15th Etyeki Kúria vertical tasting on 8 March

I had two Christmases last year: one on Christmas day, and one a few days earlier, when Etyeki Kúria CEO called me. I was asked to be the moderator of the winery event I most admire! This is the first time that the event will go on in English, so go ahead, book a ticket until you can, soon they will undoubtedly be sold out.
By Ágnes Németh

– I participated in the very first Pinot Noir vertical tasting of Etyeki Kúria, which was held in a flat in Budapest with a handful of guests. Back then I understood how serious the estate is about this grape variety, of which it was hard to find elegant examples in those years.
– Later, I could recognise Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir in blind tastings, the style was standing out with its outmost elegance and its gracious, fruity character.
– Two years ago, I participated again, it was the 13th edition, and I was impressed by the whole set: the dramaturgy of the event, the speakers – including the moderator – the event venue, and the food afterwards during the “Pinot Noir Chill” program after the masterclass.
– The only problem I had was the lack of translation. How can I recommend this great event to people who do not understand Hungarian? And my prayers have been heard!
– This year Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir Vertical Tasting goes international: the special guest is Willi Klinger, whom I know as the former head of the Austrian Wine Marketing with skills of an actor, but he had many other important and high positions during his career. Certainly, Sándor Mérész, the head winemaker of Etyeki Kúria will be there, and me, the happy moderator, who is really excited, but also anxious to meet the requirements…

Only 50 places are available

I am not exaggerating, the places are really limited, and tickets are sold out every year well before the date of the event.
Date and time: 8 March 2026, 14.00–18.00
Venue: Etyeki Kúria, 21 Báthori Street, Etyek 2091
Ticket prices: 49,500 HUF / approx. 129 EUR (single ticket), 89,500 HUF / approx. 233 EUR (ticket for two people)
The price of the ticket includes
– the approximately 20 Pinot Noir wines (Hungarian and international) served during the masterclass,
– a plate of confit lamb shank with red cabbage purée and homemade dumplings,
– and Etyeki Kúria wines from the open bar (Pláne Frizzante White, MSP Zenit, MSP Konkrét Chardonnay, Kúria Sopron Sopron Blend).
More information here
Get your ticket here

Do you need accommodation with 100 metres?

It is possible! Etyeki Kúria offers a special package for 2 people, including the program above, plus accommodation with breakfast within only 100 metres from the venue!
Get the package here for 139 500 HUF / approx. 363 EUR.

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

We have introduced an “estate red” by Babarczi recently based on the panel tasting of the Hungarian Vince magazine. The tasting presented affordable red wines representing the “style of the house”. These wines are really worth trying, just like the star of our cover photo, which comes from Badacsony, one of the wine regions around Lake Balaton.

Back to black grapes

BalatonBor, the community brand of the wineries around Lake Balaton is made of Olaszrizling, the most planted grape of the region. It is white, just like the other popular grapes in the region, like Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris), Muscat Ottonel, Kéknyelű.
However, before phylloxera devastated the vineyards of Europe, Balaton was planted mostly with black varieties. Nowadays we live in an era when rediscovering ancient traditions and extinct varieties is a trend in the wine scene. Balaton producers have started to make red wines, not only to enlarge their portfolio and to have something for the duck and the beef dishes, but also because their forefathers did so.
Quite unexpectedly the winner of the above-mentioned panel tasting is a wine from Balaton by Zelna Winery from Balatonfüred. The wine is called Bárka and is made of Kéfrankos, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and indeed a great wine.

More about Zelna Winery
Meet Zelna in London at CEE Wine Fair

Borbély Oraculum Pinot Noir 2023

Vince magazine is quite close to me, because I used to be the editor-in-chief for 12 years. I know how rigorous the chief expert, László Romsics is, so I absolutely trust in the results printed in the magazine. What is more, my sister still works there, she is the tasting coordinator, and a guarantee of fair and professional judging. I remember our first Pinot Noir panel tasting, back in 2005. Well, almost all the wines were barely drinkable, our conclusion was that the Hungarian producers cannot handle Pinot Noir, this difficult variety.
Tasting Oraculum, I can admit that those times are behind us. The wine is excellent – as the magazine’s panel evaluated it, with 16.25 points out of 20, 4 stars out of 5.
“Vibrant nose with red berry fruits and a touch of vanilla and clove. Ethereal, lighter body, easy drinking, juicy, enchanting with moderate tannins and lively acidity. The palate is abundant in fruits: raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry, forest fruits and again vanilla and clove.”
And where does the name come from? The idea came from Tamás Borbély’s wife. She suggested the name because an “oraculum” can predict the future, and maybe this wine can tell if black varieties have a future in Badacsony.

