By Ágnes Németh

As we wrote earlier, Heumann Winery from Villány has recently released two white wines made of black grapes. Back then we relied on the information received from the winery, but meanwhile I could taste Blue–White, the white Kékfrankos. In the title I quote Michael Jackson, “no matter if it’s black or white”, with reason. Obviously, he was singing about skin colours, while I am speaking about grape skin colours, but I can honestly say that in case of Heumann Winery and Kékfrankos, the colour does not matter, the wine is excellent for sure.

Vince magazine wine review

In the latest issue of Vince wine magazine, Heumann Blue – White ranks among the top of the new releases with 4 stars and 16.20 scores (out of 20). The description is the following: “Light greenish colour with the hue of sunrise. Quite intense nose with white flesh fruits but it also has some red fruit character, mainly with redcurrant notes and a pinch of spices. When tasting, it is full bodied, absolutely rich and juicy with ripened peach, apple and vibrant acidity.”

Tasting note by Adrian van Velsen Swiss wine writer

“Pale rose gold; restrained aroma of grapefruit, red currants, and white flowers; gripping on the palate, juicy, incredible crisp fruit, well balanced acidity, the wine has a fresh and fruity finish. A successful Blanc-de-Noir, where every sip makes you want the next one.” (88 points)

How was is made?

Kékfrankos (in the neighbouring Austria it is called Blaufränkisch) is the most planted black grape of Hungary, an indigenous grape with a potential to give fruit drivel, elegant wines appealing to the wine connoisseurs of today. Just like in case of Merlot Bianco, the other “blanc de noir”, the winery uses the same grape for the white as they use for their top reds. The parcels of Kékfrankos vines are also located in Városhegy vineyard. Harvest took place on 21 August. The grape was destemmed, immediately pressed, and the alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks at 16° C, there was no malolactic fermentation. It was bottled on 6 February, 2025.
Alcohol: 13.5%, acidity: 6.1 g/l, residual sugar: 1.7 g/l.
More about Heumann Winery

What can I add?

For me the elegance was that enchanted me right at the beginning. The wine has balance, the “red-wine-ish” tones are so subtle, so restrained, they are somewhere in the background, the result is more of a unique wine with creamy texture, complexity and also lively acidity. Well done! Perfect for a summer evening, we had some cheese and figs with it – it was a majestic feast!

Heumann wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom at Novel Wine. In Belgium at QWine, in Switzerland at Heumann Weine, Cave Gevin, Hunderweinhaus, Le Bouchon Vinothek and at Vinebration.

A recent article of us about Heumann La Trinità 2019, the Villányi Franc of the estate receiving 93 points from Markus del Monego german Master of Wine

Another 93 points to Heumann La Trinità 2019

Merlot Bianco & Blue-White

The rosé boom has come to a halt, red wine consumption is decreasing – so how can a red dominated wine region survive? Some wineries plant more white varieties, as we have written recently, while Erhard and Evelyne Heumann have come up with a bolder idea: let’s make white wine of what we have! The solution is somehow obvious from a German–Swiss couple, since white Merlot has special importance in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. Apart from Merlot Bianco, the Heumanns have released Blue-White as well, a white wine made of Hungary’s flagship black grape, Kékfrankos. “A successful Blanc-de-Noir, where every sip makes you want the next one.” (Adrian van Velsen)

Heumann Merlot Bianco 2024

Heumann Winery has always been famous for making brilliant Riesling wines, due the location of their vineyards in the Siklós sub-region of Villány wine region. Here the soil mainly consists of loess with high proportion of limestone. The new white Merlot is made of the same Merlot they use for the red wine, from Városhegy vineyard in Siklós, with 20-year-old vines, with a yield of only 40 hl / hectare. Harvest took place on 22 August.
The grape was destemmed, immediately pressed, and the alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks at 16° C. In spite of the practice in the Swiss white Merlot region, Ticino, there was no malolactic fermentation. The wine was kept on fine yeast for 4 months. It was bottled on 5 February, 2025.
Alcohol: 13.5%, acidity: 5.7 g/l, residual sugar: 2.7 g/l.
Tasting note: Pale colour. Intense flavours of red fruit and cassis. Fruity lemon acidity, well integrated in the creamy body. Very spicy. Long lasting.

