Balla Kolna Feketeleányka 2023

A rich yet smooth Feketeleányka (‘black maiden’, or Fetească neagră in Rumanian) from one of Transylvania’s pioneering winemakers, Géza Balla. Feketeleányka is an ancient grape variety that requires lots of attention and rewards it with a silky, round texture and blackcurrant, blackberry and spicy notes. A unique and very likeable wine.

About the Balla Géza winery

Géza Balla is an ethnic Hungarian winemaker based in western Romania, near the city of Arad. He’s credited with reviving the historic Miniș wine region, once famous but long overlooked. Today, he farms over 100 hectares of hillside vineyards, where the mix of volcanic rock, mica and granite soils brings a special character to the wines.

He works mostly with red grapes, including the Transylvanian variety Feketeleányka, as well as Kadarka, Kékfrankos and a few international types. His style is all about balance and honesty: low-intervention winemaking, local grapes, and a deep respect for the land and tradition. If you’ve never tried a red from this part of the world, his wines are a great place to start.

Producer information: S.C. Wine Princess S.R.L., 310028 Arad, Hungary, https://www.ballageza.com/