On December 2nd, we travelled throughout Eastern Europe on our wine tasting tour. As a surprise to many of us, Greece is considered to be part of Eastern Europe. We tasted a wide variety of vintages from Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece but did not uncover any spectacular finds. We discovered that there are few selections of white wine in the LCBO from most parts of Eastern Europe. But as a bonus, most of the wines were very reasonably priced. However, we did uncover two reasonably priced white wines and one red wine from Hungary which we are happy to share with you today. If you are interested in knowing more about Hungarian wines and where they are from, click on the following link:
We wish you a Happy New Year and toast to your good health in 2022. On January 6th, we will be sampling champagne, sparkling wines and prosecco. Below are our three wine reviews.
CHAPEL HILL, Debroi Harslevelu, 2018
Reviewed by Elaine Dulmage
I chose Chapel Hill Debroi white wine from Hungary. It has 13% alcohol and is $10.40. It has a fruity bouquet and is an easy drinking wine. It is made from the grape varietal Harslevelu.
The wine has a slight sweetness to it and we decided it would be great well chilled on a patio in the summer.
DUNVAR, Pinot Grigio, 2020
Reviewed by Mary Mulligan
This wine by Danubiana costs $9.95 for a 750 mL bottle and has an alcohol content of 12%.
It is described as pale lemon in colour with moderate aromas of fresh white bread, grapefruit, green apples and with a floral note. It is extra dry and medium bodied and has flavours of citrus, apple and other tree fruit with a medium finish.
This fashionable Pinot Grigio is elegant in style showing notes of ripe yellow fruit, with a smooth acidity and a lasting aftertaste. Ideal as an aperitif, this wine also goes well with a wide range of meat, seafood and pasta dishes. Best served well chilled.
It was good value. Very drinkable!
BULLS BLOOD, Merlot-Kekfrankos, 2019
Reviewed by Timothy Sulisz
While preparing for our virtual tasting tour of the wines of Eastern Europe, one of the four wines that I purchased from that region was from the Bulls Blood label from Egervin. The bottle itself says that is produced by EBB-VIN Ltd. in Hungary. This wine comes in a 1 litre bottle with a screw top, has 12% alcohol by volume, and sells for $12.95.
This wine is extra dry, low in sugar, and is described as medium-bodied and fruity by the LCBO. It is a clear ruby red colour with herbs, plum, citrus and earthy aromas and a medium sour plum flavour. The wine is a blended red wine that is a combination of Merlot and Kekfrankos and is produced in Eger, Hungary. It is very representative of the red wines of Eger, a terroir wine, which carries the flavour of the soils of local production sites, the mezzo-climate unique to the region and the traditions of local residents.
I had never heard of Kekfrankos before, but it is described as one of the must-taste wines of Central and Eastern Europe. This Austro-Hungarian variety is better known as Blaufränkisch, and it is grown widely across the Carpathian Basin. It is thought to have originated in Slovenia.
Overall, I found this wine’s taste to be pleasing, smooth with low tannins, and thought that it was a good table wine for the price. Suggestions are to serve it at 16 to 18 degrees (slightly chilled) and pair with cabbage rolls, stuffed peppers, beef goulash, red meat, or spicy dishes.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 