The Hárslevelű
Grape
A white grape variety indigenous to Hungary, particularly important in the Tokaj region alongside Furmint for the production of Tokaji Aszú wines. Hárslevelű produces wines with floral aromas and flavors of honey, pear, and spice, contributing complexity and fragrance to the blend.
Hárslevelű
Grape History
Hárslevelű is a white wine grape variety that is native to Hungary. It is often considered one of the best white grape varieties from the country, known for producing elegant, aromatic wines with complex flavors. The name "Hárslevelű" translates to "linden leaf" in Hungarian, referencing the shape of the grapevine's leaves.
Historically, Hárslevelű has been cultivated in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region of Hungary, known for its production of sweet dessert wines such as Tokaji Aszú. It is often used in blends with Furmint and Sárgamuskotály (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) to create these traditional sweet wines.
Interestingly, Hárslevelű is also grown in other wine regions around the world, including Slovakia, Austria, and even the United States. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in this grape variety due to its ability to produce high-quality, dry white wines with aging potential.
Hárslevelű wines are characterized by their aromas of orange blossom, honey, apricot, and exotic spices. On the palate, they often exhibit a rich, full-bodied texture with vibrant acidity, making them versatile wines that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a wide variety of foods.
In terms of future trends, Hárslevelű is gaining recognition among wine enthusiasts and critics for its unique qualities and potential for producing world-class wines. As more winemakers experiment with single-varietal Hárslevelű wines and explore its potential in different terroirs, it is likely that this grape variety will continue to grow in popularity and establish itself as a standout white wine grape on the international stage.
Overall, Hárslevelű is a grape variety with a rich history, intriguing flavor profile, and promising future in the world of wine. Its ability to produce both sweet and dry wines of exceptional quality makes it a versatile and exciting grape to watch in the coming years.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel