Hungaria Grand Cuvée Brut
The Hungaria Grand Cuvée Brut sparkling wine, or peszgő as it’s called in Hungary is a delightfully affordable sparkling wine.
I discovered this wine at a charming wine bar in Budapest, Doblo. If you’re visiting Budapest I highly recommend a stop in here! I stopped in here on a warm Sunday afternoon and started, as I always do, with the sparkling wines by the glass. A little touch of sweetness kept the wine from austerity and lifted my spirits on that rainy day! I enjoyed it greatly that day and made sure to pick up a bottle to bring home!
Hungaria Sparkling Wine
Originally established in 1955, Hungaria, as of 2014, falls under the umbrella of the Törley Group which is one of Europe’s largest sparkling wine producers. Hungaria sources its grapes from Etyek-Buda, the region most known for its sparkling wine production. Grapes grown here include both domestic varieties as well as traditional Champagne grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Hungaria uses either the transfer method or the Asti method for its wine. The Grand Cuvée Brut resulted from the transfer method which resembles the traditional method up to a point. After the second fermentation and ageing, wine from the individual bottles gets transferred (thus the name!) into a large tank. The wine is then filtered, the dosage added, and finally filled into new bottles. While this method allows wine to develop complexity as in the traditional method; it also offers more flexibility. Winemakers still have the option to blend wine before bottling reducing the bottle-to-bottle variations that can be hard to control in the traditional method.
Hungaria Grand Cuvée Brut Tasting Notes
This wines blends four different grapes: Királyeányka, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The pretty medium gold color hinted at the aromas within. Golden and red apples, scented with apple blossoms, warm yeasty brioche, and luscious lemon curd wafted out of the glass with every bubble burst.
A generous mousse filled my mouth with flavors that started out like apple turnovers and flaky pastry then finished with chalky grapefruit pity. Moderate (12% abv) alcohol and the pretty, lingering finish made this an enjoyable and far too easy to drink bubbly!