Bor Forrás

Deutsche Version

The Blaufränkisch grape variety – also known as Kékfrankos in Hungary – is a grape variety with a long winemaking tradition. The 2020 harvest is characterised by the excellent health of the grapes which has given a wine with crystal-clear aromas.

Sought after cherry aromas, notes of forest berries, and red currants characterize the bouquet. These fruit aromas persist in the mouth. Together with the full bodied sweetness, results in a rounded wine with notes of jam. Despite its youth, the wine is already very pleasant and can be enjoyed without further cellaring.

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Wine Profile

Vintage2022
Alcohol10,0 vol. %
TasteSweet
VarietalBlaufränkisch
CountryHungary
RegionHajós-Baja

About our Hungarian Wines

Viticulture in Hungary has been established since a long time. Common sources refer to the Romans who first planted vines as is the case in most European wine growing regions. Though nearly every European language’s word for wine derives from the Latin word “vinum”, the Hungarian word for wine is “bor”.  Some historians believe this might indicate an early Hungarian connection to winemaking unrelated to the Romans, feeding the suggestion that Hungarian wine could predates most of the other wine cultures of Europe.

Wines from Hungary enjoyed a good reputation already during medieval times. Especially the sweet dessert style wines from the Tokaj region that shaped the image then and are still well known today.

During the end of the 19th and in the 20th century “modern” grapes such as Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon were introduced. The further development of Hungarian viticulture stagnated during the period of Communism, however, there has been a renewed interest and investment in modernisation since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Still, Hungary is often described as the wine world’s best kept secret.

Pieroth’s relationship with wines from Hungary dates to the 1970s when they first started importing exclusive wines. Over the years Pieroth’s connection to Hungary grew even closer with investments in vineyards and a winery in the 1990s. Even until today Pieroth sources wines from these vineyards in the Duna Borregio region. The cooperation between Pieroth – represented by Udo Machemer, oenologist and expert for Hungarian wines – and the team in Hungary with winemaker András Schauer has been very close and trustful ever since. Their knowledge of the growing area, vineyards, soil and the grape varieties combine to create these regional classics at Pieroth.

The wine region Duna Borregio stretches from the eastern banks of the Danube to the Great Hungarian Plain and comprises three sub regions: Csongrad, Kunsag and Hajós-Baja. The area is characterized by a pronounced continental climate, with low rainfall and the highest average temperatures of the country. The warm summers with lots of sunshine are reasons for a constant ripening process of the grapes and a good quality harvest.

The Hajós-Baja Wine District – where most of our wines come from – is located around 150 km south of the capital Budapest on the western reaches of the low loess plateau between the Danube and Tisza Rivers. Loess stores water in the deeper soil layers which enables a sufficient water supply of the vines without irrigation. Wine growing here was hugely influenced by German settlers in the 18th century. The most visible traces of these settlers are the cellar-houses for the wine production where the wines matured in the perfect conditions.

The village of Hajós, from which the district takes its name, boasts a famous cellar row consisting of some 1200 cellars. This ensemble is unique in the country and a historical heritage visited by many tourists and wine lovers alike.

Udo Machemer – Pieroth‘s expert for Hungarian Wines

The world of wine was mapped out early on for Udo Machemer’s professional career thanks to the family winery. After his apprenticeship as a winemaker at the end of the 1970s, he completed his education as a cellar master and winemaker in 1984. In the following years Udo deepened his expertise in oenology with a focus on quality management and control. Constant personal development and the curiosity to discover and select wonderful wines for our customers characterise Udo’s work at Pieroth since 1999.

András Schauer – the man of action in Hajós

Working with and in the nature has always been a motivation for András Schauer. After his apprenticeship and study of horticulture, he specialized in viticulture and oenology with a further degree course in the late 1990s. During this time András started working for Pieroth Hungaria in Hajós and has been responsible for the wines ever since.

The eventful history of Hungary was influence by different civilizations and eras which is reflected in the capital Budapest with buildings featuring various architectonical styles.

The city developed and expanded rapidly in the second half of 19th century. Art Nouveau, also known in Hungary as Szecesszió (the Hungarian secession), became an important and formative style in Hungary at that time. Buildings like the Gresham Palace built in 1907 or the famous Hotel Gellért with its beautiful Gellért Spa are symbols of this cultural period.

This link to Hungarian culture was inspiration for the label designs of Pieroth’s Hungarian wines.

Wine in Moderation
Wine in Moderation