I had the best intentions Thursday  night to take notes on all of the wines, but you know honestly, I just got distracted by conversations with all the lovely women that attended. But, what the hell, that is what Bitch Moan and Wine is all about: good wine, good price, good conversation in a laid back atmosphere. There was a very good vibe last night.

Bitch Moan and Wine Tasting (unofficially Treehugger Dan's and Bottlehugger Ben's Wine Society) Big Summer XL Wine Tasting featuring Hilltop Vineyard's was hosted by David Popovics, Sales Manager of Hilltop Wines, at his new wine bar. It was a pretty special event since this was the first event hosted at the venue, only scheduled to open next Wednesday. Moreover, this tasting was the pre-release tasting of the new Hilltop Selection family of wines .The Hilltop Selection Family consists of 11 wines - some are premium, some are Hungarian varietals, and all will hit the market in late July. We were the first customers to taste these wines, fresh from the vats.The bottles did not even have labels, but the ones Hilltop finally settled on are very nice line drawings of birds and insects.

Doblo Wine Merchants, on the corner of Dob u. and Hollo u. is conveniently located near 2 local 7^th District favorites, The Mumus and Kisko Leves. Kiskoleves also has a very nice recently opened beer garden around the corner from the restaurant. When I first  entered Doblo, I was blown away by the beauty of the place, which makes extensive use of old bricks with the pictures on them, ( I don't know what the damned things are called, but I love them ) big windows, and high ceilings. Doblo features a very good open space around a big L-shaped bar. What is particularly nice about the concept is the pricing. I think we are all appalled at the mark-up for a bottle of wine in restaurants, where they often charge 4000 huf for the same bottle you can get at a supermarket for 1000 huf. Doblo will sell the wines at normal retail prices. The shop is at Dob utca 20, and should be open from this Wednesday, July 15th.

This time, at the urging of a recently pregnant wine-loving friend Magda, we offered special tickets for pregnant women. Often a couple wants to come to a wine tasting, but the guy feels guilty leaving the woman at home, and the woman feels frustrated not being able to drink. Therefore, we offered “pregnancy tickets” for the sake of family peace and enjoyment. Doctors in the UK now say that 2 units of alcohol (about 1.6dl of wine) during pregnancy is ok, so we offered 2 spritzers and food for 1000 huf. This instigated a slightly unnerving run on these tickets. So settle down boys, Claudia, Mariann, Maria...are not pregnant, they just did not want to get shit-faced on 11 wines. On the other hand, by the evidence left behind, some adventurous couple appears to have inaugurated Doblo’s toilet!

Hilltop was founded in 1991 by Éva Keresztury, Imre Török, Judit Storcz and Ákos Kamocsay, who are still at the helm of Hilltop Neszmély today, working together with a staff which has grown to almost 150 people. Over recent years their  wines have won dozens of medals at major wine competitions around the world. Their chief winemaker Ákos Kamocsay was "Winemaker of the Year" " in Great Britain in 1997, and won the title "Wine Producer of the Year" in 1999 in Hungary. In 2004 they won the titles "Estate of the Year" and "Hungary's Premier Estate." It is also the largest wine producer in the country.

Tapas for the event was kindly provided by the Artesano Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant. The restaurant served up a huge amount of food, about 100 pieces of tapas in 5 varieties. Being vegetarian, I only sampled three of the tapas on offer, the tortilla (not to be confused with the Mexican version), and the rouquefort cheese mini-pies and the spinach mini-pies. I liked the roquefort bits best, and Eleonor from Artesano was kind enough to put a plate of them aside for me, but Bottlehugger Ben found them and put them out for the mases. Probably for the best, since I would have gorged myself on them otherwise. The restaurant also offered 10% discount coupons to the guests. Artesano, in the neighborhood of the Opera House, offers a unique array of rustic dishes from different regions of Spain including specialties from Galicia, Basque, Andalucia, and Valencia. Sergio, the Spanish-Uruguayan chef, guarantees the quality of the original ingredients, the prepared dishes, and most importantly, diner satisfaction. Choose from an extensive Spanish wine menu the wines that best compliment your meal. The interior design of the restaurant mixes traditional Moorish architecture with the 21st century. The location and the menu provide a perfect place for an after Opera tapas dinner. Artesano hopes to welcome you soon for a weekday lunch menu or a Saturday South American tapas buffet. 1066 Budapest, Ó utca 24-26. Tel: 688 1696, info@artesano.hu, http://www.artesano.hu

We tried the following wines:

Neszmélyi Irsai Olivér
Neszmélyi Cserszegi Fűszeres
Neszmélyi Sauvignon Blanc
Neszmélyi Chardonnay
Badacsonyi Szürkebarát
Móri Rajnai Rizling
Neszmélyi Hárslevelű
Neszmélyi Pinot Noir Rosé
Szekszárdi Kékfrankos
Szekszárdi Cabernet Farnc
Szekszárdi Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique
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As I said, I did not try all of the wines, nor did I take notes this time. From what I do remember:

The Rajnai  Rizling was almost colourless, but very refreshing.The Cserszegi  Fuszeres many of you will recognise by the beautiful woodcut on the label of, a woodcutter. Luckily David Erickson did not get a picture of Treehugger Dan partaking from this particular bottle; otherwise my street credibility would have been blown.For me, the Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique was the hit of the night. Judging by the consumption of this particular wine compared to the rest, I think it was a hit with most people.

