The guide on Hungarian wine explores its rich history, tracing back to Roman times, and highlights key wine regions such as Villány, Eger, Nagy Somló, and Tokaj. It details native grape varieties including Hárslevelű, Ezerjó, Irsai Oliver, and Cserszegi fűszeres, and emphasizes the fame of Egri Bikavér. The article concludes with a list of must-try wines and celebrates Hungary as a prime destination for wine enthusiasts.
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What Is the History of Hungarian Wine?
To explore the rich history of the Hungarian wine industry, you need to look deep into the annals of time. It was in fact the Romans who first brought grape vines to the ancient province of Pannonia, located in the western region of present-day Hungary. By the turn of the 5th century, the Romans had managed to vitrify vineyards all across Hungary.
Hungary’s set of local climatic conditions made the region’s soil perfect for the cultivation of grapevines. The ecosystem of Hungary consists of several microclimates, all of which have proven to be optimal for the production of numerous types of wine. In later centuries, even more varieties of grapes would make their way to Hungary from places like France and Italy.
Around 896 AD, the Hungarian wine industry was inherited by the followers of Árpád as a reward following a successful Magyar invasion. By the time the 17th century rolled by, the value of the Hungarian wine industry is thought by many to have been second to none.
With a diverse array of biomes fit to produce a variety of different wines, Hungary became the first country to ever introduce a vineyard classification system. Especially within the Tokaj region, there is to this day still a lot of investment going into the Hungarian wine industry.
What Are the Most Interesting Wine Regions in Hungary?
Hungary is home to 22 unique wine regions. If we were to go through each and every one, you would be stuck reading for a very long time. Instead, we are going to cover the country’s four most fascinating wine regions: Villány, Eger, Nagy Somló, and Tokaj.
Villány
Located in Hungary’s most southern point, Villány experiences warm climatic conditions during the summer that makes for the production of excellent reds most commonly of the Bordeaux variety. The region also experiences temperate winters that do not hinder the ability to grow thriving vines in the volcanic soil.
Eger
Fewer than 90 miles away from Budapest is the Eger region, an area of cascading topography wherein the history of grape vegetation dates back over 30 000 000 years ago! The region is renowned for the Bikaver blend, popularly known as “Bull’s Blood”.
Nagy Somló
Equidistant from Budapest as Eger, Nagy Somló is a wine region spanning over only 741 acres of land. This makes it the smallest wine region to be found in Hungary. The region is uniquely positioned on the butte of a dead volcano, making the vino produced by its wine estates the smokiest Hungarian wines produced in the country.
Tokaj
The best Hungary wines come out of this particular region, famously acknowledged as the first ever classified wine region on earth. It is not only the most accredited and renowned wine region in Hungary, it is also deemed a World Heritage site by Unesco.
Bodrog and Tisza, the two rivers on Tokaj’s opposing flanks, work in harmony with the air currents and copious sunlight to produce a warm and humid microclimate perfect for the crafting of botrytized wine, also known as “noble rot”.
Hungarian Grape Varieties
The following is a list of the varieties of grapes that are confirmed to have been birthed in Hungary:
Hárslevelű
A centuries-old grape variety named after the shape taken on by its leaves, Hárslevelű was long thought to originate from Italy until DNA testing proved otherwise. The grape is used to produce tasteful whites for pleasant, albeit unexciting, drinking.
Ezerjó
Originating from the Mór region of Hungary, this grape is used to produce soft-bodied and refreshing white wines that are said to be the perfect choice for oenophiles in need of a morning drink.
Irsai Oliver
The Irsai Oliver is an early-ripening grape variety found in Hungary. It is used to produce aromatic white wines all across Eastern Europe.
Cserszegi fűszeres
Coming directly from the labs of the University of Pannonia, this grape is used in the production of acidic white wines. The aforementioned Irsai Oliver was bred with Gewürztraminer in order to produce cserszegi fűszeres.
The Most Famous Hungarian Wine
The Egri Bikavér is undoubtedly the world-acclaimed wine produced in Hungary. This dry red wine not only tastes and smells amazing but it also comes with an interesting backstory.
If the legends are to be believed, the local Eger warriors would drink the wine in order to strengthen their resolve before battling Turkish invaders during the 16th century.
As the story goes, the wine would stain their clothes red, leading their Turkish enemies to believe that they drank the blood of bulls for vitality and power.
The Best Hungarian Wines Worth Trying
In Hungary wines that offer an extraordinary drinking experience are in no short supply. The country offers more than enough options to accommodate for any sort of palate. Here is a quick list of some of the best wines worth trying out in Hungary:
- Irsai Olivér
- Tokaji Aszú
- Egri Bikavér
- Kadarka
Hungary Is an Oenophile’s Dream Location
The country of Hungary is blessed with an abundance of micro-climates suited for the production of a large repertoire of elegantly crafted wines. Wine connoisseurs who are fond of travelling would be remiss to not consider visiting Hungary at least once in their lifetimes. Not too far from Budapest, a popular tourist location, is field after field of stunning vineyards where some of the very best wine in the world is produced.
Born amidst the rolling vineyards of Napa Valley, Chloe’s love for wine was instilled from a young age. This passion led her to the picturesque wine regions of France, where she immersed herself in the rich wine culture and traditions.
Chloe’s dedication to the craft culminated in her becoming a wine sommelier, a testament to her deep knowledge and appreciation for wines.