The Hungarian wine culture is not only about Tokaji Aszú and Egri Bikavér – the vineyards and the wine regions of the country offer a surprisingly wide range of world-class wines. Wine has been an essential part of the Hungarian history, it played a very important role in the local culture and last but not least it has been a quintessential part of the gastronomy for hundreds of years.
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Alföld – Duna wine region
The Alföld region lies between the Duna and the Tisza and it consists of three smaller areas, where vine is being grown. The Kunság, the Csongrád and the Hajós wine region is known for its sandy soil which is ideal for any type of vine. This means that the most well-known species are all present, including special ones like Kövidinka, Pozsonyi, Ezerjó and Izsáki vine. The wine that is being produced in the Alföld – Duna wine region is said to be rather light and fresh.
One of the most well-known wineries of this area is Frittmann winery. Frittman wines are produced in Soltvadkert, in a town situated on the Southern part of the Kunság area. The family has a long history of wine producing; their wines are award-winning and famous all around the country.
You should try: Kiskunsági Ezerjó
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Balaton wine region
Tourists and foreigners might think that Lake Balaton and its surroundings are only interesting during the summer season. The area – including Zala and Somló - however offers great programmes for the wine-lovers all year long. There are wine tasting tours, wine festivals and of course there are plenty of grape harvest festivals, especially in this time of the year.
Vine is mostly being grown on the local volcanic basalt hills, like the Badacsony Mountain. Badacsony is probably one of the most popular wine regions around Lake Balaton. The Balaton wine region is famous for its white wines, the Pinot Gris (Szürkebarát) and Italian Riesling (Olaszrizling) wines, but there are other types as well like Rizlingszilváni, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Rajnai Rizling, Green Veltelini and Tramini for example. On the Southern coastal areas wines are a bit different because of the geographical conditions and they are less popular.
Well-known wineries can be found in Balatonboglár and Balatonfüred, but smaller vineyards in the lovely neighbouring villages are also worthy of a visit.
You should try: Badacsonyi Kéknyelű, Csopaki Olaszrizling
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Eger
Egri Bikavér is the real trademark of the Eger wine region but there are other famous and traditional varieties as well, such as Egri Leányka, Egerszóláti Olaszrizling and Debrői Hárslevelű. In the last couple of years Chardonnay and Pinot noir also became quite popular in the area. Some people say that the tastes of local wines bear a resemblance with Burgundy wines. Cabernet sauvignon, Kékfrankos, Merlot and Shiraz wines have been gaining more and more popularity in the area in the last couple of years – these are mainly red wines.
Eger is the home of Bolyki Pincészet. The Bolyki wines are delicate and rather light, they have a fruity aftertaste yet they bear the characteristics of the typical Eger wines. János Bolyki, owner of the Bolyki Pincészet, offers wines for those who are looking for high-quality and reasonable prices.
You should try: Egri Bikavér
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Észak-Dunántúl wine region
The Észak-Dunántúl region consists of the area around Budapest and the mountain ranges of Pilis, Vértes, Gerecse and the Velence region. Bakony can also be mentioned as a part of the Észak-Dunántúl (Northern-Transdanubia) area. The vineyards and wineries mainly focus on ‘international’ vines – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rajnai Rizling, Tramini etc. The traditions of the local wine producers were heavily influenced by the Krauts throughout the centuries, there are Kraut-styled towns and villages all around and there are also gorgeous castles and ruins in the area.
This wine region is ideal for tourists as it is close to Budapest and there are plenty of sights to check out. Nyakas Pincészet in Etyek, close to Buda, is worthy of a visit. Champagne lovers are welcome in Etyek as well, this is the only region in the country where champagne is produced.
You should try: Etyeki Irsai Olivér, Etyeki Chardonnay
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Pannon wine region
Pécs, Villány, Tolna, Szekszárd - these are probably the most important towns in the Southern part in the Transdanubia region. The wines that were produced here managed to impress the most recognized and acknowledged experts, proving that the Pannon wines are of an exceptional quality. This is the result of the very special, almost Mediterranean-like local climate, which is ideal for the different types of grapes.
Villány is an outstanding destination for the wine-lovers; this was the first town ever in Hungary to offer special wine trips for tourists. Pécs is also an alluring destination with its cultural and historical sites. Wine tourism is one of the leading industries in these neighbourhoods and the wine-producing traditions of the region date back to the Roman times.
The famous Gere, Takler, Vylyan, Günzer and the Bock wines are produced in the Pannon region.
You should try: Villányi Portugieser, Villányi Cabernet Franc
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Sopron
Sopron is a historical town right next to the Austrian-Hungarian border on the West. The Alps, Lake Fertő and the Sopron mountains are also within reach offering great opportunities for those who like to enjoy the beauties of nature. The town itself also has quite a lot of sights, including the Tűztorony, all the churches and the historic buildings.
During the last couple of decades Sopron became a separate wine region – originally it belonged to the Észak-Dunántúl region but it turned out that this area has a lot more in common with the Austrian Burgenland wine region. The prime wine of this region is the Kékfrankos, which is usually quite mild, it is rather fresh, it has a moderate amount of alcohol in it and it is also quite low on acids.
The most important wineries include the Fényes, the Jandl, the Luka, the Pfneiszl, the Ráspi, the Taschner, the Töltl and last but not least the Weninger wineries.
You should try: Kékfrankos
