| There's a thing about the Hungarians - these days | | | | Hungary is comparatively northerly in latitude (on |
| they like to keep their wine to themselves (only a | | | | a par with Burgundy), which makes it ideally |
| fifth of their wines are exported). Quite | | | | placed to produce aromatic and semi aromatic |
| something when you consider that under | | | | varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and |
| communist rule in the early 1980's Hungary was | | | | Gewurztraminer. The country has a number of |
| the principle Central European wine exporter, | | | | idiosyncratic and wonderful indigenous varieties |
| shipping out over 60% of their wine production | | | | however, not known well outside of its |
| (mostly to the USSR and Eastern Germany). | | | | boundaries, but important quantitively or |
| Currently, Hungary has about 315,000 acres under | | | | qualitatively. Furmint is perhaps the best known |
| vine, scattered throughout the country | | | | (arguably the most characterful grape in the |
| everywhere except the far South East. Since the | | | | famous dessert wines of Tokay, more of this |
| fall of communism in 1989, considerable | | | | later). You've also got Ezerjo, Harslevelu, and |
| investment has come in from the west (notably | | | | crossings like Irsai Oliver - all whites. The Kadarka |
| from Germany, Italy and England). Not surprisingly, | | | | grape is Hungary's best known red. These grape |
| this investment has done great things for the | | | | varieties (and more) are spread across Hungary's |
| country's wine industry. | | | | 22 wine regions. |