Great wines to remember #6

Kovács Nimród Winery in Eger makes a whole line of varietal Syrah wines, and Max is undoubtedly a magnificent wine. The grape comes from the highest part of Nyilasmár, a top “cru”, and it is named after the great jazz drummer, Max Roach. It is not a cheap wine at around 50 EUR in retail, but it is definitely worth it!

An outstanding new release

KNW Max Syrah 2022 vintage has been released recently, and it was rated by Vince wine magazine panel as outstanding (4 stars) in the New Releases section. The panel’s review:
“Deep ruby colour. Refreshing, intense nose abundant in red fruits, redcurrant, rosehip with a touch of smoke and pepper in the background. A full sip with vibrant acidity and the aromas of forest fruits. A bit grippy tannins at the moment, it needs some more ageing, and it will definitely be worth being patient!”
As for the other Syrah members of the family, there is Soul as an entry level wine and Wow as the top Syrah, a single vineyard wine from Nagy-Eged vineyard.
Find all the Syrah wines on Monarchia webshop.

Kovács Nimród wines are available in several countries, find all the partners here.

More about Max Roach

More about Kovács Nimród Winery

An earlier article of ours about Kovács Nimród Winery being awarded the most prestigious award of the Circle of Hungarian Wine Writers

Survey based on Google reviews, published by Time Out

Two days ago, Time Out online magazine has published the result of a survey carried on by Emerald Cruisesluxury river cruise company. According to the survey, Hungary boasts the second most appreciated wine region: Eger. The medieval city and the vineyards around deserve the attention undoubtedly, and we are happy to provide travellers with more information.
Cover photo: visiteger.com

 

As the Time Out article informs us, “Emerald Cruises has looked into the number of top-rated wine tasting experiences (with at least 4.4 stars on Google), the volume of five-star reviews and the general sentiment of feedback across Europe’s wine regions to compile a list of the top 10.”
That is all we know, the original survey is not linked, so we are left with some questions, like: have they studied all the wine producing countries of Europe? We are happy with the result of Eger, but if the number of 4 and 5 stars count, a larger wine region has obviously more high ratings, so did they use any correction, any adjustment according to the size of a wine region?
We have contacted both Time Out and Emerald Cruises to receive the entire survey. If we receive it, we will update our article.

Anyway, here is the order of the top 10 wine regions:

1. Bordeaux, France
2. Eger, Hungary
3. Tuscany, Italy
4. Rioja, Spain
5. Champagne, France
6. Franciacorta, Italy
7. Santorini, Greece
8. Ribera del Duero, Spain
9. Douro Valley, Portugal
10. Priorat, Spain

4 wineries you must not miss when visiting Eger

Gál Tibor Winery

 

 

Kovacs Nimrod Winery

 

 

TÓTH FERENC WINERY – 40 YEARS IN THE EGER WINE REGION

 

 

Thummerer Winery

A recent article and video about Tóth Ferenc Winery and its guest house along with a relaxed, open air event

“I stayed in Kadarka and drank it, too”

A recent article about Tibor Gál and the birth of Egri Csillag, the white blend

The Star of Eger – the wine and the visioner

The latest success of Thummerer Winery, an estate with one of the most amazing cellars of Hungary

Thummerer: double success at Eger Wine Contest

A recent article about Kovács Nimród Winery, the winner of the latest selection by the Circle of Hungarian Wine Writers

The Winewriters’ favourite in 2024: Kovács Nimród Winery

‘Debreceni Borozó’ wine magazine

Debrecen is the second largest city of Hungary, and since it does not have a wine region, all regions compete for the significant number of wine lovers of the city. ‘Debreceni Borozó’ wine magazine has 2-4 print issues per year, and since it is distributed all over the country free of charge, it has a large readership and thus influential among the customers. The end-of-the-year issue is the most important with 6 panel tastings. Here come the winners and their wine reviews written by Pál Kovács, editor-in-chief of Debreceni Borozó.
Photos: Attila Viktor Németi

The prestigious title has been awarded for 33 years, the nominees of the 34th edition have been announced recently. Szekszárd and Villány wine regions have given 5-5 award winners each so far, Eger follows them with 4 title holders. Will Szekszárd take the lead with Vesztergombi or will Eger gain on those two on the leaderboard with Lamport of Thummerer? Or will Pannonhalma get its first winner with Liptai of Pannonhalma Archabbey? And also Szepsy Jr can get the 4th title for Tokaj and Szentpéteri the 3rd one for Kunság. See some interesting statistics below. A gala dinner with the nominees will take place on 30 November at Gundel restaurant in Budapest.