Borbély wines are available in Germany (ungarische-weinauslese.de) and in the Netherlands (wijndruppels.nl). If you are interested in importing Borbély wines, contact Tamás Borbély.

And the best place to taste Borbély wines?

Visit them in Badacsony, stay in the guest house among the vineyards and enjoy tranquillity!

Borbély Family Winery

Are you a wine enthusiast AND a vinyl collector? Then this project is meant for you. The last year’s first edition was great a hit, all the vinyl and wine packs were sold out in a few days. Nesta has a unique and subtle taste for the music of the world, he finds the most hidden gems with an unparallel instinct, while his wife, Kriszti Csetvei makes wines great with personality. In her winery, recently the focus has shifted to natural wines, this is what RAW/ka line represents. A vinyl of superb music, 6 bottles of stunning natural wines and two tickets to the summer party to celebrate all said earlier – this is what is included. We are happy to share Kriszti Csetvei’s announcement regarding the project.

Nesta DJ set vinyl with a selection of Csetvei RAW/ka wines

(The folowing text comes from Kriszti Csetvei)

Our second crowd funded vinyl is about to released soon paired with a whole line of natural wines (6 bottles of Csetvei RAW/ka wines). The name RAW/ka (the Hungarian pronunciation is ‘raw-ka’, meaning ‘fox’ in our language), refers to the vinification method and the winemaking process, as well as the colourful world of music and natural wines.
The music selection has been created by Frigyes Machán-Csetvei, aka Nesta, a recognised DJ in Hungary with refined taste of world music. Selecting music for this second LP, Nesta decided to stay within the borders of Europe, while I, the winemaker stayed in our Mór and Somló vineyards.
This time the creation process started with the selection of songs – we were listening to the songs and under the inspiration we have paired wines from our range. Our new NATÚRaBOR Pinot Noir 2024 was born during this work of creation!
Just like last year, we do not share any information about the music – the only key is trust, trust and trust! The title of the vinyl: NATÚRaLISTA x Nesta

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.

Vince Award 2024 in 22 categories

Vince wine magazine has an annual award to acknowledge the best Hungarian wines in 22 different categories. Wine connoisseurs can vote for a few more days – until the 10th of November, and the award ceremony will take place on the 16th of November in Budapest, at Vince Gala,  in the Museum of Fine Arts. Some of the nominees are featured in our cover photo – they all deserve to win!

Easy to vote

The list of the nominees were created by the staff and regular tasters of Vince magazin. The voting platform is in Hungarian, but here we are to help you.
– First of all click here.
– Then click the little box at the bottom to accept the terms of use.
– Click ont he box ’SZAVAZOK’ at the bottom (it means ’I VOTE’)
– To go tot he next page click on ’KÖVETKEZŐ’, to go back click on ’ELŐZŐ’.
– At the end you should provide your email address and click on ’ELKÜLDÉS’ (meaning ’SENDING’)

See the translation of each category here:

1. Light white wine made of international grape variety
2. Light white wine made of an important grape of the Carpathian Basin
3. Light white wine made of other grape variety
4. Light white blend
5. Barrel aged white wine made of international grape variety
6. Barrel aged white wine made of an important grape of the Carpathian Basin
7. Barrel aged white wine made of other grape variety
8. Barrel aged white blend
9. Light red wine made of international grape variety
10. Light red wine made of a grape of the Carpathian Basin
11. Light red wine blend
12. Barrel aged red wine made of international grape variety
13. Barrel aged red wine made of an important grape of the Carpathian Basin
14. Barrel aged red wine made of other grape variety
15. Bikavér (Egri Bikavér or Szekszárdi Bikavér)
16. Barrel aged red blend
17. Rosé, Siller
18. Natural wine or sparkling wine
19. Charmat method or aerated sparkling wine
20. Traditional method sparkling wine
21. Late harvest wine
22. Tokaji Aszú

More information about the protagonists of our cover photo

Eszterbauer Nagyapám Kadarka, Szekszárd
Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir 2021, Etyek
Kovács Nimród Battonage Chardonnay 2022, Eger
Pannonhalma Archabbey Prior 2023, Pannonhalma
Steigler Bio Zöldveltelíni 2023, Sopron
Vesztergombi Merlot 2021, Szekszárd
Vylyan Csóka Variáció 2019, Villány

https://www.vylyan.hu/en/estate/wines/variation-wines/

Food for thought for sommeliers

Hungary celebrates its birthday, the foundation of the state by our first king, I. István (Saint Stephen) on the 20th of August. Since 2011 a Cake of the Country has been announced every year. This year the winner is called Poppy Flower, and since we are wine nerds, we try to pair it with wines.
Kind István was canonized in 1083, 45 years after his death.

