The best wines of Hungary

Discover the best wines of Hungary as well as the best winemakers of Hungary and estates of Hungary to visit. Explore the popular grape varieties of Hungary and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Top wines by regions >Hungary

Top wines of Hungary by region

Looking for a good wine of Hungary among the top wines in the region? Check out our tops of the best red, white or effervescent wines of Hungary. Also find some food and wine pairings that may be appropriate with these exceptional wines. Learn more about the region and the wines of Hungary with technical and enological descriptions.

Great red wines of Hungary

See the top 100 best red wines of Hungary

Want to buy a red wine of Hungary cheap or sell a red wine of Hungary at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a red wine of Hungary

Red wines from the region of Hungary go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, game (deer, venison) or lamb such as recipes of oxtail with seed sauce, baked duck legs with potatoes or risotto of penne with chorizo and merguez.

Organoleptic analysis of red wine of Hungary

On the nose the red wine of the region of Hungary. often reveals types of flavors of oaky, red cherry or cream and sometimes also flavors of cherry, citrus or blueberry. In the mouth the red wine of the region of Hungary. is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.

The best vintages in red wine of Hungary

  • 1999With an average score of 4.80/5
  • 2018With an average score of 4.62/5
  • 2000With an average score of 4.50/5
  • 2017With an average score of 4.49/5
  • 2002With an average score of 4.45/5
  • 2003With an average score of 4.43/5

The most used grape varieties in red wine of Hungary

  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Shiraz/Syrah
  • Kékfrankos
  • Pinot Noir

The best wineries and winemakers for red wine of Hungary

A wine route planned in the region of Hungary? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best red wine of Hungary.

Discovering the wine region of Hungary

Hungary, in Central Europe, has earned its reputation in the wine world with only a few styles of wine, but for centuries it has been a wine-producing nation of considerable diversity. In addition to the Sweet wines of Tokaj and the Bull's Blood of Eger, Hungary's wine range includes Dry whites from the shores of Lake Balaton, Somló and Neszmély, and finer reds from a variety of regions, including Villány, Sopron and Szekszard. Hungarian wine culture dates back to Roman times and has survived many political, religious and economic challenges, including Islamic rule in the 16th century (when Alcohol was banned) and the Phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century. The modern Hungarian wine regions are spread throughout the country.

Sopron in the northwest is separated from Tokaj in the northeast by 370 kilometers (230 miles) and from Hajós-Baja in the South by about two-thirds of that distance. Between these two key areas lie the country's 22 official wine regions, each with its own mix of culture, history, Terroir and wine style. The vineyards of the southern plains, for example, are very different from the vineyards of the western lakeshores and the northeastern foothills. The eastern Part of Hungary is surrounded 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 all over Poland and western Ukraine.

The generally continental climate is also moderated by Lakes Balaton and Neusiedl, allowing for a longer and more temperate growing season. The main grape varieties currently grown in Hungarian vineyards are a mixture of traditional regional varieties and international varieties of French origin that are better known and more easily marketed. Among the traditional Hungarian white wine varieties are Furmint and Hárslevelű (the white grapes used in Tokaj), Olaszrizling, Leányka and Kéknyelűkekfra. They have recently been joined by a series of new crosses such as Irsai Olivér, Cserszegi Fűszeres, Zefír and Zenit, a number of which were created locally by Hungarian ampelographers.

Great white wines of Hungary

See the top 100 best white wines of Hungary

Want to buy a white wine of Hungary cheap or sell a white wine of Hungary at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a white wine of Hungary

White wines from the region of Hungary go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of endive frichti, skate wings with capers or vegan leek and tofu quiche.

Organoleptic analysis of white wine of Hungary

On the nose the white wine of the region of Hungary. often reveals types of flavors of cream, grass or lime and sometimes also flavors of apricot, ginger or white peach.

The best vintages in white wine of Hungary

  • 2003With an average score of 4.46/5
  • 2020With an average score of 4.30/5
  • 2004With an average score of 4.20/5
  • 2019With an average score of 4.20/5
  • 2006With an average score of 4.20/5
  • 2017With an average score of 4.14/5

The most used grape varieties in white wine of Hungary

  • Furmint
  • Chardonnay
  • Hárslevelű
  • Muscat Ottonel
  • Riesling
  • Olaszrizling

The best wineries and winemakers for white wine of Hungary

A wine route planned in the region of Hungary? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best white wine of Hungary.

Discover the grape variety: Riesling

White Riesling is a grape variety that originated in France (Alsace). It produces a variety of grape specially used for the elaboration of wine. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and small grapes. White Riesling can be found in many vineyards: Alsace, Loire Valley, Languedoc & Roussillon, Lorraine, Provence & Corsica, Rhone Valley, Savoie & Bugey, Beaujolais, South West.

Great sparkling wines of Hungary

See the top 100 best sparkling wines of Hungary

Want to buy a sparkling wine of Hungary cheap or sell a sparkling wine of Hungary at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a sparkling wine of Hungary

Sparkling wines from the region of Hungary go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of pork roll with mustard, salmon with honey and soy or tuna, pepper and tomato quiche.

Organoleptic analysis of sparkling wine of Hungary

On the nose the sparkling wine of the region of Hungary. often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, microbio or vegetal and sometimes also flavors of floral, tropical fruit or citrus fruit.

