Oak aged Chardonnay from Pannonhalma

The cover photo was taken by the Michelin recommended Hoppá Bistro in Budapest, see more below. Sirius from Babarczi Vineyard and Winery in Pannonhalma is a 100% Chardonnay with gentle oak ageing and a wine abundant in juicy white fruit notes.

Sirius, the brightest star

The Babarczi family loves Latin names, just look at their top red wines: Marianum (Cabernet Franc) and Aeternum (Bordeaux blend). Sirius refers to the brightest star in the sky, and though the word comes from Greek, Sirius is closer to the Latin spelling. “Sirius is gradually moving closer to the Solar System and it is expected to increase in brightness.” Just as Babarczi Sirius is expected to be even brighter with time. “Pale straw-yellow in colour with silver reflections. A beguiling nose of luscious, ripe fruit – pear, mango and melon, a hint of citrus and sweet floral aromas – honeysuckle and acacia – with fresh vegetative notes of hay. Undertones of new wooden barrels. Full in taste, with nicely rounded acids, it fulfills the promise of the aroma – melon, hay and lime minerality with a longer than average finish.”
More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

May is the favourite month of many–especially in the Northern Hemisphere–due to its beauty and its abundance in flowers. In the Ancient Rome, people celebrated Maia, the goddess of fertility and the coming of summer. In Hungary today we celebrate the beginning of a new era with a new government, and with the promise that we will never be oppressed again by our own politicians. Bubbles are to celebrate, so let us recommend three novelties from the sparkling scene

Visit Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

The so called “Open Cellars” is an annual, nationwide event at Pentecost weekend. On 23 May wine enthusiasts are quite likely to “bump into a cellar”, since almost all of them are open and prepared for the visitors. Pannonhalma wine region is “cool” in many aspects, and Babarczi family winery awaits its guests with delicious food, live music, guided tastings and treat even for the unlucky driver.

Professor Gergely Szolnoki (Geisenheim University, Germany) has recently said in a conference that to be competitive in the market, cellars should offer extras and should think of the non-drinkers as well. The Babarczis have always been doing so, without having heard the professor’s advice.
Transfers are provided by the wine region, but if you prefer going by car, your driver will be well treated.

5 reasons to visit Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

– Pannonhalma wine region is one of the less known wine regions of Hungary, however, its importance is constantly growing. Discover it before others!
– Due to its cooler climate, wines of Pannonhalma are elegant, crispy, refreshing.
– It is a versatile wine region and Babarczi estate represents this versatility perfectly. Aromatic, refreshing Irsai Olivér, majestic Chardonnay and Rhine Riesling, playful aerated sparkling wine and a whole line of remarkable, complex red wines.
– The winery surrounded by a large courtyard and vineyards will make you feel at home. Cosy atmosphere and lovely staff including Zsuzsa Babarczi, the perfect hostess of the house and Ali, the “perpetuum mobile” dog of the estate.
– Events are the core of the winery to create a community of “Babarczi-lovers”, and as a result the team is experienced in these open-door things, they really know what makes guests feel good.
More info below the photos

Pannonhalmi Aeternum by Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

Babarczi family winery has already been proved the potential of Pannonhalma wine region to make stunning, elegant red wines. Marianum Cabernet Franc, Babarczi Merlot and their estate wine called Birtokvörös have been acknowledged at national and international contests and panel tastings. The new red wine is a Bordeaux blend and just like Marianum commemorating the late Mrs Mária Babarczi, this new wine also has a Latin word in its name with ‘aeternum’ meaning ‘eternal’.
Cover photo by Soma Fehér

Babarczi Pannonhalmi Aeternum 2022

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 12 months in French oak barrel, and the rest in bottle
Price: 13990 HUF, however, in February visitors to the estate can purchase it at 11990 HUF.
How to get to the winery? It takes about 90 minutes by car mostly via M1 motorway, and 2 hours with public transport. It is worth combining with a winery visit and tasting, for more information contact the winery.
Website of the estate

The philosophy behind the wine

It is more than challenging to run an estate, but the family is always there, a team built on love. Zsuzsanna, the daughter focuses on the winemaking, and meets the challenges together with her brother László, her sister-in-law and certainly with her father, the founder of the estate. Let us quote the rest from Babarczi team:

“For us, Aeternum is not just the launch of a new wine. It is an idea that originates from the family. From a relationship that spans generations and connects us even when time has changed so much. The family is the constant point to which we can always return. It sustains us, gives us strength, and carries us forward even when the weight of work, decisions, and the passing years becomes increasingly heavy.

This premium wine is about perseverance. About values that do not fade, do not go out of fashion, and are not made for the moment. Just as family ties are not for a short period of time, Aeternum also requires time and gives time. Attention, patience, presence.

