Today I felt like doing something different. If someone asked you to think of a wine producing country, odds are that the first one that comes to mind is not going to be Hungary. Probably rightly so, but there is more to Hungarian wine than one might think. The country is most famous for their deliciously decadent dessert wines made in the region of Tokaji. These are easily some of my personal favorite sweet wines, offering endless layers of depth and complexity while remaining in perfect balance with an almost luminous acidity. My last article on Hungarian wine featured two of these beauties, and if you missed it, I’d highly recommend checking it out here. These are truly some wines that no one should go without trying.
Even still, no one can live on sweet wine alone which is why today we’re going to be taking a look at two dry Hungarian whites. Also coming from the Tokaji region, these wines are both based on the Furmint grape, which also serves as the base for the country’s sweet wines. Our first is entirely varietal, while the second shows what this varietal can do when blended with other native (Hárslevelű) and international (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) grapes.
Wine #1: Chateau Megyer 2008 Tokaji Dry Furmint
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Very crisp and fresh on the nose, this wine shows strong intonations of green and golden apples, sliced oranges, and intense mineral notes of chalk and crushed limestone.
There is an interesting balance of crisp minerality, fresh, tangy fruit, and a waxy roundness to this wine’s palate. Notes of sliced oranges, green apples and pears, and an element of crushed stone define this wine, with a fresh spritz of lemon coming through toward the finish. Fresh and pleasant, this would be a great wine to explore for those Pinot Grigio drinkers who are looking to try something new.
Worth Trying. 87 points.
Wine #2: Sauska 2009 Tokaji Cuvee 113
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Inviting yet reserved, wet granite and delicate notes of peach introduce this wine’s aroma. Hints of sweet tea, rose hips, and a complex mixture of fresh fruits also appear, adding a greater sense of dimension and complexity.
Fresh and balanced on the palate, this wine is defined by pure, luminous fruit. Notes of kumquats, oranges, and peaches unfold on top of a firm mineral base of crushed stone. This wine is juicy and clean with a crisp finish, making it a great aperitif or an ideal match for salads and light dishes.
Worth Trying. 90 points.
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