Taschner Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay Brut 2018

Kurt István Taschner was among the first wineries to boost their portfolio with méthode traditionellesparkling wines. For several years due to tax regulations it was very expensive to make sparkling wines, but the legislation changed a few years ago, and now a great many estates can offer one or two sparkling wines. Taschner Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay Brut is constantly among the top ones of Hungary.

Sopron – unique climate

Sopron wine region lies on the west part of the country along the border with Austria – thus Sopron shares the passion for Kékfrankos / Blaufrankisch with the Austrian neighbour, Burgenland. Zöld Veltelini / Grüner Veltliner is another grape cultivated on both sides. The black international varieties are popular among Sopron winemakers, while Chardonnay is not as common, however Kurt István Taschner soon realized the potential of Chardonnay in Sopron. The climate is cooler than the most of Hungary, partially due to the proximity of the Alps, and Lake Fertő (Neusiedler See) also has a temperating role. Taschner Winery has won several international acknowledgement for its Chardonnay Brut in the past years, and Kurt was to the first also to release the bottle fermented sparkling wine without disgorging. This version is not available now, probably the market was not ready for that.

“Exciting and ideal for contemplation”

Edit Szabó renowned wine writer, owner of Borsmenta online wine magazine has recently evaluated Taschner Chardonnay Brut 2018. “Golden colour, long lasting bubbles. The bubbles are tiny and they are running upwards evenly. Charming nose with honey, fine brioche and bread notes. On the palate the yeasty-brioche notes are balanced with sweet spices (aniseed, ginger), while the citrusy, tangerine flavours appear at the end. The finish also features some refined yeasty aromas. A dignified, matured, rich sparkling wine with beautiful layers and creamy, subtle bubbles. It is not necessary to accompany with a meal, we can open instead of dessert. Whatever is the occasion, this sparkling wine will enhance the moment.” 86 points / 100 points
It costs 5900 HUF (about 15 euro), you can order it from the winery.

More about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine Cellar

Wine tasting at Taschner Winery

Sopron is only one hour by train from Vienna, and 2.5 hours from Budapest. At the winery Kurt István Tascner offers two types of tasting package (the names are Swabian words connected to wine cellars).
– Poncichter tasting: 6 wine samples, mineral water, bread with olive oil. Price: 3900 HUF / person (10 euro)
– Buschenschank tasting: 6 + 2 wine samples (2 from the more exlusive and expensive wines), mineral water, bread with olive oil, cheese. Price: 5900 HUF / person (15 euro)

Book your visit here

Lajver Blanc de Blancs Brut 2019

A decade ago a winery portfolio including a sparkling wine was rare to find – like a white raven as we say. Thanks to some change in the legislation wineries are now allowed to make sparkling wine and more and more of them realize that a bubbly in the range is a must. Finally Lajver Wine House followed suit and we are more than happy about it!

The decision was born in 2019. Lajver has 12 terraces at different altitudes and different exposures to the sun. For the sparkling the team chose the cooler one of the two Chardonnay terraces. The hand sorted grapes were pressed in whole bunches, and after controlled fermentation the base wine had some winter sleep while malolactic fermentation took place spontaneously. Tirage and bottling was carried on in March 2020 and after two and a half years of ageing on the lees they did the first disgorgement on the 3rd of November. The dosage is only 6 g/l, so it almost bone dry. As Rebeka Vida, the chief winemaker of Lajver described: “The notes of the 2.5 years ageing on the lees are more present on the nose with bread crust and toast, while the palate is more on the fruity side with citrus fruits and green apple. When tasting, we can also enjoy the complexity besides the fruitiness. Abundant in bubbles, refreshing acidity, long finish. Surprisingly enough there is a hint of petrol in the aftertaste.”

The bottle fermented sparkling wines gain their complex aromas from the lees. In some places the “lees” is called the “mother” of the sparkling wine. The sparkling wine develops only when it is in contact with the lees, thus the shorter you keep it after disgorgement, the better it is. Always look for the disgorgement date! The general rule is to drink a sparkling wine as soon as you can, and do not keep it longer than two years after the disgorgement.

More about Lajver Wine House
Lajver Blanc de Blancs Brut is available in very limited amount, thus you can find it only on the Hungarian section of Lajver webshop