Liszkay Archives - Hungarianwines

Celebrate Pinot Noir today!

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 15:35:24 +0000

Like every other „wine day”, Pinot Noir Day also originates in the United States. We wrote about the International Rosé Day and why it has been probably created, and we could also find out how Cabernet Franc Day was announced in the USA. Pinot Noir day might have something to do with the road movie called Sideways. The movie itself was a mediocre comedy about two men who travelled through California, and one of them often expressed his despise about Merlot and his love of Pinot Noir. Strangely enough the American vineyard owners reacted to the movie and many Merlot vineyards were replanted with Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir in Hungary

In Hungary cooler climate wine regions are famous for Pinot Noir, one of these regions is Eger, which is often mentioned along with Burgundy. Kovács Nimród Winery is keen on having internationally respected, great quality wines, and their success is proved from time to time. Their latest great result is from Concours Mondial de Bruxelles for their 777 Pinot Noir 2013. Elegant, subtle, unforgatteble Pinot Noir!

The north of lake Balaton is known for white wines, though historically red wines were equally famous. More and more wineries grow red varieties as well, Mihály Liszkay with the magnificent estate building (which operates as a hotel as well) makes a lovely, velvety, refined Pinot Noir every year.

Endre Szászi also on the north of Balaton, on Szent György mountain grows his grapes organically, and Pinot Noir is a variety he cherishes a lot. A rosé wine is made of Pinot Noir grown on ’Rókaluki’ vineyard (’Foxhole’) has a rich nose of wild raspberry and cranberries, ont he palate the fruitiness is backed by refreshing, crispy acidity.

Etyek, „the vineyard of Budapest” is also an ideal climate region for Pinot Noir. Haraszthy Winery makes a 100% Pinot Noir rosé, and is also vinified to give red wine. „Cherry color. Primal fruitiness on nose, accompanied by some roasted scent. On the palate besides the sour cherry you will find the presence of chocolate, tobacco and bold notes produced by barrel ageing. Aftertaste is medium-long, spicy.

Have a very happy Pinot Noir Day!

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Tomorrow taste the winners of VinAgora at one place!

Hungarianwines.eu — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:37:10 +0000

Date: 7 July, 2017
Location: Corinthia Hotel Budapest (1073 Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 43–9.)
Type of event: indoor tasting of all the wines entered VinAgora wine contest

The largest international contest in Hungary

VinAgora is the largest international wine contest organized annually in Hungary. This year 556 wines were entered from 15 countries. Most of the results will be announced tomorrow at VinAgora wine gala, but some results are public now, for example the best of the single varietal wines:

Best Single Varietal wines in 2017

Cabernet sauvignon: Liszkay Mihály Liszkay Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012
Cabernet franc: Takler Wine Estate Takler Szekszárdi Cabernet Franc Reserve, 2009
Chardonnay (draw between two wines): Kristinus Wine Estate Chardonnay, 2016 and Hilltop Neszmély Zrt. Kamocsay Ákos Hilltop Chardonnay Superior, 2013
Furmint: Dobogó Winery Dobogó Tokaji Furmint, 2015
Kékfrankos: Mikóczi Winery Szekszárdi Kékfrankos Rosé, 2016
Olaszrizling: Varga Winery Aranymetszés Olaszrizling, 2015

Taste 556 wines and test yourself

VinAgora Wine Gala is a tasting with all the contest entries showcased in one place. Plus, you can find the profile and the result of the wine by the renowned international judges. Thus you can taste the wines, enjoy them, and the same time you can compare your own opinion with that of the experts. Learning and having fun at the same time – isn’t it appealing? The venue is the 5 star Corinthia Hotel Budapest, a glamorous building in the centre of Budapest, host of several wine events.

The venue is separated into 2 rooms:

Medal winners’ room: medal winner wines of VinAgora Wine Competition (max. 30% of competing wines due to the strict regulation). At this room you can taste the wines with VinAgora Wine Gala wristband and Complementary tickets – while stocks last.

All tickets purchased in advance includes tasting of at least 3 wines here.

VinAgora room:
those wines that did not get into the top 30%. Here you can taste as many wines as you would like (or can) with VinAgora Wine Gala wristband.

Tickets at the venue:

VinAgora Wine Gala wristband (unlimited tasting at VinAgora room): 5000 HUF (16 euros)
Complementary ticket (tasting of 5 wines at Medal winners’ room): 1500 HUF (4,8 euros)

About VinAgora

Since its establishment in 1992, VinAgora, as a member of VinoFed, has become one of the most professional competitions in the world. It has obtained the patronage of major international professional organisations, such as OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine). It is an active member of VINOFED (Fédération Mondiale des Grands Concours Internationaux de Vins et Spritiueux).