Heumann Blue-White 2024

Kékfrankos (in the neighbouring Austria it is called Blaufränkisch) is the most planted black grape of Hungary, an indigenous grape with a potential to give fruit drivel, elegant wines appealing to the wine connoisseurs of today. Just like in case of Merlot Bianco, the winery uses the same grape for the white as they use for the red Kékfrankos.
The parcels of Kékfrankos vines are also located in Városhegy vineyard. Harvest took place on 21 August.
As in case of Merlot Bianco, the grape was destemmed, immediately pressed, and the alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks at 16° C, there was no malolactic fermentation. It was bottled on 6 February, 2025.
Alcohol: 13.5%, acidity: 6.1 g/l, residual sugar: 1.7 g/l.
Tasting note by Adrian van Velsen Swiss wine writer:
“Pale rose gold; restrained aroma of grapefruit, red currants, and white flowers; gripping on the palate, juicy, incredible crisp fruit, well balanced acidity, the wine has a fresh and fruity finish. A successful Blanc-de-Noir, where every sip makes you want the next one. (88 points)”

More about Heumann Winery

Cover photo by Attila Viktor Németi

Heumann wines are usual protagonists of top ratings both in Hungary and internationally – see our latest article with Markus Del Monego MW‘s top scores. And it is not only their famous La Trinità Cabernet Franc that claims the limelight in every vintage. Recently the varietal Merlot 2017 has received 94 points and won the panel tasting in an important wine magazine of Hungary. 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.

The Glorious March of Heumann La Trinità Continues

The panel tasting team about Heumann Merlot 2017

“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

Taste Heumann wines at Wine Paris on 12–14 February at the booth of Hungarianwines.eu (5.2/A 217)

Heumann wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom at Wanderlustwine and Novel Wine. In Belgium at QWine, in Switzerland at Heumann Weine, Le Bouchon Vinothek and at Vinebration.

Markus Del Monego MW giving 93 and 94 points

Earlier this year we wrote about the immense success of three vintages of La Trinitá, a varietal Cabernet Franc made in Villány–thus it is a ‘Villányi Franc’–by Heumann Winery. After the outstanding acknowledgements of vintages ’16, ’17 and ’18, now the golden rain of vintage 2019 begins. Markus Del Monego, probably the most influential German Master of Wine evaluated some Heumann wines on TastingBook.com and La Trinità received 93 points.

Heumann La Trinità 2019, 93 pts

“Intense purple colour with violet hue and almost black core. Elegant nose with refined character, aroma reminiscent of ripe blackcurrants and blueberries, sweet elderberries, discreet floral touch, hints of smoked bacon and dark chocolate in the background. Complemented by hints of vanilla and fine toasting. On the palate peppery spiciness, elegant character with firm yet ripe tannins, very aromatic finish with fine fruit quoting the nose and discreet spiciness. Convincing length and depth.”

Markus Del Monego MW

Heumann La Trinità 2018, 94 pts

The expert also evaluated La Trinità vintage 2018, it received 94 points! (This was the wine selected by Sebestyén Nagy renowned Hungarian wine writer as the 8th best Hungarian wine on his Top 100 list.)
“Intense purple colour with violet hue, black core and hints of garnet tinges in the background. On the palate opulent nose with aroma reminiscent of Crème de Cassis, ripe elderberries, mild spices, elegant toastingwith hints of cold smoke, a whiff of graphite and dried herbs in the background. Cedar wood and tobacco box developing with some time in the glass. On the palate multi-layered with ripe dark berries and juicy black stone fruit. Peppery spiciness, distinct touch of graphite, hints of cigar box with ripe tannins, very convincing length.”

Markus Del Monego MW

More about Heumann La Trinità 2018 on the website of the winery

Heumann wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom at Wanderlustwine and Novel Wine, in Belgium at QWine, in Switzerland at Heumann Weine, Le Bouchon Vinothek and at Vinebration.

About TastingBook

TastingBook is created by FINE – the world’s leading Fine Wine magazines and thousands of wine professionals and wineries from over 110 countries. TastingBook started in 2015 and have today over million pages of wine information. Over 25 000 wine professionalsfrom 123 countries are keeping it updated. To see the reviews readers must register, which costs 80 euros annually. Currently there is a Christmas offer with only 50 euros.
More information

Our earlier article about three vintages of Heumann La Trinità

The glorious march of La Trinità

Results of the largest Hungarian wine competition announced

231 wineries entered 824 wines and altogether 248 medals were given. The National Council of the Wine Communities Hungary (NCWCH) organized the most traditional producer wine tasting for the 41st time. As they say in their official brochure, “The 2022 National Wine Competition is also a preparation for a major interprofessional undertaking. An interprofessional wine marketing activity is planned to be launched in 2023, with the National Wine Competition as the basis for a quality Selection system.“ Let us intruduce 5 gold medal winner wines.

To see the full brochure with all the medal winners click here:

National Wine Contest catalogue 2022, Hungary