Rosé wines are made usually from black grapes, although there are some white varieties such as Pinot Gris. To make high-quality rosé, the grapes are harvested earlier than is usual for black grapes, resulting in a lighter wine with higher acidity. The grapes are in contact with the fermenting must for a very short time, approximately 2-3 hours. The fermentation time and temperature are more similar to white wine making procedure than red wine making. During this very limited time of fermentation, beside of the primary fruity flavors only a very light color is able to develop, while there is very little to no trace of tannin in the wine. The color of the local style of rosé wine can be from a light purple or bluish pink to moderately intensive salmon or orange colors. This depends partly on the grape variety the wine is made from and partly on the characteristics of the terroir and the type of winemaking process used.
Siller wine is a Hungarian speciality, which has somewhat longer skin contact, deeper colour and slightly stronger tannins. A good example of this style is Szekszárd wine region’s local brand, Fuxli, usually described by the local producers as a really light “red wine” in character. Siller is often paired with light dishes, starters or local cold cuts.
Structure and aroma components
Hungarian rosé wines have medium to high acidity, are easy to drink, zesty, zingy with low tannins, light body and intense flavors of crispy red berries (as strawberry, raspberry). Some have black currant and spicy notes or red and rosé floral (rose petal) notes, with lingering length, which sometimes has a sparkly finish.
The most important rosé grape varieties of the Hungary
Kékfrankos is the king of the rosé wines of Hungary, as the majority of production is based on this variety. Other commonly used black grape varieties are, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Kadarka, Zweigelt, Pinot Noir and Portugeiser. We can find single varietal and blended rosé wines as well on the market.
The most important rose producer regions of Hungary
Sopron is located in the Felső-Pannon Region in northwest Hungary. Balatonboglár is in the Balaton wine region, along the southern shore of the lake. Szekszárd and Villány are also important districts, both are located in the Pannon wine region in the south. Eger and the Mátra hill are significant rosé producers also. These two districts are part of the Upper Hungary Wine Region in the northeast. Rosé wines are produced in all four corners of Hungary, as “rosé grapes” have good adaptability in the different soil types, such as volcanic soils, limestone, clay, loess, loam, brown forest floor, alluvial and many micro or mezo climatic conditions.
Ageing potential
Rosé wines are not aged in oak, but rather are usually produced in stainless steel tanks, which preserves their freshness and fruitiness, so these wines have an aging potential of 1 or 2 years, at most.
Market position and potential
Within Hungary we can find many good examples of rosé wines, as traditionally it is a rosé drinking country thanks to the spritzer culture. As a product for export, Hungarian rosé wines have a huge competition.
(On the featured photo: rosé wines on Vinotek.hu)