Austro-Hungarian Wine Rockstars
Free tasting | Saturday, January 4, 2020 | 4-6PM
WHOA. It’s 2020! That decade went by FAST. Let’s slow it down a bit and dive into the world of Austrian and Hungarian wine. We’re pouring 4 Hungarians and 1 Austrian wine to kick off the New Year. Hope to see you Saturday! 4-6PM! As always, 10% off all tasting wines.
Austro-Hungarian Wine Rockstars Line-up:
2016 Gál Tibor Egri Csillag
Who: Tibor Gál
What: Blend of Leányka, Királyleányka, Cserszegi fűszeres, Szürkebarát, Pinot blanc, Tramini, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Zengő
Where: Eger, Hungary
How: This is fermented in stainless steel.
Farming Method: Organic practices
Fun Fact: The Rubik’s cube was created by a Hungarian professor of architecture named Ernő Rubik
Tasting Notes: Full bodied and dry with intriguing notes of banana, almonds, and Peach Iced Tea.
2016 Gál Tibor Egri Bikavér
Who: Tibor Gál
What: Blaufränkisch, Kadarka, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot
Where: Eger, Hungary
How: This blend was macerated for 26 days before being aged in 220L Hungarian oak barrels for 18 months. Once bottled, the wine was aged for an additional 6 months before release.
Farming Method: Organic practices
Fun Fact: There’s a legend that dates back to the 1500’s of drinking “bull’s blood” in Hungary. The Magyars were attacked by the Turks and for some liquid courage the men, women, and children all drank copious amounts of red wine. When the Turks attacked, they found whole families’ mouths covered in dripping red liquid and immediately fled, assuming that the Magyars had strengthened themselves by drinking the blood of bulls.
Tasting Notes: A full-bodied deep blast of paprika, cherry, earthiness, and plummy notes.
2015 Árvay Tokaji Hárslevelű
Who: János Árvay'
What: 100% Hárslevelű
Quick and fun read on Hárslevelű.
Where: Tokaj, Hungary
How: Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with native yeasts.
Farming Method: Organic
Fun Fact: Hárslevelü means "linden tree leaf," and refers to the shape of the grape leaves of this Tokaj white wine grape.
Tasting Notes: Mineral driven notes of quince, dates, and lemon-lime.
2016 Árvay, Késői Late Harvest Furmint
Who: János Árvay'
What: 100% Furmint
Where: Tokaj, Hungary
How: Full bunches with botrytis rot were picked late in the season, crushed and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts. Stainless steel fermentation.
Farming Method: Organic (certified)
Fun Fact: Harry Houdini is Hungarian! And this Tokaji is HERE WE GO MAGIC.
What It Tastes Like: Bright and complex, with flavors like candied tangerine and cloves. Sugar 75 g/L.
2018 Wenzel, Wild + Free Lockvogel
Who: Michael Wenzel
What: 100% Gelber Muskateller
Where: Burgenland, Austria
How: 10-15 days of skin contact and are bottled without fining, filtration, and with low sulfur added. Unfiltered, unfined. Natural yeasts.
Farming Method: Organic methods
Winemaker Michael Wenzel at RAW Wine 2020 in Brooklyn, NY.
Fun Fact: Michael Wenzel's family has been making wine since the fifteenth century in Burgenland, their home and cellar still in the small town of Rust, on the western side of Lake Neusiedl. Cheese Shop wine experts, Susan and Molly, met Michael at the RAW Wine festival this past October (pictured here!)
Tasting Notes: Highly aromatic. Yellow flowers, mint, pineapple, nectarine aromas. Notes of herbs, apricots, and honey on the finish.