I recently visited Budapest for the third time. I've yet to make it out to visit a Hungarian wine region, but I'm gradually working my way round their wines, and if you're looking for value as well as quality, Hungary still presents many interesting wines at affordable price points.
My corporate career is now a distant memory while my wine career has not yet made my millions, so it's not all rock 'n' roll on this wine lover's wine rack. I've been working my way through some of the dustier bottles in an attempt to save some cash.
On the lower recesses, I found this bottle of "Bock 'n' Roll" from the winemakers Bock who are based in the region of Villany. A town in the south of Hungary, Villany is just west of the Danube and right on the border with Croatia. It's latitude and landscape are similar to Southern Burgundy, so it's interesting that this wine is a blend of Pinot Noir (Burgundy staple), Kekfrankos, Syrah, Portugieser and Cabernet Franc. If it were on sale here, I guess it would be around £8.50 based on our taxation. (I bought mine in the Liszt Airport duty free shop last year for around 7€). Villany is more often known as Hungary's Bordeaux since it produces large quantities of Cabernets and Merlots, as well as single varietals from Zweigelt and Kekfrankos (also known as Blaufrankisch in Austria and Germany).
My corporate career is now a distant memory while my wine career has not yet made my millions, so it's not all rock 'n' roll on this wine lover's wine rack. I've been working my way through some of the dustier bottles in an attempt to save some cash.
On the lower recesses, I found this bottle of "Bock 'n' Roll" from the winemakers Bock who are based in the region of Villany. A town in the south of Hungary, Villany is just west of the Danube and right on the border with Croatia. It's latitude and landscape are similar to Southern Burgundy, so it's interesting that this wine is a blend of Pinot Noir (Burgundy staple), Kekfrankos, Syrah, Portugieser and Cabernet Franc. If it were on sale here, I guess it would be around £8.50 based on our taxation. (I bought mine in the Liszt Airport duty free shop last year for around 7€). Villany is more often known as Hungary's Bordeaux since it produces large quantities of Cabernets and Merlots, as well as single varietals from Zweigelt and Kekfrankos (also known as Blaufrankisch in Austria and Germany).
What you're really interested in though, is what it tastes like. It's a very unusual blend and I was worried that perhaps I'd left it too long on my rack, given it was an inexpensive wine and a 2009 vintage. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. This is a very interesting bottle for the money. It's really juicy from the acidity, and although fairly light bodied, it's such a dark red that is almost opaque. Tannin is present but not over-drying. It's a well balanced wine and for the money, presents some appealing flavours of cherry, raspberry and spice. It's simple and easy to drink. Just right for your rock 'n' roll parties....
If you're having them in Hungary. (I haven't found it for sale in the UK).
If you're having them in Hungary. (I haven't found it for sale in the UK).
A few of the wines tasted during the trip
For your UK based parties, you can find Hungarian wines to fit the bill in your local Waitrose. At least you will be able to as soon as it comes back into stock. This Chapel Hill sparkling is made using the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes which are also those used in Champagne. This is cheaper than much Cava and Prosecco, and while Brut in style, it wasn't just off dry, making it really very quaffable. We found it light and easy to drink with some subtle strawberries and cream, lime and green apple flavours. While it lacks the yeasty, biscuity flavours you find in Champagne and sparkling wines made using the "traditional method", at this price point (around £7.99), it's competing with Prosecco, which I find has generally a less vibrant fizz and less interesting flavours. It's also cheap enough to use for Kir, adding the fruit liqueur of your coice to make your party go with a swing.
Chapel Hill have featured here before - with a Pinot Noir in our £5 versus £15 challenge. They make simple but drinkable, inexpensive wines in the region of Balatonboglar, which is one of several wine regions on the shores of Lake Balaton. Situated in western Hungary, Lake Balaton is a long, thin freshwater lake measuring almost 50 miles in length, sometimes referred to as the 'Hungarian Sea.' It is the largest lake in central Europe and reputedly, Hungary's most popular tourist destination.
The lake is crucial to wine makers since it moderates both the searing summer temperatures and winter freezes, giving ideal circumstances for growing international and indigenous varieties.
While in Budapest, I was, of course, dancing and teaching my dance confidence classes. I did manage to taste a few local wines, but was limited to what was available in the local 24/7 shop or restaurants, so none of them are particularly rock 'n' roll!
I had more wine experiences on my first visit in January 2013, which I reviewed here. Over the next few weeks, I will hopefully be "virtually" visiting some of the 22 wine regions of Hungary, aided by The Hungarian Wine House. If you want to learn more about Hungarian Wines, stay tuned. Meanwhile, do pick up a bottle of Hungarian "Bor" and let me know what you think of it.
Cheers!
Chapel Hill have featured here before - with a Pinot Noir in our £5 versus £15 challenge. They make simple but drinkable, inexpensive wines in the region of Balatonboglar, which is one of several wine regions on the shores of Lake Balaton. Situated in western Hungary, Lake Balaton is a long, thin freshwater lake measuring almost 50 miles in length, sometimes referred to as the 'Hungarian Sea.' It is the largest lake in central Europe and reputedly, Hungary's most popular tourist destination.
The lake is crucial to wine makers since it moderates both the searing summer temperatures and winter freezes, giving ideal circumstances for growing international and indigenous varieties.
While in Budapest, I was, of course, dancing and teaching my dance confidence classes. I did manage to taste a few local wines, but was limited to what was available in the local 24/7 shop or restaurants, so none of them are particularly rock 'n' roll!
I had more wine experiences on my first visit in January 2013, which I reviewed here. Over the next few weeks, I will hopefully be "virtually" visiting some of the 22 wine regions of Hungary, aided by The Hungarian Wine House. If you want to learn more about Hungarian Wines, stay tuned. Meanwhile, do pick up a bottle of Hungarian "Bor" and let me know what you think of it.
Cheers!
Remember, if you're interested in finding out more about wine, whether you normally drink high street fare or Chateau Petrus, a bespoke Purple Teeth Tasting Party at home, or at a private function is a great way to taste new things and have fun. You can find out more in the 2nd tab at the top of this page, and contact us here http://www.purpleteeth.co.uk/contact--questions.html
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