Wine With Wanda

A Taste of Spain and Hungary with the Wines of Tempos Vega Sicilia

Diana Kelley, Regional Manager America, Tempos Vega Sicilia

The eighth episode of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Live showcased Tempos Vega Sicilia. For many wine lovers, just hearing the words Tempos Vega Sicilia elicits a powerful emotional response. Their wines are legendary. But why? To answer that question, Diana Kelley, Regional Manager America for Tempos Vega Sicilia, joined me in a lively conversation that explored their winemaking philosophy and commitment to quality and authenticity that prevails at their four wineries in Spain and their winery in Hungary. 

To watch the conversation, click the video above or view it on YouTube. 


Aromatic, crisp, and lively, Oremus is a refreshing dry Furmint with great minerality.  

During our conversation, we tasted Oremus Mandolás Tokaji Furmint 2017 ($29.99) from their estate in Hungary and Pintia 2014 ($79) from vineyards located on the banks of the Duero River, within the Toro Appellation in Spain. Diana shares detailed tasting notes in the video. 

100% Tinta del Toro, "Pintia 2014 has a frank, expressive nose; intense sweet fruity aromas well integrated with a nuance of spicy woodiness." 

Wanda's Wine of the Week: Oremus Tokaji Dry "Mandolás" Furmint 2015

Each week I taste quite an array of standout wines, so picking just one to showcase is no easy feat. Quality is always of utmost consideration but I'm also drawn to wines that surprise me in the very best ways. New varietals, small producers, and lesser known-regions are always intriguing. But I also appreciate beautifully crafted classics and well-made wines that offer great value. The choices for Wanda's Wine of the Week will be hard to predict but that's part of the fun. Cheers! 

 Oremus Tokaji Dry "Mandolás" Furmint 2015 (around $24)
Hungary

 Hungary's most famous grape, Furmint is celebrated as the star of the legendary sweet wine that made Louis XIV proclaim Tokaji "the wine of the king and the king of wines!" These sweet wines remain highly coveted but more Hungarian producers are also crafting superb dry wines from Furmint. Mandolás is a superb expression of a dry Tokaji that balances bright & refreshing acidity with harmonious layers of citrus zest, chamomile, straw, and honey flavors. A supple richness and a subtle hint of spice make Mandolás a great match with everything from Asian to Mediterranean cuisine. Mandolás is no boring white wine! 

image courtesy of Oremus

A wine that exudes joy and vitality, Mandolás has quite a pedigree - it is produced by the iconic Spanish wine producer, Vega Sicilia. In 1993, just a few years after the fall of Communism in Hungary, Vega Sicilia acquired 285 acres of premier vineyards in the heart of the Tokaj region. The Oremus estate also includes several miles and five levels of underground cellars dating back to the 12th century. Hand hewn into volcanic rock, these historic cellars are still used today for aging Oremus wines.