The Doblo Wine Bar has kicked off the new wine tasting season with the Oszvald Vineyard from Somlo at the
western foot of Bakony. The evening also promised truffle treats from the chefs at Arany Szarvas Restaurant. The Oszvald Pincészet began in 1984 in Balatoncsicsó and then continued on 13.5 hectares of Somló Hill since 1998. After a slow start ( my companions had skipped dinner), the wine tasting began with 4 barrel samples, followed by 5 bottled wines, all white.
2008 Olaszrizling hordominta
2008 Juhfark hordominta
2008 Harslevelu hordominta
2008 Furmint hordominta
2008 Olaszrizling
2008 Juhfark
2008 Harslevelu
2008 Furmint
1998 Juhfark
While my companions quite liked the 2008 Olaszrizling hordominta, I found it too sour for my taste. The Harslevelu hordominta had a strong raisin nose, but this was not evident in the flavor. The 1998 Juhfark was
reminiscent of a Tokaj aszu. We all agreed that the 2008 Juhfark hordominta was by far the best wine of evening, followed by the other Juhfarks. Oszvald wines retail for between 2200-3200 Huf (way overpriced, as usual in the Hungarian market). The truffle-enhanced snacks were very well presented, heavy on the meat possibilities. Owner David Popovits was nice enough and quick to get me a plate of vegetarian options. There were some sandwhiches, tortilla wrap slices, sausage, carrots and kohlrabi in dip, mini cream cheese sandwhiches, all flavoured with truffle. The highlight for me were the crackers slathered with onion-truffle jam.