CROWN ESTATES SUPPORT FOR CANCER CHARITY
Crown Estates of Hungary (the premium export brand for Tokaj Kereskedohaz) have donated proceeds from the sale of a very rare 1900 Tokaji Aszú wine, to the leading British Charity, Marie Curie Cancer Care.
A Cheque for £600 was presented to the Marie Curie’s fund raising director, Patrick Spens by Bill Gunn, the Managing Director of Pol Roger Ltd (UK agents for the fine Champagne house Pol Roger, appointed as UK agents for Crown Estates of Hungary in September)
The 1900 Museum wine was sold at a Sothebys’ sale of rare wines on 15th November, the first sale of antique wines from Tokaji since the advent of democracy in Hungary. The 100 bottles of Tokaji wines raised £20,000.
Marie Curie was nominated as beneficiary of the sale by the British Queen Mother, after she had been give a bottle of the same 1900 wine by Crown Estates, as a gift to mark her 100th Birthday.
The presentation was made by Bill Gunn, at a wine tasting hosted by Pol Roger at the historic National Liberal Club in Central London. The tasting for customers and the wine press is part of a series organised by Pol Roger to raise the profile of the Crown Estates of Hungary’s wines in the UK.
Speaking at the tasting Bill Gunn said, "We are delighted to present this cheque to Marie Curie on behalf of Crown Estates of Hungary. There will be further UK sales of these Museum wines, which are unique to Crown Estates. The wonderful wines of Tokaji present an exciting opportunity for Pol Roger. We are confident that we can boost sales of the entire range of Crown Estates wines in the demanding UK market."
In addition to Aszú wines from the former Royal Szarvas vineyard, the finest in the region and some rare Museum Wines, this was the first tasting of the exciting 2000 vintage dry wines, sold under the Castle Island brand. These new fruity, young dry wines were made with the help of young New Zealand winemaker, Tania O’Sullivan, who spent the harvest in Tokaj and leading UK wine consultant Angela Muir. (Notes from Tania on her work at Crown Estates’ winery are attached to this press release.)
Nick James, Marketing Director at Pol Roger Ltd commented, "The trade is very enthusiastic about the new Castle Island dry wines. This completely new style of wine from Tokaji mixes the region’s traditions with modern wine-making practice. We are confident that sales in the UK will justify the external winemaking support."
For more information please contact Andras Stumpf at Crown Estates of Hungary, on 30 219 6214 or by e mail at tokajvin@mail.matav.hu