The Pannonian Wine Region
| Pécs |
733 ha |
| Szekszárd |
2 644 ha |
| Tolna |
2 982 ha |
| Villány |
2 553 ha |
| In total |
8 912 ha |
Hungary's hottest region has long, dry, sunny and often
submediterranean summers and mild winters. Szekszárd, Tolna and
Villány are quite similar regarding soils with loess the most
typical to all, supplemented by Pannonian sand in Szekszárd, brown
forest soil in Tolna, red clay in Villány, blended with limestone,
and dolomite. In Pécs we mostly find brown forest soils with low
lime content, and rendzina.
Szekszárd and Villány are considered Hungary's two premier red wine
areas where red grapes account for 81.9% and 76.7% of
plantings, respectively. In Pécs and Tolna white varieties are the
most prominent.
The so-called "Bordeaux world varieties", such as Cabernet
Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are of high importance in
Szekszárd and Villány and many of the great blends are usually made
from these. Kékfrankos is the everyday wine in Szekszárd and Tolna,
although winemakers, mostly in Szekszárd, have acheived great
results with reduced yields. Portugieser is a key player in Villány
with 17.1% of vineyard share to Cabernet Sauvignon's leading 17.5%.
New wines made Portugieser, not only light red wines but also
rosés, play an important role in winery liquidity, since its early
ripening makes wine available for St. Martin Day on November 11.
Zweigelt is also significant in all areas while trendy Pinot Noir
and Syrah have take up a few dozen hectares in Szekszárd and
Villány.
With its 80 hectares, Kadarka may only be seventh in terms of
planting in Szekszárd, but it is an intrinsic part of the identity
and history of the wine region. It makes a fresh, spicy wine with a
lighter colour, that is used to spice up Szekszárdi Bikavér; the
backbone of which is typically provided by Kékfrankos.
Austrian Cirfandli is a speciality of Pécs, whilst Hárslevelű is a
feature of Siklós, the other half of the Villány District. Rosé
wines, especially those made from Kékfrankos and Merlot are of
great significance in the whole Pannonian region, just as in the
rest of red wine areas of Hungary.