Tasting Notes from Hilltop:

C H A R D O N N A Y

Created from Chardonnay grapes and grown in possibly the best located vineyard of the Neszmély Region, a relishable but peachy wine was born. Each virtue of nature can be caught here. Besides its jauntiness and creamy touch, its structure is very sophisticated and contains smooth acids. Hilltop Chardonnay brings all the elegance with rich yellow blossom, pineapple and butter flavours that we love in this wine.

R A J N A I  R I Z L I N G

Rajnai Rizling is a fairly popular varietal worldwide that has recently been rediscovered by wine experts. Its discreet but expressive apple-marguerite aroma and fine acid harmony is jaunty but elegant. Its concentrated structure makes it an appropriate accompaniment to fried vegetables, asparagus-based meals and light patés. Due to its long-term evolutionary potential it gives a marvelous experience - even after years.

K É K F R A N K O S

Hand-harvested, perfectly matured, healthy Kékfrankos grapes from our vineyard in Szekszárd that we perfected in the form of  wine at our winery in Császár. Its smell is ruled by spicy fruits in which cherry is the most dominant. However, you can also find prunes and marmalade in its taste. Its fruity character is coupled with fresh, breezy acids. Garden spices make its flavour rich. It is a well-structured red wine with matured acids. We recommend it served at 18°C as an accompaniment to Hungarian gastronomical classics.

P I N O T   N O I R   R O S É

With hand-harvested Pinot Noir bunches we have created a charming rosé. With its elegant salmon rose color and the scent of strawberries, this is the wine of summer sunsets. Due to its cheerful, fruity acids and gentle carbon dioxide content, it is an exciting and refreshing drink. We recommend you to serve it chilled. Use it for get-togethers, and have it with meals of fish and white meat.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON BARRIQUE

We made this wine through traditional winemaking processes, from excellent quality grapes found on probably the best red wine terroir in Hungary. It is a great deep purple-colored wine with long, fine, round acids and neat, flowing tannins. In its flavor we can find blackcurrant, cherry, some black pepper and red paprika, as well as vanilla characteristics as a result of the time spent in old fashioned barrique barrels. A complex, matured, determined personality that fully unfolds after a long aeration. Serve it with big game and heavy roast joints.

I R S A I  O L I V É R

A bunch of fresh grapes locked in a bottle - peachy, redolent and crisp. The purpose is to preserve the values of the grapes into the wine. A real “soft drink.” Recommended to ladies, gents, young and elderly people who love rich, intensive aromas. Can be a chaser for poultry with fresh herbs or simple salads, but it is also perfect for get-togethers. Serve it chilled!

C S E R S Z E G I  F Ű S Z E R E S

A fresh new type of grape. This wine was created by our expert winemaker Ákos Kamocsay, and won the “1998 White Wine of the Year” in London. Uniting its parents’ characters, the fruity Gewürtztraminer and the redolent Irsai Olivér, this vintage is stylish, peachy and luscious. Chilled to 12°C it is an excellent partner for appetizers, white meats and rich salads.

S A U V I G N O N  B L A N C

One of the most acknowledged and fancy wines of the world. The finest examples are made in New Zealand. Ákos Kamocsay and his dedicated winemaking team used their skills to create this wine so that  it brings out the easily recognizable “green” flavours like nettle, green pepper and elderberry. A great wine experience with dynamic and harmonious acid content and a beautiful long aftertaste. We serve it chilled to 12° C. A great companion to fish and seafood.

S Z Ü R K E B A R Á T

The fresh grapes were taken to our Neszmély cellar from their home among the basalt hills of Badacsony by Lake Balaton in Szürkebarát. Using the most appropriate winemaking procedure we made this juicy wine, accentuating the flavours of luscious peach and grapefruit. The dryness and crispy acids show its real value. Serve lightly chilled with poultry and light pastas.

H Á R S L E V E L Ű

Hárslevelű is an authentic Hungarian varietal. We bottled its unique, lime-blossomed flavours just for you. As a result of the late harvest, solicitous selection and professional winemaking we have a delectable, high in acid, fruity, at times mellifluous and peachy sweet wine. This wine is created by our expert winemaker Ákos Kamocsay and his gifted team. Have it with goose liver, duck liver, blue cheese - but also a perfect chaser for deserts.

C A B E R N E T  F R A N C

Catch the raspberry scent of this sweet cherry brandy-tasting, dark ruby Cabernet Franc. It is deliciously supported by a slight character of oaken vanilla-tobacco. Its tannins are rather spicy, even chili-flavored. Sleek in the mouth while its acids are fine, dynamic and complex. It is a full, authentic Cabernet from Szekszárd with the rich flavours of blackberry-plum. A rich and worthy companion of roast, red meats and deep-dish casseroles.

For information about our monthly Bicth Moan and Wine tastings, please write to : wine@bitchmoanwine.com

Photos by David Erickson

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