The first edition of Terra Benedicta, a comprehensive book on Hungarian wines were published in 2003 by Gabriella Mészáros, Gábor Rohály and András Nagymarosy. Gabriella Mészáros and Gábor Rohály were the ones who initiated professional Hungarian wine education, and they were also the first to obtain accreditaion from London based Wine and Spirit Education Trust. András Nagymarosy – who unfortantely passed away by now – were an instructor at this school and were a university professor as well. Gabriella Mészáros is still a very active personality of Hungarian wine life, she teaches, publishes books, gives masterclasses all around the country and abroad as well. The book is translated into English by Péter Lengyel.

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The post Once again about the Furmint book appeared first on Hungarianwines.

„The year of 2017 is the year Furmint was not only given a dedicated day, 1st February, but it was also the year Furmint was recognized with the title, Year of Furmint. With this announcement, a tradition was established, not only within the country’s borders but also on an international level, where it deserves to be. Inventor and implementer of the National Wine Excellency Programme Dr. Eliza Kiss, mastermind behind the Furmint February events Dániel Kézdy, winemaker István Szepsy Jr. and representatives of Furmint USA revealed in a joint press conference what Furmint means to them and why it is important to bestow a grape variety with ambassador roles each year – starting with this authentic Hungarian variety possessing so much opportunities, hopes and trust” – as we can read in the foreword of the recently published bilingual (Hungarian and English) book on Furmint grape.

The post A book on Furmint grape is published – available in English as well appeared first on Hungarianwines.

Nimród Kovács with his wife, Dorottya, and the former president of the USA, Bill Clinton

Nimród Kovács wasn’t always rich, he worked hard to become a successful businessman, and now, when he could get retired, he works probably even harder to fulfill his dream: to get international ackowledgement of his wines, the wines of Kovács Nimród Winery. A recently published book tells the wholse story of his adventurous life: he left Hungary in 1971 – he escaped from Hungary by swimming from former Jugoslavia beach to Italy! –, then after an Italian refugee camp he travelled to the USA, where he settled down. First he worked as a waiter daytime and studied marketing in the evening at the university, then he got a job in a New York advertising agency, and after that he built a career in the world of cable televisions. He travelled the world, became successful and after the system of the regime he returned Hungary. He was the one who created HBO, the first movie television channel in Hungary.

With his wife and with actor Paul Newman, with whom they met during charity action. Paul Newman is founder of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and Nimród Kovács is a supporter of the project

At the age of 60 he decided to devote all his time to his winery in Eger wine region, and soon his devotion was rewarded. He believes in local grape varieties, but he believes that the international grape varieties are important tools to communicate with winelovers who do not know Hunagrian gapes yet. „The essence of fine wine is rooted in the unique terroir, where the grapes are raised. We are fortunate enough to have three of the top terroirs in the Eger wine growing region. Since Eger is a cool climate region, similar to Burgundy or cooler climates of California, we planted varieties that feel very much at home, and are capable of producing world class wines. In addition to these international varietals which include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, we also proudly feature traditional Hungarian varietals, such as Furmint and Kékfrankos.We farm these grapes using sustainable practices and every year we hand harvest these healthy and happy grapes which are being gently guided into fine wines.”

The book and Nimród Kovács with the author of the biography, Ágnes László

The book is available only in Hungarian language at the moment, but hopefully soon it will be published in English as well. The author of the book is a well known journalist, Ágnes László, who wrote an easy-to-read, exciting biography of a man with great philosophy. Though the book is not available yet in English, the marvellous wines of Kovács Nimród Winery are available in several countries (USA, UK, China, Germany, Poland). The USA is the second biggest market for KNW wines after Hungary. In the USA and Hungary all KNW wines are available online.

Start tasting with his Monopole Battonage Chardonnay, you must not miss his Monopole Rhapsody Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), Grand Bleu (Kékfrankos) is a wine you must try before you die, and his flagship wine, NJK is the diamond in his crown, the full stop of the sentence.

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As The Drinks Business writes:

                                                          John Szabo

“Entitled Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power, the book is thought to be the first to use volcanic soil as the overarching theme to introduce a wide range of grapes and wine regions.

As well as introducing the subject of how volcanoes are formed and providing a glossary of volcanic and geological terms, Szabo focuses on eight distinct geographic regions of the world, introducing specific wineries from each region.

The regions chosen are the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Chile, Macaronesia, Alsace and Germany, Italy, Santorini and Hungary.

The book launch comes as interest in volcanic wines as a discrete category continues to grow, not just among wine trade professionals but also among consumers.

In addition, volcanic wines are occupying an increasingly prominent position on trend-setting restaurant wine lists. As noted on Wine List Confidential, Yotam Ottolenghi’s London restaurant Nopi now has a small section devoted specifically to wines of volcanic origin.”

The whole article can be found here:

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2016/10/john-szabo-ms-launches-volcanic-wines-book/

Intimate Tutored Tasting and Book Signing in Toronto, Canada

               Volcanic Vineyard

On Sunday, November 6th, join Master Sommelier John Szabo, author of the recently published book: Volcanic Wines, Salt, Grit and Power for an intimate guided tasting of Italy’s finest volcanic wines selected from the Cavinona portfolio.

A slide show of beautiful photographs from the book will transport you to these special places as you sip and savour the magic of volcanic soils.

Your ticket includes a signed copy of John’s book – Volcanic Wines.

Date: Sunday, November 6th

Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

Place: Terroni 57 Adelaide St E A, Toronto, in the downstairs Cantina

Tickets: $85 plus hst, includes a signed copy of Volcanic Wines and tasting of 6 wines.

Space is limited to 25 participants.

Order tickets here: contact@johnszabo.com

After the tutored tasting, you are welcome to join the Cavinona annual portfolio tasting event and get a chance to meet over 30 winery principles from across Italy (volcanic and otherwise), sample 100+ wines, and purchase cases. Volcanic Wines will also be available for sale during the main event ($59).

About John Szabo 

He was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004. He’s seen the hospitality business from all sides including cooking and washing dishes, serving and sommellerie, importing, teaching, writing, photographing, speaking, emceeing, consulting and judging wine internationally. He was listed as “Canada’s best-known sommelier” in Meininger’s Wine Business International.

John is a partner and principal critic for WineAlign.com, Canada’s largest wine publication, and wine columnist for Ricardo, ModaLina, and CityBites Magazines. He writes occasionally for US-based Wine & Spirits Magazine, and has published in dozens of other magazines and newspapers. His books include Pairing Food and Wine For Dummies (Wiley, December 2012), and Sommelier Management (Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, Revised Edition 2013). But volcanoes are John’s current fatal attraction. His latest book, Volcanic Wines, Salt, Grit and Power, as been published recently.

John also consults on restaurant beverage programs, from small neighborhood operations to national chains. He counts Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, the Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto and the National Arts Centre among many past clients. And to get closer to the land, he is a partner in the small J&J Eger vineyard in Hungary.

Order

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