Tag Archive for: souvenirs

Hungarian Wine Guide: From Tokaji to Other Great Indigenous Varieties

Eastern Europe is increasingly known for its exciting wines, and Hungary stands out with its diverse offerings. Among them, Tokaji wines and the country’s indigenous grape varieties hold a special place, offering unique flavors and histories that rival renowned wine regions like Bordeaux and the Rhineland. We have more than 100 grape varieties that we use for the local wines, which sometimes can cause some challenges even for seasoned wine enthusiasts. That is why we thought it could be helpful to make a little Hungarian wine guide, to help everybody find their favorite Hungarian wine. 

Hungarian Wine Guide

Tokaji: Hungary’s Jewel

Tokaji wine comes from a designated area in northeastern Hungary, known for its volcanic hills and picturesque landscapes. This region is not just beautiful but historically significant, comparable in importance to Bordeaux. Since Hungary’s political shift in 1989, foreign investments, particularly from French companies, have revitalized Tokaji production, enhancing its global appeal.

Flavors and Characteristics: Tokaji wines are celebrated for their well-balanced profiles, often featuring notes of apple, autumn leaves, and apricot. The wines made from indigenous grape varieties like Furmint and Hárslevelű are particularly favored. These grapes contribute to a thick texture, chewy mouthfeel, and subtle aromas of limeflower, mint, and pastry dough. Furmint, known for its higher acidity, adds a refreshing zing to these wines.

Challenges in Global Recognition

Despite their quality, Hungarian wines face challenges abroad, where names like Furmint and Hárslevelű are not widely recognized or appreciated. As a result, international varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay dominate supermarket shelves worldwide.

Irsai Oliver: One exception to this trend is Irsai Oliver, a Hungarian crossing reminiscent of a crisp, stripped-back Gewürztraminer. Known for its musky scent and distinct character, Irsai Oliver has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the international wine scene.

Hungarian Wine Guide

Hungarian Reds: Beyond the Bull’s Blood

Hungarian red wines, often associated with the robust image of “Bull’s Blood” (Egri Bikavér), tend to surprise with their relatively light and slender profiles. Kékfrankos: Also known as Blaufränkisch in Austria, Kékfrankos produces elegant red wines with flavors of dark berries, spices, and a distinct earthy character. However, it’s worth noting that neighboring countries like Bulgaria often offer better value in this category.

 

Hungarian Wine Guide

Tips for Enjoying Hungarian Wine in Budapest

  1. Wine Bars vs. Wine Cellars: While wine bars offer convenience and a lively atmosphere, wine cellars provide a more intimate and authentic setting for wine enthusiasts. If you want to hang out with some local wine enthusiasts next to Gellért Hill, we would recommend visiting the Palack Wine Bar
  2. Wine Pairing Dinners: Look out for restaurants in Budapest that offer wine-pairing menus, where local wines are expertly matched with gourmet dishes for a memorable culinary experience.
  3. Buying Hungarian Wine: Consider purchasing bottles of Hungarian wine to take home as souvenirs. Many wine shops in Budapest offer a curated selection of local wines, allowing you to explore more varieties beyond what’s available in restaurants and bars. If you are looking for a wine-tasting and wine shop run by local wine professionals, check out Taste Hungary’s Wine shop
  4. Wine Tours: If you have a full day in Budapest to dive into our wine culture, the best way is to see the Hungarian countryside while you are trying the best local wines right from the source and learn from passionate winemakers. The scenic landscapes, charming villages, and authentic local cuisine enhance the experience, making it a feast for the senses. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious novice, a Hungarian wine tour promises enriching discoveries and unforgettable memories. We recommend the Around Budapest’s Wine Tours.

 

Exploring Hungarian wine in Budapest is not just about tasting great wines, but also about delving into the country’s rich winemaking heritage and vibrant wine culture. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, Budapest offers a plethora of experiences to indulge in the flavors and stories behind Hungarian wines. Don’t forget to join our daily Free Budapest Walking Tours for recommendations on wine bar dinners and the best places to buy high-quality Hungarian wine at the best prices. Cheers to discovering new favorites and enjoying memorable moments in the heart of Hungary’s capital city!

