Vinifinesse Tasting

Today a look at some great wines from Central Europe I came across at a recent Vinifinesse portfolio tasting. It was a fantastic tasting with no real duds and lots a very high quality, interesting wines. Almost all were made exclusively from indigenous varieties, and provided proof that grapes such as Furmint and Kékfrankos / Blaufränkisch can produce world class wines. I have chosen one wine from each producer, most of whom were present at the tasting.

Vinifinesse is run by Balázs Rakamazi and his partner Judit Gordán. The company imports wine from Hungary and other Central European countries, as well as a range of gourmet foods. His wines are available through independent wine shops. The prices I give are recommended retail.

Restaurants and wine shops can contact them on 085 868 3017, vinifinesse@gmail.com .

Szászi Furmint 2021 Lake Balaton, Hungary €38
Lovely citrus acidity, razor-sharp fresh orchard fruits, minerals and very good length. A seriously good wine that will improve further over the next year or two.

Bussay Mura White 2020, Zala, Hungary €28
A blend of Olaszrizling and Riesling. Deliciously textured, a touch of honey, floral notes and plenty of cleansing acidity. Lovely wine.

Furmint 2022 Steigler, Sopron (Neusiedlersee), Hungary, Organic €35
Stunning wine with orange peel, rich stone fruits bound up in taut mineral acidity. There was also a great Grüner Veltliner, and some other outstanding Furmints here.

Weninger Blaufränkisch 2020, Mittelburgenland, Austria €28
Ripe quite rich pure dark fruits; nice intensity and plenty of freshness. Weninger also showed an equally good Kékfrankos from Hungary.

Egri Bikaver Superior 2021 Böjt, Eger, Hungary, Organic €30
Tangy, earthy dark fruits with a touch of woodsmoke and well managed firm tannins.

Egri Bikaver Superior 2021Gál Tibor, Hungary €26.50
Firm dark cherry and damson fruits with a spicy edge, well-integrated but firm tannins and a good dry finish.

Szivem Kékfrankos 2020, Heimann & Sons, Szekszárd. Organic €49
A little closed but great concentration, wonderful fresh wild berry dark fruits with lovely grip on the finish. Some great Kékfrankos here and some very good Kadarka too. Both the Szivem above and the Bati Kereszt Kékrankos are superb.

Hidaspetre Kékfrankos 2020 ,Vida, Szekszárd, organic €32
Very elegant and pure with a lovely spiciness and good refreshing acidity. Moreish and succulent wine.

Instead of Honeymoon 2021, Ipacs, Szabö Villány
Full-bodied and powerful with smoky dark fruits, spicy oak, and a rounded finish.

Farika Frankovka 2022, Bott Frygyes, Pohronie, Slovakia, biodynamic €50
Wonderful piquant pure ripe dark fruits, with a refreshing minerality. High intensity and lingering length. Great wine. A very good range of white and red wine, including some Hárslevü and Frankovka – Kékfrankos!

Világi Riesling 2021 Pohronie, Slovakia, organic €35
A very impressive Riesling; steely, with a real backbone, long and full of stone fruits finishing dry.