Hungary’s wine culture is as deep and complex as its famous Tokaji Aszú. Whether you’re touring vineyards in Eger or ordering a glass in Budapest, knowing a few key terms will enrich your experience. This guide covers the vocabulary you’ll need to navigate Hungary’s wine scene like a local.
Grape Varieties and Wine Types
Furmint
/ˈfur.mint/Hungary’s flagship white grape, used in dry wines and the legendary sweet Tokaji Aszú.
Kékfrankos
/ˈkeːk.frɒn.koʃ/“Blaufränkisch”
A red grape producing spicy, medium-bodied wines, common in Sopron and Villány.
Egri Bikavér
/ˈɛɡ.ri ˈbi.kɒ.veːr/“Bull’s Blood of Eger”
A robust red blend from Eger, traditionally made with Kékfrankos, Kadarka, and other varieties.
Wine Production Terms
Aszú
[ˈɒsuː]“Noble rot”
Botrytised grapes used to make sweet Tokaji wines, prized for their honeyed complexity.
Puttonyos
[ˈputːoɲoʃ]A measure of sweetness in Tokaji Aszú (3-6 puttonyos), referring to the number of baskets of aszú grapes added.
Bordó
/ˈbor.doː/“Red wine”
Literally ‘claret’, but commonly used to refer to red wine in general.
Tasting and Drinking
Ízlelés
/ˈiːz.leː.leːʃ/“Tasting”
The act of sampling wine, often done at pincészetek (wine cellars) during tours.
Fanyar
[ˈfɒɲɒr]“Tart”
A sharp, acidic taste often found in young white wines like Olaszrizling.
Teltestű
/ˈtɛl.tɛʃ.tyː/“Full-bodied”
Describes a rich, weighty wine, such as a mature Villányi Cabernet.
Where to Drink
Hungary’s wine regions each have their own specialties. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Tokaj: Home of sweet Aszú and dry Furmint.
- Eger: Famous for Egri Bikavér and elegant whites.
- Villány: Red wine capital, especially for full-bodied Bordeaux varieties.
Pro tip: In Budapest, visit a borozó (small wine bar) for affordable local wines by the glass. Try a fröccs (wine spritzer) on a summer evening - it’s a Hungarian staple.
Ordering Like a Local
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Egy pohár fehérbor, kérem | A glass of white wine, please |
| Melyik a házi bor? | Which is the house wine? |
| Száraz vagy édes? | Dry or sweet? |
For more on Hungarian food and drink, see our guide on discussing Hungarian cuisine.
