in London, w e hav e met with all of our preferred winemak ers in Hungary, toured their estates and held many private ta
Catalogue of Producers Looking for UK Distribution
WELCOME
Wines of Hungary’s mission is to support Hungarian winemakers by promoting them in the UK. We bring you these premium products for the best possible price, but with complete focus on quality. We work with a range of highly innovative and accomplished winemakers and distributors in Hungary to ensure we select the best wines and vintages. Although we are based permanently in London, we have met with all of our preferred winemakers in Hungary, toured their estates and held many private tastings with the owners and head winemakers. This ensures we build trust and deepen relationships. Our success depends on us managing those relationships. We have been working with two Master of Wines, Caroline Gilby MW and Elizabeth Gabay MW, to bring a true representation of commercially ready winemakers from Hungary. We have screened over 100 wines to make a selection that is suitable for the UK palate. Our programme this year and most probably in 2017 is built on kadraka, kekfrankos, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet francs an array of indigenous and international varietals. This year, in our portfolio of producers looking for importers in the UK, we feature a unique Furmint as well as fruity-spicy indigenous reds from Eger PDO and fiery Cabernets from the Villany region.
We would like to say thank you to the four outstanding Hungarian wineries featuring their wines, looking for representation in the UK: From Eger PDO: Nimrod Kovacs St Andrea From Villany PDO: Csanyi Gere Attila Let’s start with a few interesting numbers. Hungary is comprised of 22 wine regions with 63,000 hectares under vine. In 2014, 350,000 metric tons of grapes were harvested, which produced 2.2 million hectolitres of wine. These are just some of the facts from the 2014 harvest. During this vintage, the grape yield was lower than the average of the previous years, however, the quality was consistently excellent. We are all witnessing the quality of Hungarian wines grow year by year and we are committed to ensuring that these wines have their space on retailers’ shelves and on dining tables in the UK. Lilla O’Connor-Varga & The Wines of Hungary team
ST. ANDREA
Hungary is finally becoming an exciting place for wine, due to the efforts of a new generation of oenologists including Dr György Lőrincz, Hungary’s wine-maker of the year in 2009. His St Andrea winery, in the northern city of Eger PDO, is among the leaders in re-establishing important Hungarian varietals such as the white Furmint and Hárslevelü and the peppery, red Kadarka. He has won many awards in Hungary and in Bordeaux with his wines and became a wine icon in Hungary. St Andrea is inspired and motivated by life with the mission to create wines that are unique.
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AWARDS – Officer’s Cross of Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – 2013- Dr. Lőrincz György: Best of Budapest & Hungary 2013 – Gastro – Enologist of the Year – Dr. Lőrincz György, “Winemaker of the Year” 2009 – Hungary
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– Orokke 2014 – IWC 2016, Bronze
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Year: 2014 Varietal: Olaszrizling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Rhein Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Pinot blanc Alcohol: 14.14% Ex Cellar: £7.70 5 Pallet Price: £5.86 Awards: IWC 2016, Bronze
1. Örökké Year: 2013 Varietal: Kékfrankos, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Menoir Alcohol: 14.2% Ex Cellar: £5.80 5 Pallet Price: £4.41 Awards: Silver medal – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition – Mendon – New York
2. Aldas Egri Bikaver
3. Merengő
Year: 2015 Varietal: Olaszrizling, Hárslevelű, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Leányka, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Traminer, Viognier Alcohol: 13.5%, Ex Cellar: £3.80 5 Pallet Price: £2.89 Awards: Silver medal – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition – Mendon – New York
4. Napbor
Spicy, dark, plummy fruit with a hint of tobacco. Ripe, medium bodied and slightly rustic with fine grained tannins and touch of spice and coffee. Very approachable and understandable Bikaver. Caroline Gilby MW
Year: 2012 Varietal: Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah Alcohol: 14.7% Ex Cellar: £15.50 5 Pallet Price: £11.79 Awards: Merengő Egri Bikavér superior 2011 Silver medal – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition 2014, USA Medaillon d’Or 2014, Prestige reserve club Budapest
Very youthful with hints of apple blossom and cut pear. Fresh crisp and light. Delicate and subtle. Caroline Gilby MW
Fine aromas of white peach and a hint of orange blossom. Good weight in mouth, ripe and textured with notes of white peach, pear, spice and a long mineral finish. (Örökké 2013) Caroline Gilby MW
Spicy, warm and plummy, with smoky oak, liquorice and tobacco. Ripe, intense and complex with grainy tannins and nice harmony. (Merengő 2011) Caroline Gilby MW 4
www.standrea.com
5. Szeretettel Rose
Year: 2015 Varietal: Pinot Noir 38%, Kékfrankos 24%, Kadarka 24%, Merlot 14% Alcohol 12.73% Ex Cellar: £3.60 5 Pallet Price: £2.74 Awards: Szeretettel Egri rozé 2013, Caprice Diamond Award 2014, Prestige reserve club Budapest
Delicious, appetising, dry, elegant and fine rose. Caroline Gilby MW
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A peppery low alcohol, indigenous red, pinot noir colour, soft fruity but peppery
Year: 2014 Varietal: Kadarka Alcohol: 12.5% Ex Cellar: £9.50
6. Kadarka Superior
Preserving Eger’s traditions this single varietal is not even available to Hungarian trade. Lovely fruity, peppery notes.
