Hungary is one of the most fascinatig wine countries in Europe, with a long wine making tradition going back to the ninth century when the Romans and the Celts were already making wine before the Hungarian nomads occupation. The wine tradition in Hungary was powerful enough to survive the Ottoman occupation for 150 years. Phylloxera epidemic, the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, two World Wars and 5 decades of communism were a big test for the industry.
After the fall of comunism in 1989, Hungarian wine industry tried to rebuild its reputation and many small families took back their land from the state and started to produce wine. The transition was not easy and today there are more and more Hungarian wines present at the most important wine events al around Europe and the world.
Hungary has 22 wine regions spread accross the country. Some of the most important are:Tokaj, Eger, Villany, Somlo, Szekszard, Badacsony, and Sopron. There are 31 PDO areas in Hungary (which is the highest category) and six PGI areas.
There are many native grapes varieties planted, as well as international grapes. There are 4 major white grapes: Furmint, Hárslevelű, Olaszrizling and Juhfark. The most widely planted red grapes are: Kekfrankos (Blaufrankisch), Kadarka, Portugieser and the adopted Cabernet Franc in the Villany region.
For any wine lover out there interested in discovering this hidden corner of eastern Europe, please keep an eye on our selection, and make sure you try at least once in your life one of the following: Tokaji Aszu, Szamorodni, Tokaji Essencia, Villány or Szekszárd Cabernet Franc, Dry Furmint, Dry Harslevelu, Olaszrizling (Somlo or Badacsony), Bull's Blood from Eger or Szekszard and Csokaszolo grape.