The organizers strongly believe that the partnership and patronage of highly acclaimed international organisations helps evaluating Hungarian wines in an authentic and unbiased way.

Become a chateau owner for a week!

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 19 May 2017 10:33:16 +0000

Start the day with breakfast in the sunny terrace with a sip of a unique Pinot Gris with some mineral tones from the volcanic soil, then take a walk in the vineyard. After that a little swimming in the pool, then a glass of chilled rosé by the pool. By this time your chef must have prepared the lunch – accompany it with some fruity, elegant Pinot Noir. Listen to some music in the afternoon or take an excursion to discover the geological sites nearby. During dinner – again prepared by your private chef – enjoy the clear, starry sky with some full bodied, complex, long lasting Cabernet Franc. Is it possible? Yes! Now watch the place that can be rented entirely for a week:

Hunting, hiking, wine tasting

Liszkay Wine estate is situated in Balaton National Park in a spectacular village called Monoszló, near Europe’s largest lake. It’s approximately 2 hours drive from Budapest. ’Hegyestű’ geological site is only 4 kilometres from the estate, where you can see the inside of a volcano that worked 8 million years ago. The wine estate is surrounded by a huge hunting area. But the best thing in the wonderful estate is that Liszkay wines are great! His Cabernet Franc Giulia is one of the best examples of the variety. Of course you don’t have to rent the whole estate, you can book only a room, you will still have the unforgettable experience of escaping from the world to a lovely, relaxed resort in rooms like Lavender Luxury or Hunter’s Den Premium.

Contact for renting the estate

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New hotel at the world’s largest natural thermal lake

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:30:42 +0000

Have you ever been to Hévíz? No? Haven’t even heard of it? It’s timet o visit! Hévíz, this tiny town north-west of lake Balaton can in fact boast with the largest natural thermal water. The blackish, steaming huge water surface with water lilies has an impressive look, and besides its healing effects are countless.

A 38 metres deep „spa”

The source of the 4.4 ha water surface lake, rich in sulphur, and minerals, can be found 38 metres deep in the cave, which due to its high well capacity completely changes in every 72 hours. The water of Lake Hévíz contains an equal proportion of dissolved and gaseous substances, thus unifying the favourable characteristics of thermal waters rich in carbonic acid, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate. The water temperature may reach 23-25 °C in winter and 33-36 °C in summer. The water of the lake is in a constant move, thus leaving a special massaging effect on the human skin. In winter it provides a spectacular and unique experience when the condensed steam forms a steam cap on the top of the lake surface. This “cap” prevents water from cooling down, and at the same time a natural inhalatorium is formed. Hydrogen sulphide is released into the air, which have medical effects on the exhausted vocal cords when inhaled.

A new 4 star gastro and spa hotel

Last week the 10 year old Accent Hotel chain opened its newest hotel in Hévíz, near the lake, Bonvital Wellness & Gastro Hotel with the intention to make it the leading hotel of Hévíz. The 90 bedroom hotel is not the biggest oe in town, therefore it is ideal for couples seeking some intimacy, but besides its facilities can welcome meetings and smaller events. The wellness section of the hotel offers an outstanding selection of treatments. The hotel has its own salt cave, which is effective in preventing respiratory diseases, and they have a unique underwater bike for physiotherapy.

Brix Bistro – local ingredients and superb local wines

The hotel’s restaurant offers modern cuisine based on ingredients from neighbouring producers. The bistro has a wide selection of coctails and café specialities, and their wine list is also promising. Hévíz is situated in Zala wine region, which is not the most famous in Hungary, but some ambitious and quality wineries make stunning wines, like Bussay winery. László Bussay was a general practitioner who used to receive wine from the clients as a gift, however the wines were undrinkable, so he decided to make wine himself. His white wines made his small village wellknown (Csörnyeföld). After his death his family continues, their Szürkebarát is worth trying from the wine list of Brix.

Some more wine tips from Brix Bistro

The wine list contains international stars like some Champagnes, wines from Tuscany, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Priorat, Port, but the main emphasis is on Hungary, and within that on Balaton greater wine region.

For bubble lovers

Kreinbacher méthode traditionelle sparkling wines are a must. They are from Somló, which is not far from Hévíz. The sparkling wines were made under the guidance of Christian Forget from Champagne, and all are made of the local Furmint
Etyeki Kúria Pláne is an aerated sparkling wine, thus it has a more moderate price, but spotless and enjoyable as well.

For white geeks

Kreinbacher again is a good choice if you want something local, especially because the white wine offered on the wine list is made of Juhfark, Somlós native grape. The wine can be enjoyed fresh, but has a capacity of aging, too.
Gilvesy is a winemaker worth keeping in mind! It is a relatively new winery on Szent György hill, Badacsony wine region (part of Balaton greater wine region), and his Bohém white blend is a fabulous wine.

