Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 Dear Reader
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Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 Dear Reader, Three years ago, with the intention of creating a tradition, we announced the wine tasting event we named The Wine of the Hungarian Parliament. We did this in order to encourage guests who attend official National Assembly events at the House of Parliament - this historical site of Hungarian legislation - to learn more about the finest vintages of historical Hungarian wine regions and winemakers, and thus take our good reputation home with them all over the world. Even though the saying goes, “good wine needs no bush”, we know that in times of ever new and developing technical innovation becoming part of our everyday lives, quality assurance is gaining an even more important role. Only products that comply with the increasing rigour of quality requirements can be successful in the long run. In addition to the Hungarian legislation providing a legal environment to promote quality winemaking, it is the goal of our wine tasting event to stimulate high-standards in the Hungarian wine trade, to consolidate the good reputation of and provide further opportunities for those who love wine. The previous three years have proved that this initiative can withstand the test of time: this year, we have received a record 113 applications from wineries from all over the Carpathian Basin. Noblesse oblige. May our winners serve as representatives and advertisers of centuries-old Hungarian viticulture, its quality and spirit, in Hungary and beyond. László Kövér Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 This year the Speaker of the National Assembly announced the third in the series of competitions entitled the Wine of the Hungarian Parliament. Its primary goal is to select domestically bottled wines, which suitably represent the Hungarian National Assembly at parliamentary receptions. The wines of the Hungarian Parliament are selected from Hungarian autochthonous varieties (furmint, hárslevelű, ezerjó, juhfark), as well as from varieties and blends that are of outstanding quality and reputation (tokaji aszú, bikavér, olaszrizling, kadarka, kékfrankos, cabernet franc/villányi franc). In 2019, 19 of 22 wine regions applied, while 113 wineries with 203 entries took part in the competition for the honorary title of Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019. The Carpathian Basin is considered to be a unified wine- growing region, therefore wineries from beyond the present borders, although of Hungarian nationality, were also selected, and performed successfully; they came from Transylvania (Romania) and Upper Hungary (Slovakia). The most applications were submitted in the category of Hungary’s world-famous and world-renowned wine brand, tokaji aszú (noble rot wine). The production method of aszú wine is unique, since each aszú grape is harvested by hand. Aszú holds a special place in the world of wine: its extraor- dinary fragrance and flavour complexity ranges from fresh citrus fruits to tropical and candied fruits to spices, chocolate and coffee. Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 The also well-known bikavér wines showed off the natural endowments of two excellent wine regions, Szekszárd and Eger. Bikavér is only produced in these two regions with the blend of a minimum of four different red grape varieties, placing emphasis on kékfrankos and kadarka. Red wines in the competition included many high-quality kékfrankos and kadarka, which demonstrated a fruity, fresh, modern style and proved a pleasant companion to a variety of dishes. Although none of these varieties are autochthonous to the Carpathian Basin it is nevertheless here that they show their real characters. The cabernet franc of Villány, regulated with an appellation unique to the wine region, is an international curiosity exclusively made from the Loire variety of cabernet franc, however, it presents a more full-bodied, spicier, multi-layered style. Outstanding among white wines were those made from furmint, hárslevelű and olaszrizling. The first two are the main varieties of the Tokaj wine region, but they are also prevalent in other volcanic regions (Badacsony, Somló) and represent excellent quality. These wines are full-bodied, and boast a round acid structure, providing a truly unique experience. The slightly neutral, but terroir-specific olaszrizling is the most widespread quality white grape variety in Hungary. Produced in almost all wine regions it shows its best side in the Balaton Uplands. The competition of Hungarian autochthonous varieties also included exciting wines. Those made from ezerjó, with their discreet flavours and almost sharp acids, confirmed the unique character of this variety. The juhfark variety and the Somló wine region have become inseparable. The nicest entries of this highly, but pleasantly acidic variety came from this volcanic mountain. Wine of the Hungarian Parliament 2019 – Category winners CATEGORY RANKING WINERY olaszrizling 1 Szöllősi Winery 2 Koczor Winery 3 Figula Winery furmint 1 Grand Tokaj 2 MAD WINE Winery 3 Royal