Pannonhalmi Aeternum opens slowly. Its aroma first reveals spices, pink pepper, cloves, nutmeg, barrel vanilla, and a delicate smokiness. After a few minutes, it really opens up, filling the glass with cassis, eucalyptus, forest blackberries, plums, and forest cherries, with a background of dark chocolate and a hint of cedar. On the palate, it is a full-bodied, mature wine with a still-young tannin structure. It is worth waiting for. The oak notes return in the flavour, followed by fruit and chocolate, with spices and vanilla lingering in the finish. A serious wine with great potential.
A sip that transcends the moment.
A wine that stays with us. In aeternum.”

An earlier article of ours about Babarczi Birtokvörös (‘Estate Red’)

Welcome to my estate!

About the Cabernet Franc made by Babarczi

Marianum Cabernet Franc 2022 from Pannonhalma

10 great wines to remember, #1

Towards the end of the year, we look back to some of the great wine moments we have enjoyed. All the 10 wines we will list until New Year’s Eve are special for some reason and they are all worth buying, multiple bottles, if you can afford. (The order is NOT a ranking.)
(Cover picture background was painted by Emma Katalin Dobos)

Pannonhalma is one of the smallest wine regions of Hungary, a place to watch. Babarczi is a family winery making crispy, lovely white and rosé wines, and recently producing memorable red wines as well.
Marianum, the name refers to the founder’s wife, the deceased mother, whose memory is cherished by the son and daughter, László and Zsuzsanna.
Marianum is a typical example of Cabernet Franc with a basket of berry fruits on the nose (blackberry, blueberry, red currant) and also a lot of spices, even a hint of oriental spices. It has a decent body, yet, I would say it is more of a sleek beauty than a blockbuster beast. It has its integrated tannins (the wine aged in French and Hungarian oak for 10 months), it has the body, it has pleasant acidity but most of all it has balance, elegance, harmony. A charming Cabernet Franc that leaves you cry for another glass.
It has been selected the Best Wine of Pannonhalma this year at the regional wine contest, where 113 wines were tasted.
In the latest issue of Vince wine magazine, Marianum received 4 stars, which means “outstanding”.

Vince magazine review:

Deep ruby colour. Complex, intense nose full of red fruits, especially sour cherry accompanied by some oaky notes and sweet spices. When tasted, it fills the mouth all around. Ripened, integrated tannins, silky texture, vibrant acidity. Fruity palate with significant barrel notes.
It has an ageing potential of at least 3 more years.
Retail price is around 25 EUR.

More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

How did it start?

Zsuzsi’s diary – the winemaker’s life

Success of earlier vintages of Marianum

Babarczi Marianum – gold again!

Borsmenta online food and wine magazine published the diary of a female winemaker, Kata Zsirai for a year. From now throughout a year another wine woman, Zsuzsanna Babarczi – Zsuzsi in short – tells the readers about the everyday life of a winemaker. Let us share the first chapter of the diary!

 

Borsmenta literally means peppermint, but if we take the word apart (bor s menta), the meaning changes into “wine and mint”, expressing the theme of the publication brilliantly. Borsmenta is a wine and food publication featuring things that spice up our life, just like wine and mint.
Borsmenta is full of wine reviews and recipes of mouth-watering dishes, it is more than worth following it! (Borsmenta is in Hungarian, but automatic translation is not an issue in our times.)

Zsuzsi’s diary, 1st chapter

My name is Zsuzsi Babarczi, and I am the winemaker and production and sales manager at Babarczi Winery. I was surprised and very excited when Edit Szabó (founder and editor-in-chief of Borsmenta) asked me to take part in this exciting adventure, namely to present my year. My first thought was whether people would be interested in what a female winemaker does on a daily basis, but then I decided to go for it – what did I have to lose?

The beginnings

Let me start at the beginning. There is an old photo of my mother planting grapes at the end of our garden, and I am already there with her, invisible, as she is pregnant with me – this was in 1980, to be precise. My parents bought a plot of land in the town of Győrújbarát at that time, planted grapes in the garden, and in 1986 they built a cellar as well. They thought it would be a nice little extra income alongside their main jobs. Then, in 1993, our lives took a turn: my dad lost his job, and since they were already working on about 5 hectares at the time, he decided to focus on that, but on a larger scale. The stars were aligned, as there were many vineyards for sale, so they invested all their savings in land and vines. Meanwhile, my brother and I were growing up, and between work and school, we didn’t have much time for anything else, no shopping malls or anything like that. I’m not saying that I preferred hoeing to going to Lake Balaton, but in those days, we didn’t really have a choice, and it was natural for our parents to involve us in the work.
However, studying always came first, and it never occurred to us not to continue our education. I knew for sure that I would not go to agricultural university, and if possible, I would seek my fortune as far away from viticulture and winemaking as possible. At that time, the international relations program (my father still cannot remember the name) started at Széchenyi István University in Győr, so I applied for that. I had always been interested in history, law, economics, and languages, and this program was a mixture of all of these. I later completed my master’s degree in Veszprém. I really enjoyed it.

