Hungarian Wine

North Hungary

This is the second biggest region with its climate typified by long winters and little precipitation. Mátra and Bükk are white wine dominated districts. In Eger, since the nineties, blue grapes have become predominant, as opposed to the previously balanced proportion. Those red wines that do come from Mátraalja vary greatly from Eger. They serve to widen the assortment and are fragrant, more acidic and lighter. On the other hand, reds have long ageing potential in Eger which is known for its legendary Bikavér blends, which use Kékfrankos as the backbone. Bikavér was formerly known as Bull's Blood on foreign markets. However, most of the district's winemakers consider that name too blighted for its association as a cheap and cheerful, but by no means high-quality wine that flooded western markets in the communist era, that they have started marketing again from scratch. Bikavér continues to struggle as some winemakers continue to put out thin wines under the name and wine regulation has been insufficient to tackle this problem, though the introduction of the Bikavér Superior classification is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, certain producers still prefer to use another name for what is their top Bikavér.

The region's soils are varied, but rhyolitic tuff is a typical base rock in all three districts, on which black "nyirok" soils (often poor in lime) and lessivated brown forest soils have formed. Eger also has the highly prized south-facing limestone Eged Hill which has perfect growing conditions. 

Experimenting is a characteristic feature in Eger. Many believe that Pinot Noir thrives in the cooler northern climate and could make Eger famous, while Syrah also grabbing people's attention. Eger also has real rarities like the rich Menoir (previously Kékmedoc) and Turán, while Kadarka is making a comeback. Fashionable fragrant rosé wines are important in Eger and Mátraalja, and are often made from Kékfrankos. Traditional Eger whites include Debrői Hárslevelű, Verpeléti Olaszrizling and Egri Leányka, though the latter does not seem to be able to find its place on the market.

Mátra is the home of fragrant wines from Rizlingszilváni (11.2%), Muscat Ottonel (7.6%), Szürkebarát (7.2%), Olaszrizling (6.9%) and Chardonnay (6.6%). However, Irsai Olivér, Tramini, Leányka, Zöld veltelini, Hárslevelű, Cserszegi fűszeres and Zenit are also important. Late harvest wines are a feature of all three regions.