Szent Donat & a Preview of Bubbles From Around the World #WinePW
When you think of sparkling wine, which countries pop into mind? Probably France, Italy, Spain? Maybe Germany, Australia, or the UK? Something I have learned since I started exploring wine is that if a country makes wine, it probably also makes sparkling wine!
France, Italy, Spain, the US, the UK, Germany … all yes! But also Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Turkey, Georgia, Greece, Brazil, Austria…the list of sparkling wine production countries goes on and on. And the Wine Pairing Weekend group is kicking off 2022 with an exploration of bubbles from around the world!
Szent Donat [5 Bar], 2019
This summer I visited Hungary for a wine tour and before I left, bought this half bottle of sparkling wine from Szent Donat. Founded in 1994 by the Kovács family, the winery sits above Lake Balaton in the Balatonfüred-Csopak region. Now in the second generation being run by three brothers, it is Tamás who runs the winery and the bistro. All 15 hectares are cultivated organically. Wines undergo short skin contact, spontaneous fermentation, and long maturation.
Szent Donat makes three sparkling wines and while they all share some similarities in winemaking, the [5 Bar] has a little extra something. Made with an unfiltered base wine, a blend of Olaszrizling and Furmint, the wine undergoes its second fermentation in 0.375l bottles, stayed on the lees for only two months before releases, and was not disgorged or given a dosage.
The name [5 Bar] comes from the amount of pressure (atmospheres or bars) in the bottle. What’s the big deal about the amount of pressure? Some people feel like sparkling wines with lower pressure have a softer or creamier mouthfeel. Traditional method wines, like this one, tend to have the highest amount of pressure, more than 3 bars but as much as 5-6.5+.
In the glass this was a hazy lemon with very vigorous bubbles. Aromas of sourdough, bruised apple peel, and raw hazelnut overlaid by a hoppy character. The palate delivered unexpected brightness after the nose. I was expecting yellow fruits and bread but happily sipped on flavors of tart green apple and pear blossom. Full and frothy mousse, searing acidity, long dry finish.
Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere!
Interested in hearing more? Join our Wine Pairing Weekend group on Twitter at 11 am EST/8 am PST on Saturday, January 8. Just follow the hashtag #WinePW. Don’t hesitate to speak up and tell us you are there.
Meanwhile, here’s what the group has planned:
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- Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm bubbles over about Celebrating Little Christmas in Michigan with a Local Bubbly
- Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla sabers open Gelukkige Nuwe Jaar with Pannekoeke + Boschendal Brut Rosé
- Linda from My Full Wine Glass cracks open Cava: Because everybody needs a go-to bubbly
- Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog pops the cork on Sparkling Wine from Chablis? Oui! Val de Mer Brut Nature Rosé
- Anna Maria of Unraveling Wine toasts us with 10 Best Greek Sparkling Wines with Pairings #WinePW
- David at Cooking Chat Food disgorges Baked Fiesta Dip with Mexican Bubbly
- Robin of Crushed Grape Chronicles riddles with Bubbles by any other name…Sparkling wines from all over the globe
- Jennifer of Vino Travels charms with Upcoming the Game with Asolo Prosecco
- Lisa at The Wine Chef adds dosage with Dive Into the OG Bubbly With Blanquette de Limoux #WinePW
- Nicole at Somm’s Table gets cagey with Re-introducing Cava!
- Gwendolyn from Wine Predator adds the crown with Sparkling Wine Secrets from Around the World
- Susannah from Avvinare sparkles with Brazilian sparklers come of age
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- Terri at Our Good Life shares Favorite Bubbles from Around the World
- Andrea The Quirky Cork celebrates with A Vertical Tasting of Vinkara’s Yaşasın #WinePW
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