Some statistics of the past 33 years of the Winemaker of the Year award

– The youngest award winner is Tamás Borbély from Badacsony.
– One winner from outside the borders of Hungary: Géza Balla, a Hungarian in Transylvania, Romania.
– 3 of the recent nominees were nominated last year and the year before as well: Csaba Vesztergombi of Vesztergombi Cellar, Zsolt Liptai of Pannonhalma Archabbey and József Lamport of Thummerer Winery.
– 2 of the recent nominees can say that their father is an earlier award winner: Csaba Vesztergombi and István Szepsy Jr. And József Lamport is the chief winemaker of Thummerer Winery, with the late Vilmos Thummerer, one of the former winners.
– 8 of the 33 award winners deceased.
– There are only 2 female award winners out of the 33: Beáta Nyúlné Dr. Pühra (Etyek-Buda) and Éva Gálné Dignisz (Kunság).
– There is one father and son winner pair: late Mihály Figula and Mihály Figula Jr from Balatonfüred–Csopak.

Wine dinner at Gundel restaurant with the nominees

Date and time: 30 November 2024, 18.00–22.00
Venue: Gundel restaurant, 1146 Budapest, Gundel Károly út 4., Hungary
Tickets cost 20 000 HUF (approximately 50 euros)
Order your ticket here (in Hungarian, but google can help)

More about Gundel restaurant

Wine regions with the most award winners

– Szekszárd: 5
– Villány: 5
– Eger: 4
– Etyek–Buda: 3
– Tokaj: 3
– Balatonboglár: 3
– Balatonfüred–Csopak: 2
– Kunság: 2
– Neszmély: 2
– Badacsony: 1
– Hajós–Baja: 1
– Mátra: 1
– Outside Hungary: Romania: 1

Former award winners

2023 Tamás Günzer, Villány
2022 Mihály Figula Jr, Balatonfüred–Csopak
2021 Beáta Nyúlné Dr. Pühra, Etyek-Buda
2020 Tamás Borbély, Badacsony
2019 Csaba Koch, Hajós-Baja
2018 Géza Balla, Arad (Romania)
2017 † Mátyás Szőke, Mátra
2016 Pál Mészáros, Szekszárd
2015 † Mihály Szöllősi, Neszmély
2014 Tamás Dúzsi, Szekszárd
2013 Éva Gálné Dignisz, Kunság
2012 Károly Áts, Tokaj
2011 Péter Vida, Szekszárd
2010 Ottó Légli, Balatonboglár
2009 Dr. György Lőrincz, Eger
2008 † János Konyári, Balatonboglár
2007 János Frittmann, Kunság
2006 Vencel Garamvári, Balatonboglár
2005 Béla Vincze, Eger
2004 Ferenc Takler, Szekszárd
2003 János Árvay, Tokaj
2002 † Ernő Malya, Etyek-Buda
2001 István Szepsy, Tokaj
2000 † Mihály Figula, Balatonfüred-Csopak
1999 Ákos Kamocsay, Ászár-Neszmély
1998 † Tibor Gál, Eger
1997 József Bock, Villány
1996 Zoltán Polgár, Villány
1995 † Vilmos Thummerer, Eger
1994 Attila Gere, Villány
1993 Ferenc Vesztergombi, Szekszárd
1992 † Tibor Báthori, Etyek-Buda
1991 Ede Tiffán, Villány

 

 

Gál Tibor, Thummerer, Tóth Ferenc and others

This weekend is dedicated to the renowned red blend of Eger wine region called Egri Bikavér. Several tastings and winery visits are held, probably the most exciting is the tasting of Egri Bikavér wines in a historic building and in the Archbishop courtyard. With one ticket guests can taste Bikavér wines from nearly 20 wineries.

