grapes to know from a to z

ASZÚ

Tokaj Aszú is one of the world's oldest botrytized wines, with production dating back to the 16th century. The wine is made from grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates the sugars and flavors in the grapes.The affected grapes, called "aszú berries," are harvested individually by hand, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Cserszegi Fűszeres

Expressed as a floral variety, it carries floral, fresh grape, honey and perfume notes complemented by a distinct spicy tone, which originates from the variety. It is characterized by a light body, moderately lively acids and restrained alcohol, making it an everyday wine most of the time. Due to its distinct, fragrant nature, it can also be used as a mating partner, complementing other varieties.

Csóka

The wines made from it could be placed somewhere on the pinot noir, kadarka line, perhaps even in style the kékfrankos is not too far from it. In terms of its aroma, in addition to spices, it is characterized by cherries and cherries with fresh acids, restrained, soft tannins, pronounced alcohol and supplemented with a medium body.

egri bikavér

It is a cuvée made from several varieties of blue grapes produced in the Eger wine region, which, according to its definition, cannot be dominated by the character of any single grape variety. The production of bull's blood in Eger goes back approximately 130-150 years. Three types of Bikavér wines are made in Eger: Classic, Superior and Grand Superior. The organoleptic evaluation required to market these wines is carried out by the local wine district’s judging committee. Egri Bikavér has been listed as a ‘Hungarikum’ since 2017. It is usually recommended for spicy dishes made from wild meet and beef, consumed at 16-18 °C. It can be an excellent accompaniment to heavier dishes such as stews, beef steaks, steaks, etc.

egri csillag

Egri Csillag pairs well with light dishes and is a great choice with vegetable or fish starters, soups and salads. Choose wines from the latest vintage to best enjoy their fresh, light style. Superior and Grand Superior wines pair well with heartier dishes such as grilled vegetables, cream soups and roast white meats.

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egri leányka

Királyleányka, which translates to "Little Princess" in English, is an indigenous grape variety of Hungary. It is believed to be a cross between the Kövérszőlő and Leányka grape varieties. Királyleányka is popular in Hungary and is gaining recognition in international markets. Its unique aromatic profile and refreshing taste make it a favorite among wine enthusiasts looking for something different from the more common white grape varieties.

ezerjó

It is a typically neutral variety, capable of relatively high alcohol in addition to high acids. It is often characterized by green spices, basil, dill, cut grass and some herbal tones, accompanied by discreet fruitiness, pear and honey, sometimes complemented by an oily texture.

furmint

A very versatile variety and can be used to make wines from totally bone dry to the incredibly sweet Essencia. Its color is usually greenish pale yellow, its aroma is characteristically intense muscat, carrying soft acids. its aroma is accompanied by wild apple, lychee, pear, and peach, which also appear in its taste, ideally with a little butter rounding off.

generosa

A relatively new and unique white grape variety developed in Hungary. Wines made from Generosa grapes typically exhibit a range of appealing characteristics. They often have a fresh, fruity aroma with floral notes, and the palate tends to be balanced with a good acidity. The flavor profile can include hints of citrus, apple, and sometimes tropical fruits, making it an enjoyable and versatile wine.

Hárslevelű

It is characterised by delicate floral notes, mainly linden blossom, linden blossom honey and chestnut. It usually boasts ripe aromas of stone fruit, pear, apricot and fine honey, with its aromatics led by restrained perfume. Poultry, pork and veal are good choices and even slightly richer sauces and gravies work well with high-quality Hárslevelű.

Irsai Olivér

Irsai is the perfect choice for your first "wine date". Wines made from Irsai should be consumed young to best preserve its crisp, fresh fruitiness and perfume. It is characterised by light body and alcohol as well as fresh acidity complemented by elderflower and gooseberry. The perfumed notes already mentioned are generally the key characteristic of its wines. The variety yields attractive, fresh, youthful, approachable wines.

Juhfrak

In the Somló wine region, it is characterized by citrus, grapefruit, green spicy tones, mint and full flavors when young, complemented by salty, mineral, stony leanness and fresh acids. Aging in wooden barrels can add additional complexity to the wine, which also shows beautifully in pairings.

