A new online store dedicated to Hungarian wines is about to open – with what its founders claim is the biggest Hungarian list in the UK.
Demeter: ‘Elegant and Burgundian’
London Tokaj will stock not only a Tokajs but ‘wines from across Hungary [with] a range range of whites, reds, Late Harvests and Tokaj Aszu all carefully selected after an extensive 18 month search,’ director Frank Smith told Decanter.com.
The online-only store will be stocking native varietals such as Furmint, Harslevelu and Olaszreisling, as well as ‘dry Olaszreislings from volcanic Somlo, which has elegance, structure and incredible minerality,’ he said.
He added that they had ‘cracked the difficult job of finding elegant, silky, smooth reds with a stunning Kadarka from Eger.’
There will be some 60 wines on sale, including such what Smith describes as ‘interesting’ producers as Lenkey, Balassa, Figula and Demeter.
Of the Demeter Kekfrankos 2006 he says, ‘this is a great example of how elegant and Burgundian this varietal can be – really worth a departure from your next Pinot Noir or Burgundy to try this smooth and beautifully concentrated wine.’
Smith is convinced that interest in Hungarian wine in the UK has reached ‘tipping point’.
‘There is sufficient breadth, volume and quality to make a real impact on the market. Hungary is only going to improve and we think Hungarian wine will become one of the big success stories of this decade. ‘
Written by Adam Lechmere
