The world is much bigger than one thinks! | New Brief #223

We were in Hungary last week, and it was a reminder (if we needed one) of how big the wine world is, how many wines there are to discover and how much we have still to learn. For example, the names of all the local Hungarian grape varieties. Producers in Hungary focus a lot on local grapes. That’s good; it’s fashionable. We probably came across about twenty grape varieties we have never met anywhere else. More about this in future articles. It again showed that Hungary is a wine country to be reckoned with.

Wine enthusiasts are looking for – at least sometimes – the unknown. But does this apply even if the names are unpronounceable? We hope so, for the sake of Hungary. It would be sad if they gave up certain grapes because we foreigners are too lazy. Surely it is worthwhile to make an extra effort and figure out the name of a few unknown varieties?

Producers also have to exert themselves. There are very few wine producers who do not have to do their utmost to sell their wines. Most wines don’t sell themselves. With all these wines in the world, I sometimes think it’s pretty amazing that all the wines produced (well, more or less all) end up in someone’s glass. (Read, for example, our series on world wine production here.)

When talking to producers, you understand that it’s about meeting the right people. You happen to meet an importer or sommelier who falls in love with your wine or is looking for that particular style. You have to find enthusiasts who can sell and convince their customers back home about the excellence of your wine. It is necessary, especially for wines of “odd” origin.

Some consumers choose a particular wine because it is inexpensive and/or well-known. They may, out of habit, select the same wine as last time. But some wines, and here we can include those with local Hungarian grapes, need to be sold with an explanation, perhaps a little persuasion. Enthusiasts in wine bars, restaurants and wine shops do a lot to promote the unknown, and afterwards, people thank them for it. And actually, it is enough to say “yes, please” if someone suggests a cserszegi füszeres.

A thought about Hungary’s neighbour Ukraine

We saw some Ukrainian cars in Hungary, no wonder considering that they are neighbouring countries. Many Ukrainians have fled to Hungary. It makes me think (again) of the Hungarian wine magazine Drinks +, which a few months ago launched the “Wine Travel Awards” to help the wine sector get started after covid. Despite the war, they continue the competition. Read more about Drinks + in the notice below in the Brief.

The Wine Travel Awards want to promote good initiatives in wine tourism worldwide.

You can vote, but only UNTIL LAST OF MARCH!

Here are all the nominees in the Wine Travel Awards.

If you want to vote for Britt, you can do that here.

If you want to vote for Per, you can do that here.

Vote today! On April 1 it will be too late.

Travel

You still have the opportunity to book a wonderful wine tour in the autumn to inspect traditions in two of France’s most famous wine regions on site. Book now!

• Champagne
• Bordeaux
• Champagne & Bordeaux combined

And more exotic, but also very traditional, are of course the winter tours to the southern hemisphere:

• Chile & Argentina
• South Africa
• New Zealand

Travel to the wine regions with an experienced and knowledgeable wine tour operator. You know who. ;-)

If you want to discover the best in the wine regions and get some unforgettable memories, travel with one of the most experienced and most knowledgeable wine tour operators.

More info on our wine tours here.

Enjoy the Brief!

Britt & Per

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