News

The year 2009

Early sprouting – a dry and warm spring resulted in fast growth.

Blossom, too, started earlier than usual and was protracted by cool nights. Growth problems were encountered only with Furmint and Hárslevelű berries.

As in June we experienced a lot of precipitation great care was taken to prevent peronospora and of mildew.

The months of July and August were a dry and hot period, grapes grew quickly. Problems with drought (etiolation) only occurred within the younger plantations in the top uphill section where surface soil is thinner than average.

Due to the hot weather the sun tended to scorch grapes but this can well be fenced off by proper leaf stripping within the cluster zone.

Thanks to fast ripening we were able to harvest Muscat Lunel grapes in early September at 20-21° must weight, the future dry Furmint and Hárslevelű wines were put into the barrels in late September. Less Aszú grapes than expected could be collected from the plantations the quality of which was solid at 60-65°.

The rainy season lasting from mid-October to the end of November annihilated the possibility of an outstanding Aszú vintage.

Viniculture – Ákos Keresztes

New wines start to display their maturing character, most of them are already clear. Generally dry wines develop beautifully, they grow a good body and live up to our hopes. The same can be said of sweet and late vintage wines. As for botrytis wines it is early to pronounce a certain opinion, but time is on our side. During the weeks to come wine specialities will be taken down into the barrel cellar for maturation. The lighter wines are blended and prepared for bottling.

The Year 2009 at Degenfeld - Éva Mezősi

The Gróf Degenfeld Winery in 2009 continued the tradition of previous years to maintain a presence at all major wine events. To mention only the most significant ones, they participated in the Buda Wine Festival, the Spring Wine Festival, Wine Village, and the Szeged Wine Festival.

They also endeavour to add colour to the local scene by their engagement with events such as Tokaj Autumn, Festival of Tokaj Wines, and their own St Theresa Degenfeld Open Day, the plentiful programme of the latter drawing more and more visitors to the winery.
As wines of new vintages arrive on the market the fans of Gróf Degenfeld wines are now able to enjoy, amongst others, the 2005 Szamorodni, the 2007 and 2008 Fortissimo, and the 2008 Muscat Lunel.

Several awards bear witness to the success of the year 2009 such as the excellent ratings of Borkalauz (Wine Guide), a gold medal for the Degenfeld 2003 6-butts Aszú with Decanter World Wine Awards, London, and the Degenfeld 2007 Tokaj Furmint Barrel Aged being distinguished with the Piarist Wine label in the wine selection of the Piarist religious order. Their wines also achieved excellent positions at the Pannon Bormustra (Wine Show), as well as at the VinAgora international wine competition. The Top 100 selection of Hungarian daily Népszabadság selected two of their wines amongst the best 10 wines.
All of the above shows that we are looking back on a busy year. The Degenfeld Winery team is dedicated to making the success story continue throughout 2010 and to maintain as many sales channels as possible in order for their delicious wines to reach the lovers of excellence.