Day two, when the rain never stopped. Zero tolerance, beware! Where God left his hat – the big Somló + vintage chart. New impact in Mór, exciting. Grapes are more important then “terroir”?! From Tokaj to Tokaj, finishing with the best wine!

Tasting wines from Eger the Demeter winery. Discovering Olaszrizling and the possibility it might be better in the Badacsony region as Rajnai. Or is it down to the clones and wine making techniques? Visiting the Carpathian basins’ wine region, going back to big Hungary. Finishing up with some exciting spirits, Brill Spirit House.

I call it Hungarian the 4 T’s, which translates Talaj= soil, természet = nature, climate, Történelem= history, including the indigenous grape varieties and Társadalom = society, people.

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.

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).

Where should I start? Don’t even know my self, the news came just out last week, the Hungarian Marketing Board has trouble to finance their work and most of their employees resigned and it looks like the end of the Marketing Board if something doesn’t changes, quickly. Dark clouds hanging over the wine marketing situation, once again.

This was the title for the first trade tasting held in London, or to be precise trade and consumer tasting. To summarize the event in one word: well done. This would be actually two words, the venue was magnificent, great producers and everything was just perfect. Decanter, Tokaj Renaissance, Wines of Hungary and ITD Hungary the sponsors for this well organized tasting.

This article was long due at least in English. I did post in the past a few writings and messages about my concerns and thoughts to mix wine with sparkling water, in Hungarian called fröccs.

Last month a friend of mine from Bangkok who by the way appreciates good wine told me enthusiastically about a wine which he had tasted, a late harvest „Tokajsky“ wine, and he found it goes rather well with the sweet-sour crab in coconut milk and then he asked me whether I would know it?

I don’t even know how many attempts I made when I was around the area of Sopron to get to Fertörákos to the Restaurant of József Horváth, the Ráspi. I really don´t know but they were quit a few. And finally I made just last week with a good friend of mine Zsolt…