Kadarka, Dúzsi Tamás - 2021

I'm on a bit of a Kadarka kick as of late. I'm always intrigued by uncommon grapes, especially when they show up as a monovarietal wine. Kadarka is a thin-skinned red grape of arguably Balkan origin that has found its home in Hungary. It is primarily used in the production of rosé, or to add a boost of acidity to red blends, but in the Szekszárd wine region in the southern part of the country (and in the skilled hands of Tamás Dúzsi), it has enough oomph to speak for itself. This is a lighter red wine with a bright cherry flavor, plenty of freshness, and a pleasingly bitter finish. I found it to be in a similar camp to Barbera, Poulsard, or Blaufranksich even, for comparison's sake. It'd be best served with a slight chill, and would drink wonderfully with roasted veggies and chicken (especially if there's paprika involved). Egészség!