St. Martin’s Day in Pannonhalma wine region

Are you based in Hungary and miss your family? Take part in the St. Martin’s Day “fiesta” at Babarczi in a tiny town near the city of Győr and you will feel at home, guaranteed! Babarczi Vineyard and Winery has collected several national and international gold medals and many top restaurants listed their wines, but the best experience is still to visit them and enjoy a true “Babarczi-party” with mouth-watering food and wines, warm and cosy atmosphere, laughter and dance.

Duck rillettes cover photo and recipe here by Chef Charlie
Babarczi Rhine Riesling in the cover photo pairs well with the fatty rillettes due to its crispy, brilliant acidity and elevating fruit profile.

Why on St. Martin’s Day?
Because wineries have their doors wide open at the weekend closest to St. Martin’s name day (11 November).

Why do we eat duck and goose dishes on St. Martin’s Day?
Scroll down for the answer.

What happens at Babarczi estate on the 8th of November?
Visitors can choose between 4 time slots to participate in a tasting of 5 wines accompanied by duck rillettes (by Izsóp restaurant) and fresh bread.

Tasting time options and prices
– 12.50-14.35 – 6500 HUF
– 14.50-16.35 – 6500 HUF
– 16.50-18.35 – 8000 HUF
– 18.50-20.35 – 8000 HUF
The afternoon tastings are slightly more expensive, because from 5 pm live music will be provided by a duo called AcouStone.
If you must drive, the same price applies, but you can take a bottle home.

How to book?
Write an email to the winery and don’t forget to mention the time slot you prefer.

Why do we eat duck and goose dishes on St. Martin’s Day?

Saint Martin has a special importance for Hungarians, since the famous bishop was born in the province of Savaria in 316 in the Roman Empire, in the territory of Hungary. Savaria is now called Szombathely, a city of about 90 000 inhabitants, and the church stands at his presumable birthday to commemorate him.
As a teenager, he became Christian to his father’s dislike. His father was a soldier of the Roman Empire and made his son to join the army as well. According to the legend once Martin cut his coat with his sword and gave half of it to a beggar in the street who had been robbed of his clothes. At the age of 22, Martin baptized, and devoted all his life to God. He founded the first monastery in Europe. He was so modest, that – as the legend says – he hid among the geese to avoid being made a bishop. As a memory to his modest character, people eat dishes made of goose or duck on his name day on (and around) 11 November.

More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

Babarczi Estate Red with easy-to-make wine bites

‘Birtok’ means ‘estate’, and the estate wine is supposed to represent the style of the winery and the price is usually affordable. A wine to welcome guests at any time. Recently Vince wine magazine had a panel tasting of “estate red wines” – great idea –, and this new release from Pannonhalma received good review. We also tasted it – and we loved it! What is more, we got inspired and we made some typical Hungarian, easy-to-make wine bites.

Photo: Emma Katalin Dobos

Babarczi Birtokvörös 2022, Pannonhalma

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Vince magazine panel: “Ruby colour. The nose reveals ripened sour cherry, subtle spices and barrel notes with a hint of vanilla. Refreshing, juicy palate with a pinch of tartness. Sour cherry, redcurrant, pomegranate. Easy-drinking with silky texture and medium length.”
Retail price is only 3300 HUF (approximately 8 EUR).
More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

Scroll down for the recipes!

Near the city of Győr, Hungary

“How can women become ladies in today’s crazy world?” Let’s start with a wine dinner: a real lady has sufficient knowledge of wine and pairs wines with food instinctively. A few more tickets are still available for this memorable, three-course wine dinner with Zsuzsanna Babarczi, the manager of Babarczi Vineyard and Winery and Izsóp restaurant.

Date and time: 18.00–22.00, 8 March 2025
Venue: Timaffy László House of Culture, Liszt Ferenc street 9, Győrújbarát (near the city of Győr)
Tickets cost 24 990 HUF / person (approximately 62 EUR). Advanced booking is necessary, please, contact the team here.
Phone: +36703146318
More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

The menu

– Amuse-bouche and welcome drink: walnut macaron with foie gras
Wine: Buborczi (aerated sparkling wine made of Cserszegi Fűszeres, Irsai Olivér, Tramini)
– Starter: veal paté baked in butter pastry with fermented vegetables and mushrooms
Wine: Babarczi Sauvignon Blanc 2024
– Main course: port tenderloin with sweet potato textures and buttery root vegetables
Wine: Babarczi Sirius 2023 (barrel aged white blend)
– Dessert: Dubai chocolate inspiration
Wine: Babarczi Marianum Cabernet Franc 2021

Theme of the wine dinner: Women and Ladies

“How can women become ladies in today’s crazy world?” Ibolya Görög protocol expert will explain it after the wine dinner with plenty of funny anecdotes. The talk will be in Hungarian, so if you do not speak the language, bring a partner who does.

Our earlier article about Marianum Cabernet Franc

Babarczi Marianum – gold again!

Pannonhalmi Infusio, Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir, KNW Battonage Chardonnay

There are some wines are great or even greater, there are no other options. Because they are made only in exceptional vintages, with outmost care and attention, thus there are no “lesser” vintages of these legendary red wines. To taste several vintages of them is a unique and unforgettable experience.