Can a new Hungarian grape variety conquer the entire country?

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 04. 24. 10:45

The most typical fungal disease-resistant grape varieties and high-added-value wine products were developed by the consortium of Varga Winery Ltd. and the University of Pécs (PTE) with the support of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office of HUF 450 million, the company and the university announced.

The project resulted in the creation of a resistant vineyard in the Balaton Uplands, which provides information on the local adaptation and cultivation-technological values of grape varieties. Due to climate change, protecting vineyards against pathogens and pests is becoming an increasingly challenging task, which requires significant investment and a lot of chemicals for traditional grape varieties. New grape varieties can be grown with great safety with reduced plant protection and appropriate technology, they added.

It was highlighted that the production technology of the grape varieties has reduced the amount of pesticides applied by 80-90 percent, thanks to which the significant fuel consumption and emissions caused by power plants can also be reduced. Gábor Csiszkó, CEO of Varga Pincészet Kft., said that the grape varieties have different levels of resistance to downy mildew and powdery mildew.

The announcement also mentioned that a description of the production and winemaking technology of the three grape varieties based on research results will be available. This will help farmers create the desired wine style and wine category, and medium- and large-scale vineyards and wineries can receive information about the steps leading to the selected wine style. The project facilitated the establishment of a market-based variety structure that prioritizes sustainable development in place of aging plantations, and the technology can also be adapted to foreign areas, which strengthens Hungary’s international recognition in the viticulture and winemaking sector, they wrote.