The Heritage Club - September 2021
This month features two compelling wines from Hungary. Mostly a wine afterthought, Hungary has been making high-quality wines forever and these wines showcase incredible winemaking skills. We have two varietals that are often unseen by most consumers and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Evolúció Furmint 2018
Producer: Evolúció
Region: Tokaj, Hungary
Grape Varietal: 100% Furmint
Viticulture: Fruit from various vineyards, altitude from 150 to 250 meters above sea level with fossilized volcanic ash soil.
Method: The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, pressed gently, fermented cold in stainless steel tanks without further aging.
Serving Suggestion: Serve cold, between 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit with herb-crusted chicken or fish.
Age: Great to drink now, but it could last over 10 years in proper conditions.
Nose: Ripe peaches with lively white flowers carry the intense bouquet.
Tasting Notes: This is a high acid wine with a light body. White pear, green apple, and citrus dominate the palate. The wine is well-balanced by the rich minerality.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
We are always delighted to try new varietals and even more so to pass them along to our club members. Furmint is new to us and likely will be to our members. Hailing from Tokaj, Hungary (famed among wine experts), this varietal brings intense acid with enough residual sugar to keep the wine harmonized.
Hungary has a rich wine-making tradition although not always thought of as a top-tier wine nation. It also has the world's oldest classification system which started in 1730, several decades before Port wine and 120 years before Bordeaux.
While the region is traditionally known for its dessert wines, this Furmint is quite dry. Wines like this open your mind to the vast world of wine and where great wine can originate. For the tail-end of summer, this wine will be excellent. Acidic wines like this Furmint are refreshing and the minerality provides richness for those not-so-far-off cool nights.
Most consumers will drink this wine quickly, and I would not discourage that. However, the specific attributes of this wine (high acid) make for a wine that would age beautifully for years to come.
Affinitás Kékfrankos 2017
Producer: Affinitás
Region: Sopron, Hungary
Grape Varietal: 100% Blaufränkisch
Viticulture: Old vines from the Alps grow fruit with soils of gneiss and mica schist. It is biodynamically and organically with very little intervention.
Method: Fruit is destemmed but not crushed, spontaneous fermentation in wooden casks and fermented for 12 days. The wine is then pressed and transferred into oak barrels.
Age: Good for up to 10 years under proper conditions.
Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled with roasted or grilled meats.
Nose: Dark berries with notes of pepper and allspice.
Tasting Notes: Ripe dark berries feature fruit-wise while spice is present. The high tannin and high acidity create a lasting finish.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS WINE
Most have had this wine variety before, but likely from Austria. Staying in Hungary, we offer this rich, tannin forward, Blaufränkisch. The Sopron region is influenced by the meeting of the Alpine and the Pannonian climates, leading to fun wine. While slightly experimental for some, this funky red will no doubt be a crowd-pleaser.
Our love for biodynamic wines has always been ever-present in selecting club wines. Biodynamic wines create sustainability for the future of all viticulture and winemaking.
This wine will be perfect for a late-evening BBQ when the temperature drops a bit or sitting by a campfire with friends.
It would be very challenging to find a wine this unique and high quality for a better deal than in this club. Giving new wines a chance can challenge your palate and making any consumer a more skilled wine drinker.