Discover the winemakers from Hungary
Weinbaugebiete Hungary
Hungary has a long and distinguished history of wine production. It is known for its diverse wine regions and a wide range of native grape varieties. One of Hungary's most famous wine regions is Tokaj, famous for its sweet dessert wines, particularly Tokaji Aszú, which is produced using noble rot (botrytis) in the grapes.
Besides Tokaj, there are other important wine regions such as Eger, known for Bull's Blood (Bikavér), a strong red wine; Villány with its robust red wines, especially from the Blaufränkisch grape; and Szekszárd, a region also valued for its red wines, especially from the Kadarka grape.
In recent years, the Hungarian wine industry has evolved, focusing on both traditional grape varieties and international varieties. Winemakers have begun to incorporate modern winemaking techniques to offer a wider variety of wine styles and improve the quality of their wines.
Hungary's wine tradition, its unique terroirs and the efforts of winemakers to promote quality and diversity make the Hungarian wine world a fascinating and emerging scene on the international market.
Tokaj
The Tokaj wine region, also known as Tokaj-Hegyalja, is located in northeastern Hungary, near the border with Slovakia. It is one of the oldest and most renowned wine-growing regions in the world, famous for its sweet Tokaj wine. Here are some key features of this wine-growing region:
The climate in Tokaj is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. The Bodrog and Tisza rivers positively influence the microclimate. The volcanic soils, especially those of the Zemplén hill, contribute to the minerality of the wines.
The main grape variety is Furmint, followed by Hárslevelű and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. Furmint is particularly important for the production of Tokaj Aszú, the sweet wine.
The heart of the Tokaj wine region is Tokaj Aszú, a sweet wine produced by infesting grapes with the noble mold Botrytis cinerea. The grapes are individually selected, which ensures a high concentration of sweetness. The result is a complex, aromatic wine with notes of dried fruit, honey, and nuts.