accept up to 80 people. And even a stylish wine dinner is available, as it is featured in the second photo.

More about the winery visit
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