Cserszegi Fűszeres is Hungarian grape variety giving juicy, lovely, aromatic wines. Its cheerful flavours can lift up our weekdays. As Frittmann Winery suggests with this photo – you don’t need caviar or foie gras and icon wines every day, some chips and a bottle chilled Cserszegi is good enough to enjoy the moment.

1. The variety was created by Károly Bakonyi, who crossed Irsai Oliver and Red Traminer.

2. The word ‘cserszegi’ refers to the village on the north-west of Lake Balaton, where Károly Bakonyi lived. ‘Fűszeres’means spicy, it refers to the spicy character of the grape.

3. At the moment there are 2700 hectares growing Cserszegi Fűszeres variety in Hungary, which makes it the 4th most planted white variety in the country – after Bianca, Furmint and Olaszrizling. Yet there is a serious decrease: in 2020 there were 4088 hectares under Cserszegi Fűszeres.

4. Cserszegi Fűszeres is an aromatic, spicy, muscat type grape with fairly high acidity. Not suitable for longer aging. The educated wine connoisseurs often despise the variety saying that it is not sophisticated, but it can be elegant, sleek and charming if made carefully. Rose petals, citrus fruits, elderberry are among its most typical notes.

5. The indigenous Hungarian grape can be found all over the country except Tokaj, and very popular among wine drinkers. Kunság, Hajós–Baja – the two less appreciated wine regions produce a lot of the grape, but we can find nice examples around lake Balaton as well.

6. The wine made of Cserszegi should be consumed young and chilled, and ideal in ‘fröccs’ (‘spritz’ – wine with carbon dioxide added water). It can be paired with light poultry dishes, fresh cow cheeses, dishes with fruit. Due to its intense aromas, Cserszegi matches nicely with oriental dishes like thai curry.

7. The name of the variety is unpronounceable indeed, no wonder a brand of Cserszegi was on sale in the United Kingdom with this name (“The Unpronounceable”). The Frittmanns also have had mercy on you – they have put only half of the name, so you can call the wine simply “Cserszegi”, as if it were a friend. And it will be, just give it a chance!

More about Frittmann Cserszegi Fűszeres

“The endless rows of vines of vast Kunság wine region” – the new labels of Frittmann Winery feature a simplified image of the vineyards of the largest wine region of Hungary. The most popular wines of the estate are available now with more up-to-date, clear labels, which are easy to differentiate.

Frittmann is a family winery founded by two brothers, they were the ones who proved that the ill-famedregion is capable of quality wines in good hands. Kunság had a reputation of fake or diluted wines, however the devoted Frittmanns fought adamantly against the common belief and now their sons follow the work and continue with their fresh ideas and strong presence in the social media. János Frittmann was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 2007 and in 2015 the winery was chosen Winery of the Year. Besides the owners, the two brothers, the wives also participate in the management, they run the guest house and the catering of the estate. Both couples have a son, who are deeply involved in the life of the estate.

Frittmann wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom (MALUX) and in Poland (2Bratanki).
If you can’t  find an importer near your home, order Frittmann wines from Winelovers Webshop. They ship to every European country. Check shipment rates here.

Interview with Tamás Frittmann

How to raise a grape to heaven?

Olívia – an Irasi–Generosa blend and her food partner

Meat stuffed pancake with Frittmann Olívia

More about Frittmann Winery

A merry lady from the hills of Pannonhalma

Though her birthday was two days ago, we are still in time to cheer Zsuzsanna Babarczi – in Hungary we say that birthday wishes are still valid 8 days after… This young, cheerful, lovely lady is always like in the photo above: never tired, never grumpy, always patient, even in the last hour of a tiring day at a wine exhibition.
You can meet her and Babarczi wines on 25 August at the 5th Hungarian Gettogether in Pannonhalma. (If you are a wine professional and would like to participate, contact us!)

Babarczi Bubbles

To the great joy of many winelovers, nowadays almost all Hungarian wineries add a sparkling wine to their range, so do the Babarczi family. ‘Buborczi’ is an aerated sparkling wine made of Cserszegi Fűszeres, Irsai Olivér and Tramini – three aromatic grapes. Due to the cooler climate of Pannonhalma wine region the wine is refreshing with vibrant acidity. “This wine is a unique and exciting blend of the spicy aromas of Cserszegi Fűszeres and Irsai Olivér’s perfumed, elderflower notes. Fine bubbles caress the palate, while its fragrant fruit character and lively acidity make this wine the refreshing drink of the summer.” The name Buborczi is a mix of the family name and the word ‘buborék’ meaning bubble.

