Popular Hungarian wines and great places to taste them

Wine can be the perfect companion for evenings out, for socialising with friends. We can count on it when we are sad or celebrating. And wine lovers have perhaps one thing in common: a passion for life. But nothing beats the sensation of exploring the land of wine with your own eyes and feet, sipping wine over vineyards bathed in autumn light. From every aspect, autumn is the ideal time to set off and explore the wonderful landscapes and flavours of our country. The following 5 places should not be left off the list.

With its fairytale streets, historical past, spas and picturesque landscapes, Eger has undoubtedly won the hearts of many of us, but what really makes this special city famous is the wine region. One of the most important wineries in the Eger area is the Szépasszony-völgy (‘Valley of the Beautiful Woman’). Although the wine region’s lava stone-rich soil favours white grape varieties, the wine that first springs to mind is the Egri bikavér (‘Bull’s blood of Eger’). The famous wine is Hungary's first wine of protected origin. It is made from several grape varieties and, according to the “Bikavér Code”, must be blended from at least three well-defined varieties of red wine grapes. This autumn, wine tasting enthusiasts will be able to get a closer look at the flavours of this unique wine during the Egri Bikavér Festive Days. However, it is not only this majestic national treasure that is worth a visit, as the area also offers other excellent wines, such as the Egri leányka or the Debrői hárslevelű.

Although it is a drink of essentially French origin, it has also found a home in Villány, an area that experts say is ideally suited to the cultivation of this grape variety. No better proof of this than the fact that last year Villány hosted the Franc du Monde, an international wine competition focusing on the variety. The deep colour and spicy, full-bodied taste of Cabernet Franc is the perfect choice for autumn walks, as hiking in the Villány vineyards is an unmissable programme. In the autumn sunshine, the vineyards are a sight to behold, and the area is full of attractions.

Most of the oldest vineyards in Szekszárd are kadarka. Most people consider it a native Carpathian Basin grape, but kadarka is actually of Balkan origin. Yet over time, its history has almost merged with that of Hungary, and today it has become one of our most unique Hungarian wines. It is a fresh, fruity variety with a unique aroma. It is said to be a real wine of joy. However, Szekszárd is not only worth a visit for the celebrations, as the city also has many wonders to offer. Wine lovers must visit the wine fountain in the courtyard of the Old County House, where unlimited quantities of red and white wine are available on public holidays.

Riesling Italian is one of the most distinctive wines of the Lake Balaton region, and some say the most popular. We are talking about an extremely diverse wine, it would take all evening to define its characteristics. During our holidays at Lake Balaton, you can find this type of wine almost everywhere, and many people are looking for this type of wine. The region has six wine regions in total – Badacsony, Balatonboglár, Balaton Highlands, Balatonfüred-Csopak, Somló and Zala – but of these, Badacsony is undoubtedly the most popular. Riesling Italian is therefore another reason to head to Lake Balaton in autumn.

Mount Pannonhalma, with its eye-catching panorama and the abbey built on top, attracts many tourists to the area. But the abbey is not the only thing that has made Pannonhalma famous and visited, it is also the quality of the wines that can be found here – including also the Pinot Gris. The monasteries had a rich culture of viticulture. The name “Pinot Gris” is inspired by the grey robes of the members of the Order of St. Paul. Legend has it that the monks were looking for a grape that would produce a pleasantly sweet wine without the addition of sugar. This was necessary because it was forbidden to sweeten or mix the church wine used during masses. This is how the Pinot Gris was finally chosen.