Hungary, in Central Europe, has gained its reputation in the wine world through just a couple of wine styles, but for centuries it has been a wine-producing nation of considerable diversity. In addition to the Sweet wines of Tokaj and the Deep Bull's Blood of Eger, the Hungarian wine portfolio includes Dry whites from the shores of Lake Balaton, Somló and Neszmély, and finer reds from various regions, notably Villány, Sopron and Szekszard.
Hungarian wine culture stretches back to Roman times and has survived numerous political, religious and economic challenges, including Islamic rule during the 16th Century (when Alcohol was prohibited) and the Phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s.
The modern Hungarian wine regions are distributed around the country.
Sopron, in the north-west, is separated from Tokaj, in the north-east, by 370 kilometers (230 miles) and from Hajós-Baja in the South by about two-thirds of that distance.
Between these key areas lie the country's 22 official wine regions, each of which have their own particular blend of culture, history, Terroir and wine style. The quantity-driven vineyards of the southern plains, for example, are quite distinct from the lakeside vineyards of the west and the foothills of the north-east.
The eastern side of Hungary is Wrapped by the Carpathian Mountains, which have a considerable impact on the local climate, protecting the land from the cold winds that would otherwise blow in from across Poland and western Ukraine.
The generally continental climate is also moderated by lakes Balaton and Neusiedl, allowing for a longer, more temperate growing season.
The most important wine grapes currently grown in Hungary's vineyards are a mixture of traditional, regional varieties and the international varieties of French origin which are better known and more easily marketed. The traditional Hungarian white wine varieties include Furmint and Hárslevelu (the white grapes used in Tokaj), Olaszrizling, Leányka and Kéknyelukekfra. These have been joined lately by a raft of new crossings such as Irsai Olivér, Cserszegi Fuszeres, Zefír and Zenit, a number of which have been created locally by Hungarian ampelographers.
Gewurztraminer rosé is a grape variety that originated in France. It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of vine is characterized by small bunches and small grapes. Gewurztraminer rosé can be found in many vineyards: Alsace, Loire Valley, Languedoc & Roussillon, Jura, Champagne, Lorraine, Provence & Corsica, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais, South West.
wines from the region of Észak-Dunántúl go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of pumpkin and bacon pie, codfish portuguese style or magic cake cheese quiche.
On the nose in the region of Észak-Dunántúl often reveals types of flavors of red fruit, citrus fruit or tree fruit and sometimes also flavors of vegetal, non oak or earth. In the mouth in the region of Észak-Dunántúl is a with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
In line with our previous videos « The Climats of Chablis seen from the sky » and « The vineyards of Bourgogne, seen from the sky » », the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) and the Union des Producteurs de Vins de Mâcon offer you a new stroll at the heart of the Mâcon terroir. Established in 1937, this Régionale appellation is divided into three levels: – The first level is known as white, red or rosé Mâcon. The grapes used can come from all around the Mâconnais. – The second level is name ...
The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) invites you to enjoy this video in which Jean-Pierre Renard, Expert Instructor at the Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne, explains the topographical and geological characteristics of the Saint-Véran appellation.The exercice is particularly complex as there are so many variables that make up the terroir throughout its geographical area. This video is taken from the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” program broadcasted in June 2021. Retrouvez-nous sur les réseaux so ...
On December 10, 2020, four Hong Kong personalities discussed Chablis wines on a live webinar: Yang LU, Master Sommelier and Official Bourgogne Wines Ambassador, Debra MEIBURG, Master of Wine, Ivy NG, Official Bourgogne Wines Ambassador and Rebecca LEUNG, wine expert. In this 2 min 50 sec clip, Yang LU shares his experience as a sommelier on the importance of Chablis wines in the restaurant industry. #Chablis #PureChablis ...
