Hungary’s rich winemaking tradition dates back over a thousand years. The country is best known for Tokaji, a sweet dessert wine made from the furmint grape, which has earned a place among the world’s finest wines due to its unique production method, including botrytized grapes. The Tokaj-Hegyalja region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the heart of this production. In addition to Tokaji, Hungary produces excellent dry wines. In the past, it was known largely for the robust red wine, Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) from Eger, a blend primarily made from kékfrankos. But today, there are other wines coming to the forefront. Villány largely grows cabernet franc and merlot. The Lake Balaton region offers refreshing whites and light reds, while Sopron and Pannonhalma are recognized for their wines made from the indigenous grape varieties including olaszrizling and kékfrankos.
