Hungarian wine

Here are the 5 most magnificent historical wine regions in Hungary

Tokaj wine region

Hungary is home to several renowned wine regions known for their unique grape varieties and winemaking traditions. These one-of-a-kind wine regions have gained recognition among wine enthusiasts worldwide. Here are five of the most splendid historical regions you should not miss out on! Please note that these regions represent just a fraction of Hungary’s diverse and rich winemaking landscape.

Tokaj Wine Region

Even if you are a stranger to the Hungarian wine scene, you must have heard of the Tokaj Wine Region. The Tokaj region is situated in northeastern Hungary. It is highly famous for producing some of the world’s finest sweet wines, particularly Tokaji Aszú. It has a rich winemaking history dating back several centuries, with its traditions recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The region’s special microclimate, characterised by cool autumns and misty mornings, creates ideal conditions for the development of noble rot (botrytis cinerea) on the grapes, which is crucial for producing Tokaji Aszú. This so-called noble rot concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in intensely sweet and complex wines.

Tokaj wine region
Tokaj wine region. Photo: FB/Tokaj Borvidék Fejlesztési Tanács
tokaj wine region
Tokaj wine region. Source: Facebook/Tokaji Világörökségi Borvidék

Eger

Eger is undoubtedly one of the most iconic historical towns in Hungary. In addition, it also has a rich winemaking heritage dating back hundreds of years. It gained prominence during the Ottoman occupation. It is famous for its red wine, Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood). If you have not guessed by the name, this wine is as red as a bull’s blood! The region’s diverse terroir and continental climate contribute to the production of unique and flavorful wines. Eger offers a great selection of red and white wines, with native grapes like Kadarka and Kékfrankos alongside international varieties.

Szépasszony valley Eger wine
Szépasszony valley. Photo: Wineglass Communication/Press release

Villány

The Villány wine region in southern Hungary is renowned for its high-quality red wines, notably Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. Its warm climate and diverse soils produce robust, full-bodied wines with rich flavours of dark fruits, spices, and hints of oak. Villány’s winemaking tradition dates back centuries, with modern techniques elevating its global reputation. In recent decades, wine tourism has flourished in the region, with visitors drawn to Villány’s picturesque vineyards, historic cellars, and wine festivals.

sauska_villány_hungary
Photo: www.facebook.com/Sauska
Villány vineyard wine region
Source: Pixabay

Szekszárd

Szekszárd is also located in southern Hungary, just a stone’s throw away from Villány. Thus, it might be a great programme to visit both wine regions in one go. Surprisingly, the history of wine-making near Szekszárd dates back to as early as the 3rd century. According to Roman sources, the first vineyards were planted in the area on the orders of emperor Marcus Aurelius. The present-day area is renowned for its red wines, especially Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch). The region’s warm climate fosters the production of bold, spicy wines with a distinct character, drawing wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Szekszárd wine region
Source: Facebook / Németh János Pincészet

Somló

The Somló wine region, situated in western Hungary, is famed for its unique terroir dominated by volcanic soils. While it is one of Hungary’s smallest wine regions, it has a rich history dating back to the reign of King Saint Stephen. The king founded a Benedictine monastery nearby and donated vineyards on the sides of the Somló hill. The region produces mostly white wines, notably from the Furmint grape, renowned for their minerality and complexity.

Somló vineyard, the smallest wine region of Hungary
Photo: Facebook/Somlói Borvidék

Read also:

Orbán cabinet helps Hungarian winemakers

Budapest Wine Festival

Agriculture Minister István Nagy inaugurated the refurbished headquarters and a laboratory of the Association of Transylvanian Hungarian Winemakers in Sacueni (Székelyhíd), in north-western Romania, on Friday.

The Hungarian Agriculture Ministry pays special attention to developing historic Hungarian wine regions and supports Hungarian winemaker communities beyond the borders, Nagy said at the event.

He noted that the Hungarian government had provided professional and financial support to Hungarian agricultural producers beyond the borders who form a significant part of Hungarian communities abroad since 2012.

The renovation of the Sacueni facility which operates a laboratory, has been one of the projects carried out with Hungarian government’s support, he said.

Read also:

  • Hungarian wine on top 10 New York Times list – Read more HERE
  • Pope Francis blesses Hungarian wine

7 fascinating things you wouldn’t guess about Hungary!

Budapest evening Chain Bridge Castle

It is Hungary’s architecture, abundant thermal springs and magical history that make it an exceptionally popular destination. However, alongside its famous sights, the country also hides secrets that many visitors are unaware of. How many of the facts below did you know?

Visitors are probably familiar with Lake Balaton, also known as the Hungarian Sea, as it is one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations. Or they might guess that Hungarian is one of the most difficult languages in the world for English speakers to learn. One reason is that it contains almost twice as many letters as English. But they may also have heard of the ski resorts in Hungary, including the Eplény Ski Arena, which has earned the nickname “Little Alps”, Helló Magyar writes.

Corinthia has gathered some interesting facts about Hungary that are probably not known to foreigners, but perhaps not even to us Hungarians.

1. Hungary’s wines

Tokaj wine region
Tokaj wine region. Photo: FB/Tokaj Borvidék Fejlesztési Tanács

The oldest official wine region in the world is not Provence, but Tokaj in Hungary. Experts have found traces of viticulture dating back more than 2,000 years. Louis XIV of France, the Sun King himself, once declared Tokaj “wine of kings, king of wines”.

