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From Bull's Blood to Youngbloods Hungary's Wines:
Revolution...Evolution...Revelation
Story: Jordan Simon
Hungarian Glossary
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| Aszú: |
dessicated, raisined, referring to botrytized dessert wine |
| Bor: |
wine |
| Borkostolás: |
wine tasting shop |
| Bormester: |
sommelier |
| Borozó: |
wine bar |
| Csárda: |
tavern |
| Étterem: |
fine restaurant |
| Étlap: |
menu |
| Különleges: |
special quality (seen on labels) |
| Minosegi: |
quality (seen on labels) |
| Palack: |
bottle |
| Pálinka: |
brandy distilled from fruit or grape must (Törköly) |
| Panzió: |
Pension or guesthouse |
| Pince: |
cellar |
| Pogácsa: |
cheese scone served with wine |
| Preshaz: |
press house |
| Puttony(os): |
wooden hod carrying 25 kilos of Aszú grapes, used as unit of sugar/quality measurement |
| Sörözo: |
pub |
| Szolo: |
grapes, vineyard |
| Tár/Út/Útca: |
avenue, road, street |
| Válogatás: |
selection (similar to reserve) |
| Vendáglo: |
another term for fine Restaurant |
Hungarian Wine Glossary
| White |
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| Cserszegi Fžszeres: |
Fragrant, spicy hybrid of Irsai Olivár (itself a cross) and Gewürztraminer. Best in Etyek-Buda, Ászár-Neszmály, Balatonmelláke
Fehárszolo: Ancient grape once used in Tokaji. Devastated by phylloxera, but some roots remain. Government recommended propagation in 1998 |
| Furmint: |
Principle grape in Tokaj, also makes fine dry wines. Floral, fiery, spicy, high acidity. Best in Tokaj, also Somló |
| Hárslevelu: |
Second grape of Tokaj (also dry versions); translates to linden leaf; highly aromatic, spicy, acidic, full-bodied. Best in Tokaj, also Somló, Siklós |
| Irsai Olivár: |
Hybrid of Pearl of Csaba and Pozsony, noted for early reliable ripening, deeply aromatic. Best in Azsár-Neszmály, Etyek-Buda, Pannonhalma
Juhfark: Translated as Sheep's Tail, increasingly rare, known for high acidity, fragrance and aging potential. Best in Somló, Balatonfüred |
| Káknyelu: |
Translated as Blue Stem (for the unique hue), very rare, single-sexed flower making it difficult to grow and low yielding; complex bouquet, lively acids. Best in Badacsony |
Királyleányka: |
Originated in Transylvania (while part of Hungary), translated as Princess; a cross producing Muscat-like bouquet, full body, light acidity. Best in Eger, Ászár-Neszmály, Pannonhalma |
| Leányka: |
Grown throughout Romania and Hungary. Vigorous growth, pleasant bouquet, medium acidity. Best in Eger, Mór |
| Sárfehár: |
Translates as White Mud (echoing the soil it favors), very rare, intensely
perfumed. Best in Somló |
| Záta (fka Oremus): |
1951 cross between Furmint and Bouvier, approved for Tokaji in 1990, ripens much earlier than Furmint (4-6 weeks) |
| Red |
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| Kákfrankos (aka Blaufränkisch, Limberger): |
Origin unknown, very popular in Austria, high acidity, good tannin, deep color, peppery taste. Adapts well to various conditions and grown all over Hungary, excellent rosás as well. Best: Szekszárd, Sopron, Eger, Villány |
| Kákoportó (aka Blauer Portugieser, not related to Portugal's Port varieties): |
Prolific, hardy, in Hungary shows deep color, smooth tannins, good aging potential. Will have to change name due to EU concessions. Best: Villány, Eger, Szekszárd |
| Kadarka: |
Hungary's most famous red, nearly eradicated by Communists, making a comeback, especially in traditional Bikavárs; vigorous but prone to various rots and ripens dangerously late. Also responds well to botrytis, creating dessert wines. Light smooth tannins, good acidity, intense red fruit/spicy aromas and flavors. Best: Szekszárd |
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL VARIETALS:
| Red |
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| Cabernet Franc: |
best in Szekszárd, Villány |
| Cabernet Sauvignon: |
best in Villány, Szekszárd |
| Merlot: |
best in Szekszárd, Villány |
| Pinot Noir: |
best in Villány, Eger |
| Zweigelt (Austrian grape with good tannic structure): |
best in Villány, Eger, Szekszárd |
| White |
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| Chardonnay: |
best in Eger, Mátraalja, Etyek-Buda |
| Muscat Lunel (aka Sárga Muskotály): |
Third grape of Tokaj |
| Muscat Ottonel: |
lightest in color and aroma of the family; best in Eger, Mátraalja, Balatonboglár |
| Pinot Gris (aka Szürkebarát): |
best in Badacsony, Balaton, Mátraalja |
| Sauvignon Blanc: |
best in Etyek-Buda, Mátraalja |
| Welschriesling (aka Olaszrizling, not related to the noble Riesling; planted throughout Central Europe, noted for high acidity and perfume): |
best in Ászár-Neszmály, Badacsony, Balatonfüred |
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From Bull's Blood to Youngbloods Hungary's Wines:
Revolution...Evolution...Revelation
Hungary Wine Touring
Hungary Wine Tasting Notes
Budapest
Hungarian Glossary
Peter Blattmann:
Canada's Can-Do Wine Impresario
Colorado
The Cheese Cart
All-American Zinfandel: What A Grill Wants
Touring and Tasting Tips: Get the most from your visit to wine country
Food & Wine Pairing Tips: Increase your enjoyment of Food & Wine
Sparkling Gifts
by Susy Atkins
Book Review:
"Girl's Guide to Wine"
by Susy Atkins
Product Review:
"An Inquisitive Wine Game with a Strategic Finish"
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