Villány Wine Region Since 1850
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HUNGARY GOES PROWEIN 2018 Hungary, situated in the heart of Europe, has a wealth of culture and history, an abundance of hot springs, and as many as 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the country. Budapest is a city full of surprises with a lively downtown area, and several natural and man-made attractions – some of them iconic, and others waiting to be discovered. Although the local cuisine has preserved its traditions, Hungary is no longer merely the country of goulash and paprika. Today, it offers an exciting fusion of authenticity and modernity, along with a distinctive variety of flavours. Thanks to this exceptional blend and unique ingredients – like the Mangalica pork, or goose and duck liver – excitingly fresh creations attract food enthusiasts and connoisseurs from all over the world. You can experience the same revival in Hungarian winemaking: besides the well-known Aszú from Tokaj, delightful and lovely wines are bottled by talented and innovative winemakers. These bottles are full of joy and a must to discover – and so is Hungary! 1 FULL OF GASTRONOMY FULL OF AUTHENTIC WINES The renewal of Hungarian Bocuse d’Or Finale in Lyon. gastronomy over the past few Besides the successes and years has put the country on the achievements of Budapest, A hundred years ago Hungary was If Hungarian products were to be international stage: Hungary’s the importance of gastronomy among the most important wine placed in a wine shop according first Michelin-star restaurant was has also been growing in the producers of the continent. Royal their flavor profile, they would be followed by three more just in a countryside over the past courts in Europe clinked glasses found in every corner of the store. few years. Today, four restaurants years: consumers are aware of filled with precious gold Tokaj Our wines represent a unique in Budapest can boast with this and look for quality, seasonal wine, while other lush Hungarian variety, and the wines of Eger, exceptional recognition, putting ingredients, and local home-grown whites and reds were lauded and Tokaj, Villány or Somló have a very the Hungarian capital in a leading products. In addition to local enjoyed by the wealthy. distinctive taste and structure. Yet role in the region. cuisine, Hungary has also strong Hungary is gaining back its nearly all these wines reflect their shared In 2016, Hungary won the right to traditions of processing industry forgotten fame and glory thanks history and hundreds of years of organize the European final of the and craftsmanship: visitors can to the countless small wineries, tradition. The balanced wines of Bocuse d‘Or competition that saw discover the rural gastronomic owning estates replanted and Eger, the complex sweets of Tokaj, the victory of the Hungarian chef, heritage and traditions, as well as carefully cultivated by the new the structured reds of Szekszárd Tamás Széll, while 2017 brought an Hungarian agricultural products on generation of winegrowers. and Villány, and the ashy whites unprecedented 4th place on the several thematic routes. Beautiful wines from these of Somló: Hungary indeed boasts vineyards are the result of an amazing spectrum of wine traditional winemaking culture varieties, all exciting, authentic mixed with modernity and and waiting to be rediscovered. improvements. 2 3 TOKAJ WINE REGION FULL OF POTENTIAL The Tokaj region’s potential is Size of the region: tremendous. Its unparalleled 5700 ha natural environment, rich traditions, incomparable Main varieties: grape varieties and ambitious Furmint professionals give the entire region a continuous impetus. In the past Hárslevelű years producers of the region have Sárgamuskotály (Muscat discovered that dry Furmint wines Lunel) reflect the volcanic soils in the best and purest way. These efforts mean that today Tokaj is not only home to the best sweet wines but has also given the world a new taste through the dry Furmint. TOKAJ WINE REGION TOKAJ REGION WINE MAP OF MAP 4 5 TOKAJI ASZÚ BALATON WINE REGION FULL OF COMPLEXITY FULL OF CHARM Tokaji Aszú is probably the best sunshine helps the mould called Balaton is a 70 km long lake, on natural sweet wine in the world, Botrytis cinerea to proliferate. average 5 km wide, surrounded a product of the symphony of The most notable grape variety by volcanic mountains. Taking Size of the region: climate, soil, variety, people and of the Aszú and the entire region advantage of the picturesque history. is the Furmint. The grape berries scenery, the wineries founded 8700 ha The birth of aszú grapes is a affected by noble rot are selected here established cellars and wine Important varieties: wonder of nature. It is due to the by hand, followed by a special terraces with a splendid view of unique microclimate of the Tokaj wine making process. The balance the vineyards. Mainly white wines Olaszrizling wine region that this phenomenon in the Tokaji Aszú is perfect, and are made here based on varieties Furmint can appear from year to year. the complexity of