2. Elvis Presley has Hungarian citizenship

What does Elvis Presley have to do with Hungary? In 1957, he paid tribute to the then-recent anti-Soviet uprising by singing Peace in the Valley. In return, Hungary granted Elvis posthumous citizenship in 2011 in recognition of his support many years ago.

3. The record-breaking synagogue

The Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue. Photo: Facebook, Dohány utcai Zsinagóga

Budapest has the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. Standing on the corner of Dohány Street, the rose-gilded facade is hard to miss. Its interior can accommodate up to 3,000 people.

4. Underground mysteries

Budapest is renowned for its thermal baths, but the underground labyrinth beneath them is more of a mystery. You will find the world’s largest thermal cave system here. Put on a helmet and explore the pink-coloured Szemlő Hill (Szemlő-hegy), one of the few caves open to the public.

5. We also have a mummified king

The Holy Right of Saint Stephen of Hungary
Photo: Farkasven/Wikimedia Commons

Mummies are not only in Egypt! Walk over to St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest and you’ll find something unexpected kept in the chapel. The mummified right hand of King Stephen, the country’s first monarch, is displayed in an ornate glass case and is considered a holy relic, Corinthia writes.

6. World-changing inventors

Perhaps not surprisingly for us Hungarians, Hungary is home to many inventors. In fact, it was not Ferdinand Porsche but Hungarian engineer Béla Barényi who designed the legendary Volkswagen Beetle. The architect Ernő Rubik created the Rubik’s Cube, and László Bíró was the inventor of the ballpoint pen.

7. Silver screen is not unknown territory

Hollywood also owes much of its success to Hungary. The founders of Paramount Pictures and the Fox Film Corporation, Adolf Zukor and Fried Vilmos Fried, also known as William Fox, both hail from here. Michael Curtiz, the Oscar-winning director of Casablanca, was born in Budapest as Mihály Kertész.

Read also:

Pope Francis blesses Hungarian wine

Pope wine

Pope Francis received the government commissioner for national wine marketing, Pál Rókusfalvy, in an audience and gave his blessing to Tokaj and Hungarian wine in general.

It was not easy to obtain the blessing, which must have delighted the lovers of Ezerjó or Koccintós from the Danube-Tisza area. According to a government statement published by MTI, Hungary wrote to Pope Francis through the Embassy of Hungary to the Holy See, asking for the sanctification of Hungarian wine.

Then, apparently to sweeten the decision, Pál Rókusfalvy sent a total of 180 bottles of aszú to the Vatican in advance from 30 Tokaj winemakers through the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency. The former radio presenter-turned-wine-government commissioner also took a special gift box of Tokaj Essence with him to the audience in Rome on 27 December, which coincided with the traditional St John’s Day wine consecration.

After the meeting, Pál Rókusfalvy said, “we have come to ask for the apostolic blessing of this Tokaji Aszú, and through it, of Hungarian wine and the work of the God-fearing Hungarian winemakers on the feast of St. John!”

Pál Rókusfalvy said that Tokaji wine is so important for Hungary that it is even in the hymn. On this occasion, Rókusfalvy gave Pope Francis a trilingual print of the hymn.

Read also:

This is the best Hungarian red wine according to an acknowledged expert

St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok Agapé red wine

St. Andrea Estate’s red wine received an excellent rating from the eminent international wine expert, James Suckling. This outstanding professional recognition puts the winery’s red wine as the best one in Hungary. Although, it is top-class on an international scale as well.

St. Andrea Estate

As Forbes writes, the St. Andrea Estate was established by György Lőrincz and Jr. György Lőrincz in 2002. Nowadays, every member of the family participates in the family business. James Suckling, the eminent wine expert, visited the St. Andrea Estate in Egerszalók in July. Suckling published his review of Hungarian wines in October, and Agapé 2018 received an outstanding rating. Out of 100 points, it garnered 98. HERE, you can read about the best red wine selected by Winelovers Wine Awards earlier this year.

St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok
Source: Facebook / St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok

James Suckling’s report

James Suckling worked for Wine Spectator for almost three decades. Over the years, he gathered a significant amount of experience and knowledge regarding wines, wine tasting and wine rating. Today he runs his own business and rates wines based on his 100-point system. He also provides detailed descriptions of the wines. Suckling wrote the following on his website about St. Andrea Estate’s masterpiece:

His St. Andrea Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Nagy-Eged-Hegy Agapé 2018 was the Hungarian wine of our tastings this summer in Europe. Mostly kekfrankos but with the addition of merlot, pinot noir, syrah and kadarka, the red showed intense aromas of red fruits, flowers and minerals that follow through to a medium to full body with focused and refined tannins and a long finish. It compares to some of the best reds of the world.

St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok Agapé red wine
Source: Facebook / St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok

International recognition

This is not the first time, and probably neither the last, that St. Andrea Estate received international recognition. Two years ago, their Nagy-Eged Egri Bikavér 2017 was chosen among the world’s top 50 wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The owners of the business are stunned by the fact that Suckling visited their estate and gave them such a high ranking. Jr. György Lőrincz said:

The 98 points are pretty amazing. We have always had the feeling that 2018 was probably the best vintage of St. Andrea, but the Agapé from this year actually outshines it. It’s the best wine we have ever had the pleasure of making. We are so grateful!