5 Things You Must Know About Hungarian Wine

Step into the enchanting world of Hungarian wine, where time-honored traditions seamlessly intertwine with contemporary winemaking techniques. Hungary’s opulent viticultural history and diverse terroir render it a clandestine haven for wine enthusiasts. If you’re gearing up to immerse yourself in the rich wine culture of Hungary, here are five indispensable insights:

1. Unearthing Historical Roots

The Hungarian landscape, blessed with a climate and soil conducive to winemaking, has a history deeply rooted in Greek Celtic traditions, and Roman practices. Roughly a 1000 years later we, the Magyars arrived and added Eastern wisdom to the rest. Documented wine production flourished around 1000 in Pannonhalma, Szekszard, and the Buda area. The significance of wine in Catholic masses fueled economic interests for churches to promote viticulture in Benedictine orders. Before the 150 years of Turkish occupation, many varieties of Italian and French grapes were introduced. In the Turkish era, the Hungarians learned how to make red wines from the Serbs.

It was in the 16th century that Tokaj became known as the “wine of kings, king of wines”. This term comes from the Sun King Louis XIV. From 1882, phylloxera took a heavy toll on Hungary’s vineyards, destroying almost half of the country’s plantations. After the Peace of Trianon closed WWI, nearly two-thirds of the vineyards went beyond the borders, while more than half of the wine-consuming population remained here.

After WWII, due to economic and political decisions, wine production touched bottom economically and morally. As the system shifted in 1989, Hungary lost most of its eastern markets, and foreign investment was welcomed. Nowadays we produce roughly the same amount of wine as New Zealand, but we only send 20% of our wines for export, that is probably the main reason why you haven’t heard about the Hungarian Wines. You have to visit us to try our liquid treasures!

 

2. The Vital Elements: Weather, Soil, Crop Load, and Harvest Timing

Hungary proudly boasts 22 wine districts, each offering a unique blend of weather conditions and soil types. From almost Mediterranean to continental climates, vineyards in flat areas feature sandy soil, while higher elevations boast a mix of rich forest soils, marl, and volcanic elements. Pay attention to the crop load, measured in kilograms per vine. It plays a pivotal role in the concentration and richness of flavors in the wine. Harvest timing, determined by factors like sugar content and acidity, is a critical phase in the winemaking journey. Because of our climate and soil, we produce mostly white wines.

3. Hungarian Wine Grapes and Their Stories

Hungarian vineyards are home to a variety of grape types, but three noble white grapes stand out: Furmint, Hárslevelű, and Juhfark. These indigenous varieties contribute to the distinctive flavors found in Hungarian wines. Furmint, famous for producing the sweet nectar known as Tokaji Aszú, is a legendary dessert wine. Hárslevelű is a late-ripening variety ideal for Tokaji wines. Juhfark, named for the shape of the grape’s clusters, produces a straw-yellow wine with a restrained bouquet. Finally, Irsai Olivér has a muscat aroma and gentle acids, aging fast and making it a good wine for conversations. Behind each grape variety, there is a personal story from the inventor or a historical urban legend. We are so proud of the tokaji aszú for example that we sing about it in our national anthem. The tokaji aszú is the most protected Hungarian wine. For example, you have to handpick the grapes for those. If it is not complicated enough, you have to age them at least 6 months in local oak barrels.  Hungary has more than 100 of its own grape varieties. That is probably the other big reason you haven’t heard about them yet. Wines called ‘Cserszegi Fűszeres’ offer an impossible challenge to read or remember to non-Hungarian speakers so that makes it very difficult to sell them on the international market.

4. Renowned Hungarian Red Grape Varieties

Cirka 70% of our wines are white, but that doesn’t mean that the reds have low quality, on the contrary, local winemakers are very specific about their red grape varieties, they only plant them in wine districts with volcanic soil, like Eger, Villány , Szekszárd or Badacsony. Of course, amongst many international varieties, we have our own as well.

The best examples are the Kadarka, a native Balkan wine, that found its way to Hungary in the 16th century, becoming a key component of Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), and the Kékfrankos, with its robust acids, adds character to Hungarian reds. Hungarian reds are usually mid-bodied wines with a more neutral taste to them, they are the perfect pair next to any dish with a bunch of paprika. If you go to a traditional Hungarian restaurant you can’t go wrong if you order a Kékfrankos.

5. Hungarian Wine as a souvenir. Which one to buy?

A bottle of local wine can be a great souvenir as well, especially because grocery stores are mandated to locally source at least 50% of their wine products. That means for the visitors that you can find Hungarian wines everywhere and from 5-7 € (2000 HUF) you can buy excellent quality bottles of wine.

