The Wine Regions of Hungary

Hungary is an enticing destination for travelers because of its rich culture, history, architecture, food, and spas. In fact, the region boasts over 1,500 thermal spas! But wine? At least here in the USA, local “oversized” wine stores do not typically have a “Wines from Hungary” section. France, Spain, Germany? Sure! Chile and South Africa, yes! But Hungary? That’s less common.

That’s why American travelers to Hungary don’t usually realize that Hungary actually has a rich history of being the most famous of all the winemakers! With 22 distinct wine regions, Hungary has more than 150,000 acres of planted vines. So why don’t we know more about Hungarian wine? Blame it on an outbreak of grape-eating pests, two world wars, and political problems.

That being said, Hungarian wines have had a revitalization in recent years. Small estates are producing sophisticated wines that are exemplary for the cold climate. The country’s hills are rich in volcanic soils and limestone, which are perfect for winemaking. Many tours of Hungary begin in Budapest, and one of the country’s best wine regions is located centrally in Budapest. This makes it conveniently located for tours. Visitors should also be on the lookout for wine festivals scattered throughout the country. We have listed a few of these in the article below to help you out. Get your tasting tray ready to explore the delicious wines from this region!

Historical context: Wine in Hungary is way older than in America

Lake Balaton of Hungary

The Lake Balaton region of Hungary was likely the first to begin cultivating wine grapes way back during the Roman occupation period.

In Hungary, the western part of the country around scenic Lake Balaton was likely the first area to begin growing grape vines. This would have been during the Roman occupation. When Hungarian tribes conquered the area in the 9th century CE, kings and aristocrats entrusted viticulture to the Church. It just made sense: monasteries had a long tradition of winemaking. When German, French, and Italian travelers in the 12-13th centuries came to the region, they built on the Benedictines’ craftsmanship.

Winemaking hit its first major snag in the 16th century when the Ottomans invaded the country. People left their vineyards and the population declined. When winemaking picked up again, the Sopron and Tokaj regions dominated the Hungarian winemaking scene. Royalty across Europe took notice. And by the mid-1800s, Hungary was the second largest wine producer in Europe, behind France.

Insert the series of problems alluded to above. A phylloxera plague (grape-eating aphids) wiped out most of the vineyards by the end of the century. However, the Hungarian people were resilient. They transitioned their vineyards to the sandy areas of middle Hungary where aphids could not survive. New disease-resistant grape varieties began to be cultivated, such as Gohér and Járdovány.

Then World War I and II impacted the region, followed by four decades of Communist rule.  With the state taking ownership of most of the vineyards, the focus shifted from quality of wines to quantity. Since the 1990s, Hungarian wine operators have renewed their winemaking efforts. Now, there is an emphasis on small family-owned wineries. These are popping up at a rate akin to the craft brewery industry in the USA.

Today, there are 22 wine regions in Hungary, and we are going to talk about some of the most popular regions below.

The 22 Wine Regions of Hungary

The 22 Wine Regions of HungaryHungary has 22 wine regions that feature a wide expression of red, white, and sweet wines.

The following list is an overview of the 22 wine regions of Hungary. Regions in bold are given more detail in the article below.

  • Badasconyi
  • Balaton-felvidéki
  • Balatonfüred-Csopaki
  • Balatonboglári
  • Bükki
  • Csongrádi
  • Eger
  • Etyek-Budai
  • Hajós-Bajai
  • Kunsági
  • Mátrai
  • Móri
  • Nagy-Somlói
  • Neszmélyi
  • Pannonhalmi
  • Pécsi
  • Soproni
  • Szekszardi
  • Tokaji
  • Tolnai
  • Villányi
  • Zalai

Here is a good article with lots of interesting statistics about Hungarian winemaking.

Keep reading for a sampling of some of the more popular wine regions of Hungary.