Hungary boasts some unique landscapes for winemaking, as we have reported, UNWTO included Tokaj in Best Tourism Villages 2023 list. Below, you can see St. Andrea Estate’s limestone soil dunes:

The “Hungarian Wine Queen”: How a small-town girl from Eger turns her dreams into reality in NYC

Citadella Imports Inc. NYC wine

In 2019, Citadella Imports, spearheaded by Hungarian entrepreneur Alexandra Damanis (formerly Fuscsics), emerged onto the wine scene. This ambitious woman, chasing her dreams of living in NYC, made her wildest dream come true by building a flourishing business, bringing a taste of Hungary to the Big Apple despite the myriad of challenges she faced during her journey. This is her captivating story.

The Big Apple

Ever since Alexandra was a little girl, she always dreamed of living in the bustling NYC. It wasn’t until 2015, during a holiday, that her fate took an unexpected turn – she met Charles, the love of her life. Alexandra and Charles stayed in touch after the vacation, and later, they explored vineyards in the Long Island wine region and Eger together. Their shared passion and appreciation towards wine and winemaking blossomed alongside their growing affection for each other. They married and now live together in New Jersey.

The business idea

Alexandra spent two years in various roles and odd jobs, realising that this wasn’t the American dream she envisioned. While preparing a bogrács dinner, the couple was discussing what type of wine to pair it with. Recalling their recent Hungarian holiday, Charles said:

Perhaps, we could find some Bikavér?

After a quick search on the internet, they found a shop 30 minutes away where they sell Bikavér. However, the couple specifically had one of the exceptional bottles they’d tasted in Hungary in mind. As they left the shop disappointedly, Charles turned to Alexandra jokingly:

You should just import the wine yourself.

Inspired, Alexandra transformed this idea into reality, founding Citadella Imports Inc. She poured her diligence and hard work into the venture, finding pride and celebration in her newfound success.

A piece of Hungary in NYC

Alexandra has become a cultural ambassador for Hungary, sharing its rich history and heritage with her customers. She passionately talks about Hungary’s wine scene, the post-communism resurgence in the country’s wine market and the unique characteristics of the country’s volcanic soils. Of course, she greatly misses her family and friends back in Hungary, thus she regularly visits home, using these trips as opportunities to connect with local winemakers.

Putting Hungary on the map?

While Alexandra doesn’t set lofty goals like “putting Hungary on the map,” she focuses on sharing the story of Hungarian wines with open-minded enthusiasts. Recognising the lack of government investment in wine marketing, especially compared to Czech and Austrian counterparts, she remains authentic and humble in her approach.

Successes like featuring Patricus Furmint in the iconic Buddakan restaurant and her natural wines in NYC’s esteemed St. Jardim highlight her journey. Invitations to exclusive events, such as the Orange Glou Fair in Brooklyn, showcase her impact. Handling everything from sales and marketing to compliance and shipping, along with navigating the US government’s FDA registration system and the label approval process for each of her products, Alexandra’s story sets a great example that with passion and hard work, anything is possible. You can read about more successes in the wine industry HERE and HERE.

Citadella Imports Inc. Alexandra
Facebook / Citadella Imports Inc.

Tourism agency: UNWTO includes Tokaj in Best Tourism Villages 2023 list

tokaj wine region

The UN World Tourism Organisation has included Tokaj, in north-eastern Hungary, in its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023, the Hungarian Tourism Agency said on Thursday.

This is the first time that a Hungarian village has appeared on the annual list, the statement said.

Tokaj, which celebrates the 950th anniversary of its founding this year, competed with 260 villages on five continents for the title, the agency said.

The renowned international prize is a recognition of refurbishments already completed in the village, and will encourage further tourism developments which aim to make the world heritage wine region one of the most popular destinations in Hungary, it added.

According to Impress Magazine, the initiative launched by UNWTO in 2021 recognises rural destinations where tourism preserves cultures and traditions, celebrates diversity, provides opportunities and safeguards biodiversity.

Savalan wine tasting takes place in Budapest – PHOTOS

Savalan wines in budapest

On 16 October, 2023, the presentation of “Savalan” wines was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Hungary. Leading wine producers of Hungary, representatives of well-known restaurants of Budapest, including “Michelin” star restaurants, and press representatives took part in the event held with the support of “SAVALAN ASPI Winery”.

Tahir Taghizade, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Hungary greeted the guests at the event and informed them about the winemaking traditions of Azerbaijan. He spoke about the successfully continued cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Hungarian journalist Sándor Németi, who visited Azerbaijan and published an article in “Vince”, a well-known Central European magazine, shared his impressions of the visit. A short movie about Azerbaijan was demonstrated. 

Executive Director of “SAVALAN ASPI Winery” Timur Mammadov talked about “Savalan” wines, their recognition inside and outside the country, as well as their international awards.

After the opening part, “Savalan” wines were presented to the participants and were met with great interest by the guests. In the second part of the event, Hungarian representatives had the opportunity to taste the dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine.

Within the framework of the event, an agreement was signed between “SAVALAN ASPI Winery”  of Azerbaijan and “VARROS & Co. Kft.” of Hungary.

