Learning about Turán with Dominium Authentica Turán
Two years ago, I won a writing contest about Hungarian wine run by Hungarian Wine.EU. You can read my winning piece here! Part of the win included a study tour to several of Hungary’s wine regions. On our first day, we spent the night at Dominium Pincészet.
We tasted several of their wines at a Mátra regional tasting and later at their winery were able to taste a few more. That’s where I learned about the grape Turán. And, after learning that it was my birthday, founder Dániel Orbán very kindly gifted me with a bottle!
Dominium Pincészet
Dániel Orbán, one of the founders of Dominium Pincészet found inspiration in his father’s pursuit of viticulture and enology studies and himself became interested in wine. Now, together with his family, he runs the winery and attached hotel. Staying true to nature is the core of their philosophy, both with regard viniculture and in the process of making quality wine. While they do not consider themselves “bio” they believe that the grapevine will repay the care they put into it with fine grapes. Therefore, they do not use any herbicides, insecticides, or absorbable fungicides.
Following this philosophy, the winery grows Sárgamuskotály, Furmint, Chardonnay, and Riesling for its whites along with Syrah, Tempranillo, Feketeleányka, Turán, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
Turán
Turán was a new to me grape until I encountered Dominium. It hugely surprised me to discover that they grape came from North America!! where it goes by the name Agria. However, despite its North American beginnings, Turán and Agria are no longer the same grape. What we know of as Turán in Hungary is the result of crossings with several other Hungarian grapes.
This grape falls into the teinturier family. Meaning that, unlike most black grapes, not only is the skin deeply pigmented, so are the flesh and juice. Because of this, people mostly use it to add color to red blends. Which might explain why I don’t often see varietal Turán.
Dominium Authentica Turán, 2018
Fermented spontaneously in open top vats then aged in Hungarian oak. No surprise with a teinturier grape that it poured a deep, almost black. What did come as a surprise was the level of perfume on the nose!
The layers of aroma began very floral with perfumed purple petals (please forgive the alliteration) before revealing sandalwood, then red currants, and finally depths of new leather. The palate carried similar flavors as those sensed in the nose and was highly floral with violets, currants, and blueberries. Medium-bodied with medium acidity and alcohol (12.5% abv), and oh so silky tannins.
Would love to drink this again! Thank you, Dominium Pincészet for an amazing birthday gift!
Please Help Turkey and Syria!
In light of the horrific earthquake that has decimated large areas of Turkey’s south east and northern Syria, please consider donating to one of the relief efforts if you are able:
Animal rights organization Haytap is helping animals affected by the earthquake, and displaced people who need a place to stay with their pets.
Donate to search and rescue efforts in Turkey via Akut.
Donate to civil society groups working on the ground to provide immediate relief and medium- to long-term recovery to survivors via UK-based Turkey Mozaik Foundation or US-based Turkish Philanthropy Funds.
To support rescue efforts in Syria, donate to White Helmet and SAMS.
Field Ready Türkiye (Sahaya Hazır İnovasyon Derneği) is a team of engineers working in Gaziantep, Turkey, and northwest Syria who make cheap, low-tech airbags for search and rescue from buildings which have collapsed. “If we move fast they can make more,” a good friend who previously worked with the team writes. “The workshops in Syria also have vast experience of fixing essential medical equipment, and making insulated shelters – both greatly needed right now”
Follow Jennifer Hattam on Twitter at The Turkish Life for continued updates on organizations accepting donations and needing local assistance.