We explored a fascinating range of Eastern European wines at TWS in November and tasted a host of grape varieties that many people had never experienced before.
When I first started selling wine in 1989, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary were providers of very acceptable drinking wine – usually packed in very thin cardboard that disintegrated somewhat easily.
Wines from Eastern Europe became less popular and have been forced to play catch up in a very competitive wine world. Quality is increasing, production volumes are much lower than thirty years ago and boutique wineries are popping up on a regular basis.
We tasted Romanian Pinot Grigio, Palava grape from the Czech Republic, Rebula and Cabernet Franc from Slovenia, Saperavi from Georgia, Okuzgozu/Bogazkere blend from Turkey, Karmrahyut from Armenia, as well as a Bordeaux blend from Croatia and a delicious sweet Tokay from Hungary.
It was a fascinating mix – not all the wines provided value for money but it was a great opportunity to taste varieties that we are not familiar, discover the potential of these countries and enjoy a diversity of taste experience from lesser known wine producing nations.
For what we sampled see the Wines we have tasted page.