A not-so-simple fairy tale

Every year there are some criteria that the pastry chefs have to meet, this year the so called “superfood” ingredients had to be used, at least two of them. These valuable food types were the berry fruits, certain vegetables, some cereals and some nuts. The winner, Alfréd Kovács (Édes Vonal pastry shop, Vác) confectioner used ingredients from his childhood memories, flavours and aromas recalling hide and seek and other infant games in the woods. Creamy white chocolate, poppy seed, almond flour, tart blackcurrant and black sesame brittle are the main components.
From today, the cake is available in more than 500 cake shops throughout Hungary.

Poppy seed kills?

Of course, there is nothing wrong with poppy seed, it might make you sleepy in large quantity, but it is absolutely harmless, thus you can still find dishes with poppy seed in Hungary – with the approval of the European Union. We asked some Hungarian wine experts about pairing wine with the cake, and Dániel Ercsey wine writer responded this: “The best pairing is water, poppy seed kills any kind of wine.” Gábriel Nyulasi wine writer suggested a sparkling wine made of Olaszrizling and Rhine Riesling, it may work, Patrícia Mannheim thinks of a Blanc de Noir, possible, but a Pinot Noir rosé sparkling might have a better chance, as Bettina Kutasi suggested. Zoltán Lesti sommelier and winemaker is positive about pairing the cake it with wine, especially with red wine. As he says, he has tried it several times, his guests always loved it! Zsolt Váradi agrees, he recommends a Merlot (he mentions Lelovits, but we have not tasted that, this is why we suggest a great Heumann Merlot). Gábor Dudás reminds us that this cake does not focus on poppy seed, it is just one of the ingredients. Because of the rich white chocolate cream, he would prefer a liquor or a vermouth. “If it should be wine, I would think of a matured Tokaji Aszú or sweet or dry Tokaji Szamorodni.” Thanks for all the recommendations!

Heumann Merlot 2017, Villány

This Merlot has received 94 points and won the panel tasting in an important wine magazine of Hungary earlier this year. Debreceni Borozó 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 latest issue came out with a massive panel tasting section evaluating wines in different categories. The tasting of varietal wines made of Bordeaux grapes had the most samples – this is where Heumann Merlot 2017 reached the No1 position. “Dark ruby colour. Lovely, matured nose with black forest fruits, blackberry, ripe plum, chocolate, coffee. Dried leaves and spices. Full body with oily texture, integrated acidity, ripe tannins. Fruity, spicy, juicy. Very long finish and great ageing potential.”

More about Heumann Winery

Teleki Tradíció 1881 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2016, Villány 

The first bottle fermented sparkling wine of the Villány winery spent more than 20 months ageing on the lees. “Elegant, pale colour of peach with fine bubbles. Intense, complex nose with peach, orange and subtle yeast with some citrus notes. On the palate finely woven texture, firm structure, crystal clear flavours. Fresh, vibrant acidity makes the sparkling wine vivacious and refreshing, enhancing the fruity character. Ethereal, feather light with tiny, melting bubbles. Perfect harmony. Taste it slowly finding pleasure in every sip.”
The winery website is under construction due to its rebranding.

Read more here

Patricius Stilla Aurea Tokaiensis Sweet Szamorodni 2021, Tokaj

Szamorodni is a traditional style in Tokaj with using healthy and botrytised berries harvested together. This blend is made of 50% Zéta, 28% Muscat Blanc and 22% Furmint. After fermentation in stainless steel tank, the wine aged for 12 months in 220 L oak barrels. “The nose brings the aromas of the botrytized “Aszú” berries with lots of fruity notes, as mango, peach, quince, apricot. In the back the elegance of the barrel ageing also appears. On palate fine complexity, roundness and elegance can characterize the taste. At the end unique minerality completes the wine.” It has a residual sugar of 124.2 g/l balanced with 8.04 g/l acidity.
More about Patricius 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.

Earlier we reported the amazing success of Gizella Winery (Best in Show) and Sauska (Platinum award) at Decanter World Wine Award. Hungary also collected 13 gold medals, mainly for Tokaj sweet wines. However, there are 56 silver winners with 90 or more points. At another contest these wines would be acknowledged by gold medals, therefore we should keep in mind, that these achievements astonishing! Let us congratulate to Csányi, Dereszla, Etyeki Kúria, Holdvölgy, Lajver, Patricius, Tornai, Vesztergombi, Weninger & Gere and 36 more Hungarian wineries!

Below you can see the wine reviews written by Decanter judges. If you click on “Fact sheet”, you may find European stockists of the given wine.