Hungarian Grape Varietals

Hungary has a broad range of both indigenous and international grape varietals.

The following is a brief list of the various grape varietals used in making Hungarian wine.

White

Cserszegi Füszeres: A hybrid of Irsai Olivér and Tramini, this white grape yields highly aromatic wines, with a bouquet that is often compared to wild flowers. It is particularly known in the Alföld, Etyek-Buda and North Balaton regions.

Ezerjó: Literally meaning “thousand blessings“, this white wine grape is grown primarily in the Mór region where it is used to make sweet dessert wines.

Furmint: Furmint is the most widely grown varietal in the country particularly within the Tokaj-Hegyalja region. It is believed the grape was first introduced by Walloon growers in the thirteenth century following the Tartar invasions. The vine’s name is taken from the word “froment,” for the wheat-gold color of the wine it produces. Furmint can be produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry to sweet wines afflicted by noble rot. It is also grown in Austria where it is known as “Mosler.”

Hárslevelü: Referring to “linden leaf“, Hárslevelü is native to the Carpathian Basin and is planted in several Hungarian wine regions, but most prominently in the tiny wine region of Somló, and especially in Tokaj-Hegyalja, where it is blended with Furmint to produce Tokaji Aszú and other dessert wines. It’s best known wines are mellow, gentle and honey-flavored.

Irsai Oliver: A cross between Pozsonyi and Pearl of Csaba. Irsai Oliver is known for its distinctive Muscat character and is generally drunk young.

Juhfark: Juhfark in Hungarian literally means “sheep’s tail.” The term refers to the elongated, cylindrical shape of the vine clusters. It is exclusively planted in Hungary, most prominently in the region of Somló where the volcanic soil enables wines to have a high mineral content.

Kabar: Also known under its research name as Tarcal 10, Kabar is an early-ripening cross of Hárslevelü and Bouvier and was recently authorised for production in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region.

Királyleányka: Királyleányka is a rare white grape that originated in Transylvania, as a cross between Kövérszolo and Leányka. It is mainly grown in the regions of Balatonboglár, Etyek, Neszmély and Pannonhalma-Sokoróalja which are well-balanced, full-bodied wines.

Leányka: This ancient white grape variety has been cultivated for centuries by Hungarian vinters. It yields a greenish-white wine that is aromatic, fiery, and fresh. Leányka grows mainly in the Eger region.

Olaszrizling: Olaszrizling is the Hungarian name for Italian Riesling or Welschriesling. It is the most widespread white grape of Hungary and can be found in almost every region in the country, with expectional wines in Szent György Hill and Csopak.

Zéta: Previously called Oremus, this grapeis a blend of Furmint and Bouvier. It is sometimes used in Aszu production.

Zöldveltelini: Zöldveltelini is the Hungarian name for Grüner Veltliner, a white grape variety that is common in Austria and grown in some parts of the Czech Republic. It has a reputation of being extremely versatile with food.

Red

Kadarka: Kadarka used to be an important constituent of the Hungarian red cuvée Bull’s Blood of Eger or Szekszárd, but has long been in decline in Hungarian plantations, to be replaced by Kékfrankos and Portugieser. It is also grown in Bulgaria under the name “Gamza.”

Kékfrankos: More commonly known as “Blaufränkisch”in Germany, this red grape produces wines that are spicy in character with rich tannins. Some of the best examples of Kékfrankos come from the southern regions of Villány-Siklos and Szekszárd.

Portugieser: Formerly known as Kékoportó, this grape has been renamed Portugieser in recent years. The grape is common in the regions of Villány-Siklos and Eger, and is one of the permitted varieties in the Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) blend.

Turán: Turán is grown mainly in Eger. It yields wines that have high sugar levels which are velvety and rich in tannins. The grape is also grown in Western Canada under the name “Agria.”

Related posts:

1. Croatian Wines: Varietals to Know
2. Hungary’s Wine Regions
3. Hungarian Wine Facts
4. Bull’s Blood – Hungary’s Legendary Red Wine
5. Hungarian & Central European Wine Workshops – Fall 2010

Tags: Hungarian Grape Varietals, Hungarian wine

Category: Wine