Kadarka

Kadarka is a red grape variety primarily grown in Hungary and other Central and Eastern European countries. Known for its light to medium body, Kadarka wines often feature flavors of red berries, spices, and sometimes a hint of pepper. This wine is appreciated for its bright acidity and is typically enjoyed young. Kadarka's vibrant profile makes it a versatile wine that pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes. It's an excellent match for grilled vegetables, poultry. Its refreshing and approachable nature also makes it perfect for enjoying on its own or at casual gatherings.

kéknyelű

It is a unique white wine grape variety indigenous to the Badacsony wine region in Hungary, located near Lake Balaton. The name "Kéknyelű" translates to "blue stalk" in Hungarian, referring to the bluish tint of the grapevine’s stems. It is characterised by restrained fruit and spice as well as a certain leanness, which may be complemented by its salty, oily texture. Kéknyelű pairs well with a variety of dishes, particularly those with subtle flavors that complement its delicate profile. It works nicely with seafood, poultry, salads, and dishes featuring herbs and light sauces.

olaszrizling

A unique feature of Olaszrizling is its high magnesium requirement. The wine made from it is most often characterized by citrus, fruity, almond and green apple flavors. They are the perfect accompaniment to summer barbecues and light dishes with vegetables and salads. They are pleasant to eat all year round. It goes great with fish, grilled trout or smoked salmon, but it also goes well with grilled chicken. Its mineral-rich versions are also recommended for lemon salads and veal. Due to its aroma reminiscent of a flowery meadow, it also harmonizes well with apple cakes.

siller

A style of wine that falls between red and rosé wines. It is a traditional Hungarian wine made by fermenting grape juice with the skins for a shorter period than typical red wines, but longer than most rosés. This results in a wine that has a deeper color and more tannin than a rosé, but is lighter and less tannic than a red wine.

szekszárdi Bikavér

Szekszárd bikavér wine has a medium-deep ruby color, typically a large body, medium-high tannin content, medium acidity and high alcohol content. Szekszárd bikavér must be made from at least four grape varieties. The base is provided by a minimum of 45% Kékfrankos and 5% Kadarka. The aroma is rich and complex with notes of dark berries, cherries, plums, spices, and sometimes a hint of smokiness.

Szürkebarát

Can be made in many different styles. A bone-dry, full-bodied wine with a high alcohol content and moderate acidity is one option, and on the other side, there are lots made with significant residual sugar or very light, crisp, neutral style, dominated by citrus and green notes. Ripe stone fruits, wax, flint, ginger and honey may also appear in the more mature styles.

villányi franc

It is the epitome of elegance and harmony.” Villányi Franc has one of the strictest protection of origin regulations in the country. Two categories can be made: “premium” and “super premium”. Both require a minimum of one year’s ageing in oak, while the super premium category requires an additional year of bottle ageing and even lower yields. Chaptalisation is not permitted for either. A committee of local wine judges tastes the wines and performs sensory evaluations for both categories, ensuring that they meet the product description for the category in question. They are distinctly deep in colour with a characteristic and elegant combination of delicate spice and fruit. They must also undergo oak maturation. Its aromatics are characterised by pronounced notes of raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant and a beautiful floral spiciness.

zengő öcsi

The variety is most often described with discreet, fragrant notes, white floral and stone fruit aromas. In addition to fresh, fresh acids and a medium-large body, it is capable of high alcohol content or can be made with significant residual sugar, which can offset the pronounced freshness of the wine. Thanks to its structural elements and with care in the right growing area, the variety can produce wines that can be kept.

kékfrankos

Its wines are most often (depending on the style) fresh, fruity and reminiscent of strawberry, raspberry and violet with floral and delicately spicy notes. It is characterised by pronounced acidity and moderately intense tannins. Kékfrankos wines pair well with a variety of dishes due to their acidity and tannin structure. They complement grilled meats, game, hearty stews, and dishes with earthy flavors. The freshness of Kékfrankos also makes it a good match for foods with a bit of spice.