Hungary and Hungarian Wines
Hungary's climate is ideal for growing vines; it is esentially a continental climate, with hot summers, long mild autumns, and cold winters, with temperature extremes moderated by the influence of the Carpatheans. Annual rainfall is around 5-600mm depending on the region. Wine has been made in Hungary since antiquity, and the Romans made use of the excellent conditions and planted vines in what is today Transdanubia. After the adoption of Christianity, wine was made by many monasteries and Hungary became one of the most important wine producers in Central Europe in the Middle Ages. In modern times, Phylloxera devastated vineyards and after WW1 the economy was unable to support the industry very well.Collectivisation during communist times post-WW2 drove production quantities up, but very much at the expense of quality. It is only now, in the early years of the 21st century, that we are beginning to see the renaissance of Hungary as a wine producing country.
Our initial range is small, but contains some crackiong good wines. Our selections are very much quality-oriented.
Weninger-Gere and Attila Gere, Villany, Hungary
Back in 1992, shortly after the fall of communism, Franz Weninger began collaborating with Attila Gere, a Hungarian wine producer in Villány in Southern Hungary. Franz brought technical know-how enabling Gere to obtain the best possible resullts from his land. The Weninger and Gere winery was born, and its wines were immediately a great success. Villány is the southernmost wine region in Hungary, situated near the Croatian border and it's climate is rather warmer than Burgenland's. The wines are deep, dark and powerful. They have become extremely sought after in Hungary, and only a small amount is exported. Lucky you - we have some!
Kopár 2007 Attila Gere, Villány SOLD OUT Ref: 3610003
This is the emblematic wine of the Gere winery. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, it is only made in the best years with selected grapes from the premium slopes of Villány (Kopár, Csillagvölgy, and Konkoly). It is aged for 16-20 months in new Hungarian oak barrels.Gere's own description of the 2007 vintage:-
The wine: Great wine of a great vintage." It is a similar composition like the vintage of 2006, but a dash of more Cabernet Sauvignon makes the wine much characteristic. 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. As aging methode we have keeped the well-tried receipt: in 60% little oak barrels provide the elegant roasting aromas, in 40% we have tried to keep as much better it is possible the nice, intensive fruits with the help of 2500 - 5000 litres big barrels. Complex, full , well structured wine with exceptionally long after-taste.The wine is consumable affably yet, but it will be attain its top expecting around 2017-2019. It is specifically appropriate for aging.
Only a small quantity remaining
Was: £40.80 (Including VAT at 20%)
Pinot Noir (Kékburgundi) 2005 Franz Weninger, Balf, Sopron SOLD OUT Ref: 3600003
Kékburgundi is the Hungarian name for Pinot Noir. This wine is from a single vineyard called Frettner, in the town of Balf in the Sopron winegrowing region, with mineral-slate and Ramann brown forest soils. The vines are aged on average 7 years, and are grown at a density of 5500 vines/ha, giving 35 hl/ha. The harvest took place on September 28, 2005. The grapes were pressed immediately, and fermentation with natural yeasts took place in stainless tanks, followed by full malolactic fermentation and 14 months maturation in barriques.A pale red, with fruit and hazlenuts on the nose. The palate is fruity, with redcurrant and cherry flavours. Good length, with cherries on the finish. 12.5% ABV. Bottled December 2006. Drink now to 2012. Serving temperature 18-20°C; goes well with red and white meat dishes.
Was: £14.10 (Including VAT at 20%)
Bin End 20%This product carries 20% Bin End discount, which is applied to the price above and shown when bin end goods are placed in the shopping basket.
Kékfrankos Selection 2007 Spern Steiner Franz Weninger, Balf, Sopron SOLD OUT
Ref: 3600004Kékfrankos is the Hungarian name for Blaufränkisch. This premium wine from Weninger is made from grapes grown in the Spern Steiner vineyard. The vines are aged on average 46 years, with 3300 vines/ha, and low yields of 21 hectolitres/hectare. Alcoholic fermentation uses wild yeasts, with full malolactic fermentation, and the wine is aged for 16 months in small barriques.
An intensely fruity spicy nose, with chocolate and sour cherry flavours dominant on the palate. There's a creamy texture and meaty structure, with ripe tannins and good acid backbone. Masses of fruit, and good minerality. Huge length, with spicy finish. Excellent match for peppered steak. Ideal serving temperature 18-19°C. Drink from now through to 2018. ABV 12.5%.
In stock - normally despatched within one working day.
Was: £29.40 (Including VAT at 20%)
Monastery of Pannonhalma, Gyor, Hungary
This property is located in the town of Pannonhalma, in Eastern Hungary, near to the town of Gyor just south of the Slovakian border, and about halfway between Bratislava and Budapest. The Benedictine monks at the monastary on the Sacred Hill of Pannonia have always been closely associated with viticulture and wine making. They have applied the highest standards of wine-growing.At the beginning of the 1900s the Archabbey had about 100 hectares of vineyards in the direct vicinity of Pannonhalma and it also had plantations on the Somló Hill and in Tokaj-Hegyalja. Its bottled wines both whites and reds were sold in Hungary as well as abroad far beyond the borders of what was then Greater Hungary. The political and social upheaval that followed World War II put an end to the centuries-old tradition when the single-party state confiscated the Abbey's vineyard holdings and winery. During the decades that followed, the monks never gave up hopes of reviving the legacy of excellence one day.
Finally, it was in 2000 that the plans for rebirth took shape when the Abbey Winery Pannonhlama was re-established. Today the renaissance of the property is nearly complete, with a nice range of top quality wines being produced.
