Hungarian Fine Wine

Hungary’s winemaking heritage is as rich and layered as the wines themselves, its roots stretching back to Roman times. The golden era came in the 17th and 18th centuries, when Tokaji Aszú, made from botrytised grapes, became one of the most sought-after wines in Europe, gracing royal tables from Versailles to the Vatican.

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Hungary: ‘Bull’s Blood’, distinctive reds and heavenly sweet wines

While the 20th century brought phylloxera, World Wars, and the decline of quality under Communism, the last three decades have marked a remarkable renaissance. Today, with a focus on indigenous varieties like Kékfrankos and a generation of passionate producers, Hungary is firmly re-establishing itself as a source of distinctive, world-class wines that blend heritage with contemporary appeal. There are 22 official wine regions across the country, each with its own character. Tokaj remains the flagship, famed not only for its world-class sweet wines but increasingly for elegant, dry expressions of Furmint and Hárslevelű. Eger, home of the famed Egri Bikavér (‘Bull’s Blood’), showcases structured, spicy reds, while Villány in the south produces full-bodied, age-worthy wines, particularly from Cabernet Franc.

Popular Hungarian Wine

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Show in Bond Pricing Buying in bond means the wine is stored in a bonded warehouse and no duty or VAT has been paid—ideal for storage or resale. <br>Duty paid means taxes are included and the wine is ready for home delivery and drinking.

2021 Somlo Hidden Treasure Project, Weingut Moric

2020 Hun Tokaji Furmint, István Szepsy, Tokaj

2016 Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, Château Pajzos

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Popular Hungarian wine styles and grape varieties

Hungary’s wine styles reflect its rich terroirs and native grapes. Furmint, the star of Tokaji, produces both lusciously sweet and increasingly refined dry whites, marked by acidity and minerality. Hárslevelű adds floral depth in blends. In Somló, the Juhfark variety (meaning sheep’s tail) yields ageworthy, volcanic-driven whites. Near Lake Balaton, meanwhile, Olaszrizling thrives, offering fresh, almond-toned wines. Kékfrankos, the country’s most planted red, gives spicy, cherry-fruited wines, especially in Eger, Szekszárd, and Sopron. The Egri Bikavér ‘Bull’s Blood’, meanwhile, is anchored by Kékfrankos, blended with grapes like Kadarka and Bordeaux varietals to deliver bold, structured reds, highlighting Hungary’s stylistic diversity and growing international appeal.

Hungarian wine FAQs

What is Tokaji and why is it so famous?

Tokaji is Hungary’s most renowned wine, produced in the Tokaj region in the northeast of the country. Its fame rests on Tokaji Aszú, a historic sweet wine made from botrytised (noble rot-affected) grapes, primarily Furmint, Hárslevelű and Sárgamuskotály, which are hand harvested and blended with a base wine. First documented in the 16th century, Tokaji Aszú became prized across European courts, famously dubbed “the wine of kings, king of wines” by Louis XIV. Its intense sweetness, married to pronounced acidity, and complex flavours of apricot, honey and spice give it remarkable ageing potential.

Which other Hungarian wine regions are noteworthy and why?

Beyond Tokaj, several Hungarian regions stand out for their specific character. Villány, in the south, is celebrated for full-bodied reds, notably from Cabernet Franc, which thrives in its warm climate and limestone soils. Eger, home to the historic Egri Bikavér blend, produces elegant, spicy reds, often led by Kékfrankos, a variety that is also grown – alongside Kadarka – in Szekszárd, where it yields structured, expressive reds. Somló, by contrast, is famed for its volcanic soils and ageworthy, mineral-driven whites such as Juhfark. And Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake, moderates the surrounding climate to deliver fresh, aromatic whites such as Olaszrizling.

Hungarian Wine Producers

Lay & Wheeler offers a curated selection of Hungarian wines from a range of reputed producers. And none more so than Royal Tokaji. Established in 1990 when a group of 62 vineyard owners came together with overseas investors led by wine writer Hugh Johnson, this winery rekindled Tokaji's legacy, producing both sweet and dry Furmint wines that showcase the region's volcanic terroir. With roots dating back to 1413, Disznókő is equally renowned for its Tokaji Aszú wines, sourced from a single vineyard, and was revived in similar manner in the early 1990s under the ownership of AXA Millésimes. Nearby Château Pajzos also crafts a range of Tokaji wines, including dry Furmint and sweet Aszú, emphasizing purity and balance. Meanwhile for something different, Austrian producer Weingut Moric collaborates on the Hidden Treasures project, producing wines that highlight Hungary's smaller winemakers and indigenous varieties.