Call him the bad-boy of winemaking, the Istrian RocknRolla or the young zealot of Teran. But whatever the name tag is, one cannot dispute the fact that Bruno Trapan is definitely a game changer freshening up the scene with his avant-garde approach and thrilling personality. You may be shocked by his bluntness or click with him immediately, but one thing is certain – you will not leave his winery indifferent. Continue reading “Your Istrian Go-To Winemaker: Trapan Wine Station”
Tag Archives: winetripping
Heaven’s Gates: Tokaj, Hungary
Binding the Tokaj wine region with Budapest in one trip could be compared to a perfectly arranged dinner – you receive an exciting appetizer, which intrigues just a tad, and then you wait for the main course that nurtures a slight tremor to your senses’ core. The final class of the WSET Diploma study was completed with visits to the Disznoko and Szepsy wineries, the giants of Tokaji wines. Their best creations, bursting of botrytis flavours, explained why iconic Tokaji wines have been a privilege and a definition for diversity in the wine world for centuries.
At first glance, Tokaj, this epochal region, does not give off any meticulous charm; you’re driving along the road surrounded by meadows and gentle hills, without any fascinating landscapes, monuments, unusually planted vineyards. But after a few minutes, spontaneously and almost imperceptibly, the thought hits you – this area has an amazing history of independence, economic meltdown, historic intrigue and phoenix winemaking, in which the verb to give up does not exist.
Tokaj, Hungary’s wine region located in the northeast of the country, is so highly respected that it even managed to get a spot in the national anthem, in which the people give gratitude to God for providing them with this sweet vineyard nectar (Tokaj szölövesszein nektárt csepegtettél). No wonder, because once you try liquid gold, reasons become irrelevant. All that matters is that unwavering pleasure that lasts and lasts and lasts… Continue reading “Heaven’s Gates: Tokaj, Hungary”
Kovačević (Irig, Serbia): An Autumn Lullaby
On the way to Novi Sad, in a little place called Irig, I experienced a stunning autumn idyll. On paper it was still summer, but the charm of Fruška Gora combined with rain and fallen leaves indicated that the summer season went into hibernation a long time ago.
In the afternoon, I arrived to the old-fashioned Norcev Hotel, located in the middle of Fruška Gora National Park, far from the crowded highway. There was not a lot of time for resting because a gala evening was scheduled at the Kovačević Wine House, but the superb experience started in the Kovačević winery through which I was guided by Miroslav Kovačević and director of the Frutela distribution company, Siniša Davidović. I have to say that the winery is fantastically well-equipped and every member shows superb potential for invariable progress, followed by hard work. The winery has 10 hectares of vineyards which are located on the south-facing slopes of Fruška Gora, Srem (altitude of 240m). Here, the tradition of growing grapes and producing wine is going on for more than 100 years. Continue reading “Kovačević (Irig, Serbia): An Autumn Lullaby”
Grape Nomad 