More about Babarczi Winery and Vineyard

Haraszthy Amphitheater is a breathtaking location within easy reach of the capital of Hungary. Haraszthy Winery has been playing active role in improving the overall services of Etyek, centre of Etyek–Buda wine region. The state of art winery has a great steak house– no wonder, the owner of the winery is from Argentina –, while the Amphitheater adjecent to the winery plant is the home of precious art events. The next event on 6th September is called Cine Magic, a renowned performance by the Symphonic Orchestra of the city of Szolnok, the conductor is the world famous Japanese Izaki Masahiro. Movie favourites will be played from Disney classics, like Aladdin or The Beauty and the Beast through evergreen songs like Godfather, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mission Impossible, Superman or Darth Vader theme from Star Wars. Tickets are available also with VIP dinner at Matador restaurant of the winery (21.990 HUF / 67 euros). Certainly Haraszthy wines will be available before and after the concert. Sir Irsai, the refreshing white blend of the winery (85% Irsai Olivér, 15% Királyleányka) is a great start with muscat, litchi and elderflower aromas, fruity and floral tastes.

More information

Gléda opened last year, but had been planned for 8 years before. The long preparation was rewarding: Gléda is a new favourite of many foodies in Hungary. The two owners are both men: Sándor Kerekes chef and János Deli restaurateur, therefore the word „lovechild” sounds a bit awkward (written by an article in Dining Guide), but indeed it is adequate.

Budapest is divided into Buda and Pest, Buda being more ancient, more romantic. And Buda has a subdistrict on the north called Óbuda (’Ó’ mean ’ancient, old’) with cobblestoned little streets, heart warming atmosphere. Óbuda has always been famous for its ’vendéglős’, small restaurants with hearty welcome. The word ’vendéglő’ is literally ’hosting’, it expresses the style of the place: as opposed to a fine dining restaurant, in a ’vendéglő’ the owner hosts you, welcomes you, makes you feel at home. This style of restaurant is hard to find, especially in outstanding quality, but Gléda – as the past year proves – managed to achieve the impossible. Their strongest weapons are the quality ingredients, for example the rare grey cattle, of which Sándor Kerekes is an expert, he even wrote a book about the meat of this special breed. The other important strategy is the lunch menu at a more than reasonable price: amazing plates for only 2200 HUF / 7 euros (2 courses) or 2600 HUF / 8 euros (3 courses). And of course the delicious Hungarian dishes made with 21st century expertise. The wine list cherishes our heart, too: many smaller, artisan wineries besides the well known ones. Here we go recommending 5 wines of the wine list paired with 5 dishes from the menu.

Béres Hárslevelű with duck liver terrine

Béres estate is an obvious choice: Gléda is located on the ground floor of Béres building (Béres is a winery in Erdőbénye, Tokaj, but the most important field of the family enterprise is a medication called Béres drops along with other products.) It is a bottle fermented sparkling wine using only the Hárslevelű variety. Complex, fruity and shows notes of maturation, works well with the complex appetizer, since the duck foie gras comes with fig chutney in Tokaji Aszu vinegar. „A firm beam of acidity enlivens the palate. This is an attractively light wine that exhibits rich mousse, tree fruits, citrus and yeast aromas.” 

Babarczi Irsai Olivér pea cream soup

Soups are rarely paired with wine, some people simply think that a bowl of liquid does not require another. What a narrow-minded approach… Gléda green pea soup is flavoured with mint and served with goat cheese and bresaola roulade. This ample soup deserves a glass of wine, doesn’t it? The creaminess is beautifully balanced with the crispy acids of the Babarczi wine, while the flamboyant aromas of Irsai Olivér grape can deal with the mint. „Medium intense nose with elderberry, white flowers and citrus notes. Refreshing, gentle acidity combined with a palate reminiscent of the aromas of the nose. Light body, spicy tones. A crispy, juicy, light wine typical of the variety.”

Borbély Rózsakő with breaded cheese

Breaded cheese is a typical dish in many simple restaurants, usually the children’s choice (full of calories), but Gléda prepares it in a special way. The cheese was aged on beech wood and it is served with warm marinated and grilled vegetables. Borbély wine comes from volcanic Badacsony region, a touch of minerality is present here, and the barrel spices are also needed for the complex cheese dish. „Besides the typical mineral character some attractive flowery notes with barrel spices appear to make the overall sensation more playful, enchanting.”

Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir with veal paprikash 

’Paprikash’ is a kind of dish made of some meat, and seasoned abundantly by Hungarian paprika (product with protected origin). The tender meat is in a delicious sauce (fried onion, sour cream and the spices) and served with dumplings, as it has been served from the beginning of time. A full bodied, long aged Cabernet would kill the dish, but an elegant, sleek, fruity Pinot Noir, like the one made by Etyeki Kúria is a perfect match. „An elegant Burgundy-style Pinot Noir. A complex and layered wine with excellent aging potential. An intensive bouquet of sour cherry and blackcurrant, with spicy notes of clove and cinnamon.”

Sabar Rhine Riesling 1118 with floating island

The favourite dessert of our childhood: a souplike, sweet, vanilla-flavoured liquid with fluffy ’clouds’ floating on the surface made of beaten egg white. At Gléda these clouds are flavoured with lemon, thus the dessert is lighter, less sweet, so we can try it with a dry, but complex wine, like this stunning Rhine Riesling from Sabar Wine House from Badacsony wine region. „Berries harvested from Hegyvölgy vineyard were transformed by nature into a spotless masterpiece during spontaneous fermentation. We took our job „oaked seriously” – we have made 1118 bottles.”