Hungarian Pinot Noir From Etyek

I recently tried an exceptional Pinot Noir and no, it was not DRC or even from Burgundy for that matter; it was an Hungarian Pinot Noir from the Etyeki Kuria winery and was remarkable because the wine itself was like a blend of old world and new world styles of Pinot.

Not watery thin like some new world Pinots and not as complex and terroir driven as those from the old world, this wine had a magical mix of the both which made it both easy and delightful to drink.

The Etyeki Kúria winery itself was established in 1996 and soon became the leading winery of its region, Öreghegy. In the year 2000 significant developments started with a modern processing wine tasting room built, and in Alcsútdoboz the planting of grapes on a further 10 hectares was started.

 

Thanks to this latter activity the grape growing area is today stretched over a much larger 18 hectares. The winery was the first one to plant Pinot Noir grape in the wine region of Etyek–Buda, and the wines made from this grape have won many world class awards for the winery.

In 2009, a partnership was established with the Esterházy Winery of Trausdorf, located near the Hungarian-Austrian border. Within the framework of this cooperation, not only was there a viticultural and vinicultural exchange of ideas, but also the marketing expertise to further elevate Etyeki Kúria onto the world stage.

The future of Etyeki Kúria Esterházy Winery at Öreghegy, is marked for extensive modernization plans where the grape processing center will be completely renovated, an attractive and inviting reception hall for wine tastings and other events will be built and a stylish garden will be planted.

 

Hungarian wines are slowly becoming more recognised in Hong Kong with a small proportion of Hong Kong’s wine loving public broadening their horizons and looking for the hidden gems that sometimes shoot under the radar in a country obsessed with brand name and image.

Everyone here knows Tokaji and sweet wines are becoming more prevalent in the territory but it’s the dry red and whites that people should be taking more attention of. Granted some of the indigenous grape varieties are tough to pronounce and mostly you will never have heard of them before, but they are well worth a try.

However, if experimentation is not your thing then go for an international grape variety from Hungary such as this Pinot Noir, I am fairly sure you will not be disappointed. When we tried this wine we were really surprised at the quality and believe that Pinot has found a new home in Eastern Europe.

Etyeki Kúria Pinot Noir and other Hungarian wines can be found in Hong Kong from Veritas Wines Limited – info@veritas-wine.com