Hungarian Heritage Review, 1986 (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1986-01-01 / 1. szám
22 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW JANUARY 1986 ‘(Elje pit ^MungartJ Main Wine Regions of Hungary EDITOR’S NOTE: Hungarian foods and wines go together like two peas in a pod. So, to accompany our page on Hungarian cookery, we present for your further gastronomical guidance this series on “The Wines of Hungary”. Incidentally, there are five main wine regions of Hungary and these are: I. The Great Plain; II. Northern Transdanubia; III. Southern Transdanubia; IV. Northern Hungary; and V. Tokaj- Hegyalja (see map). Each has its own specialty and we will acquaint you with their vintages. I. THE WINES OF THE GREAT PLAIN JASZBERENYL RIZLING The village of Jászberény is a wine producing area set in the northern part of the wine region of the Great Plain. The vineyards lie in the basin of the river Zagyva and at the confluence of the rivers Zagyva and Tama. The soil is mainly sand alternating with loess. Jászberény is famous for its Rizling wine, produced from the Olaszrizling (Italian Riesling) variety which is very special from a botanical point of view. The origin of the grape variety is unknown. It is especially recommended with mushroom dishes, chicken fried in breadcrumbs and with roast pork. ******** KECSKEMÉTI CIRFANDIL In the middle of the wine region of the Great Plain which is also the centre of Hungary lies the town of Kecskemet. It is very well known as a centre for fruit growing and the production of wine. The villages in the surrounding area are famous for their powerful wines of excellent quality. This is the country of the so called “sand wines”. Cirfandli is planted widely east of Kecskemet in the vineyards surrounding the villages of Szikra and Nyarlorinc. It has a subtle fragrance with a fine spicy aroma which makes this heady wine sought after by everybody. It can be especially recommended with mushrooms and with chicken fried in breadcrumbs. ******** HALASI VELTELLNI “Halas" is the shortened name of the town of Kiskunhalas situated in the southern part of the Great Plain. The soil of the vineyards is mainly sand. On account of its well balanced acidity which is rounded into harmony by the natural sugar content Halasi Veltelini is a favourite drink with the ladies. It should be drunk with liver fried in breadcrumbs and with unsweetened confectioneries. ******** KUNBAJAI OLASZRIZLING Kunbaja is situated adjacent to the Jugoslav border in the southern part of the wine district of the Great Plain. Belonging to the geographical and historical unit with great traditions, named Bacska. Top quality wines are produced on the sandy and loess sand soil which warms up easily in the sun. In Hungary, Italian Riesling is the most widespread grape variety yielding white wines. Greenish white in colour, the wine has a pleasant, fresh bouquet, the aroma is characteristic of the variety and it is dry with almot a hint of almond. It is an excellant drink with entres, salads, chicken fried in breadcrumbs and with roast pork. ******** KUNBAJAI HÁRSLEVELŰ Kunbaja is wine production area in southern Hungary situated adjacent to the Jugoslav border in region belonging to the geographical and historical unit named "Bacska”. Hárslevelű (Linden-Leaf) is an ancient Hungarian grape variety. It yields a greenish yellow, sweetish, full-bodied wine with a pleasant bouquet and wellbalanced acidity. Drink it with brawn, mushrooms and vegetables. ******** KUNBAJAI RIZLINGSZILVÁNI In the southern part of the wine district of the Great Plain in a region belonging to the geographical and historical unit named Bacska which has been famous for centuries for its wine production and agriculture lies the village of Kunbaja. The high rate of sunshine, the favourable climatic conditions and the sand which warms easily in the sun in conjunction with loess sand soil, make this are ideal for vine growing. Riesling and green Szilvan (Zoldszilvani) grapes were hybridized by the horticulturist Muller-Thurgau to result in the Rieslingszilvani variety. The wine obtained from this grape is greenish white with a discrete bouquet. Its youthful freshness in conjunction with its light acidity due to its environment produce a beautifully balanced wine. It is pleasantly soft, yet potent. ******** BAJAI-HARSLEVELU The town of Baja which is situated on the Danube in the southern part of the wine district of the Great Plain is famous for its wine production. Hárslevelű is an ancient grape variety native to Hungary. The wine made from it has a bright greenish yellow colour, it is full bodied and heady with well-balanced acidity and has a bouquet peculiar to this variety. The wine has a slightly sweetish taste. It is recommended with mushrooms, brawn and with vegetables. ******** KUNBAJAI LEÁNYKA Kunbaja is a village lying in the southern part of the wine district of the Great Plain some miles away from the Yugoslav border. The grape Leanyka from which Kunbajai Leanyka is produced is a Hungarian variety which originated in Transylvania. The wine is greenish white and fragrant, often producing a scent of nectar. It is soft, full bodied and sweetish with a pleasant aroma. Kunbajai Leanyka excels when drunk with vegetable dishes and with unsweetened confectionery. ******** HAJÓSI CABERNET Situated on the southern part of the winelands of the Great Plain, Hajos is famous for its vineyards yielding red wines. The ideal climatic conditions, the sandy soil growing heady wines and the qualities of an outstanding grape variety combine to give one of the most beautiful red wines of this wine region: Hajósi Cabernet. In Hungary, almost exclusively the Cabernet Franc is used for Cabernet wines. The Cabernet grape variety originated in France. The wine made from it is fragrant and full bodied. An exceptionally fine firm flavour, rich in tannic acid with a beautiful dark ruby colour. These are the main features of this particular wine and characterise the Cabernet variety. It is recommended with brawn, fatty fish dishes like glanis roasted or fried in breadcrumbs or with carp, stewed hare and roast pheasant. ******** VASKUTI NAGYBURGUNDI In the southern part of the wine region of the Great Plain lies the little town of Vaskút, a famous production area for red wines. The Great Burgundy variety is identical with Kékfrankos (Blue Stalk) produced in the Sopron wine district. In South Hungary this grape is called Great Burgundy while in Sopron the Blue Stalk name is used. The red wine made from Great Burgundy (Nagyburgundi) variety has a ruby colour and a mild fragrance. It is full bodied and aromatic and its acidity is not too prominent. This is typical of the characteristics of the species. It goes well with liver made a la Marshall, roast pig and with beef stew, from among the game dishes, stewed hare, roast deer and roast wild-boar can have no better accompaniment. ******** KISKŐRÖSI KADARKA Kiskoros is a very well known wine making area in the wine region of the Great Plain. This part of the region mainly produces red wines. On the sandy soil which is easily warmed by the sun there grow thermost powerful Kadarka wines. The Kadarka grape came to Hungary from Albania through the southern Slavs and became the most widespread grape variety. The wine is discretely fragrant, rich in tannic acid and has a beautiful ruby colour. It is typical of the Kadarka wines grown on a sandy soil. It is powerful, full-bodied and aromatic. It goes well with fried liver, Hungarian fish soup, roast veal, stewed mutton and with all kinds of sausage. ******** KUNBAJAI KÉKFRANKOS Kunbaja is situated in the very southern and warmest part of the wine region of the Great Plain with 2,050 hours of sunshine a year. The favourable climatic conditions and the good soil produce excellant quality wines. Kékfrankos, of unknown origin, yields a ruby coloured aromatic wine. The firm taste, well balanced and fine colour are the characteristic main features of this variety. It tastes best with liver, grilled meat, stewed meat, roast deer and hare stew.
