The Culture Trip’s guide to Hungarian wines – the 12 must-try types

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All the classics are here: Egri bikavér, Tokaji Aszú, olaszrizling, etc. I believe this is a great selection with something to offer for every taste.

These are The Culture Trip’s top 12 Hungarian wines to try.

White wines

Who does not love a light, fruity glass of chilled white wine on a summer evening? If you are only getting to know the world of wines, these whites are the ones you should start out with. Olaszrizling, for example, is a great starter. Hungarians prefer this variety in their fröccs during the summer. Go for a bottle from Laposa Winery, and you will not regret it. Irsai Olivér is another famous type worth checking out. The Culture Trip recommends a bottle from Nyakas Winery. If you like to be more experimental with your wine, go for the Cserszegi fűszeres (which is my favourite white wine of all time).

“Fűszeres translates as “spicy” in English, and this white wine is certainly that: full bodied, with the perfect balance of acidity, Cserszegi Fűszeres can be made as both dry and half dry variations. A mix between the Irsai Olivér and Roter Traminer grapes.”

Apart from Cserszegi, The Culture Trip recommends Jásdi from the Balaton Wine Region, but I would also recommend trying Koch or Frittmann for a cheaper option. If you want to go all-in with your whites, the famous Tokaji Aszú (Szepsy) and Tokaj furmint (Sauska Winery) are also on The Culture Trip’s list. I would only recommend aszú if you like sweet dessert wines, though. Juhfark and Egri Csillag also come recommended.

Red wines

If you prefer more full-bodied wines, there are several wine regions in the country famous for their delicious red wines, including perhaps one of the most well-known Hungarian wines, Egri bikavér, from the Eger Wine Region. If we are talking about a specific bottle, The Culture Trip recommends the St. Andrea Áldás 2012 Egri Bikavér, which they believe to be a lovely introduction to this wine. Another wine region famous for its reds is the Villány Wine Region, from where they recommend the beloved Kékfrankos, the Gere Villányi Syrah, and, of course, Portugieser (you cannot miss with a bottle from Bock Estate).

“The principle grape of Villány, Portugieser is an everyday wine which is best drunk young: it needs only a few months to mature before it’s ready to be enjoyed. Smooth, fruity and easy to drink, undertones of cherry and a low alcohol content make this a great wine to enjoy while relaxing with friends.”

Kadarka from the Szekszárd Wine Region also comes highly recommended.