Ep 8. / Róbert Gilvesy puts the Hungarian Uplands on international top-shelves

Third episode from the Balaton Upland series and the second one from the Saint George Mountain. I went back to the Saint George Mountain to visit Róbert Gilvesy, the founder and leader of the Gilvesy Winery, in Hegymagas. Róbert is Canadian-Hungarian, and these roots have a profound effect on the philosophy behind the Gilvesy wines. As the winery itself is turning more and more towards indigenous Hungarian varieties, Róbert is eager to turn the Gilvesy label into an international ambassador of the Saint George Mountain’s unique volcanic terroir. Besides the vineyard-selected labelings, special projects, like the terroir-comparing Rhine Riesling No.1 & No.2 gift box, elevates the winery into an international highlight. We tasted Furmint and Riesling together, talked about the importance of organic viticulture, discussed how Tokaj wines taste different despite both terroirs having volcanic soils, and the hopeful future of the international volcanic wine movement.

Guest: Róbert Gilvesy | Gilvesy Winery | @gilvesywinery

Location: Saint George Hill, Hungary

Wine Ghosts Instagram: @wineghosts | E-Mail: info@wineghosts.com

Bookmarks:

10:30 – Gilvesy wines

17:30 – Furmint differences between Saint George Hill and Tokaj

21:35 – Tasting Rhine Riesling & topic Riesling with food pairings

29:45 – Living on the mountain & wine tourism

37:00 – Reds are having a comeback to the Balaton Uplands?

43:00 - Tasting Furmint 

47:15 - Future of the volcanic movement & the Gilvesy wines

Tasted Wines:

Gilvesy Tarányi Riesling 2017

Gilvesy Váradi Furmint 2018