Unbeknownst to many, Hungary is a significant producer of wines around the globe? Yes! You read it right. In fact, this small yet amazing country is home to 22 wine regions with a different microclimate producing different styles and tastes.
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If you are planning to visit Hungary this 2020, you should include some of the great wineries and vineyards in your itinerary. By doing so, you’ll discover their history and have a chance to tour their beautiful wine rooms and plantations.
To help you decide where to go first, here are 5 of the best wineries in Hungary that you shouldn’t miss.
Babarczi Estate and Winery
One of the most recommended wineries to visit in Hungary is the Babarczi Vineyard and Wine Cellar, owned by the Babarczi family. This estate is located in the Pannonhalma wine region — the smallest wine region of the country.
The Babarczi winery has more than 65 hectares of newly planted, modern vineyard where you can see different varieties of white grapes, including Olaszrizling, Rhine Riesling, and Müller Thurgau.
The owner of this estate aims to establish a winery that will prosper for generations. They work together to create wines every year that can reflect the unique characteristics of their region.
Dereszla Winery
Situated in the Tokaj wine region in Hungary, the Dereszla Winery is one of the best wineries in the country that is known for its sweet wines. It also makes a wide selection of wines, including dry, dessert, and Tokaji.
During your visit, you can taste single varietal wines made from native grape varieties like Kabar, Furmint, and Hárslevelű.
There are also complex blends between varieties that you will enjoy, such as Muskotály and Sárgamuskotály, to name a few.
Currently, the estate develops a wine bar that offers a great view across the Tokaj-Hegyalja vineyards. Moreover, Dereszla Winery will give you more than just a wine-tasting experience. Thus, it will also give you the chance to join for harvest and opportunities to learn how the cellar works and how to make wines.
Hilltop Neszmély Winery
If you love Pinot Grigio Wines, one of the famous white wine grapes grown primarily in France and Italy, you shouldn’t miss the Hilltop Neszmély Winery when you visit Hungary. This vineyard is one of the most popular wine farms in the country that also grows Pinot Gris and produces white and dry wines.
Furthermore, the Hilltop Neszmély operates in a state-of-the-art winery overlooking the beautiful view of the River Danube.
Their wines are crafted from grapes grown in the great terroirs of Hungary’s historical wine region.
Gere Winery
Started in 1991, Gere Winery is one of the most famous and recommended wineries in Hungary. It produces wines with elegance, harmony, complexity, refinement, all of which express the value of the Villány wine region.
The Gere Winery has a 75 hectares vineyard on the slopes of Kopár, Konkoly, Csillagvölgy, and Ördögárok. In their winery farm, you can see great varieties of grapes such as :
- Portugieser – A fresh and fruity Hungarian red.
- Blaufränkisch (Blue Frankish). A dark-skinned variety of grapes, primarily used for red wines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the most widely recognized red wine grape varieties.
- Cabernet franc. One of the major black grape varieties in the world.
- A dark blue-colored wine grape variety.
- Syrah (Shiraz). A dark-skinned grape variety grown all over the world.
- A black grape variety used to make full-bodied red wines.
Aside from the modern facilities and beautiful wine rooms of the winery, you can also enjoy the Gere Crocus Wine Hotel, and Mandula, a gourmet restaurant.
These experiences are just some of the highlights everyone can look forward to when they visit the Gere Winery during their trip to Hungary.
Ultimately, if you want to learn more about Hungarian wines, this is one of the best places to visit.
Haraszthy Vineyards
Established in 1996, Haraszthy Vineyards produces exquisite wines according to the grape varieties available in Etyek Buda Region. These include:
- Irsai Olivér. Hungarian white wine variety.
- Sauvignon Blanc. A green-skinned grape variety that originally came from the Bordeaux region of France.
- A green-skinned grape variety used to produce white wine.
- Pinot Noir. A red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera.
- Pinot Gris. A white wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera.
- A rare white wine variety that crosses between Bouvier and Ezejero.
Moreover, this winery was not only built to produce delicious wines but also created for hosting visitors and tourism as well. With that said, this place is an excellent destination for anyone who wants to discover more about Hungarian wines, taste Hungary’s specialties, or simply enjoy and relax while looking at the beautiful surroundings of the Etyek Buda Region.
Takeaway
If you are a wine lover, Hungary is one of the countries you should put on top of your travel destinations this 2020.
The 22 wine regions of the country will introduce different types of wines that will represent their cultures and characteristics. Moreover, the list of the best wineries and vineyards above may help you decide where to go and what to expect during your stay.