Malatinszky, Signature Muscat Ottonel, 2018

Malatinszky Kúria, Villány Region

Pure 100 percent Muscat Ottonel, such as this one, is not typical. Muscat Ottonel is an aromatic variety originating from the Loire Valley, but this wine expresses the Villány terroir in an exciting way. Characterized by its floral and perfume notes, this is a really enjoyable wine, on the lighter side, with layers of flavor that unfold as you drink. It has a greenish/yellow color, with lemon and fresh grass coming through at first. There are herbal and spicy characteristics (lemongrass, fenugreek, and fennel seed), but the faint tar aroma (think fresh poured asphalt) is especially intriguing. Grapes for this wine came from the Siklós area (as grapes for all of Villány’s whites do). Villány is Hungary’s southernmost region—with the warmest weather and most sunshine—known for its bold Bordeaux-influenced reds. So it’s not surprising that whites get somewhat overlooked. Csaba Malatinszky, too, is known for his complex and age-worthy reds, but he pays just as much attention to producing fine white wines that express the Villány terroir. This is a fresh tasting wine, with soft acidity and a hint of residual sugar. We like this wine next to foods that have citrus flavors (like salads with citrus vinaigrette), duck with orange sauce, or ceviche. Try it also with hot food (for example, Chinese food with Szechuan peppers), or with cured or smoked salmon. This is an organic and vegan wine.

Read About The Villány Region