Year: 2013 Varietal: Kékfrankos Alcohol: 12.5% Ex Cellar: £9.50
7. Kekfrankos
8. Hangács Egri Bikavér Superior Year: 2012 Varietal: Kékfrankos 49%, Pinot Noir 24% Merlot 16%, Cabernet Franc 6%, és Kadarka 5% Alcohol: 14.70% Ex Cellar: £11.79 5 Pallet Price: £10 A wine with personality!
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KOVACS NIMROD
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The essence of fine wine is rooted in the unique terroir, where the grapes are grown. Kovacs Nimrod are fortunate enough to have three of the top terroirs in the Eger wine growing region. Since Eger is a cool climate region, similar to Burgundy or cooler climates of California, varieties are planted accordingly, so they are capable of producing world class wines. They farm these grapes using sustainable practices and every year hand harvest these healthy and happy grapes which are being gently guided into fine wines. Nimrod Kovács is, first and foremost a businessman. Following a successful career in the States, Nimrod returned to Hungary to follow his dream and create his own wine domaine. Inspired by his love of jazz, the stylish labels for the Monopole range (classic and superior) bear names such as Soul, Rhapsody and Blues and come in burgundy bottles.
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AWARDS – Gastro Wine Maker of the year, Hungary 2015
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www.kovacsnimrodwinery.com
14. NJK
10. Rhapsody
13. Pinot Noir
9. Blues Kékfrankos
Year: 2009 Varietal: Kékfrankos-Syrah Alcohol: 13.96% Ex Cellar: £28
Year: 2012 Varietal: 30% Kékfrankos, 11% Pinot Noir, 4% Syrah, 26% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 13.86% Ex Cellar: £6 Awards: Vinagora: Gold
Year: 2012 Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13.65% Ex Cellar: £8.50
Year: 2013 Varietal: Kékfrankos Alcohol: 13% Ex Cellar: £6 Awards: Borászportál Winelovers Blind Tasing: Best Kekfrankos Austere bramble fruit, black, spice and hints of incense. Fresh salty acidity, mineral backbone and supple, velvety tannins. Elizabeth Gabay MW
15. Furmint
Aged in Hungarian oak. Black velvet ripe fruit with spicy notes, backed by austere tannins and mineral acidity. Elizabeth Gabay MW
2012 - Black, juicy fruit with hints of spice. Salty mineral backbone and long fresh acidity. Fresh, fruity and silky. Elizabeth Gabay MW
12. Soul Syrah
Year: 2013 Varietal: Furmint Alcohol: 13.53% Ex Cellar: £12.50 Awards: Furmint 2011: Beverage Tasting Institute Chicago 2016 – Gold, Wine Enthusiast US – 90 Points
Ripe fruit, raspberries, and wild berry fruit, with a dry finish and firm tannins. Elizabeth Gabay MW
11. Battonage Chardonnay
Year: 2012 Varietal: 100% Syrah Alcohol: 14.51% Ex Cellar: £8 Awards: Concours Mondial de Bruxelles: Big Gold, Soul Syrah 2011: Beverage Tasting Institute Chicago – Gold, Wine Enthusiast US – 89 points North Rhone style Syrah fruit - opulent blackberries, brambles and mulberries on aroma and palate, held together by elegant, restrained, savoury tannins. Elizabeth Gabay MW
2011- From the top vineyard on the Nagyeged with Furmint grown from cuttings from Istvan Szepsy in Tokaj. Hints of buttery oak on aroma. On palate, the oak gives weight and structure, but no dominating oak flavour. Ripe, creamy fruit balanced by long, chalky acidity. Elizabeth Gabay MW
Year: 2013 Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 13.8% Ex Cellar: £8.50 Awards: Beverage Tasting Institute Chicago 2016 – Gold, Chardonnay du Monde 2016 – Silver, Wine Enthusiast US – 89 Points 2013 - This barrel fermented Chardonnay reveals an oaky buttery finish giving richness to the austere mineral fruit and steely length gained from the volcanic soil. Elizabeth Gabay MW
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CSANYI
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Villany PDO has an exceptional micro-climate, similar to Bordeaux. Soil is rich and fertile. Csanyi inherited the winery from Zsigmond Teleki, who has helped to revive the vineyards of Europe. A large winery, with consistent product quality and quantity, with state of the art 21st century technology and a professional attitude. Their single varietal Chateau Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are perfect examples of these varieties.
