Rabbit Periscope has won the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix
Badacsony, 11 January 2021
The Circle of Hungarian Wine Writers has compiled its “Super 12” wine list for the fifth occasion. This comprises their 12 best red and 12 best white wines. The Hungarian Wine Grand Prix for the white wine category was awarded to Villa Sandahl Winery’s 2017 Rabbit Periscope Rhine Riesling.
Each year, the Circle of Hungarian Wine Writers asks its members to nominate outstanding wines, both red and white, that they have tasted thus far that year for the Super 12 lists. One important criterion is that only wines from the last five vintages can be nominated. Then the wine writers rank the nominated wines, and, finally, the wines with the most nominations will be tasted blind and awarded points by two committees in two rounds. The wine achieving the highest points in each category will be named the Grand Prix’s trophy wine.
The Swedish owners also tasted plenty of wines in order to decide on the characteristics of the wines they produce, so they know exactly what it entails to be able to recall a striking wine from hundreds of wines tasted throughout the year and nominate it for an award.
“Any professional recognition is of paramount importance to us, and this award is particularly important feedback that we are heading in the right direction,” said Christer Sandahl, co-owner of Villa Sandahl, on hearing the news.
The Villa Sandahl Winery only produces wines from Riesling, as they believe that this late-ripening variety will stand the test of time: Riesling is able to retain its acidity at full maturity even in the hot, sunny south-facing vineyards of Badacsony’s micro-climate. Riesling makes wines with diverse personalities, as unique, exciting and memorable wines result each year.
The Sandahls’ main principles are quality, individuality and passion. Their creed is that high-quality wines can stand up to unusual, vintage-specific labels regularly produced by the winery.
The motto for 2017 is “Magic”. The label for Rabbit Periscope features the ears of a timid bunny peeking out of a cylinder, suggesting, as winemaker Zsolt Palkó puts it, that the award-winning wine was still quite closed just after bottling, but has now opened up and is showing its gracious, suave side. It is a classic, vibrant, yet concentrated Riesling, enveloped in aromas of citrus and mango. The palate is beautifully balanced with softy, creamy fruit and lively acidity. It will certainly benefit from a few years of bottle maturation and will reach its peak after about 10 years, so best consumed by then!
The year was basically warm and dry, which was not conducive to the usual late harvest preferred by the winery.
Careful selection in the vineyard meant that only healthy bunches ended up in the harvesting boxes. As well as selection in the vineyard, the musts extracted during pressing were also classified separately this year.
Rabbit Periscope is a blend of the best must fractions from the Genesis and Bishop’s Garden vineyards as well as the second must fraction from Bishop’s Backyard and Solitude.
Villa Sandahl’s wines are available from the winery’s web-shop as well as the Monarchia Wine Shop in Budapest.
You can also sample the Sandahl wines at the Sandahl Residence, which boasts a large tasting table and accommodation in four guest rooms with wonderful views.
Further information:
Zsolt Palkó and Judit Mozdény |
Erika Schneider |