Photo gallery

Michelin Guide Hungary 2023: Sommelier of the Year winner named

Spago by Wolfgang Puck Budapest

The team at Spago Budapest, located in Matild Palace, has received a huge honor as – in addition to retaining its Michelin recommendation – this year Imre Rácz, the restaurant’s Head Sommelier, has been awarded Sommelier of the Year in the Michelin Guide Hungary 2023, for his unrivalled passionate dedication and outstanding knowledge of exclusive wines.

The title of Sommelier of the Year is not only a recognition of Imre Rácz’s career to date, but also of his sincere commitment to offering his guests a true gastronomic experience every day. The sommelier, who has extensive international experience and has worked in some of the most prestigious venues in the Hungarian hospitality industry, has been in the business for nearly a decade. He started his career in the United States, then continued in Germany, and in Hungary he gained professional experience as Head Sommelier at MÁK and Essencia restaurants, while also obtaining his ASI Sommelier Diploma in 2018.

He joined Spago Budapest in September 2021. As a prominent representative of the Hungarian gastronomy and wine world, his expertise and dedication ensure an excellent wine experience for the guests, while providing unique stories and explanations of the wines on offer.

“It’s a great pleasure and recognition to have been honored with the Michelin Sommelier Award this year, which confirms that the attitude I bring to my work every day is appreciated by my guests. I am particularly pleased that this is an international award, as I am guided by the most qualified professionals in the world. I strive for continuous improvement and professional credibility, which I hope will inspire others. I think it is important to be able to think as a team and to adapt to the needs of the guests in the given situations,” said Imre Rácz on the occasion of the award.

Spago Budapest is very proud to offer a wine selection that presents the best of Hungarian and international wines to its guests, under the guidance of Imre Rácz. The wide range of wines allows those interested in gastronomy to discover the treasures of different wine regions and grape varieties, while Imre Rácz Head Sommelier and Máté Horváth, Wine Director of Matild Palace, are always ready to offer personalised advice to help them make the right choice. Their mission is to bring the best possible wine to the guests’ glasses, enhancing the intense gastronomic experience of the Spago Budapest courses, based on Wolfgang Puck’s gastronomic concept. Behind the harmonious flavors of the dishes and the wines they are paired with is a team that works in perfect harmony, with the chef tasting the wines and the sommelier tasting the dishes. The final wine and food pairing, which has already earned the restaurant a Michelin recommendation, is the result of the fine-tuning process.

“We are extremely proud that Spago Budapest has earned a Michelin recommendation every single year since it opened. This is due to the expertise of the excellent professionals who work for us, so it is a particular reward when our colleagues receive individual, professional accolades, cementing not only their own integrity but also the reputation of our hotel and restaurants.” – Selim Ölmez, General Manager of Matild Palace, Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest, commented on the award.

“It is important for us to keep our international and domestic wine selection exciting and constantly renewed. Spago’s wine selection is not only influenced by us, but also by our guests, as we pay a lot of attention to what they like best and we always have a selection of these on hand. The selection of Californian and Austrian wines is also a special part of our wine list, because being part of the international Spago group, these must always be available to the regulars,” adds Imre Rácz.

Currently, the number of wines on offer in the restaurant is well over 200, including popular, unmissable items that a five-star hotel restaurant can’t do without, and some that are only called ” self-expression ” by sommeliers, these are the wines that have impressed the professionals during a tasting and have thus been included in the offer. So, more often than not, the restaurant holds wines from smaller cellars, a few hundred bottles.  Of course, there are some special items that are not featured on the wine list, but can only be found on the personal recommendation of the sommelier. These are rarities set aside from selected vintages, the sale of which is only referred to as “starburst” by the sommeliers themselves.  The most recent such item was a Tuscan red wine which sold for more than HUF 900 000 a bottle.

Objectivity is essential to Imre Rácz in his work, but of course he also has his personal favorite items. The Riesling is an eternal love, but among the wines of Somló, the Hárslevelű and the Juhfark also hold a special place in his heart.

Imre Rácz

Wine list of 4 Hungarian restaurants among the most exciting in the world!

avalon ristorante

One of the most influential wine magazines in the world, Wine Spectator, has this year again awarded Hungarian restaurants wine lists – their awards are considered the “Michelin stars of wine” by the wine industry. Avalon Ristorante has made the prestigious listing for the second time this year: as last year, it has been awarded ‘2 Glasses’, the ‘Best of Award of Excellence’.

Every year for decades, the American wine magazine has published its Restaurant Award list, in which it rewards the world’s most exciting wine lists at three different levels, with one (Award of Excellence), two (Best of Award of Excellence) and three (Grand Award) glasses.

To be recognised, a restaurant must meet a number of criteria, which are personally verified by Wine Spectator representatives during their visit. The ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ can only be awarded to restaurants whose wine list is of a high professional standard, with at least 350 different items from the best producers of the best regions, with a wide selection of wines from several vintages. Another important criterion is that these restaurants also provide training and education opportunities for their staff to help guests make informed wine choices.

This is not the first time that the Michelin-recommended restaurant Avalon Ristorante and the Vino Salone below it, part of the Avalon Park in Miskolctapolca, have been on the list, having already been awarded the 2 glass rating last year as a new entrant. At the Vino Salone, sommelier Katalin Egri takes guests on a tour of the vineyards of thirteen countries on
five continents every day. The restaurant is committed to promoting quality wine and offers a selection of nearly 200 wines and sparkling wines (approximately 2,500 bottles).

