Full wine cellars, protected pálinkas

Beer consumption was 6-7 percent lower in Hungary last year– the market continues to shrink. Domestic wine consumption is estimated to be 3 million hectolitres per year; wine cellars are rather full, as in August 2.8 million hectolitres of wine was in stock, while the 2009 vintage was 3-3.5 million hectolitres. Wine import increased too – mostly in the table wine segment at the HUF 70-80/litre price category. When it comes to alcohol we spend the most on pálinka, bitter and vodka. Since 19 May 2009, the names and product families ‘gyümölcspálinka’ and ‘törkölypálinka’, plus the production technology have been protected by the European Union. In 2008, 1.650 million hectolitre/degree of pálinka was bought in Hungary.