Bordeaux varieties are still the most planted

It is still time to get your ticket to the largest show of the Hungarian Bordeaux blends and varietal wines of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. The event takes place at the 5 star Corinthia Budapest Hotel and features more than 150 wines from more than 60 wineries. The so-called “Top Wines Hall” is dedicated to the finest examples including the wine of our cover photo, the Koch & Evans Villányi Franc 2018. Buy your tickets in advance and save 2000 HUF (approximately 5 EUR).

Date and time: 30 November 2024, 14.00–22.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsébet Krt 43–47, Budapest, Hungary
Tickets at the venue: 16 900 HUF, tickets now (until 29th midnight): 14 900 HUF
Order your ticket here
Top Wines Hall (‘Csúcsborok terme’) samples are to be paid directly, but all the other wines are available to taste with your ticket.
See the list of exhibitors here.
See the list of wines of the Top Wines Hall with prices here.

Why to focus on Bordeaux varieties?

Hungarian producers are proud of the indigenous grapes, especially Kékfrankos and Kadarka when speaking about black varieties. However, Bordeaux varieties are equally important just take a look at the figures regarding the top 5 most blanted black grapes in Hungary:
Kékfrankos: 6982 hectares
Merlot: 2122 hectares
Cabernet Sauvignon: 2027 hectares
Cabernet Franc: 1422 hectares
Zweigelt: 1150 hectares

Koch & Evans: the joint venture of a sommelier champion and an award winner winemaker

When two super energetic people make wine together, the outcome must be more invigorating than a Red Bull… I have known both wine people for a long time, both of them are great at what they are doing, and most of all they are passionate about their work as well. Californian born Victoria Evans is the Sommelier Champion of Hungary (2020), while the tireless winemaker of Hajós–Baja wine region, Csaba Koch is the Winemaker of the Year (2019).

Csaba Koch has vineyards in Hajós–Baja wine region and also in Villány. The two new wines of the mutual work are great examples of each region. Chardonnay comes from Hajós–Baja, while “Villányi Super Franc” comes from Villány, where Cabernet Franc has a unique appellation called Villányi Franc. Csaba made the base wines, but the blending and the “fine tuning” happened together with the sommelier. Now let the sommelier introduce the wines!

Koch & Evans Villányi Franc 2018 has ruby colour of medium intensity. The attractive, “warm” nose already reveals the varietal character of the wine. Blackcurrant, cherry, sour cherry and raspberry appear along with notes of barrel ageing, like tobacco, smoke, graphite and black pepper. The wine is rich in acidity and tannins and it is in harmony with the body. The palate is abundant in red berry fruits, long lasting chocolate and cocoa notes. A balanced wine, a great example of the variety.
The wine has an ageing potential for at least 10 years, as Victoria Evans commented. The sommelier recommends the wine to pair with venison or beef steak, but she also suggests us to try it with hard cheeses.

More about Koch Winery