Kardos Tundermese Late Harvest 2024

Tokaj is rightly famous as the home of Hungary's iconic dessert wines, and this is a lighter, more easy-going take on the style - all the better for it. Picked late in the season when the grapes are perfectly ripe, it's gently sweet with rich mandarin fruit, a touch of honey, and a hint of botrytis for added depth. There's enough texture to make it feel indulgent, but vibrant acidity keeps everything fresh and in check. Tündérmese means Fairy Tale, which feels about right - it's bright, charming, and a real pleasure from the first sip to the last.

Try it with poached pears, apricot tart or an orange and almond cake. A great indulgence just by itself, but even better with fruit desserts that echo its citrus and honeyed notes.

The Kardos family have owned vineyards in the Tokaj region for centuries, but it was only in the 1990's, with the end of Soviet domination, that they were to build a winery and go about building a reputation for themselves. Their vines sit in and around the crazy sounding village of Mád - long seen as Tokaj's most prestigious area. At first, they were a bit of a boutique operation, but when Gábor Kardos Jnr came onboard in 2008 things were put on a more serious footing. And more importantly, quality of output became the focus of things. They produce both the famous dessert wines of the area and delicious dry wines. Everything is made to meticulous standards and they’re an outfit to take note of.