Signum – The Best Bikavér of Szekszárd, Lajver, H11 / D20

Lajver Wine Estate in Szekszárd has a large portfolio from the affordable, great value wines to the “signature” wines – like Signum 2019, the emblematic Bikavér blend of the estate, which. has been selected The Best Bikavér of Szekszárd!(Szekszárd regional wine competition 2022). The blend is made of 55% Kékfrankos, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 6% Kadarka and 1% Cabernet Franc. After careful manual bunch and berry selection the grapes fermented in stainless steel, and then each varietal wine matured separately in oak barrel for 10–12 months. The blending was followed by 12 months of bottle ageing. “The nose captures the taster immediately with the scent of freshly made espresso and grated chocolate. Fruitiness comes with blackcurrant, blackberry and sun ripened raspberry. Oak notes appear on the palate: the sweet spices, the masculine tannin and the toasted notes make it clear that Signum is a massive wine. A mediterranean style, powerful red wine with firm structure, ample alcohol and tannin, spice and fruit, and long lasting flavours. The ‘Zen’ harmony has not developed yet, but it definitely has the potential. At the moment we recommend only with hearty meals, but it is also wise to lay it in the cellar and taste it again in some years’ time.” And the price? Around 9 euros in retail – indeed it is a steal. If you visit Lajver booth, do not miss their latest release, Lajver Premium Sauvignon Blanc, another gold medal winner wine of the estate.

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“Real beauty” – Csányi / Chateau Teleki – H11 / E30

Csányi Winery was founded by the renowned viticulturist, Zsigmond Teleki, the saviour of many vineyards during the phylloxera plague. Therefore some lines of the winery bear the name Teleki, like the one we are recommending now. Chateau Teleki Villányi Franc 2017 won gold medals at Challenge International du Vin 2021, Berliner Wein Trophy 2021 and China Wine & Spirits Award 2021. Lately Tamlyn Currin evaluated the wine and gave it 17 points on JancisRobinson.com. “ This is so peppery and with such ripe, yet elegant, dark-red fruit that I might be forgiven for calling it northern Rhône Syrah-like. Villány really does produce a totally unique Cab Franc. There is a fine underscore of pencil-shavings and green capsicum, green peppercorns. The spice is fine-ground, refined, folded in and pressed into the folds of the fruit. This has real beauty, understated stature.“ And it costs only 6.60 euros in retail!

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Pannon Imperial – not luxury any more, Garamvári, H11 / D20

Garamvári Vineyard is a renowned Hungarian winery with several prestgious titles like Winemaker of the Year (for the founder, Vencel Garamvári) or Winery of the Year. The quality work is constant: last year the winemaker, Péter Baranyai was selected The Most Successful Winemaker of VinAgora, and at the latest edition of VinAgora international wine contest Garamvári Vineyard won 5 gold medals and one silver medal.Garamvári Imperial Extra Dry and Imperial Rose Extra Dry are sparkling wines made for Lidl supermarket chain – amazing examples of good price-value products. At the moment the white version is available at Lidl in Hungary for a retail price of only 5.7 euros! If you visit Garamvári booth, taste the whole range of sparkling wines, among others Garamvári Brut Nature 2018, our favourite, a highly elegant blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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Wine of the Kings and their people – Dereszla, H11 / D20

Tokaji Aszú is one of the most expensive wines of the worlds, and not because of the immense marketing cost, but because it is exteremely labour consuming. Experienced women can do the picking of the rare and hidden botrytised berries, berry by berry, but these women are not easy to find, and that is only the beginning of the process. So if you are offered a cheap Tokaji Aszú, do not accept it. However Chateau Dereszla can lower the margine due to volume, thus their Tokaji Aszú 5 pttonyos 2017 is not cheap, but more affordable.The wine has a great balance with 139.8 g/l sugar and 9.71 g/l acidity. “Bright golden colour. The nose features charming citrus notes, honey and the botrytised berries themselves. The palate continues with honey and citrus complemented by dried apricot. Harmony, complexity, balance.” It costs 9000 HUF in retail, which makes approximately 23 euros.

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Winewriters’ Choice – Kamocsay / Hilltop, H11 / D20

The Circle of Wine Writers have selected the so called Super 12 white and red wines for the 6th time this year. Being on the list is prestige in itself, but to be selected the best of the best ones is a serious accolade. The Hungarian Wine Grand Prix 2021 goes to Neszmély wine region for the first time, since Hilltop Kamocsay Prémium Chardonnay 2019 collected the most points at the blind tasting.

Kamocsay wines are the premium line of Hilltop estate in Neszmély wine region. Ákos Kamocsay chief winemaker has won several awards, among others he is Winemaker of the Year 1999. Hilltop Kamocsay Premium Chardonnay 2019 is an estate wine, the blend of Chardonnay wines from different vineyards. Fermented and matured in stainless steel with 3 months of batonnage. Bottled after 14 months. Concentrated, layered, elegant wine with typical Chardonnay notes, mainly white flesh and tropical fruits like pineapple and sugar melon. Due to the batonnage we can discover fine buttery notes and creamy texture. The only problem is that the wine is sold out – no wonder. Vintage 2020 is available now, but you can trust Ákos Kamocsay, the quality is outstanding again – and the price is only around 8 euros in retail!

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Hungarian exhibitors at ProWein 2022