It was held at the Hungarian Cultural Centre at Convent Garden London, which belongs to the Hungarian state (but no passport is need it to enter the building). They were so kind to offer the place for free, great compliment for them. It was Gabor Cseke who recommended the place, he has done a trade tasting here before with success. Our aim was different this time, approaching the general public, consumer who are interested in Hungarian wines. A free tasting with guidance, 10 wines from different regions and different varieties with no particular theme in mind, just being unique. Hungary is unique, so are the wines.

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Tags: hungarian wine house london

AUTHOR: DR. ROBERT CEY-BERT

The anxiety over the Tokaji ASZÚ

The prestige of the Tokaji Aszú is on the line and the Hungaricum name

Revised edition of: Tokaji or Tokajsky? Of course only Tokaji!

With the sub titels

SOS TOKAJI WINES

Attacks against the prestigious Hungarian origin of Tokaji wines

Since centuries is the Tokaji Aszú wine the most well known Hungarian product in Europe, it recalls on the highest level of prestige and with the elevated aromas and flavours the Hungarian values. Only very few nations have a similar product with such a prestige, certainly France has its fantastic Champagne, which is throughout the world associated with success, victory, celebration and the elegance of the aristocracy.

Tokaji Aszú is an exceptional royal liquid (according to Louis XIV: „King of wines the wine of kings”), the beverage of the principality, the roots date back to the XVI. century Hungarian Royal aristocracy, to the values of the noblemen’s cuisine. The Tokaji Aszú wine from the XVII. century was one of the most sought after products from the Hungarian Kingdom in the European Royal Courts. Through centuries the fame and reputation of the Tokaji Aszú was attached to Hungary, it favoured the good reputation of Hungary, similar to Champagne which was the prestigious product of France, it referred to the elevated French lifestyle.

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Stunning architecture from outside, impressive cellar from the inside, high-tech modern equipment, state of the art winery, great wines with personality. Summarizing in one sentence Cos in the Saint Estéphe commune of Bordeaux.

“When you get to the elephant, the gate will open automatically.” A quote from the Bordeaux Chateaux book by Flammarion, I really had to smile when I read this. It’s more then just the –usual- wow effect, when you get to the estate, you could wonder if perhaps you went through a “star gate” and got teleported to a to a different country or simply a different planet all together. The place has a distinct Oriental flair, with the pagodas, palm trees and the garden, a fusion of architecture from the East and chateaux like fortification. And this fairly tale of design which could well be in Ali Baba and the forty thieves a scene was just the outside. Continue Reading »

Tags: cos estournel, gravity

Just a week ahead of the general election in Hungary the embassies abroad hold their poll. As I´m on my way off to London and I have nothing better to do I glance through the programs of the major parties (who´re most likely to make it into the parliament).

Wine is not exempt from politics, they sign of the bills which affect wine makers, people in the trade and at the very end consumer as well. Just a few weeks ago was the duty increase in the UK, making it difficult to sell wine to the prior prices and not loosing on the margins. While prices are rather done by producers (accept to see sometimes strange wine pricing) in Hungary, nevertheless VAT is high (25%) and a lot of other taxes imposed on the business come into play.
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Tags: election

I had the pleasure to taste some of the 2009 vintages before the official future, en primeur campaign got on its way. A quick note on some of the tasted 09’ with the MW students (more notes from 09’ will follow).
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Tags: en primeur 2009

On the foothill of the Leitha mountain from the town of Grosshöflein through Eisenstadt along the B50), Purbach, Jois to the north eastern tip of the lake Neusiedl and the same town stretches this new DAC region. New in a way that it was end of last year when it received its controlled status. Where the Leithaberg stops stars a new bit of vineyard on the Parndorfer plateau and the best wine makers come under the name of Pannobile.
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Tags: Leitha, Pannobile

The town of Rust and Ausbruch can not be separated from each other. The history goes a long way back, 1524 when Queen Maria from Hungary granted the mark of origin to the wines (the barrels were branded with an “R”). Rust gained a sort of independence during the medieval time when it supported the Empire’s treasury not only with money but also with plenty of wine. The town became its own coat-of-arm and gained a lot of privilege with the patronage from the Hungarian king.

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Tags: feiler-artinger, ruster ausbruch

The Esterházy house dates back to the 14. century. A noble, aristocratic family possessing properties around the Lake Neusiedel and beyond. Today the cultural heritage is not only in Eisenstadt (the headquarter) and Fertöd the Hungarian side of the lake but also Castle Forchtenstein belongs to it and the foundation also owns the stone pit St. Margarethen which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The Prince Esterházy also appreciated music, Joseph Haydn famous composer lived and worked for around 40 years for the family in the 18. century. He quite often received his salary in wine…
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Tags: Esterhazy

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11.02.2010
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