21.06.2009

Old Slovene Proverb:

‘Food is for the Stomach, Wine is for the Soul!’

As a forerunner to a possible future planned project to highlight and expose the quality of wines from Goricko National Park, 4 top producers, Ernest Novak, Leon Gjerkeš, Michael Tremel and Anton Nemec gathered last Friday afternoon (19.th of June 2009) at Grad Castle to present their wines to a top visiting Wine Specialist from Hungary, Attila Domokos. Thanks go to Stanka Dešnik and her helpers for her co-ordination of the event.

Attila has extensive experience in the world of wine, having worked and studied in various countries around the world, including South Africa, New Zealand and Italy. He now represents Dobogo Vineyards & Cellars Ltd, both in Tokaj and Budapest, owned by Izabella Zwack, member of the famous Hungarian drinks and spirits family.

Our 4 intrepid producers offered wines varying in style from light, steely and crispy, through mellow fruit to delicious late harvest wines. Among the varietals tasted were Sipon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat, Traminec, Laski Riesling, Renski Riesling, Pinot Gris and a red Modra Frankinja displaying the hugely different styles of wine available from Goricko Nature Park.

Attila duly arrived with Kester Eddy a freelance British journalist with a passion for Goričko Park and its wines, and Ernest led us through the superb range of wines on offer with courage, fortitude and wisdom!

In return, Attila produced out of his Pandora’s Box some Hungarian wines, including a most unique red wine reminiscent of Italian Amarone and a heavenly 6 Puttonyos Azsu 2003 dessert wine to die for!

Meanwhile, Stanka then took Attila on a tour of the castle and with the after-glow of this highly successful wine seminar our stomachs were left surviving, but our souls were more than happy!

Text: Jeremy Lee

Photo: Stanka Dešnik, Jeremy Lee

	4 top wine producers	discussion
in castle's black kitchen	all together	2