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16. Teleki Selection Villányi Cabernet Franc
17. Chateau Teleki Villányi Cabernet Sauvignon
www.csanyipinceszet.hu
Year: 2013 Varietal: Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 13.5% Ex Cellar: £3.20 5 Pallet Price: £2.43
Firm but grainy tannin back bone. Caroline Gilby MW
Inky black red and still youthful apperance. Mulberry and coffee hints on nose. Dense fruit but also some freshness and vibrancy.
Year: 2012 Varietal: Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 13.5% Ex Cellar: £6.50 5 Pallet Price: £4.94 Awards: Hungarian Wine Walk – Gold, Villányi Wine competition – Gold, Japan Wine Challenge 2016 – Silver, Pannon TOP 25, Hungarian Wine Excellence
18. Chateau Teleki Villányi Franc
Dark ruby wine. Mature dark chocolate and black fruit with toasty oak. It’s ripe and warm with quite soft acids but finish is dry and tannins are dominant. Caroline Gilby MW
Year: 2012 Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14.5% Ex Cellar: £6.50 5 Pallet Price: £4.94 Awards: China Wine & Spirits Awards Best Value – Gold, International Wine & Spirits Competition – Bronze, Villany PDO Wine Competition – Gold
Dark colour. Definite Cab Franc expression on nose, with hint of tea leaves, bramble and cocoa. Has some decent fruit and freshness. Caroline Gilby MW
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GERE AT TILA PINCÉSZETE
(Villány)
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Villany PDO is the home of Cabernet Franc. In Hungary it is known simply as ‘Franc’. The Kopar wine is one of the best examples of a successful Villany blend. The history of GERE winery started 7 generations ago. As you can imagine, the journey was long, challenging and arduous, but today whilst respecting traditions they embrace modern technology and methods of winemaking. The GERE brand is very well known in Hungary and beyond. Their Kopar wine is only made in exceptional years from specially selected grapes grown on the best slopes of Villány PDO (Kopár, Csillagvölgy, Konkoly, Ördögárok). The wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in barrique for 16-18 months. Nowadays the family estate comprises 70 hectares and the young generation takes a very active part in the everyday running of the winery: the older generation passing on old Hungarian traditions and the younger generation adapting these methods to maximise the potential of the wines they make.
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19. Rosé Frici Year: 2015 Varietal: Sparkling Rose – Medoc noir, Pinot noir Alcohol: 11% Ex Cellar: £3.40 5 Pallet Price: £2.59
Pretty, very pale pink. Light clean nose with a hint of strawberry. Dry, crisp and refreshing to taste, with a touch of raspberry. Pleasant balance and easy summery drinking. Caroline Gilby MW
20. Kopar Cuvée
Year: 2012 Varietal: Red cuvée - Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 15% Ex Cellar: £15.50 5 Pallet Price: £11.79 Awards: Dutch Sommelier Association: „Best Red Wine tasted in 2006” – Kopár 2003
Intense, ripe and rich with notes of vanilla, coffee, cassis and bramble. Fine-grained tannin backbone and carries alcohol well. A classy example of a flagship Villany red. Has definite keeping potential as still very youthful. Caroline Gilby MW
www.pinceszet.gere.hu/en/
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Bright, fresh and fruity, with light tannins and lively acidity. Easy drinking and appealing—great potential for summer red or by the glass. Caroline Gilby MW
Year: 2015 Varietal: Red – Portugieser Alcohol: 12.5% Ex Cellar: £2.80 5 Pallet Price: £2.13
21. Portugieser
Bright pale salmon pink. Clean and fruity aroma with strawberry hints. Quite vinous style, dry and fresh and nicely balanced. Caroline Gilby MW
Year: 2015 Varietal: Rose – Kékfrankos Alcohol: 11.5% Ex Cellar: £2.70 5 Pallet Price: £2.05
22. Rosé
23. Olaszrizling Year: 2015 Varietal: White – Olaszrizling Alcohol: 12% Ex Cellar: £2.70 5 Pallet Price: £2.05 Straightforward, cleanly made white wine. Some green apple and almond notes typical of the variety. Clean finish and decent drinkability. Caroline Gilby MW
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TRADE VISIT Cabernet Franc Conference and Tasting Event When: 18-19 November 2016 Where: Hungary, Villany At this trade conference taking place in Villany, Hungary, Hungarian and international Cabernet Franc wines will be presented by two Master of Wines featuring many wine makers and opinion leaders from the region. If you would like to visit, please let us know and we will try and accomodate your request. Register your interest: www.winehungary.co.uk/tradetrips
Contact me personally if you’re interested in knowing more about these producers or Hungarian wines in general. Lilla Wines of Hungary 02078 594 042 www.winehungary.co.uk/trade
[email protected] 48 Whittington Rd, Brentwood CM13 1JX Facebook: @wineHU Twitter: @WineHungary
