Budapest is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage, known for its stunning architecture, thermal baths, and delicious cuisine. However, wine lovers will also find plenty to explore in Hungary’s capital city. Budapest offers a variety of wine-tasting experiences to suit all needs. In this article, we will introduce you to some fantastic wine-tasting programs, including tours of local vineyards, tastings of Hungarian wines, and wine dinners that will deepen your knowledge of this fascinating country’s wine culture. Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious beginner, there is something for everyone to discover in Budapest’s wine scene.
Wine production has a long and rich history in Hungary, dating back to the Roman era, and the country is known for its excellent wines and diverse wine culture. Hungary has 22 distinct wine regions, each with its own unique terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions.
Wine is an integral part of Hungarian culture, and the country has a strong winemaking tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Hungarians are proud of their wines and the traditions surrounding them, and wine is an important part of many cultural events and celebrations, such as weddings and festivals.
Hungarians also have a unique wine-drinking culture. They traditionally drink wine with meals and enjoy it with traditional dishes, such as goulash or paprika chicken. Hungary is also famous for its wine bars, known as borozó or borbár, where locals gather to drink and socialize.
Winetasting opportunities in Budapest
1. Big winetasting with delicious dinner:
This is a three course dinner with three glasses of wine at a traditional Hungarian restaurant. The meal will be accompanied by live gipsy music on most evenings of the week.
The menu might have small alterations, but you can expect this.
- Cold Hungarian starter (One glass of Patzay Rizling from Badacsony)
- Veal goulash with noodles and homemade pickles (One glass of Gere Merlot from Villány)
- Gundel pancake (One glass of Kvaszinger Furmint from Tokaj)
Price: 15,600 HUF per person (14180 Ft +10 % service / Person)
2. Winetasting on the Danube
Enjoy a river cruise on the Danube between 19.00 and 21.00 every evening where you will taste seven different Hungarian wines while enjoying the beautiful attractions of Budapest.
Price: appx. 33 Euro per person
Booking: Book this program on our river cruise page.
Winetasting opportunities outside Budapest
1. Winetasting in Szentendre
Szentendre is a small village with a fantastic atmosphere. Read more about our Szentendre excursion and full program here. On this trip, you will get to taste a mixture of red, white and rosé wine, and normally you also get to taste Hungarian ice wine and Hungarian Palinka.
2. Winetasting in Etyek
Visit a vineyard outside Budapest known for its fantastic owner and wine production. At this program, you will taste three local wines, a local spirit, and the house’s sparkling wine. This is an extraordinary opportunity to meet the wine makers, see the production, and taste the wines firsthand.
The program is only available for groups of 10 persons or more.
Ready to taste some wine? Contact us today!
Come prepared for the wine tasting.
Would you like to come prepared to the wine program? Here you can read about some of the most famous Hungarian wines.
Hungary has a long and storied history of winemaking, with evidence of wine production dating back to the Roman Empire. The country is best known for its sweet wines, particularly Tokaji, which is considered one of the world’s most excellent dessert wines. Here are some of the most famous wines from Hungary:
- Tokaji Aszu: Tokaji Aszu is a sweet white wine from the Tokaj wine region in northeast Hungary. It is made from grapes affected by botrytis cinerea, a fungus that causes them to shrivel and concentrate the sugars. Tokaji Aszu is typically made from a blend of several grape varieties, including Furmint, Hárslevelű, and Muscat. It is known for its honeyed, apricot and orange zest flavors, and is often compared to Sauternes from Bordeaux.
- Egri Bikavér: Egri Bikavér, which means “Bull’s Blood of Eger,” is a red wine from the Eger wine region in northeast Hungary. It is a blend of several grape varieties, including Kékfrankos, Kadarka, and Syrah. Legend has it that the wine was named after a battle in which the defenders of Eger drank it to give them courage. Egri Bikavér is known for its complex, spicy, and full-bodied flavor.
- Somlói Juhfark: Somlói Juhfark is a white wine from western Hungary’s Somló wine region. It is made from the Juhfark grape, which is known for its minerality and acidity. Somlói Juhfark is characterized by its golden color, full body, and flavors of apricot, peach, and pear.
- Szamorodni: Szamorodni is a sweet white wine from the Tokaj wine region in northeast Hungary. It is made from grapes that have not been affected by botrytis cinerea, but are still allowed to ripen on the vine. Szamorodni can be either dry or sweet, and is characterized by its nutty, caramel, and honey flavors.
These are just a few of the many famous wines from Hungary. Whether you prefer sweet or dry, red or white, there will surely be a Hungarian wine that suits your taste.
The big wine tasting was marvelous, and the restaurant couldn’t have been better. I have already recommended this to some friends of mine.
The winetrip to Etyek was very good. Good wines, nice hosts, good food and an interesting story. Besides this the staff spoke very well english. For sure a trip to be recommended.
Thanks for the reservation and a fantastic dinner. We are very satisfied.
Drinks of Hungary was great. Good service, much food and good drinks. Thanks for the help!
Thanks Sigbjorn for great guiding and transfer that worked perfectly! And the faboulus winetasting in Szentendre with great food was awesome! We will be back! 6 “swedish girls”
I enjoyed the five course dinner with six glasses of wine. It was an enjoyable evening, the food was great and the wines were nice. The restaurant was a nice wine restaurant in the center of Budapest, close to Ferenciek square.