Together with our colleagues, we constantly monitor our guests’ needs, which helps us to make our offer really attractive to them. Not to mention the line-up of wines, new vintages, fresh lots and award-winning wineries that are renewed every year. It’s a daily learning experience for me too, learning about the beauty of the profession. This recognition is feedback that what we have envisioned is on the right path and that it is a path we must not abandon. I feel very proud that this fact has been confirmed again a year after last year’s recognition,” said Katalin Egri, sommelier at Avalon Ristorante. “It was important to me that an exceptional bottle of wine should not only be available by the bottle, if our guests just want to have a glass with a meal. So we offer many by the glass with Coravin, such as a wonderful Meursault from Laurent Boussey, Riesling from Mosel by Egon Müller or a great Tuscan wine, Antinori’s Tignanello,” she added.

This year, more than 3,500 restaurants from over 75 countries around the world were included in Wine Spectator’s list, and 4 restaurants in Hungary were also honoured. In addition to Avalon Ristorante, the Arany Kaviár Restaurant and Félix Kitchen and Bar received 2 glass ratings, while Kollázs Brasserie & Bar received 1 glass rating.

arany kaviár
Arany Kaviár. Source: aranykaviar.hu
felix kitchen and bar
Felix Kitchen & Bar. Source: felixbudapest.com
kollázs brasserie and bar
KOLLÁZS Brasserie & Bar. Source: Facebook/KOLLÁZS – Brasserie & Bar

As the only award-winning restaurant in the Northern Hungary region, Avalon Ristorante is not only famous for its wine list, but also for its authentic Italian food, which was awarded a recommendation by the Audi-Dining Guide TOP 100 Restaurants 2023 this year and by Michelin last year.

Orbán’s daughter buys 94 hectares of vineyards in Hungary

vineyard tokaj

The Hungarian Prime Minister’s daughter, Ráhel Orbán, has bought 94 hectares of vineyards in Hungary, including real estate, in the famous wine region of Tokaj for HUF 600 million (EUR 1,584,931).

Vineyards in Hungary all go to the wealthy

Ráhel Orbán, the daughter of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has acquired ownership of 94 hectares of land in the Tokaj wine region through two sales contracts, for which she paid a total of HUF 600 million.

The prime minister’s eldest daughter was registered as a farmer in Fejér County in 2021, which gave her the right to purchase the land. However, as she lives in Budapest, the locals could have made better use of it.

The sales contracts set a tight deadline, and Ráhel Orbán transferred the money within three days of the purchase, making it impossible for anyone to step in.

“I remember when the Lőrinc Mészáros team came here back in 2017 and bought the Andrássy Mansion in Tarcal. Everybody was on guard, not knowing what was going to happen to the land. When they were going to buy it? When the bag man was going to come? That’s what the farmers were afraid of, that’s what kept us up at night.. What would happen if Lőrinc Mészáros started farming here? What if they started buying up the land from the farmers? This is our biggest fear in the case of Ráhel Orbán, that she will set foot in the country and the expansion will continue, prompting an avalanche with no force to stop the wealthy and well-connected”, exclaimed László Bíró, a landowner and former right-wing politician.

Prices for plough land are low anyway because costs have risen and, in many places, local farmers are already making a loss.

Massive investment and monopoly

According to Bíró, “the Hungarian government and the Orbán family want to control everything from tourism to the wine industry and the processing plant”.

Ráhel Orbán told 24.hu that the land will continue to produce high-quality grapes in the future.

For the time being, no one has mentioned whether any of the local farmers would have wanted to exercise their right of first refusal, pointed out rtl.hu.

Interestingly, the land is located next to the Patrícius wine farm, which is owned by István Tiborcz (husband of Ráhel Orbán, son-in-law of Viktor Orbán).

Most well-known Hungarian alcoholic drinks to savour in the summer heat

Alcohol has traditionally played a fairly pivotal role in Hungarian history and society. The country’s natural resources of exquisite grape hills, rolling fields of wheat and barley and orchards of fruit trees makes it a perfect candidate to produce a large variety of alcoholic drinks in. It’s no wonder why Hungary boosts a wide array of spirits and boozes of different types and qualities. In this article, we have gathered a list of alcoholic drinks for you to try out if you happen to be enjoying your summer in this country.

Hungarian Beer

Hungary is home to quite a few different domestic and craft beer brands. The two most widely consumed commercial beers have to be Dreher and Soproni.

Dreher is one of the oldest Hungarian beers and has several different types you can try. These include Gold (classic), IPA, Hidegkomlós (cold hops) and Meggy (sour cherry). They also offer many fruity non-alcoholic beer types such as pomelo-grapefruit, pomegranate or lemon if you want the refreshing taste without the alcohol.

Source: Dreher Official Webpage
Source: Dreher Official Webpage

Soproni is another well-known Hungarian beer brand from Sopron, which is a city on the border of Austria. They produce a variety of beers, including Classic, IPA, APA, Búza (Wheat) or Meggy. For non-alcohol drinkers, they also have a selection of radlers with several fruity flavours, like lime-mint, sour cherry-lemon or pear-lemon.