For souvenirs, explore Hungarian whites crafted from indigenous grapes like Furmint and Hárslevelű, presenting thick textures, chewiness, and subtle aromatics. Irsai Oliver, a surviving Hungarian crossing, offers a crisped-up, gewürztraminer-like experience. Despite the Bull’s Blood image, Hungarian reds tend to be light yet lusciously velvety, with the best Bikavér hailing from Eger and Szekszárd.

Tokaji Wine: A Symphony of History and Flavor:

Probably the sweetest dessert wine you can find. Embark on a journey through Hungarian history with a sip of Tokaji wine, a region that once rivaled Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhineland. Nestled in volcanic hills in the Northeast, Tokaj produces sweet, botrytized wines, with Aszú wines often called “liquid gold” for their exceptional quality.

Eger and Bull’s Blood: Legends in Every Sip:

Eger, renowned for its robust reds, introduces Egri Bikavér, or Bull’s Blood, a blend featuring Kékfrankos, Kadarka, and local varieties. Legend has it that this wine’s name originated from a 16th-century battle, a tale your Free Budapest Walking Tour guide will delightfully share. Discover the essence of Hungarian wine – a delightful revelation for every wine enthusiast.

 

We recommend the following Hungarian winemakers, whose names you can find proudly displayed on the wine labels: Bock József, Gere Attila, Mészáros Pál, Áts Károly, Thummerer Vilmos, and Gál Tibor. Look for Hungarian wine at Bortársaság, ‘Borháló,’ Spar, and Tesco shops for the most reasonable price.

As you take our Free Budapest Walking Tours, your tour guide will speak about Hungarian wine. Most of us are big fans of the local wines so it can be a delightful discovery for every wine enthusiast.

12 Ideas for Souvenirs from Budapest

If you’re on a mission to bring back the coolest mementos from Budapest, you’ve hit the jackpot! Budapest is a treasure trove of quirky gifts that will have your friends saying, ‘Where on earth did you find that?’ All we love full-heartedly is eating and drinking, so most of the souvenirs from Budapest going to be consumable, but we have some great little inventions you wouldn’t even think that it comes from Hungary! So let’s get to it: 

 

1) Palinka: Liquid Courage, Hungarian Style: Need a boost of confidence? Take a sip of Palinka and conquer the world (or at least your next karaoke performance).

2) Paprika with an Attitude: Budapest’s paprika isn’t your average spice; it’s a spice with personality. Your bland dishes will thank you. The best source for the local paprika powder is the Great Market Hall.

3)Embroidered Towels: Now with Bonus Cabbage Design: Because nothing says ‘I had a blast in Budapest’ like drying off with a towel adorned with cabbage embroidery. It’s the vegetable chic everyone’s talking about.

4) Unicum: The Elixir of Instant Wisdom: Forget wisdom teeth; get instant wisdom with a shot of Unicum. It’s like a PhD in a bottle, minus the student loans.

5) Hungarian Playing Cards: Because Regular Cards are Boring: Add a touch of Hungarian flair to your card games. Warning: opponents may be distracted by the sheer awesomeness of your deck.

6) Spicy Sausage: Make Your Taste Buds Dance: This sausage is so spicy; it makes salsa look like mild ketchup. Challenge accepted!

7) Tokaji Wine:  The Grape Escape: Forget your standard grape juice; Tokaji Wine is the grape escape your taste buds have been dreaming of.

8) Hungarian Pottery and Porcelain: Breakable Art You Didn’t Know You Needed: Sure, it’s delicate, but so are dreams. Embrace the fragility with some beautiful Hungarian pottery.

9) Rubik’s Cube:  The OG Brain Teaser Because nothing says ‘I can solve complex problems’ like carrying around a Rubik’s Cube. Impress your friends and leave them in a colorful twist.

10) Bejgli: The Hungarian Roll of Delight: It’s not just a pastry; it’s a delicious cultural experience. Warning: may cause addiction.

11) Hungarian Dolls: Not Just for Kids: These dolls are so charming; that even adults will want to play pretend. Go ahead, have a doll tea party; we won’t judge.

12) Goulash Paste: because nothing says ‘I had a blast in Budapest’ like souvenirs that spice up both your trip memories and your kitchen adventures!

Seize the day in Budapest with our daily free guided tours! Discover the top spots for souvenir shopping, master the art of bargaining, and unlock a wealth of insider tips – all on us! Grab your wallet and get ready for a shopping spree that’ll have your suitcase begging for mercy. Budapest, you’ve outdone yourself in the souvenir department!”