Wine Tasting in Budapest

Hungary is home to 22 wine-making regions in which varied wineries produce rich reds and sweet whites. The country’s volcanic soil and dry summers combine to provide ideal conditions for the vineyards to thrive. Here are a few ways to savor the flavors of Hungarian wine in and around Budapest.

Must-Try Varietals

Many of Hungary’s most popular wines are produced in the fertile hills north of Budapest, where conditions are perfect for a diverse range of grape varietals to flourish. With subtle and delicate honey flavors, the white dessert wines from Tokaj blend furmint harslevelu and muskotaly grape varieties beautifully, and rank among the most popular wines produced in Hungary. Full-bodied reds from Eger—featuring varietals including bibor kadarka, blauburger, kadarka, and kekfrankos —are also often found on the capital’s restaurant tables.

Must-Do Experiences

• Spin through the Etyek wine region, visiting family-run cellars to sample the delicate white wines in production and learn of traditional wine-making techniques

• Take to the Danube River on a wine-tasting cruise, and sample wines from Hungarian wineries like Szajki as you drift past sights such as the Buda Castle

• Combine a wine-tasting experience with a visit to Budapest’s bustling food market, where vendors hawk ultra-fresh ingredients with local and regional flavors

• Explore Somlo and Lake Balaton on a day trip from Budapest, and visit some of the traditional wineries for which the region is famous