Source: Soproni Official Webpage
Source: Soproni Official Webpage

In the last few years, Hungarian craft beer has also become more apparent on the market. Smaller breweries such as Mad Scientist, Fehér Nyúl and MONYO are just some of the more well-known brands. If you want to learn more about the world of Hungarian handcrafted beers, visit a craft beer place around you to ask for more information.

Hungarian wine

Hungary is home to dozens of different wine brands, with multiple wine regions producing high-quality products that compete even on the European stage. The three most influential vineyards are Tokaj, Eger and Villány.

The crown jewel of Tokaj wines is Tokaji Aszú, a sweet dessert wine made from grapes affected by noble rot, a beneficial mould called Botrytis cinerea. This mould concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes, resulting in luscious and complex wines. Aszú berries are handpicked and added to a base wine called must, creating a rich, sweet and aromatic elixir.

Source: Pixabay

Egri Bikavér (bull’s blood) is the most famous and emblematic wine of Eger. It is a red blend typically made from a combination of indigenous Hungarian grape varieties such as Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch), Kadarka and international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Egri Bikavér is characterised by its deep red colour, full bod, and complex flavours.

Source: Wikimedia Commons/Yozh

The Villány region lacks one very special brand of wine to mention. However, instead, they have a wide range of wine producers, such as Gere, Vylyan and Bock. These vineyards make several types of wine, including white, rose and red, with the rose and Portugieser varieties being more well-known. Mokos vineyard makes very special fruit wines which you should try if you are interested in something a little bit different.

Source: Pixabay
Source: Pixabay

Unicum

Unicum is a traditional Hungarian herbal liqueur that holds a significant place in Hungarian culture and history. It is made from a secret blend of over forty different herbs and spices. However, the exact recipe remains a family secret. The herbs are macerated and then aged in oak casks for several months to develop their distinct flavours and aromas. Hungarians tend to drink it as a digestif after a meal.

In addition to the original Unicum, the Zwack family has also introduced a variation called Unicum Next. This is a slightly milder and sweeter version of the original, designed to appeal to a broader audience while still maintaining the distinctive character of Unicum.

Unicum is one of the most well-known and loved Hungarian alcoholic drinks and is considered a “hungarikum”. Enjoyed by both Hungarians and foreigners alike, it holds a special place in the culture of the country.

Source: Wikimedia Commons/RGTPR
Source: Wikimedia Commons/Zwack Sándor

Pálinka

Last but not least, the most important and sought-after of them all, the Hungarian pálinka. It is a fruit brandy that holds a special place in the locals’ hearts. Pálinka is considered the national spirit of the country.

Pálinka is made through a process of fermentation and distillation of various fruits. Only high-quality, ripe fruits are used, and they must be grown in Hungary or specific regions of neighbouring countries. Common fruits used in pálinka production include apricots, plums, cherries, pears and apples.

Source: Pixabay

Hungarian law defines strict regulations for pálinka production to ensure its quality and authenticity. These regulations specify that pálinka must be produced solely from fruit, without the addition of any artificial flavours, sweeteners or other additives. It must also be bottled at a minimum alcohol content of 37.5%. Pálinka that meets these requirements is marked with a seal of origin on the bottle’s label.

Pálinka showcases the natural flavours and aromas of the fruit from which it is made. Each variety of fruit imparts its own distinct character to the spirit, resulting in a wide range of tastes.

Source: Pixabay

The drink has deep cultural roots in Hungary and is considered a symbol of Hungarian heritage and tradition. It is often enjoyed during social gatherings, celebrations and special occasions. Pálinka is also known for its perceived medicinal properties, with many Hungarians believing it can help with digestion or provide relief from minor ailments.

It is not only a cherished spirit of all alcoholic drinks in Hungary but has also gained recognition internationally for its unique flavours and traditional production methods. Its strong ties to Hungarian culture and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its production make pálinka a beloved and iconic part of the country’s culinary heritage.

Source: Wikimedia Commons/T.MESE
Source: Pixabay

Puskás, Tokaji wine, Herend porcelaine: brands foreigners identify Hungary with

Ferenc Puskás football Hungary

Tibor Navracsics, the regional development minister, on Saturday called for developing iconic Hungarian regions, attractions and brands that are recognisable abroad.

Addressing the iCon business conference in Tarcal, in north-eastern Hungary, Navracsics said that the Tokaj wine region had the potential to be one of the most important regions not just in Hungary but also central Europe. Around 120-150 billion forints (EUR 321-400m) worth of developments have been or are being undertaken in the Tokaj region and its surrounding area as part of various operative programmes, the minister said. He added that the government needs to develop the brand of Puskás, Tokaji wine and Herend porcelaine because those are the “trademarks” foreigners connect Hungary with, hirado.hu wrote.

ferenc puskás
Ferenc Puskás in 1971. Source: Wikipedia.

Until recently, the Tokaj-Hegyalja region has been somewhat of an economic policy challenge, as it is also eligible for regional development funding from the European Union, he said. The recently completed motorway link between Miskolc and Slovakia’s Kosice (Kassa) can help connect Tokaj to the bloodstream of the Hungarian economy, Navracsics said, adding that the so-called Tokaj programme is also dedicated to financing the region.

