Kadarka – Szentesi Winery
Kadarka is a beloved Hungarian grape, grown in many parts of Hungary. It was most likely introduced to Hungary from the Balkans, and it’s also grown in many other countries in the region (under different names; most notably it is called Gamza in Bulgaria). Kadarka is typically medium-bodied, with gentle tannins, fresh acidity, and some spicy aromas. It’s often compared to Pinot Noir in that it can be difficult to fully ripen and to work with in the vineyard. This wine checks all the boxes of what an ideal Kadarka should be like. It’s on the light to medium-bodied side. It’s crisp, gentle, and easy drinking, with a nice balance between the light tannins and the acidity. Yet its flavors are vibrant and rich, with lots of floral notes (like rose petal and violet); fruity flavors like cranberry, currant, and lemon; and tobacco spice. This Kadarka is from old clone vines from the Nadap vineyard planted in 1988 and harvested on September 24th. It was barrel-aged for one year in used oak. It was spontaneously fermented and unfiltered. Its light and easy-going personality makes this wine a perfect match for other easy- going foods, like pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches. In Hungary Kadarka is traditionally paired with Halaszlé (Fisherman’s soup), which is served on Christmas. Only 1,000 bottles were produced.
8,990 Ft
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In stock
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*Prices shown include Hungarian VAT (27%). Final prices are calculated based on the VAT of your shipping country.
Etyek is the closest wine region to Budapest. Since it is located less than an hour’s drive west of the Buda hills, and has many festivals and events throughout the year, it is also among Hungary’s most visited wine regions. Etyek is a small region, with around 1,400 hectares of vineyards. It has protected designation of origin (PDO) status.
Historically, Etyek was known for producing sparkling wines. Hungary’s first (and largest) sparkling wine producer, Törley, started producing sparkling wines from grapes grown in the region in 1882. Since then, the area has continued to focus on this style. Etyek’s limestone soil and overall colder climate make it, arguably, Hungary’s best region to grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. These are the most important types of wine produced in the area, both as still wines and sparkling wines. Even the Sauvignon Blanc is used to produce Asti-like sparklers.
Etyek’s best features were not always considered a strength. During the time where full-bodied red wines were the most popular style, the southern-Hungarian red wine producers made fun of Etyek’s producers for not being able to produce this popular style and for only being capable of producing ‘base-wine’ for sparklers. Ironically, elegance and bubbles are once again very popular, and now even the southern-Hungarian producers are trying to make bubbly wines. Etyek is living a renaissance. From Etyek’s wines you can expect fresh acidity, chalky minerality (due to the limestone soil), restrained fruit, and an overall cold-climate-wine-feeling. Traditional method sparkling wines are especially worth seeking out, as well as spicy Pinot Noirs and aromatic whites.
Szentesi is one of Hungary’s biggest champions when it comes to re-discovering old grape varieties, and bringing them back into the vineyard and into the glass. His passion is researching ancient grape varieties (which mostly died out during the phylloxera scourge in the late 19th century), and then acquiring rare vine cuttings from the research institute to plant in his vineyards. He has done this with dozens of varieties, which he then makes experimental small quantities of wine with—magical re-incarnations of ancient, Hungarian varietals which have been (nearly) lost to history. He is the go-to man when it comes to growing grapes like Laska and Tihanyi Kék—grapes grown nowhere else in the world, which he brought back from nothing. Szentesi has 16 hectares of vineyards planted with nearly 30 grape varieties.
About 15 percent of the area is dedicated to growing old, obscure varieties that he has resurrected. His cellar is in Budaörs, just beyond Budapest’s border. But his vineyards are at Lake Velence, a 45-minute drive from downtown Budapest‑officially part of the Etyek-Buda region. The shallow lake is Hungary’s third largest, and it contributes to the area’s special climate and terroir.
| Country | 1-3 bottles | 4-6 bottles | 7-12 bottles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 7,800 HUF | 8,300 HUF | 9,500 HUF |
| Belgium | 10,200 HUF | 10,500 HUF | 12,200 HUF |
| Bulgaria | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Croatia | 10,200 HUF | 10,500 HUF | 12,200 HUF |
| Czech Republic | 7,800 HUF | 8,300 HUF | 9,500 HUF |
| Denmark | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Estonia | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Finland | 19,900 HUF | 21,200 HUF | 23,800 HUF |
| France | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Germany | 7,800 HUF | 8,300 HUF | 9,500 HUF |
| Greece (mainland) | 19,900 HUF | 21,200 HUF | 23,800 HUF |
| Hungary (outside of Budapest) | 2,500 HUF | 3,500 HUF | 4,500 HUF |
| Hungary (Budapest) | 2,500 HUF | 3,500 HUF | Free delivery for orders over 20,000 HUF |
| Ireland | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Italy | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Latvia | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Lithuania | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Luxembourg | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| Netherlands | 10,200 HUF | 10,500 HUF | 12,200 HUF |
| Poland | 7,800 HUF | 8,300 HUF | 9,500 HUF |
| Portugal | 19,900 HUF | 21,200 HUF | 23,800 HUF |
| Romania | 10,200 HUF | 10,500 HUF | 12,200 HUF |
| Slovakia | 7,800 HUF | 8,300 HUF | 9,500 HUF |
| Slovenia | 10,200 HUF | 10,500 HUF | 12,200 HUF |
| Spain | 19,900 HUF | 21,200 HUF | 23,800 HUF |
| Sweden | 13,800 HUF | 14,500 HUF | 15,900 HUF |
| UK | see instructions |
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