Rózsakő is a white grape that was a cross between Kéknyelű and Budai Zöld that was created in the 1950s. Its name means ‘rose stone’ and gets this name from a basalt rock that Róza Szegedy, wife and muse of poet Sándor Kisfaludy, often sat on that overlooked Lake Balaton. It was only grown on the west side of Lake Balaton in the Badacsony and Badacsony Highlands regions until even more limited amounts were introduced into the Mátra and Kunság regions of central Hungary. The plantings are limited. There are less than 20 hectares total currently planted. The volcanic soils are ideal for Rózsakő production. Similarly to Kéknyelű, Rózsakő also has colored petioles, but those of Rózsakő are slightly reddish instead of bluish. Rózsakő was entered into the Hungarian national variety register in 2003, curiously it is not listed in the Wine Grapes by Robinson, et al, published in 2012.
While at Borbely Pince, we tried a 2023 Rózsakő Selection. This wine is a pale yellow color with moderate intensity aromas of white flowers, crayon wax, honey, vanilla, and salinity. Just like Kéknyelű, this wine also has higher acid, moderate alcohol, and fuller body. Rózsakő can produce wines that are dry or off dry. The version we tried was dry. On the palate, the wax and white flowers were more dominant than the honey and vanilla. All were accented by the saline minerality that slowly tapered on the long finish. This wine would pair well salads, as well as creamy cheeses. Sweeter versions would pair with fruit salad or curry dishes. This is a rare wine that is almost never exported to the US, but worth a try if visiting this region.
-TheLooseTannin
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 