Herend Porcelain 2
Photo: facebook.com/Herendporcelan

Asked about a halt in domestic support, Navracsics said the situation of the Hungarian economy and budget had been changed by a number of circumstances since February 2022. The rise in energy prices due to the war cost the state budget some 4,000 billion forints last year alone, he said. Because Hungary is set to receive less than 10,000 billion forints in EU funding in the 2021-2027 financial cycle, the government has been forced to suspend and re-examine its regional development projects, Navracsics said.

Tokaj, wine, best, region, Hungary
Tokaj wine. Photo: facebook.com/winelovers.hu

PHOTOS: Wines of Budapest Airport chosen

BUD wines Budapest Airport Hungarian wine

In April, Budapest Airport, the operator of Ferenc Liszt International Airport, held an exclusive wine competition at the imposing Terminal 1, where it and its key partners selected, in a blind tasting, the four wines that will be worthy representatives of the gateway to Hungary.

Budapest Airport Terminal 1 in operation

The airport operator organized the Budapest Airport wine competition for the first time this spring, during which two wine experts, Budapest Airport management, employees and business partners selected, in a blind tasting, the wines that were awarded the title of BUD Wine, which will represent not only the cultural values of the country, but also the best airport in the region in 2023 and the first half of 2024, bud.hu wrote.

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the most important airport in Hungary, the gateway to the country, as it opens up and makes accessible the world for Hungarians traveling from here, and it is here that arriving tourists get their first impression of Hungary. The operator, Budapest Airport offers high quality in every respect, so the competition was aimed at finding excellent wines that symbolize the quality and the refined taste characteristic of Budapest Airport, and at the same time represent Hungarian viniculture.

The competition was open to entries in four categories, premium red wine, premium white wine, gastro red wine and gastro white wine, and the event enjoyed unprecedented popularity, with a total of 321 wines from eighty-seven Hungarian wineries competing for the title. The evening’s nearly eighty judges assessed the wines according to criteria such as color, clarity, intensity of aroma and flavor and character.

The winners

The winners of the BUD Wine title, as decided by management and partners:

In the category of sustainable wineries, a special prize was awarded to the Zelna Winery, which is certified organic and uses non-absorbent sprays approved under organic regulations, only for preventive purposes, and natural materials for soil cultivation. The Szekretár Wine Estate, which produces Budapest Airport’s premium red wine, also operates as a sustainable winery.

“The selection of Budapest Airport’s wine was an honor, as the winning wines will represent Hungarian viniculture at airport events and among our partners over the next year. Hundreds of wines competed for the title, which shows that being named BUD Wine is prestigious, as the selected beverages will symbolize the most important values of Europe’s best airport, quality and great taste,” said Katalin Valentínyi, chief communication and government relations officer for Budapest Airport.

PHOTOS, VIDEOS: New five-stars hotel opened in Hungary’s world-known wine region

Hotel Minaro Tokaj

Dreamland Holding built a brand new and astonishing hotel having 100 exquisite rooms in the heart of Hungary’s historic Tokaj wine region. Furthermore, they even built an event venue with state support. The inauguration took place on Thursday, and the minister of construction and transport, Mr János Lázár, talked about the importance of rural development and tourism.

According to turizmus.com, the government aims to create an economic zone in the Miskolc-Debrecen-Nyíregyháza triangle. That zone should be Hungary’s most developed industrial zone, Mr Lázár highlighted. They would like this area to be competitive even with Budapest and Győr. And that is why they would like to develop rural tourism. Part of that program is supporting the construction of Hotel Minaro, Tokaj’s brand-new five-star hotel in the heart of the world-known Hungarian wine region.

The minister said a five-star hotel is an investment showing it is worth living and doing business in the country. To support that, the government helps infrastructure projects like the Miskolc-Kassa/Kosice motorway or building four lanes on main road 37. He added that the Orbán administration is committed to the Tokaj region development. Zsófia Koncz, the MP of the region, mentioned the new jobs created by the investment in the tourism sector. She spoke about multiple developments in the region, from the Bodrog promenade and the downtown rehabilitation to building bike roads and developing water tourism.

100 rooms in an andesite mine: new hotel in Tokaj

Richárd Szepesi, owner of the investor Dreamland Holding Zrt., said they built a hotel having 100 rooms on a 100 hectares area. Furthermore, they developed an event venue next to the hotel where they placed a cooking studio. The Minaro Hotel will be operated by the Accor international hotel chain under the brand name MGallery. He added that Tokaj is so popular that it would attract Hungarian and foreign tourists.

Interestingly, the hotel was built in the centre of an andesite mine in the Northwestern part of Tokaj, in the Csurgó valley. The project’s cost was HUF 9.8 billion (EUR 26.35 million). HUF 3.4 billion they got from the government as a non-refundable allocation. The event venue and cooking studio cost slightly more than HUF 1 billion (EUR 2.6 million). They would like to operate the hotel with a utilization rate above 80 percent.

The hotel will employ 70 people, and Accor’s regional director, Sabina Bartyzel, added that they are present in 110 countries globally. Hotel Minaro will be the 26th Accor hotel in Hungary and the 123rd in the world. Hotel Minaro Tokaj MGallery started operation last November in a soft opening mode.

Here are two videos of the new five-star hotel:

Hungarian wine export skyrocketing: these are the most popular ones in Europe!

fiaker budapest wine

Hungarian wines are increasingly popular in Europe as wine export grew considerably in 2022. We will show you the countries that import the most Hungarian wines and the most popular types.

