respekt-BIODYN – Committed to biodynamic wines of quality and individuality
As wine enthusiasts and readers of wine journalism, you are likely familiar with biodynamic agriculture – which has its roots in methodology that Austrian Rudolf Steiner developed in 1924, a century ago. […]
Sabar Wine Estate – ‘A small hill of great wines’
Founded in 2009 by Gábor Ádám, Sabar Wine Estate is a small producer – only 7 hectares – located on Sabar Hill (hence the name) in the Badacsony wine region, part of the Lake Balaton area. […]
Németh János Pincészet
While the family’s winemaking tradition in the Iván Valley of Hungary’s Szekszárd region dates back four generations, János Németh is considered one of the area's young, up-and-coming producers.
Stina Cuvée Red 2022 – ‘Stina is Brač and Brač is Stina’
”Brač stone. It’s so special and inspiring. Some turn it into a song, some a sculpture, we into wine.” – Stina […]
TILIA Estate – House of Pinots and More
TILIA Estate in Potoče, Vipava Valley – in Slovenia’s Primorska region – was founded in 1996. […]
Erdevik Estate – ‘A synergy of traditional and modern winemaking’
Erdevik Estate’s single vineyard block of 40 hectares is located on the 45th parallel in Serbia’s Fruška Gora region (like Bordeaux in France and Piedmont in Italy). […]
Don Melchor – ‘One story, one terroir, one wine’
As Viña Don Melchor celebrates the release of its 2021 vintage – its 35th – I had the opportunity to meet, taste with, and interview Enrique Tirado, the technical director (director of winemaking) and CEO of this iconic, singular wine for the past 27 years – at Napa’s Compline restaurant in January 2024. […]
Tajna Rizling Vlašský Zobor 2022
In 2008, husband and wife Rastislav Demeš and Anetta Demešová purchased and began replanting one of Slovakia’s historic vineyards in the Nitra region and Vrábel district – whose winegrowing tradition dates back to the 12th century – naming the winery Tajna (secret in Slovak), after the nearby village of Tajná. […]
Fekete Pince Somló – The Fekete fkt ‘Gábor’ Hárslevelű is a golden elixir, vibrant and layered
Located in Hungary’s smallest appellation along the southern slope of the magnificent hill of Somló, the 4.3-hectare vineyard and winery is a true gem. Founded by the 1970s by Béla Fekete – the ‘Grand Old Man of Somló’ – and today led by Gábor Riesz – Fekete is committed to honoring the farming and vinification methods of ‘Uncle Béla’ while adding new twists to its flagship white wine varieties, Hárslevelű, Furmint, Olaszrizling, and Juhfark.
Benedek Pince – Third-generation winemaker Péter Benedek carries on his family’s legacy
In the village of Gyöngyöstarján in Hungary’s Mátra region, third-generation winemaker Péter Benedek carries on his family’s legacy in his grandfather’s original cellar, along with the assistance of his parents, who help care for the vineyards. […]
U.S. wine journalist Dr. Elizabeth Smith remembers Slovakia
In July 2023, wine journalist Dr. Elizabeth Smith visited Slovakia as a guest of Rastislav Demeš, owner of Tajna Winery. Across two and a half days, she visited three producers, the country’s famed grape breeder, and participated in a Riesling Vlašský and Dunaj masterclass. The editor of the Slovak wine magazine časopis Vinotéka, Ing. Juraj Mikula, interviewed Elizabeth about her visit, and published the Slovak-language article in the December 2023/January 2024 issue. With the magazine’s permission to republish, below is the English version.
Press Release: Information, Research and Discussions Highlight Wine and Winegrape Industry’s Largest Gathering GalleryPress Release: Information, Research and Discussions Highlight Wine and Winegrape Industry’s Largest Gathering
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Press Release: Information, Research and Discussions Highlight Wine and Winegrape Industry’s Largest Gathering
SACRAMENTO, CA, JANUARY 25, 2024 From every corner of the world, wine and winegrape professionals convened at the 30th annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium this week in Sacramento. […]
Beneduce Vineyards – Fear not the Umlaut
In February 2023, I traveled to New Jersey to visit a few of their top wineries. One was Beneduce Vineyards, where I met owner/farmer/winemaker Mike Beneduce for a comprehensive – and impressive – portfolio tasting – plus an engaging conversation about winegrowing and winemaking. […]
The 4th Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition Announces Results
The 4th Annual Cabernet Franc Competition, founded and sponsored by Michael Kelly of California Wines & Wineries, took place on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at The Golf Club at Copper Valley in Copperopolis, California. […]
Life-changing Tokaji Furmint
My introduction to Tokaji Furmint was in 2020 – the 2018 Wetzer Tokaji Furmint – a dry white with some botrytis influence made in a minimalist style (native yeast, unfiltered, unfined). I wrote about tasting it – and won one of the categories in the 2022 Hungarian Wines Web Wine Writing Competition.