The best vintages in sparkling wine of Hungary

  • 2009With an average score of 4.50/5
  • 2016With an average score of 4.05/5
  • 2008With an average score of 4.00/5
  • 2015With an average score of 3.99/5
  • 2013With an average score of 3.97/5
  • 2011With an average score of 3.94/5

The most used grape varieties in sparkling wine of Hungary

  • Furmint
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Hárslevelű
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Kékfrankos

The best wineries and winemakers for sparkling wine of Hungary

A wine route planned in the region of Hungary? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best sparkling wine of Hungary.

The word of the wine: Grafting

A method used since the phylloxera crisis, consisting of fixing a graft of local origin on a rootstock resistant to phylloxera.

Great pink wines of Hungary

See the top 100 best pink wines of Hungary

Want to buy a pink wine of Hungary cheap or sell a pink wine of Hungary at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a pink wine of Hungary

Pink wines from the region of Hungary go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, game (deer, venison) or veal such as recipes of lamb skewers, garbure with duck confit or veal roast casserole with mushrooms.

Organoleptic analysis of pink wine of Hungary

On the nose the pink wine of the region of Hungary. often reveals types of flavors of cream, non oak or black fruit and sometimes also flavors of plum, grapefruit or floral.

The best vintages in pink wine of Hungary

  • 2000With an average score of 4.10/5
  • 2009With an average score of 3.90/5
  • 2020With an average score of 3.84/5
  • 2012With an average score of 3.78/5
  • 2013With an average score of 3.78/5
  • 2019With an average score of 3.77/5

The most used grape varieties in pink wine of Hungary

  • Merlot
  • Pinot Noir
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Kékfrankos
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Blaufränkisch

The best wineries and winemakers for pink wine of Hungary

A wine route planned in the region of Hungary? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best pink wine of Hungary.

Discover the grape variety: Pinot blanc

Pinot Blanc is a grape variety that originated in Burgundy, mutated from Pinot Gris. Today, it is grown in Alsace where it is called klevner when blended with auxerrois. The continental climate, with its cold winters and hot summers, is particularly suited to pinot blanc. It is resistant to frost in winter and in summer, the roots draw the minerals it needs from the warm soil. Its bunches are made up of small berries with thick skins and melting pulp that produce fruity, spicy wines, balanced between acidity and alcohol. pinot blanc is also used for crémants and sparkling wines. Pinot Blanc is also used for Crémant and sparkling wines. It is widely grown in Italy, where it covers almost 7,000 hectares, and is also found in Germany, Austria, Canada and South Africa.

Great sweet wines of Hungary

See the top 100 best sweet wines of Hungary

Want to buy a sweet wine of Hungary cheap or sell a sweet wine of Hungary at the best price on the market? Find out which ones are popular and which ones to keep in your cellar for a few more years.

Food and wine pairing with a sweet wine of Hungary

Sweet wines from the region of Hungary go well with generally quite well with dishes of spicy food or sweet desserts such as recipes of royal couscous or yoghurt cake.

Organoleptic analysis of sweet wine of Hungary

On the nose the sweet wine of the region of Hungary. often reveals types of flavors of butterscotch, non oak or orange peel and sometimes also flavors of citrus fruit, spices or tree fruit.

The best vintages in sweet wine of Hungary

  • 2004With an average score of 4.80/5
  • 1998With an average score of 4.70/5
  • 1989With an average score of 4.70/5
  • 1996With an average score of 4.69/5
  • 1972With an average score of 4.68/5
  • 1981With an average score of 4.67/5

The most used grape varieties in sweet wine of Hungary

  • Furmint
  • Hárslevelű
  • Yellow Muscat
  • Muscat Blanc
  • Zéta
  • Moscatel de grano menudo

The best wineries and winemakers for sweet wine of Hungary

A wine route planned in the region of Hungary? Here are the wineries to visit and the winemakers to meet during your trip in search of the best sweet wine of Hungary.

The word of the wine: Cuvée (champagne)

Juice harvested during the first pressing. The term "cuvée" is also used to describe the final blend of wines of a given quality. Tête de cuvée : the first juice to come out during the first pressing.

News from the vineyard of Hungary

Vega Sicilia invests €20m in Galicia white wine plan

Vega Sicilia’s announcement of its project in Galicia brings an end to months of industry speculation over where exactly the company would make its first Spanish white wines. Spanish daily newspapers El País and Cinco Días revealed news of the construction of a new winery and the acquisition of 24 hectares of vineyards by Vega Sicilia, owned by the Álvarez family. Vega Sicilia confirmed that production would initially consist of two white wines: Deiva, a white Crianza (aged 2 years); and Arnela, ...

Ukrainian wine, hanging in the balance

Since February 24th 2022 the world has quickly learned a great deal more about Europe’s second-largest country, Ukraine. Most notably will be our profound admiration for the Ukrainians’ continued resistance to the invading Russian Army. This is but one item on a long list that includes such things as Ukraine being one of the world’s top exporters of wheat, barley and sunflower seeds. However, many people are also now learning that Ukraine not only has a thriving winemaking sect ...

DWWA judge profile: Matthew Horsley

Matthew Horsley is a judge at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards. Matthew Horsley Matthew Horsley is a buyer at The Wine Society, having worked for them for over 9 years. After graduating university with a degree in Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, Matthew joined The Wine Society as a Christmas temp before joining the Tastings and Events Team where he spent three and a half years. He joined the Buying Department in 2017 and now buys the wines of England, Greece and Hungary for The So ...

Discover other regions and appellation of Hungary