The Hungarian wine export rebounded well from a 2021 decrease, and the export in 2022 grew 5 percent compared to 2020 as well. Penzcentrum.hu reports the latest trends in Hungarian wine export based on the data of the Central Statistical Office (KSH).

Hungarian wines extremely popular in Central-Europe

The Hungarian wine industry exported 136,492 tonnes of wine to various countries in 2022. This is an increase of almost 25 percent compared to 2021, according to penzcentrum.hu’s analysis that is based on the KSH data.

Although there was a drop in 2021 compared to 2020, but even compared to 2020, there was still a 5.7 percent increase in export. Slovakia, Germany, and the Czech Republic imported the most wine from Hungary. Neither country is known as a wine country, therefore their reliance on quality foreign imports is not surprising.

Slovakia imported a total of HUF 9 billion (EUR 25 million) worth of wine from Hungary, with Germany following them in 2nd place with HUF 6.7 billion (EUR 17 million) and the Czech Republic with HUF 5.3 billion (EUR 14 million). Previously, the United Kingdom imported the 3rd largest quantity of Hungarian wine, but after Brexit, the UK has fallen to the 7th place on the export list.

The most significant export increase can be observed in Belgium. In 2020, the country only imported Hungarian wine for HUF 112 million (EUR 300,000), whereas in 2022, they were the 6th largest importer of Hungarian product with a total import of HUF 3 billion (EUR 80 million).

The most popular types of Hungarian wines

Regional discount chains play a significant role in Hungarian wine export. Lidl Hungary accounted for 36 percent of total Hungarian bottled wine exports: in 2021, it exported HUF 7.8 billion (EUR 21 million) worth abroad.

Penzcentrum.hu reports that according to the chain’s experience, the most popular wine varieties abroad are Szürkebarát (white), Királyleányka (white), Egri Bikavér (red), Tokaji Furmint (white) and Irsai Olivér (white).

Hungary would like to sell more wine abroad

Degenfeld Wine

The government is preparing a Hungarian Strategy for Wine Marketing to boost the image of Hungarian wines abroad, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office said on Friday.

The aim of the coordinated campaign, in cooperation with the sector, is to improve the international image and retail price of wines from regions like Tokaj, Somló, Szekszárd and others, Gergely Gulyás said in his speech at the 11th Wine Conference in Budapest. The government has earmarked 3 billion forints (EUR 8m) for the scheme, he said.

Pál Rókusfalvy, the commissioner responsible for developing the strategy over the next four years, said he would work with a team of experts and the agriculture ministry among other bodies to coordinate wine marketing and launch programmes and research. Hungarian wines will have to receive a more unified, comprehensive image and protection of origin to eliminate cases where “the same type of wine can be bought for 2,000 forints as well as 200,000 forints,” he said.

The strategy will have to prevail at a time when wine consumption is falling, wine producing lands are shrinking, and competition is strong, he added.

Hungary’s smallest wine region is a real treasure

Somló vineyard, the smallest wine region of Hungary

For lovers of special, mineral flavours, the tiny Nagy-Somló wine region is a real treasure-trove. The northernmost part of the Balaton wine region and the northwestern part of Hungary awaits visitors at any time of the year.

“If you travel from Veszprém towards the western border of Hungary, everywhere you look, you see plains. The stump-shaped mountain of Somló rises out of the landscape as if it had been there by accident, which is perhaps why the vernacular calls it God’s forgotten hat,” writes the official site of the Somló wine region.

Somló, the wine of honeymoons

Many people also know Somló as the wine of honeymoon nights, because it was once believed that Somló wine consumed on this special night was a guarantee that the newlyweds would have a son. The former volcano now stands out from its surroundings like a beautiful stump-shaped mountain. The landscape is dominated by the 432-metre-high buttes, with basalt columns in the upper third and vineyards rising to 350 metres below. Nowadays, however, it is much more the special volcanic character of the wines that attracts wine connoisseurs and wine lovers from all over the world to our wine region in the northernmost part of the Balaton wine region.

Somló vineyard, the smallest wine region of Hungary
Photo: Facebook/Somlói Borvidék

The Nagy-Somló wine region is the smallest and one of the most unique wine regions in our country. The vineyards are planted up to 350 metres above sea level, and the route around the mountain is a continuous alternation of small and large vineyards and parcels. The small cottages and wine cellars along the road only add to the scenery.

According to blikk.hu, the region is mainly known for its white wines. It is worth checking with the small wineries in advance if you want to visit. It is also home to one of the country’s most modern sparkling wine cellars.

The incomparable flavour of the wine region

Here, in many cases, the factor of where the vines are grown dominates over the grape variety. Somló wines pair well with fatty foods, cheeses and fish. Both the aromas and flavours of the wines show the salty, flinty character of the region, while the massive acidity in their structure is also an important characteristic. Somlói is a wine for patient people, because when young, it rarely shows the beauty and depth of an older bottle. If you want to do yourself good, you should put the wine to bed and not open it before it is two years old. The other option is to buy a 4-5 year old Somlói. Over the years, they develop an incomparable flavour, a “volcanic essence” that no wine lover should miss.

The Somló wine region also invites visitors in winter, and walks are often organised. You can find out about the current weather conditions and how to get there in case of snow on their Facebook page.