Category: English

Hungarian Riesling – Laposa Rizling2 2017

~ Alföldi Merlot

It was excellent in 2016, and though 2017 was much warmer, therefore not necessarily any better for whites, I had high hopes for this wine. It may not reach the heights I was envisioning but this is still a very good wine and one that I really came to like. Having tasted it side by side the 2017 Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet Riesling I had the distinct impression that the Laposa was fermented with ambient yeast. I was factually wrong but poetic justice may still be on my side. Continue reading “Hungarian Riesling – Laposa Rizling2 2017” →

Syrah for the masses – Syrah d’Ogier 2015 & 2016

~ Alföldi Merlot

A perennial favourite from two outstanding vintages. Both are excellent but in different ways. 2015 on paper was a hotter vintage yielding a brawnier style while 2016 had more temperate weather resulting in leaner, more elegant wines. With my Syrah d’Ogier bottles the differences were quite marked but I suspect this had more to do with reduction and bottle age than weather patterns. Continue reading “Syrah for the masses – Syrah d’Ogier 2015 & 2016” →

Kreinbacher Olaszrizling Selection 2016

~ Alföldi Merlot

The older I get the more my tastes are shifting from art and self-expression towards fun and wit. As an adolescent I produced my fair share of poetry brimful of self-expression but without any fun or wit. However popular culture still leaves me cold and even after 30 years I feel genuine outrage when I think of Neil Tennant’s (Pet Shop Boys) bon mot: „We’re the Smiths you can dance to” (though I must admit it’s witty). I can see the mischievous wink in Andy Warhol’s soup cans but in my eyes it falls short of art. Anyway, what I’m getting at is this: self-expression coupled with craft and irony thrills me, but I find no joy in laboured exhibitionism or shameless playing to the gallery. Continue reading “Kreinbacher Olaszrizling Selection 2016” →