Hungaricum grape varieties go through a renaissance

According to Péter Gál, deputy state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, there is great potential in special Hungarian grape varieties.

Gál Péter,
az FM helyettes államtitkára

Mr Gál is convinced that Hungarian wines are unique, they have character and they are diverse. Several types of international grape varieties are grown in Hungary, but a growing number of consumers prefer wines made from grapes characteristic of the Carpathian Basin. In the last 10 years the size of land where Furmint grapes are grown increased by 300ha and Hárslevelű’s growing area expanded by 500ha; Kéknyelű and Kadarka grapes are also more widely grown than before. The National Wine Excellence Programme also favours Hungaricum grapes more, especially in the case of white wines. International experts realised the potential that lies in local grape varieties a long time ago. When members of the international wine academy André Parcé and Jacques Puisais first visited Hungary, they expressed their view that Hungarian winemakers can profit from growing light and fragrant Cserszegi Fűszers and Irsai Olivér grapes, as wines made from these can be more competitive in the world market than the ones made from the most widely grown grapes such as Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon. What is more, wines from these grapes can help put Hungarian wine regions back on the map. Unique, Hungaricum grape varieties can give a wine region its own character and style as practically they aren’t grown anywhere else. Let’s be proud of them and try to profit from them!