Getting to know Hungarian wines

Learning about Hungarian wines can seem pretty daunting. All those hard-to-pronounce names, obscure labels, and a rather complex classification system, would even turn the most dedicated of wine enthusiasts away.

But if you’re willing to spend some time and effort, you’ll discover a very rewarding part of the wine world.

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Taste

It might seem obvious but there’s no better or easier way than to simply try as much Hungarian wine as you can. Hungary produces a wide range of wines including reds, whites, rosés, as well as sparkling wines. Both international and indigenous varietals are grown throughout the country. This year Hungary adopted a new wine classification system according to EU standards. Wines are now classified as either ”protected designation of origin”, “protected geographical designation of origin” or “without geographical designation of origin”. A convenient way to get Hungarian wine is to buy on the Internet. This way, you’ll have a wider selection than what you could stumble upon at your local liquor store, plus you’ll have the convenience of ordering online and having the wine bottles delivered to your home.

Attend a wine festival

Hungary has several wine festivals. The largest is the Budapest International Wine Festival which occurs annually in September at the terraces of the Buda Castle. There is also several smaller wine festivals which offer local varieties and gastronomic specialties such as the Etyek Cellar Festival, Autumn in Tokaj, and the Villány Red Wine Festival. Some wine festivals require admission tickets which can be purchased either in advance or at the door.

Visit a wine region

Hungary has 22 distinct wine regions. By far the most prestigious wine region is Tokaj-Hegyalja, where the only Tokaji is produced at the southern part of the Zemplén mountains. Somló, one of the smallest and most beautiful wine regions in Hungary, is noted for its source of traditional native varieties. In the southern part of Hungary near the Croatian border is Villany-Siklos, which produces some of the country’s best red wines. The easiest way to reach these regions is by train or car. Wineries are generally open for tastings and tours from May through October. It is best to make appointments with individual wineries ahead of time.

Enroll in a wine program

If you’re considering taking your interest in wine more seriously, you might want to enroll in a certified wine program. Hungary’s newest wine school, the Central European Wine Institute (CEWI) located in Budapest offers comprehensive courses for both locals and foreigners. Courses range from beginner to advance and some are based on the London Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) teaching system. In addition, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, has recently expanded their curriculum to include a new diploma course focused on the wines and spirits of Central Europe. The program is based in Austria with workshops held in Hungary.

Read

Although, there isn’t a significant amount of materials available especially in English, you can still find some excellent books on Hungarian wine and winemaking. “The Wines of Hungary” by Alex Liddell explores the history of Hungary’s wines, offering a full description of its grape varieties, viticulture, and winemaking techniques. If you’re interested in learning about Hungary’s sweet wines, “Tokaji: a Companion for the Bibulous Traveller” by David Copp features a comprehensive guide to the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region, along with detailed information about its winemakers.

Related posts:

1. Croatian wines: varietals to know
2. Introduction to Romanian wines
3. Hungarian wine facts
4. Origins of the Hungarian Word for Wine
5. Hungarian wine gets royal wedding approval by wine critic Mark Oldman

Tags: central european wine institute, Featured, Hungarian wine, Hungary, Wine, wine education, wine festival

Category: Wine