Gyula Szabó carries on his father’s and grandfather’s work in vineyards on the north side of Lake Balaton - locally nicknamed “the Hungarian Sea” and Central Europe’s largest lake. Karmazin means “crimson” - the color of the wine… and occasionally the color of the cheeks of someone who’s enthusiastically enjoying it. 'Karmazin' the wine is 70% kékfrankos (the Hungarian name for blaufränkisch) with 30% cabernet franc, fermented and aged in used Hungarian oak barrels. It is bright, salty, a little floral, and super easy to drink (12.5% alcohol), but more than just glou-glou fun. Blaufränkisch’s juicy blue and red fruits are filigreed with herbal, floral, and dusty notes from the cabernet franc. The mild tannins make it quite food-versatile, including herby fall stews with or without meat. Or how about Gombapaprikás (Hungarian mushroom stew)?
