Campanula Pinot Grigio 2007

Named after the many bluebells that populate the fields close to the vineyards, this is a crisp, minerally fresh white. It's made from the world's most popular white grape, Pinot Grigio, but unlike the northern Italian examples which are in huge demand and command a high price they provide outstanding value. The irony, however, is that the Italians themselves like to buy it by the bucketload from Hungary! Winemaking in Hungary is one of the most well established in Europe no other country in Europe in fact has ''older and more evolved traditions of quality winemaking than Hungary's most famous vineyards'' Hugh Johnson. Indeed, vines have been part of the landscape since Roman times and by 1270, wines from Sopron and Eger were being exported in large volumes. Its wine industry suffered in the hands of communism as it stifled progress but, in 1989, it began once more to flourish. Of all the countries of the Eastern bloc, Hungary had the closest ties to the west and was quick to attract investment and Flying Winemakers. This fine white comes from a cellar founded in 1949 and has modernised considerably since the fall of communism. It can now boast the cool fermentation equipment essential for producing crisp, modern whites, and has won many awards for its efforts. It lies in the Pazmand region of Etyek, 50km southwest of Budapest.