its taste is from the Carpathian Basin. Juhfark The weather determined by the infinite. North of the lake, a remarkably Kéknyelű morning mist of the rivers Tisza distinctive 431 metre mountain and Bodrog and the autumn called Somló stands out, Hárslevelű humidity followed by warming competing with Tokaj in terms of Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris) the complexity of its white wines. Kékfrankos 6 7 PANNON WINE REGION I. SZEKSZÁRD, TOLNA FULL OF ELEGANCE Szekszárd, a picturesque city surrounded by vineyards, is often mentioned as home of the most sophisticated and exciting red wines. The vineyards lying on the hill near the Danube are not on volcanic soil, but predominantly on Size of the region: loess. Therefore the best wines of 2200 ha (Szekszárd) Szekszárd are full-bodied, elegant 2400 ha (Tolna) and remarkably mooth. Today, winemakers of the subregion pay Important varieties and wine types: special attention to such exciting Kékfrankos varieties as Kékfrankos and Kadarka (in red just as in beautiful Kadarka rosé wines). The region is also one Cabernet Franc of the best places for hiking and Bikavér (Kékfrankos based blend) excursions in the country. 9 PANNON WINE REGION II. VILLÁNY, PÉCS FULL OF SUNSHINE Located in southern Hungary, Villány produces the most structured and full-bodied Hungarian wines. Numerous wineries have acquired the modern Size of the region: style of southern-type winemaking, 2500 ha (Villány) which is characterized by full- 650 ha (Pécs) bodied spicy flavour. Cabernet Franc plays a leading role since 2014; Important varieties: this variety grows fabulously in the subregion. Villány is never dull: Cabernet Franc on the one hand, it is the sunniest Cabernet Sauvignon settlement in the country, and on Syrah the other hand, the wine region Merlot buzzes from spring to autumn all Portugieser the time: several festivals, cellar tours and gastronomic programs Kékfrankos await wine lovers. Cirfandli 11 NORTHERN PANNON WINE REGION I. - SOPRON FULL OF PRECISION Sopron, situated on the Hungarian–Austrian border, near Lake Neusiedl is mostly inspired by Kékfrankos. Several producers use an organic and biodynamic approach, and make precise, well- structured and fruity red wines. Terroir also plays an important Size of the region: role: limestone, gneiss, schist, the 1600 ha proximity of Lake Neusiedl and the cool climate coming from the Important varieties: Alps contribute to the uniqueness of the wines. The wine region Kékfrankos also lives in a highly recognizable Zweigelt symbiosis with the neighbouring Zöld vertelini (Grüner Veltliner) Burgenland. 12 13 NORTHERN PANNON WINE REGION II. ETYEK-BUDA, NESZMÉLY, MÓR AND PANNONHALMA FULL OF FRESHNESS Numerous peculiar and authentic wine growing subregions can be found on the north-western slopes of the Danube and the nearby hills. The really fresh, crisp and crunchy Size of the region: white wines can reach even the 4100 ha highest level of complexity. The wineries showing continuous Important varieties: develop ment have also found the Ezerjó balance of making red wine (such Olaszrizling (Welschriesling) as Pinot Noirs of great potential) beside the white wines for which Irsai Olivér the region is famous. Etyek-Buda, Sauvignon Blanc home of the Hungarian sparkling Chardonnay wines (pezsgő) is easily reachable Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris) from Budapest and offers plenty Pinot Noir of exciting festivals all year round. Kékfrankos 15 NORTHERN HUNGARY WINE REGION EGER, MÁTRA AND BÜKK FULL OF BALANCE Eger can be called the balance Size of the region: of extremities, partly as at 47th 5300 ha (Eger) latitude it is the northernmost 6000 ha (Mátra) red-wine-producing region 1000 ha (Bükk) of Europe. In addition Mount Nagy-Eged boasts plantations Important red varieties and wine types: in a height of 500 m above sea Egri Bikavér (blend) level. New generation of Eger Kékfrankos winemakers produce extremely elegant whites and reds: here Kadarka was born Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Syrah Blood of Eger) and in 2011 a white Pinot Noir blend based on varieties of the Cabernet Franc Carpathian basin, Egri Csillag (Star Portugieser of Eger). Zweigelt Lying by the foothills of Hungary’s highest mountain, the Mátra Important white varieties and wine types: region is less than a one-hour Egri Csillag (blend) drive from Budapest. Primarily Olaszrizling (Welschriesling) known for light and fragrant wines, it is also home of a band of Hárslevelű dynamic and daring winemakers Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris) prepared to push the limits, Chardonnay proving how good the terroir here Királyleányka really is. 16 17 DANUBE WINE REGION ORGANIC AND FULL OF FRUITINESS NATURAL WINES Situated on the Great Plain of Size of the region: The movement of organic represents the interests of organic Hungary, Danube (or Duna) is also 23000 ha producers started at the beginning viticulturists and winemakers. the name of the largest wine of the 1980s with the aim of In 2017 the total area of organic region of the country.