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Privacy policyHungary has a wine culture that goes well beyond the famous sweet wines of Tokaj. In Budapest, Champagne fits naturally into the city’s restaurant, hotel and wine-bar scene, whether you’re looking for a glass during the day, an aperitif before dinner or something special to open over a meal.
But while you’re here, it’s worth making room for Hungarian wine too. The country has 22 wine regions, with very different grapes and styles depending on where you go.
If you enjoy Champagne, Hungary has some particularly interesting local wines to explore. Furmint is one of the names to remember. It is strongly associated with Tokaj and is known for its naturally high acidity, which makes it particularly interesting if you tend to enjoy fresh, structured wines.
Tokaj is probably Hungary’s best-known wine region, famous for its historic sweet Tokaji wines, but don’t stop there. Furmint is also made as a dry wine, and dry Furmint has become one of the region’s important styles.
For red wine, look towards Eger and Villány. Eger is known for Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood), a traditional red blend, while Villány is particularly associated with full-bodied red wines, including Cabernet Franc.
And Hungary does have its own sparkling wine tradition too. Pezsgő is the Hungarian word for sparkling wine, so if you see it on a menu or wine list, you’ll know what you’re looking at.
Budapest is the obvious starting point, but Hungary is worth exploring beyond the capital if wine is part of the reason you’re travelling. Tokaj, Eger and Villány all offer very different wine experiences, and each gives you something you won’t find by simply sticking to Budapest’s restaurants.
Tokaj is especially interesting if you like high-acid wines. Try a dry Furmint before moving on to the region’s famous sweet wines – it might be the Hungarian bottle that makes you rethink what you thought you knew about Tokaj.
And if you find a Champagne spot worth sharing while travelling through Hungary, add it to the Champagne Hunters map or leave a comment on an existing listing. Your update could be exactly what the next Champagne lover needs.
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Add a spotYou’ll have the most choice in Budapest, particularly at restaurants, hotels and wine-focused venues. Outside the capital, availability varies more, so the Champagne Hunters map can be useful when planning where to go.
Some venues offer Champagne by the glass, while others focus on bottles. Check individual Champagne Hunters listings for the latest information before heading out – and if you notice something has changed, feel free to update the listing with a comment.
Furmint is a great place to start, particularly if you enjoy wines with bright acidity. Try a dry version from Tokaj before exploring the region’s sweet wines.
Tokaj is one of Hungary’s best-known wine regions and is particularly famous for Tokaji Aszú, a sweet wine made from botrytised grapes. The region also produces dry wines, especially from Furmint.
Furmint is a Hungarian grape variety strongly associated with Tokaj. It can produce both sweet and dry wines, and its naturally high acidity makes dry Furmint particularly interesting for people who enjoy fresh, mineral and structured wines.
Two names worth remembering are Egri Bikavér from Eger and Cabernet Franc from Villány. Egri Bikavér, or Bull’s Blood, is a traditional red blend, while Villány has developed a strong reputation for Cabernet Franc.
Yes. Hungarian sparkling wine is called pezsgő. You’ll find both traditional and more modern examples, so it’s worth looking at the local selection rather than assuming Champagne is the only sparkling option.
Tokaj, Eger and Villány are three very different starting points. Tokaj is the obvious choice for Furmint and sweet Tokaji wines, Eger for its red blends and Villány for fuller-bodied reds and Cabernet Franc.
Champagne’s acidity works well with fish, seafood, fried dishes and salty or creamy foods, but it can also be fun with Hungarian cuisine. A glass alongside richer dishes can bring a useful freshness to the table.
