Hungary's Favourite Grapes
Hungarian winemakers are increasingly turning to internationally recognised grape varietals to break into the world market, often with great success. For example, winemakers in southern Hungary, especially in the sunny regions of Villány and Szekszárd, are now producing Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs to rival those of any European country. The ever-popular Chardonnay is also grown on about 3,000 hectares of land, notably in the Mátraalja and Balatonboglár regions.
Hungary also has a number of grapes of its own, many of which yield unique wines that will surprise and delight. Most of these are white, reflecting the country’s traditional emphasis on white wine.(read more...)
Wine and Palinka
Bull’s Blood
The Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) blend, exclusive to the Eger and Szekszárd regions, is the best-known of all Hungarian wines. Legend has it that the name originates from the unsuccessful siege of Eger by the Turks in 1552, when the heavily outnumbered Hungarians had nothing to drink but red wine. This proved to be to their advantage, their red stained beards and wild eyes terrified the Turks, who thought they had been drinking Bull’s Blood.
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