For red fans

Eszterbauer Tanyamacska is from Szekszárd, which is again not far from Hévíz, and the wine is a fruity, yet complex barrel aged Kékfrankos.

Liszkay Cabernet Franc is a good choice, if you want some full bodied, yet elegant Liszkay Estate is a spectacular “chateau”, if you stay in Hévíz, make a day trip to visit this marvelous estate!

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The Best of Budapest & Hungary 2017 awards announced

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 08:08:20 +0000

If you plan your trip to Hungary, it is highly recommended to look through this year award winner hotels, restaurants, bars.

Based on more than online 10,000 votes, this year the Best of Budapest & Hungary prize are awarded in 46 categories to 211 service providers – the best of the domestic hospitality, hotel and further service industries. The awards were announced on 24 March.

Hungarianwines.eu is glad to see several wine related services on the list, for example the romantic wine estate north of Lake Balaton with stunning wines: Liszkay Kúria among the best wine hotels or the category of wine restaurants with places like the great Bock Bistro.

Since 1993, Budapest Week Publishing has been a leading source to provide guidance to Hungarians, expats and tourists alike regarding the hospitality and services industry. Through an annual survey, a professional jury and the publisher’s editorial team, the Best of Budapest & Hungary quality assurance award is given out to the deserving establishments. The importance of this award is recognized by those receiving it as a proof that their hard work throughout the years noticed. Look for the seal of approval and be assured. We look forward to your comments and participations in next year’s voting.

For the full list of the awardees, click here.

Best of Budapest & Hungary, already in its 24th year, offers a multimedia platform that serves and informs consumers and service providers in the gastronomy, hospitality and tourism sectors, in print online, via newsletters and mobile applications.

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Vogue praising Lake Balaton in off season

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 18:34:25 +0000

Vogue fashion and lifestyle magazine online version dedicated a whole article to experiments you must enjoy at Lake Balaton in spring time, before the high season begins. The author, Alia Akkam must have tasted herself through the north side of the lake – or did her lesson thoroughly – but she gives a handful of good tips, we must admit. Liszkay, the pianist has a really stunning winery with wines you must taste, Kredenc bistro in Balatonfüred is admittedly a cool place to linger on when you just let time pass, and Bergmann confectionery in Csopak, near Balatonfüred is surely the sweet heaven.

Read the whole Vogue article here

We certainly agree with the author, and encourage all of our readers to stand up and set up for a discovery of our beautiful lake land before the summer.

Vogue is an American fashion magazin, which was launched in 1892. Nowadays there are 21 international editions, even Vogue Arabic. The article mentioned above appeared on the US online site. Alia Akkam is a New York-based writer at the intersection of food, drink, travel, and design.

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Wine exhibition with music? Michael Liszkay, the winemaker and pianist

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:19:07 +0000

His vineyard is really hard to find – which is another reason to hide there for a weekend from the problems of the world. Monoszló is a little village on the picturesque land north of lake Balaton, and Liszkay’s estate is over the end of the village – far far away. When you arrive, you are in a fairly tale, a stunning view awaits you from the wonderfully restored estate building, the swimming pool tempts with its blu water, or inside the fireside on cold evenings. But the best is – apart from the wines – the music. Michael Liszkay is a pianist, he spent all his life with his „ebony and ivory” friends, and whenever he gets close to a piano, he sits down to play.

Adventurous life

His music must come from his soul, from his adventurous life: ’Michael Liszkay left Hungary after his country’s revolution was brutally crushed by the all mighty Soviet Union. He settled in the Dutch city of Maastricht where he developed his skills on the piano and delved headfirst into his passion for the culinary arts. He then immigrated to Canada, where he spent several decades in British Columbia, amongst the Rocky Mountains and in Vancouver.

At the turn of the century, ripe with new experiences and re-awakened dreams, goals, ideas and ambitions, Michael’s restless spirit brought him back to his homeland. Touched by the Tuscan-like charm of the Káli Basin, he soon realized that he had arrived where he started, only to know the place for the first time. This globe-trotting man of the world found himself rooted in the picturesque Pangyér Slope, giving rise to a piece of „Hungarian Toscana”.

Wine exhibition with piano

Mihály Liszkay usually participates at the annual wine event VinCE Budapest Wine Show with his great red wines (his Pinot Noir is a must!), he will exhibit this year as well. However, he does not only exhibit, he usually walks around the five star exhibition venue until he finds a piano, and then he starts playing. Music at a professional wine event? The organizers first had wanted to stop him playing, but then, asking around it turned out that the soft piano tunes suited so well into the atmosphere, that they rather let him play.

So if you find a man playing the piano with a smile at VinCE Budapest, it will be Michael Liszkay, whose wines also deserve the attention!

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