Wine of the Weekend – especially with “pogácsa”

Kadarka is an indigenous grape variety in Hungary (and in some other countries). It gives light coloured, easy drinking, fruity and spicy red wine. Frittmann family winery in Kunság makes a true Kadarka with all its typical characteristics: “The light garnet red colour is typical to the Kadarka grape variety. In the nose, it evokes cherry, sour cherry and spices. The fresh and medium acidity contributes to the loose and dynamic feeling of the sip. Alcohol content is low, tannic acid level is slightly moderate. Spicy aromas on the palate, together with red berries in the background. A vigorouswine, which can be matched in many ways to such typical Hungarian meals like different stews, paprika or lecsó.” The wine fermented in tank and aged in large wooden barrels for 5 months. At the 2021 issue of Decanter World Wine Award it received bronze medal.
It is also worth trying with “pogácsa” (in the cover photo above), a traditional Hungarian salty cake, a typical wine bite.It is easy to make, this my favourite recipe from my mother.

St Martin Day dinner, 12 November

Taste Frittmann Kadarka and all the new vintage wines of Frittmann Winery on 12 November at their St Martin Day dinner. The winery is situated in Soltvartkert, a small town about 90 minutes’ drive from Budapest. The estate has a comfortable guest house accommodating 12 people. St Martin Day dinner will feature traditional courses made of goose and certainly each plate will have its own wine pairing.

Date and time: 18.00–22.00, 12 November
Venue: Frittmann Winery, Soltvadkert. Eötvös u. 6., Hungary
Price: 15 000 HUF / person
Booking: borhaz@soltvadkert

Celebrate International Kadarka Day on 20 November, wherever you are.

More information about Kadarka on the website of Kadarka Day

Frittmann wines are available in several countries, for example in the United Kingdom (Malux, Best of Hungary). If you cannot find Frittmann wines near you, order them from Winelovers Webshop, they ship to every European country.

The annual conference and tasting scheduled on 19–20 November this year is finally cancelled. Events are not forbidden in Hungary, they can be held with extra safety measures, but the organizers did not want to risk the safety and health of the participants in the recent situation. Hungary suffers severely from the second wave of the pandemic with rising number of cases, though restaurants and bars are still open unlike in many other European countries. The wineries also await visitors, thus if you happen to stay in Hungary, a wine weekend in Villány will surely cheer your soul up.

Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery – in November and always

Masks are now obligatory to wear, so why not wear one from your favourite winery? Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery conducts a St Martin dinner on the 14th November with courses like ‘sólet’ (something like cholent, a traditional Jewish–Hungarian oven baked bean casserole) with smoked goose breast. The dinner will be sold out soon, but the estate always welcomes visitors, and the pansion of the winery offers cosy rooms to stay.

If you visit, do not miss Aureus, the flagship blend of the winery, which is made only in the best vintages. The grapes come from prestigious vineyards of Villány: Kopár, Várerdő and Csillagvölgy. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, made with great care and attention. “Its beauty lies in the balance. The objective was to find a perfect balance and create absolute harmony. A wine with great ageing potential.“

More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery