The number and diversity of Hungarian wineries is truly impressive. Small and large wineries can be found in every region of the country, which contribute to the richness of the domestic wine culture with their own, unique style and taste.
In this article, we present how many wineries operate in Hungary and what special wine regions we can boast of. Let’s explore the diverse world of Hungarian winemaking together!
Wine regions of Hungary – Cradle of wineries
Hungary’s rich and diverse wine regions have been home to the tradition of winemaking for centuries. The country’s wine culture dates back more than a thousand years, and many regions have emerged over time, all of which contributed to the uniqueness and excellence of Hungarian wines with their own characteristics, climate and soil properties.
Below we present the most important wine regions of Hungary, which not only serve as the cradle of local wineries, but also play a significant role in international wine culture.
Tokaj-Hegyalja
Tokaj-Hegyalja is one of the world’s best-known wine regions and the birthplace of Tokaj aszú wines. This area has a special microclimate and volcanic soil, which allows the cultivation of high-quality grapes.
The specialty of Tokaj wines is due to the presence of botrytis cinerea (noble rot), which sweetens the grapes in a concentrated manner. Tokaj wines are deservedly famous and internationally recognized.
Eger
Eger’s wine region is best known for its red wines, especially Egri Bikavér, which is a typical blend. The wines produced here are full-bodied and rich in taste, thanks to the favorable climatic conditions and the volcanic soil. However, Eger does not only excel in red wines, excellent white wines are also produced here, such as Egri Csillag.
Villány
Villány is one of southernmost wine regions of Hungary, which, thanks to its Mediterranean climate, is particularly favorable for the cultivation of red grape varieties. Villányi wines are deep in color, rich in flavor and have great aging potential. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Kékfrankos wines made here are deservedly popular both domestically and internationally.
Szekszárd
Wine region of Szekszrd has similar properties to Villány and is also famous for its red wines. The loess soil here and the high number of hours of sunlight result in high quality grapes. Szekszárd’s most famous wine is Kadarka, which is an ancient Hungarian grape variety, but other red wines from the wine region, such as Bikavér and Kékfrankos, are also excellent.
Balaton highlands
The wine region of the Balaton highlands encompasses the areas around Lake Balaton and has a diverse wine culture. The proximity of the lake and the volcanic soil give the wines special aromas. White wines such as Riesling, Szürkebarát and Chardonnay are mainly produced in the Balaton highlands, but red wines are also increasingly popular.
Badacsony
Wine region of Badacsony is also located around Lake Balaton and has a unique microclimate. The specialty of the wines produced here is due to the basalt soil, which gives the wines a mineral character. Badacsonyi Kéknyelű is a rare and special white wine that can only be found in this area.
Mátra
The Mátra wine region is one of the largest wine regions in Hungary and is located at the foot of the Mátra Mountains. The wines made here are mainly light, fruity white wines, but red wines also play a significant role. The specialty of Mátra wines is the volcanic soil here and the mountainous microclimate.
Somló
The wine region of Somló is one of the smallest wine regions in Hungary, but due to the unique character of their wines, they occupy a special place in the Hungarian wine culture. Somlói wines are mainly white wines, which stand out with their strong minerality and high acidity. The Juhfark grape variety is one of the most characteristic wines of this region.
Number of national wineries
There are currently more than 22,000 hectares of vineyards in Hungary, on which more than 1,600 registered wineries operate. These wineries vary in size and type: there are small family wineries, medium-sized regional wineries and larger, internationally known wineries.
The increase in the number of wineries is partly due to the increase in local and international demand, as well as state and European Union subsidies, which helped the development of the winemaking infrastructure.
Distribution of wineries by region
There are 22 officially recognized wine regions in Hungary, all of which have special climatic and soil characteristics. The most important wine regions and the number of wineries belonging to them are presented below:
- Tokaj-Hegyalja: This wine region has about 6,000 hectares of vineyards and more than 100 wineries operate here. Tokaj is famous for its aszú wines and unique microclimate.
- Eger: There are approximately 5,400 hectares of vineyards in the Eger wine region, and more than 160 wineries are active. The best-known wine of the region is Egri Bikavér.
- Villány: The Villány wine region covers an area of 2,100 hectares and there are more than 150 wineries here. The region is especially known for its red wines.
- Szekszárd: The Szekszárd wine region has about 2,200 hectares of vineyards and more than 100 wineries, which mainly produce red wines.
- Balaton-felvidék: The Balaton-felvidék wine region has about 8,500 hectares of vineyards and more than 250 wineries operate here. The region is mainly known for its white wines.
- Badacsony: The Badacsony wine region has about 1,600 hectares of vineyards and more than 80 wineries, where special mineral wines are made.
- Mátra: The Mátra wine region covers 6,200 hectares and is home to more than 160 wineries, mainly producing light white wines.
- Somló: The wine region of Somló has about 800 hectares of vineyards and more than 40 wineries that produce characteristic mineral white wines.