Tokaji Winery other wines 1 Istvándy Winery 2 Szabó and Son Wine Cellar 3 Laposa Estate kékfrankos 1 Etyeki Kúria Winery 2 Takler Wine Estate 3 Balla Géza Winery bikavér 1 Sebestyén Winery 2 Bodri Winery 3 Fritz Winery kadarka 1 Németh János Winery 2 Eszterbauer Winery 3 Vesztergombi Winery cabernet franc 1 Heumann Winery 2 Ruppert Winery 3 Riczu Tamás Winery tokaji aszú 1 Grand Tokaj (noble rot wine) 2 Kvaszinger Winery 3 Royal Tokaji Winery WINES Olaszrizling 2017 Pécselyi Olaszrizling 2017 Száka Olaszrizling 2017 Kővágó Furmint 2015 Tokaji Nyulászó Hárslevelű 2015 Dűlőválogatás Furmint 2016 “Kékderű” Badacsonyi Kéknyelű 2017 Balatoncsicsói Juhfark 2018 Kéknyelű 2017 Etyeki Kúria Kékfrankos 2015 Szekszárdi Kékfrankos Prémium 2016 Blaufrankisch Prémium 2016 Szekszárdi Iván-völgyi Bikavér 2016 Szekszárdi Bikavér Válogatás „Faluhely” 2015 Szekszárdi Bikavér 2015 Szekszárdi Kadarka 2017 “Sógor” Szekszárdi Kadarka 2018 Kadarka 2017 Trinitás Villányi Franc 2015 Villányi Franc 2015 Villányi Franc 2016 Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2013 “Relique” Tokaji Aszú 2016 Szt. Tamás 6 puttonyos Aszú 2013 Olaszrizling category SZÖLLŐSI WINERY This family winery is located 65 kms to the west of Budapest. They have vineyards on a total of 40 hectares, growing the local vine varieties of the Neszmély wine region, which is mostly famous for its white wines. The cellar, which has an historical atmosphere, was built by Count Miklós Zichy in 1830. Its restoration produced one of the most beautiful underground wine cellars, where old traditions and modern technology blend together. The cellar’s climate is perfect, the finest wines mature in cooled, stainless steel tanks with a capacity of 4,000 hectolitres and barrique oak barrels with a capacity of 200 hectolitres. OLASZRIZLING 2017 The grapes of the 2017 vintage were harvested and picked in early October. The carefully vinified wine received longer maturing, first in a steel tank and then in a wooden barrel. A discreet varietal wine with a nice balance, and elegance, characterised by ripe aromas and flavours. The floral-honey notes are accompanied by cool citrusy sourness and a hint of almond. Its delicate, lively acids give it a nice hold thanks to the calcareous soil. Olaszrizling has deservedly been awarded the “flagship wine” of the Neszmély wine region title. Furmint category GRAND TOKAJ Grand Tokaj Zrt. is the largest winery in the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region, which accounts for about 35 per cent of the region’s production. The 67-hectare vineyard, as an integrator of the region, buys grapes from 1,000 hectares of cultivated land, from over a thousand smallholders. The technological background is provided by a 6.6 million litre tank hall. The wines of Grand Tokaj Winery, which represent a new spirit of wine-making, are produced under the supervision of Károly Áts, winner of the title “Winemaker of the Year” in 2012, who is well-known for his perfect score (100-point) Essence and has been chief oenologist here since 2013. KŐVÁGÓ FURMINT 2015 This healthy vintage-harvested furmint, after gentle extraction, underwent fermentation in a 5 hectolitre first-filled barrel. It was matured until mid-April, and kept sur lie. The coolness found in the wine blends nicely with the savour of the furmint grape, which is complemented by the minerality of the Kővágó vineyard in Mád. Thanks to the new barrel fermentation and maturation, a lovely smokiness is present in the taste; the appearance and character of furmint grapes emerge paired with a vibrant grapefruit fruitiness. A full-bodied wine with a long aftertaste that reminds us of its salty, mineral character. Other whites category ISTVÁNDY WINERY Istvándy Winery is a third-generation winery in the Badacsony wine region. Their vineyards are located in the embrace of the Badacsony, Gulács, Csobánc and Tóti Hills, currently covering 40 hectares, complete with pastures and arable lands providing a home to indigenous animals such as the Mangalica Pig, Hungarian Steppe Cattle and Racka Sheep. Much emphasis is placed on varieties characteristic of the region, such as kéknyelű, as well as pinot gris and olaszrizling. The volcanic soil of the buttes and the local microclimate give wines an excellent acid structure and elegance, typical for the terroir. Their credo: “We seek out the new while respecting the old, however, the emphasis is always on quality.” “KÉKDERŰ” BADACSONYI KÉKNYELŰ 2017 At the beginning of 2017, the Badacsony wine region experienced both cold and warm weather, but for its native, hard-to-cultivate kéknyelű, it was an outstanding year. Istvándy Winery has been involved in the rebirth of this legendary Hungarian variety from the very beginning. Kéknyelű is a fairly neutral species, so it is well suited for showcasing the characteristics of the terroir. The winning wine of the winery is endearingly fresh with reserved citrus notes in its aroma and taste, comely acidity and a pleasantly long finish. A wine of volcanic character, but elegant, with very long maturing potential. Kékfrankos category ETYEKI KÚRIA WINERY The Etyeki Kúria Winery has been operating since 1996 in Etyek, Öreghegy.