Date and time: 19 October, 17.00–22.00
Venue: Pátriárka restaurant, Érsek u. 5. Eger, Hungary
To Eger from Budapest: by car via M3 motorway (2 hours) or by Intercity train from Keleti railway station.
Masterclass of 7 Egri Bikavér wines by Éva Barta: 17.00–19.00
Exhibitors: Varsányi Winery | Tóth Ferenc Winery | Academia Estate | Petrény Winery | Thummerer Winery | St. Andrea Estate | REGE Estate | Ostoros Family Winery | Gál Lajos Winery | Egersoul First Wine House of Szólát | Juhász Brothers Winery | BÖJT Winery and Vineyard | Korózs Vineyard and Winery | Szuromi Family Estate | Gál Tibor Winery | Csutorás Cellar | Bukolyi Marcell Wine Farm | Stumpf Winery | Gárdonyi 100 Community Wine
Food will also be available at the venue (to be purchased separately).
Tickets cost 10 000 HUF / person (25 EUR) and it includes a glass of welcome Egri Csillag and the tasting of all Egri Bikavér wines.
Get your ticket here (in Hungarian, but Google can help)

A word to memorize

Quality oriented winemakers are really eager to teach you, wine connoisseur to use the Hungarian term, so please, practice: BI-KA-VÉR. (‘Bika’ means ‘bull’, while ‘vér’ means blood, but the English translation Bulls’ Blood is not used any more to avoid the resemblance to the mass produced wine of the Communist era.)

 

Want to become a pro?

Read the wine regulations of Eger wine region

Eger regulation

Nearly 30 estates at Daejeon International Wine Expo

220 wineries from 16 countries will present their wines to the members of the South Korean wine trade. Hungary will be represented by nearly 30 wineries from 5 wine regions, organised by Wines of Hungary. Some of the exhibitors: Bock from Villány, Dubicz from Mátra, Etyeki Kúria from Etyek, Heimann & Fiai and Lajver from Szekszárd, Homola from Balaton, Tóth Ferenc from Eger, Tűzkő from Tolna, Zsirai from Tokaj.

Try something new, try Hungarian wines!

Though the wine in South Korea consumption has dropped in the last two years, the country is still considered to be a developing wine market. As there are more and more sophisticated wine connoisseurs, the trend of drinking less, but better helps wines from less known countries, like Hungary. For the adventurous Korean wine drinkers wines made of indigenous Hungarian grapes can be great alternatives to the market dominating Chilean, New Zealand, Italian and French wines.

26 top restaurants, 16 wineries

SVÉT is an abbreviation and it stands for the “Stylish Countryside Restaurants”, its members represent the cream of the gastronomic landscape of Hungary. At the annual great tasting event guests will have a chance to taste plates from 26 of them at one place: in the beautiful Esterházy Castle Garden in Tata (an hours’ drive from Budapest). Taste great food for restaurants like Lokal 47 from South Balaton or Mandula from Villány and stunning wines from wineries like Gere Tamás & Zsolt from Villány or Gál Tibor Winery from Eger.

Theme of this year’s edition: “Mom’s cooking” (It is the 14th annual grand tasting of SVÉT member restaurants)
Date and time: 28 and 29 September 2024, in three time options each day: from 12.00, 14.00 or 16.00
Venue: 2890 Tata, Kastély square, near Platán restaurant, by the lake of Tata
Exhibiting wineries: Árvay (Tokaj), Balla Géza (Arad, Transylvania), Bock (Villány), Bott Frigyes (Garam-valley, Slovakia), Dúzsi Family Winery (Szekszárd), Gál Tibor (Eger), Gere (Villány), Gere Tamás & Zsolt (Villány), Hernyák (Etyek), Jásdi (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Légli Ottó (Balatonboglár), Neszmélyi Wine Route Association(Neszmély), Pannonhalmia Archabbey (Pannonhalma), Pendits (Tokaj), St. Andrea (Eger), Szeremley Estate (Badacsony), Tóth Ferenc Winery (Eger)
See exhibiting restaurants on the website of the event.
Tickets: 2000 HUF (5 EUR) / day or 2500 HUF (6.5 EUR) / two day
It is necessary to buy entrance tickets online in advance
Dishes and wines are to be paid on the spot.
More information (in Hungarian, but google can help)

An earlier article about Lokal 47 (Kristinus Wine Estate)

Love on the plates

An earlier article about Mandula (A. Gere Winery)

Enjoy the autumn menu at Gere Mandula restaurant

More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

More about Gál Tibor Winery

Gál Tibor Winery

KNW red blend with a cauldron dish

While in many parts of the world cauldron is a pot for witches’ potions, in Hungary and the neighbouring countries cauldron is the obligatory equipment for the summer. We can practically cook anything in a cauldron, though goulash and stew are the most traditional meals to be cooked on open fire. Let us introduce a less usual recipe: duck breast & leg with root vegetables and red wine paired with Cool by Kovács Nimród Winery from Eger.

By Ágnes Németh

Varieties in smooth harmony

Kovács Nimród Winery has a whole line of wines “composed” to pair with music. “Jazz is a music of intimacy and spontaneity that is often inspired by a passing idea or feeling, which many times transforms into a blooming masterpiece of complexity, where the journey takes precedence. Just like jazz music: our Dixie, Cool, Blues, Rhapsody and Soul wines inspire you to take a journey through the different varietals that call Eger their stage.” We did so, we bought a bottle of Cool and let it inspire us. In a summer evening we created a dish that probably had not existed before, and certainly music accompanied us from the first step of cooking.

About Cool Nimród Kovács says the following: “This elegant cuvée presents a harmonic balance of the individual grape varieties, very much like the smooth harmony of musical instruments in the Miles Davis’ Cool jazz music.” The blend consists of 45% Syrah, 28% Kékfrankos, 20% Pinot Noir and 7% Cabernet Franc. The Pinot accounts for only 20%, for me it was still quite present in the wine, making it silky, somewhat ethereal. The wine aged in barrique (French, American and Hungarian) for 15 months. Used oak, so the barrel did not overtake the bright fruitiness of the wine. It was obvious that this wine should be paired with something delicate, this is why we decided on duck. We used breast and legs, however, the breast was much better, so good that we ate it all without taking a photo. The cover picture was made the other day with the leftover duck legs – well, cauldron dishes are even better the next day, so finally we were equally happy with the legs – especially because we had another bottle of Cool…

More about KNW Cool

For the recipe scroll down

KNW wines are available in several countries, you can see the partners here. In you are interested in importing KNW wines, contact Nimród Kovács.

 

 

 

New accommodation in the city of Eger

Our most popular wine tourist destination is Eger, a gorgeous, historic city around a medieval castle. Tóth Ferenc Winery has recently opened a house with three apartments literally by the castle – called Várvédőház (meaning ‘The House to Defend the Castle’). While the ancient, famous fortress is obviously not available to book, these cosy apartments do, and they make you feel the lady or the lord of the castle.

Bikavér, Kadarka, Leányka

The three apartments of the new accommodation facilities are named after the iconic wines of Eger.

– Kadarka is a black variety, important for Bikavér blend and in itself as well, and it has a special importance at Tóth Ferenc Winery, they make an entry level and also a more concentrated Kadarka wine. This latter, Tóth Ferenc Egri Kadarka Superior 2019 has won gold at the National Kadarka Contest.
Kadarka apartment is peculiar just like the grape: brave colours, youthful, invigorating. An ideal romantic escape for couples on 36 square metres (suitable for three people as well).

– Leányka is an important white variety of Eger wine region, frequently it serves as a base for Egri Csillag blend, and Tóth Ferenc Winery makes two different varietal wines of the grape as well. There is a classic, dry Leányka with juicy fruity notes abundant in pear and tropical flavours and an Egri Leányka Superior Late Harvest as well with 50 g residual sugar.
Leányka apartment is a perfect “hiding place” for couples with window to the starry sky, natural colours, wooden furniture and timbers. The 31 sm2 apartment is suitable for 2-3 people.

– Bikavér is the iconic red blend of Eger wine region made of at least four grape varieties including Kékfrankos (the rest can be international grape like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.) Tóth Ferenc Várvédő Egri Bikavér Superior 2019 is the wine to drink in this apartment, since the name ‘Várvédő’ means ‘Defendant of the Castle”.
Bikavér apartment man is the largest of the three apartments on 59 sm2 is suitable for four people. Cosy, spacious, comfortable with all the amenities you might need.

Wifi, air condition, Led TV, washing machine and well-equipped kitchen is included in each of the apartment. The website is only in Hungarian at the moment, but you can check the photos at least. To give an example of the prices: 3 nights at Leányka apartment for two people on July 26–29 costs 84 000 HUF / around 215 EUR.

For booking, contact Várvédőház

Várvédőház apartment web

More about Tóth Ferenc Winery