Budapest Wine Trip 2018

Discovering Eger and the Roots of Hungarian Winemaking

In 2018, we had the opportunity to visit Budapest for a short business trip. While our time in Hungary was limited, we knew we couldn’t leave without exploring its renowned wine culture. We carefully planned our schedule to include a visit to a Hungarian wine region, as well as some of the best wine bars in Budapest.

Our journey took us to Eger, a historic wine region located in Upper Hungary, northeast of Budapest. Although we wished we had more days to visit the world-famous Tokaj vineyards or the charming Balaton wine region, Eger turned out to be an unforgettable experience.

Eger is a picturesque baroque city in northern Hungary, known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant wine tradition. The region’s most iconic wine is Egri Bikavér, also known as Bull’s Blood of Eger. This robust red wine is a unique blend of up to 10 grape varieties, both indigenous and international, creating a complex and deeply traditional Hungarian wine.

What struck us most about Eger was the timeless atmosphere – life seemed to move at a slower pace, which gave the city an authentic charm.

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Kovács Nimród Winery, a producer that perfectly combines Hungarian winemaking traditions with American influences. The owner, having spent time in the United States, brought modern marketing and winemaking approaches while staying true to the region’s heritage. The winery offered a polished yet welcoming experience, making it a must-visit for any wine traveler.

Of course, no trip to Hungary would be complete without tasting Furmint, the country’s flagship grape variety. We enjoyed it both as a crisp, dry white wine and in its more famous form: the luscious Tokaji dessert wine, often compared to Sauternes and crafted with noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). This tasting felt like a true connection to Hungary’s winemaking roots.

During our exploration of Budapest, we discovered several remarkable restaurants built inside cave-like structures, either tucked beneath the stony rock hills of Buda Castle or hidden away in quiet corners of the city. These unique dining spots combined history, architecture, and gastronomy, making each meal a memorable experience. While searching, we also stumbled upon a one-of-a-kind wine bar called Taste Hungary, which doubles as a boutique wine shop and a cozy, atmospheric bar. It quickly became a highlight of our Budapest wine journey, offering a carefully curated selection of Hungarian wines in an intimate setting.

Although brief, this Hungarian wine trip felt like a return to the essentials of wine travel – authentic, rooted in tradition, and full of character. From the historical streets of Budapest to the cave restaurants, the cozy charm of Taste Hungary wine bar, the legendary Bull’s Blood, and the elegance of Furmint, Hungary proved to be a destination where wine, culture, and history beautifully intertwine.