PDC

Wine List : 07 November 2018

       
  • Croatia    
  • Festigia Malvazija 2016, Vina Laguna, Istria (the grape is Malvazija Islarska, i.e., Malzazija Istriana), 13.5%. This is the predominant type of white wine in Istria. (Lea & Sandeman, £11.95)

       
  • Slovenia    
  • Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Verus Vinogradi (Vineyards), Štajerska (cool climate region in eastern Slovenia near the Croatian border), 13%. The winery was founded in 2007 by three young winemakers. Fermented in stainless steel and left on the lees for several weeks. (PDC cellar, bought at Verus by KB; the 2016 is available at The Real Wine Company, Shropshire, £13)
       
  • Pinot Noir (Modri Pinot) 2013, Verus Vineyards, Štajerska, 13.5%. 7 days’ cold soaking, fermentation in open-top fermenter with punchdown (to get the grape must over the top of the skin cap to increase extraction), aged in 1-3 year-old oak barrels. (PDC cellar, bought at Verus by KB)

       
  • Romania    
  • Prince Stirbey Tamâioasa Româneasca Sec 2016, Dragasani region (Tamâioasa Româneasca is a local grape, part of the Muscat family), 14% (Wine Society, £10.50)
       
  • Prince Stirbey Novac Sec 2015, Dragasani region (Novac is a local grape, whose parents are the local Negru plus Georgia’s Saperavi – he is its only producer), 13.5% (Wine Society, £13.95). It’s aged for a year in 300-400 litre old oak barrels.

       
  • Hungary    
  • Mád Betsec Grand Cru Furmint 2015, Tokaj Classic Winery, Tokaj-Hegyalja (Furmint is one of the two grapes from which sweet Tokaji is made), 13.5% (Wine Society, £19). Mád is the village, Betsec is a top vineyard.
       
  • Szekszárd Kadarka 2017, Heimann, Szekszárd is the region (Kadarka is the grape), 12.5% (Wine Society, £10.95)
       
  • Villány Kékfrankos 2016, Atilla Gere, Villány is the region (Kékfrankos is Blaufränkisch in Austria and Lemberger in Germany), 13.5% (Wine Society, £10.95)

       
  • Czech Republic    
  • Tomáš Cacík Frankovka 2015, Moravia (Frankovka is Blaufränkisch and Lemberger, but also called Frankovka in Croatia), 12.5% (Wine Society, £16). Unfiltered. Biodynamic.

       
  • Austria    
  • Zöbinger Ried Heiligenstein Erste Lage (Premier Cru) Alte Reben (Old Vines) Riesling 2014, Bründlmayer, Lagenlois, Kamptal (Riesling), 13% (Berry Bros, £37.30). Zöbing is the village, Heiligenstein is the vineyard – one of the greatest in Austria – and by a newish law, the term Ried must go before an Erste Lage vineyard. Bründlmayer is one of the greatest Austrian winemakers. Lagenlois is the town where the winery is, and Kamptal is the region.

       
  • Hungarian sweet wines    
  • Tokaji Classic Cuvée Noble Late Harvest 2000, Tokaj Classic, Tokaj-Hegyalja (grapes are Furmint and Hárslevelü), 11.5% (a friend’s cellar)
       
  • Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2001, Hilltop Neszmély, Tokaj-Hegyalja (grapes are the classic Tokaji grapes, Furmint and Hárslevelü), 12% (PDC cellar)