Tokaj Wine Region

(pronounced “toe-kye”) Tokaj is Hungary’s oldest classified wine region (it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) and is arguably the most popular region. It’s located at the foothills of the Zemplén Mountains in Northeast Hungary. Nestled between two rivers, the region has a special microclimate that produces humid air, wind, and abundant sunshine. The City of Tokaj has a labyrinth of wine storage cellars under the city streets. They are coated with a fungus that regulates the temperature and humidity of the cellars.

Tokaj is well known for the Tokaji (a sweet white) and the Furmint (dry white) wine. Tokaji wines, King Louis XVI’s favorite, taste like candied tangerines and apricots, cinnamon, and cloves. They are commonly paired with foie gras and creamy cheeses. Expect to pay $55 for a good bottle of Tokaji. The dry Furmint white wine is often described as akin to a crisp Grüner or a semi-dry Riesling. Flavors of apples and wet tree bark are persistent. Expect to spend $12-20 for a good bottle of Furmint. And you definitely cannot miss the Tokaji Aszú, “noble rot wine.” Peter the Great loved it so much that he established a permanent military barrack there to ensure his supply of wine wouldn’t be interrupted! (“Noble Rot” has to do with a fungus that grows on the grape, causing it to be deliciously sweet. That humid air produced by the two rivers is ideal for cultivating this fungus.) A bottle of famous Tokaji wine deserves a special stopper!

Wine estates to visit:

Gotz Winery

Gotz Winery is only of many wineries that feature cavernous, underground cellars and tasting rooms. The many wine regions in Hungary feature countless, endless miles of underground cellars to explore.

Villány Wine Region

Located in the southernmost tip of Hungary, about 140 miles from Budapest, the Villány region is known for its red wines. This region has a sub-Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. Winemakers can easily work with native grapes like the Portuguese and Kékfrankos. And they can also access non-native grape varieties like the Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The Cabernet Franc wines feature vivid berries, subtle acids, and long finishes. Expect to spend $25-30 for a bottle.

Wine estates to visit:

Eger Wine Region

Eger is in the north and is the region that’s closest to Budapest—about 85 miles away. Fun fact: there’s a complex series of tunnels under the town of Eger used for storing wine.

Eger is known for two flagship wines: the Egri Bikayér or “bull’s blood” (a red blend), and the Egri Csillag, or “Star of Eger” (a white blend). Egri Bikavér is typically a fuller-bodied wine with forest fruits and good acidity. A good bottle should cost $15-20. The Egri Csillag is a wonderfully aromatic wine, with strong notes of white flowers and tropical fruits. It has a spritz, crisp finish. Expect to spend about $15 for a bottle. Don’t forget your wine charms when doing a tasting of Eger wines with friends.

Wine estates to visit:

Toth Ferenc Winery

Toth Ferenc Winery features miles of underground cellars. Hungarian wines were famous among European royalty for centuries.

Nagy Somló Wine Region

The Nagy Somló region is Hungary’s smallest. But the unique soil profile gives its white wines some of the fiercest and smoky profiles in the world. Nagy Somló is located about 90 miles west of Budapest. The Juhfark is the signature wine of this region. Here’s some hilarious lore about the region. It is said that monarchs would send fertile women there to drink the wine. Why? Because it was believed that the wine’s “overpowering masculinity” would lead them to beget a male heir! Juhfark white wine has flavors of lemon, smoke, and wheat. Expect to buy a bottle for $25-30. A wine rack would be a great way to display your wines from Nagy Somló!

Wine estates to visit:

Kreinbacher Estate WineryKreinbacher Estate Winery is just one of many spectacular wineries you can visit during a wine tour in Hungary. Hungary features a range of modern and traditional wine tasting and production facilities.

Wine Festival

Hungary is the ultimate wine lover’s destination!

Have you had the opportunity to go to Hungary to experience their delicious wines? Or be lucky enough to pick some up at your local liquor store? We want to know all about it! Hit us up in the comments to let us know what you think about these wines.