Wine club Wednesday, Sauvignon Blanc under a magnifying glass...

Sauvignon Blancs were the next up this week at the bi-weekly wine club meeting. All in all we tasted ten wines, all of which were Hungarian with the exception of two. Hands down the winner was the 2008 “Cloudy Bay” from New Zealand in aroma and flavor easily outdoing the Hungarian wines that night. It was a typical Sauvignon Blanc with undeniable varietal character. Very clean floral aromas, elderberry, mint, peach, citrus, especially grapefruit notes. Nicely defined acid spine, tingles in your mouth, with a full mouthfeel and long finish. A perfectly composed wine. No wonder this is one of the most popular New Zealand varietals! The only negative thing about it is the price at first. I bought this bottle in Frankfurt for around 20 euros. In Hungary you can find this bottle at the Bortársaság for 6450 forints. But its worth it!

In second place was the 2006 Bodri Sauvignon Blanc. It’ aromas as still as intense as when it was made. It still reminds me of a Mojito cocktail, when I put the mint a glass, sprinkle some sugar over it, a few slices of lime, and start to grind all those flavors together. Incredible! On the palate the flavors seem a bit more relaxed, a little too much alcohol, and a slightly bitter green tea pushes though the finish. But it is still an enjoyable wine and served chilled, makes a great summer drink. The rest of the wines we tasted were all average-tasting wines between 70-80 points. From the 2008 vintage we tasted Blancs from Dörgicsei and Kvassay, and from the 2007 vintage wines from Tőzkő, Fisher, Hilltopp, and Di bonis. Amongst the 2006 wines were Schunk, a Hideghegyi, and the Bodri.