Ipacs Szabo, Naszut Helyett, Villányi Franc, Hungary 2018

Villány DHC (Hungarian PDO) is the most southerly wine region of Hungary located on the Croatian border. As Villány is protected from northernly winds by the hilly landscape, an unusual sub-Mediterranean microclimate prevails.In 2000 Michael Broadbent MW declared in the Decanter that “Cabernet Franc has found its natural home in Villány.” This induced the creation of the Villányi Franc appellation, a name awarded only to the highest quality examples. About the producer Ipacs-Szabó István Ipacs-Szabó combines his passion for nature and scientific curiosity with an unprecedented open mind. After leading Vylyan, one of Hungary’s most prominent wineries for 22 years, he finally decided to fully dedicate his time to research and winemaking on his own tiny vineyard of Cabernet Franc. As the chief winemaker of the Research Institute of Viticulture and Enology at the University of Pécs, he loves to present fellow winemakers with mind blowing results of his experiments. Biodynamic, organic or conventional? Natty or scientific intervention? Amorim vs Diam? He takes no sides before trying them all and presenting his findings at the university. István’s main goal is to produce an exceptional Villányi Franc by honouring manual labour and respecting the environment.