Mozaik bikaver 2019

The Mozaik Bikavér from the Sebestyén estate comes from the Eger region in northeastern Hungary, the historical birthplace of the iconic "Bull's Blood" wine. The vines are situated on volcanic and limestone slopes, benefiting from a continental climate tempered by the influence of the surrounding mountains. This terroir, combining poor soils, significant temperature variations, and moderate altitudes, promotes slow ripening of the grapes and preserves natural acidity, resulting in balanced, structured, and aromatically complex wines rooted in Hungarian winemaking tradition.

The grapes for Sebestyen Mozaik Bikavér 2019 are hand-harvested plot by plot, then destemmed before fermentation in tanks with skin maceration to extract color and structure. Each grape variety is vinified separately, and the wine is then aged primarily in oak barrels for several months to refine the tannins and harmonize the blend, typical of the Bikavér style, before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe red fruits such as cherry and raspberry , complemented by hints of plum and blackcurrant , enhanced by spicy nuances of pepper and clove . Subtle floral accents and a light oak character add complexity. On the palate, the wine is supple, supported by a marked freshness, fine tannins , and a harmonious structure, leading to a persistent and flavorful finish.

It was the Romans who planted the first vines at a time when the Country was part of a region called Pannonia. It was at the dawn of the 18th century that Hungary, united with Austria, ensured the export of its most famous wine throughout Europe: Tokaj (from the Fürmint grape variety). As throughout Europe, in the 19th century, viticulture was destroyed by phylloxera. During the communist period, vineyards were managed in cooperatives which guaranteed a stable income for wine producers. Quite a few small winegrowers were unable to keep up with this growing economy, so the Hungarian vineyard was restructured, losing 30% of its surface area in the process. Nowadays, many family estates have emerged, some of which produce wines of incredible quality. As everywhere in Europe, viticulture is in decline as part of the European restructuring plan for the wine industry. Hungary, which is at the same latitude as Burgundy, has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The rainfall is sufficient for non-irrigated viticulture and the soils are heterogeneous and of high quality depending on the region. With around a hundred indigenous and international grape varieties, the country has good varietal diversity. The fürmint and the hárslevelü from the Tokaj region, vinified dry and at the origin of the great sweet wines of Tokaj, are undoubtedly the best-known varieties today. The most widely planted grape variety is Olasrizling for whites and Kéfrankos for reds. International grape varieties, mainly Bordeaux grape varieties, flourish in particular in the south of the country where they produce high-class wines.