Fehérvári Grand Rouge & Fehérvári Pinot Noir

God listened to my prayers. It happened a couple of times that I spent a few consecutive days in Somló, and as much as I adore the magnificent white wines of the volcanic Somló, on the last day usually I was daydreaming of some red wine, just for a change. Some wineries came out with red wines, but in general only one brand, only a few bottles, sold out immediately. But now Fehérvári Wine Estate has released not one, but two red wines! Welcome!

Ágnes Németh

 

Did you know?

– Though nowadays Somló is first and foremost famous for its iconic white varieties, before phylloxera devastated the vineyards, there were some black grapes on Somló, besides Juhfark, Furmint and Sárfehér.
– Vinum Somlaianum Omni Tempore Sanum–the Latin sentence means “Wine of Somló is a medication for every occasion” – for many centuries wines from Somló were considered medicine. Another saying is Vinum Somlaianum lac senum, pueris venum, meaning “Wine of Somló is milk for the elderly people but poison for the children”.
– József Antall, the first prime minister of Hungary after the collapse of the communist regime was a historian, and according to his findings the wine of Somló was credited to cure many diseases or malfunctions including constipation, hemorrhoids, male potential problems, anaemia and cold.
– Somló is our smallest wine region with only 438 hectares of vineyards (409 hectares growing), with 416 hectares white and only 22 hectares black varieties.
– The most important grapes now: Olaszrizling (99 hectares) Juhfark (78 hectares), Furmint (77 hectares) and Hárslevelű (25 hectares).
– The most planted black grape is Syrah (6 hectares), Kékfrankos (4 hectares), Zweigelt (1.6 hectares), Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir (both around 1.3 hectares).
(Source: “HNT”, The National Council of the Wine Communities Hungary)

The kiss of Somló and the ruby queen

Grand Rouge 2021 (Syrah)

As the estate says, “the kiss of Somló” was made from carefully selected Syrah grapes from their sunny, northern vineyards. After fermentation with manual punching down of the cap, it was aged in new oak barrels. “Alongside its shade leaning towards purple, it has a rich, rocky aroma. Its taste intertwines elegance with rich spiciness, while its long finish is further enriched by a mineral character.”

Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2021

The grapes were picked on the northern, rocky, sun-drenched slopes of Somló. After fermentation with manual punching down of the cap, it was aged in new oak barrels. “Its colour is ruby ​​red, with intensely fruity and spicy aromas, enhanced by the smokiness of the barrel. It’s a lively, complex wine with serious ageing potential.”

Both wines cost 9999 HUF / around 25 EUR on the winery webshop.
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Fehérvári wines are available in some countries, for example in the Netherlands on Wijndruppels.nl or in Poland on Winawulkaniczne.pl.

Our earlier article about Sárferér – and ancient grape of Somló

Sárfehér – a rare grape even in its homeland

Sárfehér is literally ‘Mud white’, however, according to some historical notes mud does not refer to the colour, but to the weight of the berries. The clusters are large, and the berries are “heavy as mud”. It originates in Hungary, yet it is grown only in 2 hectares, 1.57 of it in the volcanic Somló wine region. (Sárfehér is different from ‘Arany Sárfehér’, this latter one is grown on 476 hectares). Fehérvári Wine Estate makes a barrel aged, elegant, complex, yet light and playful Sárfehér wine.

Fehérvári Nagy-Somlói Sárfehér 2021

Only 2 barrels were made of this rarity. On the nose the vanilla of the barrel makes lovely balance with the juicy, citrusy notes. “A fun, yet elegant, sophisticated wine that was born from the duality of innovation and tradition. A bold attempt? Salute? We say a journey towards oneself.”
Fehérvári is a family estate cultivating 30 hectares, producing award winning méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines and still wines, mainly of indigenous grape varieties.
Petit Somló is a white blend of the winery, one of their most sold products. Petit Somló is made of Juhfark, Sárgamuskotály, Tramini, Hárslevelű, Furmint and Sárfehér

More about Fehérvári Wine Estate and its wines
More about Petit Somló

The whole range of Fehérvári wines and sparkling wines are available on Winelovers Webshop. They ship to every European country. If you are interested in importing Fehérvári wines, contact Péter Pacher sales director.

A great selection of Fehérvári and other Somló wines are available in Poland

A great selection of Somló wines in Poland

Our earlier article about the bottle fermented sparkling wines of Fehérvári Wine Estate

An Unconventional Rosé Sparkling from Somló