Kadarka

What type of wine is Kadarka?

The exact origin of the variety is still uncertain but lies somewhere within the Balkan- Pannonian area. Kadarka is a standard variety in Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, as well as Albania, and goes by different names in each country such as Kadarka (Hungary), Skadarka (Serbia, Croatia), Cadarca (Romania), Gamza (Bulgaria) and Kallmet (Albania). Kadarka was most likely brought into Hungary by the Serbs during the Ottoman Occupation. Although Kadarka is not an indigenous Hungarian grape variety, it has become an essential regional black grape variety. It yields a light, spicy red wine

Where are the Kadarka plantations in Hungary?

In 2021 Kadarka’s total vineyard area in Hungary was 274 hectares. The variety’s most important wine regions are the Kunság and Szekszárd in the country’s southern area. It used to be the most important variety in Eger’s Bull Blood in the 19th century but it eventually was replaced by Kékfrankos in that blend. Now it plays more important role in Szekszárd region, where Zoltán Heimann Jr. likes to call himself “Kadarka Man“.

What climate and soil does Kadarka prefer?

Kadarka has good adaptability for the Kárpát basin’s climate but mostly prefers moderate continental climate and is quite sensitive to low winter temperature.
Suitable for different soil types around the country, but best suited in loess soil, as can be found in Szekszárd.
Productive, late budding, and mid-late ripening variety with compact bunches and medium-sized berries, prefers low training. It has good resistance to drought and is susceptible to botrytis bunch rot. In terms of viticulture, this is a difficult variety.

Is Kadarka a good wine?

Many refer to Kadarka as Hungary’s answer to Pinot Noir. It is not a coincidence. Wine made of Kadakra has a medium-vivid acidity, restrained tannin level, and light to medium body.
It has fresh red berry fruit notes, like raspberry, redberry, and sour cherry, with spicey paprika notes and a hint of herbal touch.
Both reductive and light oaky wine stypes are common due to their light body and vivid acidity with fresh red fruits. Vital oak aging doesn’t fit well with Kadarka.

In our shop there are couple of single variety bottles from Szekszárd and it is also plays a role in Bull’s Blood wines both from Eger and Szekszárd.

How long can Kadarka wine last?

Wine’s reductive style suggests drinking within a year or two. The oak matured Kadarka can keep a year longer. Quite frequently used in rosé production.
As a fruity, easy-to-drink red and rosé wine, Kadarka is quite popular in Hungary but less known and less successful internationally.

Kadarka wines on Vinotek.hu