Added: 08/13/2005 |
Wine regions in Hungary are what you should know first about HungaryThere are twenty-two wine regions in Hungary and each of them is worth visiting.
Csongrád is famous for the production of table wines. The most characteristic method of production is called pruning to the basal bud, which does not even need stakes. The wine production of this region can be traced back to the middle Ages.
In Balatonmelléke you can find harrow-cellars, carpentered from timbers and plastered with clay from in - and outside. The tradition of the wine production dates back to the ancient times. Balatonmelléke became a wine region again only in 1998, and there is still a lot to be put down in this page by skillful winemakers of the 21st century.
Due to the ecological conditions, the wine, produced in Hajós-Baja, is not as well-regarded as the one from the mountain regions. Still, this region is popular with wine-lovers.
The best wine of all wine regions in Hungary can be found in Tokaj-Hegyalja. Tokaji wine was named the king of wines by Goethe, a famous German poet and philosopher of the 19th century. Tokaj is spoken about only in the superlative: the best wine, the wine with the highest alcohol-, sugar- and acid-contents, the wine with the finest fragrance, the most famous wine, the most beloved wine. The world famous Tokaj wines are Szamorodni and Aszu.
Kunság is one the largest wine regions in Hungary, also known as Alföld or Great Hungarian Plain with its sandy soil. A part of the vine was planted here in order to bind the wind-blown sand. The wine grown on sandy soil of this region is the wine of the weekdays. It is not for particular events, nor for the festive board, but the "tavern wine" is an important part of everyday life. The acids of the wines of the plain are milder than of those, grown on highlands, and that fits the taste of our days better.
Most of the vine-territories can be found in forests of Mátra. Several medieval wine cellars can be found in the area, some of them have been reconstructed and offer wine even today. This region produces different types of good quality wine.
However, Ászár-Neszmély has attained or rather got back the rank as a wine region only recently, the wine produced here is worth tasting. It has a pleasant, tart taste.
Eger, an old, baroque town, is known abroad first of all for its wine. Although the ecological conditions are favorable for the white wine production, the name "Egri BikavÈr" /Bull's Blood of Eger/ sounds familiar all over the world and this wine made the town of Eger and its surroundings famous.
The wines produced around Lake Balaton own a special character. Many artists and scientists devoted their works to the spell of the scenery and it may not be by chance that the wine of Badacsony has the name of "nectar of gods".
The wine region of Tolna has belonged to the wine regions in Hungary since 1998. Nonetheless, the winegrowing has an old tradition; here you can find the trace back to the Roman times. The most famous wines are Chardonnay, Italian Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Rhine Riesling and Merlot.
Balatonfüred-Csopak, as its name tells us, is divided into two wine producing regions. The wines of Balatonfüred are more full-bodied, more warming, their alcohol contents is higher, while the wines of Csopak are more modest, lighter, slimmer, and they are richer in fragrance and bouquet. Balatonfüred is popular not only for its wine but also for its mineral water.
You can find some ancient cellars in Bükkalja decorated by the precious works of peasant stonecutters. Champagne-basis-wines have been produced here since the 19th century.
Balatonfelvidék with a rich medieval tradition is not positioned right at Lake Balaton, but the nearness of the lake still influences its climate. The wines produced here are full-bodied, rich in bouquet, with fine fragrance.
"Wine worth gold" is produced in the most southern wine region of the country, Villány. According to the tradition, the Hungarian wine-making was born here.
Etyek-Buda got the rank of a wine region only in 1990, while the vine growing here has a tradition of several centuries. In recent years, the quality wine has been produced here too, but mainly the champagne-base-wine production is characteristic for this region.
They say that the red wine of Szekszárd inspired Schubert to write the well-known Trout-quintet. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has fine, characteristic fragrance and bouquet. The white wine is made of the varieties of Chardonnay and Italian Riesling; they are full and rich in aroma.
The picturesque Valley of Mór runs between two mountains, the Vértes and the Bakony; this is the home of Ezerjó. The wines of the region have neutral fragrance, a full body compensating the strong acidity; in years they become dry and contain less fermented sugar.
The vine has been cultivated in Pécs for 2000 years. The vine feels well on the soil and climate, created for it and it is very thankful for the invested work. Cirfandli is the characteristic wine of the region. It is famous for its flower fragrance, spicy, high alcohol contents.
The wine production in Pannonhalma-Sokoryalja was started by the first Benedictine monks, who came here in the year of 996. The white wines are of excellent quality; they are rich in fragrance and bouquet and have a strong region character.
The white wine is produced mainly on the south shore of Lake Balaton, but there is some red wine production as well in Balatonboglár. Lately, the champagne, produced here, is considered to be the best in Hungary. The nearness of the lake, which is shallower here than on the northern shore, makes it warm relatively fast and creates a favorable microclimate; it has a favorable influence on the vineyards of the hill slopes.
Somló is the smallest but the most famous of Hungarian regions. There were times, when its fame preceded even the one of Tokaj. This wine should be drunk in loneliness by people, who know what real knowledge is.
The wine region Sopron is one of the most ancient wine growing regions of the country. The vine growing has been performed in this region since the times of Celts. The red and white wines are produced here.
Hungary is not all about wine, however, for wine lovers, wine is all about Hungary.
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