‘Találkozás’ means ‘encounter’, since this blend was born from the encounter of two grape varieties, Rhine Riesling and Olaszrizling. Rhine Riesling from Hercegföld vineyard “seduced” Olaszrizling, and their liaison is another stunning and complex wine with all the citrusy greatness of Rhine Riesling and with the floral and almond notes of Olaszrizling. Candied orange, sun ripened summer apple and saline almond.

The blend is made of 50% Olaszrizling aged in 10 year old 500 L barrel and 50% Rhine Riesling aged in stainless steel. Its 2.8 g/l residual sugar cannot be detected, since the 5.8 g/l acidity finely balances it. 12.5% alcohol.
(The cartoon below is a joke based on the fact that ‘Olasz’ in the name of Olaszrizling means Italian – though the grape has no relation to Italy, while Rhine Riesling is obviously the most important white grape of Germany.)

Olaszrizling – one of the top buys in Decanter

The above described wine is a novelty, however single varietal Sabar Olaszrizling Birtokbor 2019 has already proved its merits several times. In the latest Hungarian supplement of Decanter magazine this wine is No 8 (with 93 points out of 100) in “30 great buys – Hungary beyond Tokaj”. “Clean and youthful wine with zesty citrus and stone fruit character, delicate nutty notes with almond in the aftertaste. Classic example of a good-quality Olaszrizling, with a rounded mouthfeel and persistent finish.”

Sabar wines are available in Belgium (Qwine), Italy (Alternavino), Slovakia (Beer&wine Depot PWR s.r.o.) and in the United Kingdom (Novel Wines, The Wine Society).

But the best is to visit the estate personally (just take a look at the photo below)…

More about Sabar