White Grape Varieties, White Wine Styles

There are currently 114 white grape varieties authorised or temporary authorised in Hungary, ranging from Aletta to Zöldveltelini. Proportionately, white grapes make up 70% of Hungary's vineyard area, that is 45,589 hectares. There are many unique, local varieties that are not grown anywhere else in the world. The varietal mix has undergone many changes, with resistant varieties gaining ground, while Cserszegi Fűszeres, Furmint and Olaszrizling are the most widely planted traditional white varieties. White varieties can be grouped in several ways. For example, distinction can be made between international and autochthonous, local varieties based on their parentage and origin. Wines made from white grapes can also be grouped organoleptically into neutral and aromatic categories with some overlap. Incidentally, the latter style is one of Hungary's strengths, as it boasts many special varieties.

Aletta
Aletta

Aletta

This is a resistant hybrid created in 1957 by Dr József Csizmazia Darab and László Bereznai by crossing Muscat Ottonel and Seyve Villard…

Arany Sárfehér

Its origin is unknown, although it is certainly a Hungarian variety. Its old name was Izsáki Sárfehér, which it probably got from the town…

Bianca
Bianca

Bianca

It was created in 1963 by József Csizmazia Darab and László Bereznai by crossing the hybrid Seyve-Villard and Bouvier. Its original name…

Budai Zöld
Budai Zöld

Budai Zöld

It is probably an ancient Hungarian variety, which ampelographers also mention with the name of Zöld Szőlő (Green Grape). Most literature…

Chardonnay
Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Its homeland is France, in particular Burgundy – the region between Dijon and Lyon. It was first mentioned in the 17th century. Its current…

Cirfandli
Cirfandli

Cirfandli

A variety that is certainly of Austrian origin, from the Thermenregion. It is likely to be a natural crossing between Roter Veltliner and…

Csabagyöngye
Csabagyöngye

Csabagyöngye

It was long thought that the variety was created by crossing Bronnertraube and Muscat Ottonel; however, recent research has refuted this…

Cserszegi Fűszeres
Cserszegi Fűszeres

Cserszegi Fűszeres

In 1960, grape breeder Dr Károly Bakonyi crossed Irsai Olivér and Gewürztraminer in Cserszegtomaj (between Keszthely and Hévíz), on the…

Egri Csillag

The Eger wine district's white blend, which could be characterised as the counterpart of Egri Bikavér. The choice of name is no accident, as…

Ezerjó
Ezerjó

Ezerjó

Once a very widespread, versatile Hungarian white grape variety, it was used to make various styles of wine, from dry to botrytised sweet…

Furmint
Furmint

Furmint

Most literature concurs that the variety's origins lie in Hungary, in the Tokaj wine region. The earliest records of it differ; it is…

Hárslevelű
Hárslevelű

Hárslevelű

An aromatic variety that yields excellent dry and sweet wines, it was first mentioned in the mid-1700s. It is of Hungarian origin, related…

Irsai Olivér
Irsai Olivér

Irsai Olivér

It is named after Pál Kocsis, who bred the variety in Kecskemét in 1930 by crossing Pozsony Fehér and Csabagyöngye. There are many legends…

Juhfark
Juhfark

Juhfark

It is most likely an ancient Hungarian variety, whose name is derived from its long, cylindrical clusters. Nowadays, Juhfark is synonymous…

Kabar
Kabar

Kabar

The variety was created in 1967 at the Tarcal site of the National Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology. Its mother was Bouvier…

Kéknyelű
Kéknyelű

Kéknyelű

It is an ancient Hungarian variety, probably from Badacsony. Old records identified it as the northern Italian variety Picolit, but this has…

Királyleányka
Királyleányka

Királyleányka

Probably an ancient Carpathian Basin or Transylvanian variety, the result of a natural crossing between Kövérszőlő and Leányka. Leányka was…

Kövérszőlő
Kövérszőlő

Kövérszőlő

Its exact origin is unknown, although some sources consider it one of the oldest varieties in Tokaj. It almost disappeared completely after…

Kövidinka
Kövidinka

Kövidinka

It is an ancient Hungarian variety, which has probably been known for a long time in the Carpathian Basin. However, there are also theories…

Kunleány
Kunleány

Kunleány

This hybrid was created by István Tamássy and István Koleda at the Szigetcsép site of the University of Horticulture (now Szent István…

Leányka
Leányka

Leányka

It is most likely a Transylvanian variety; however, contemporary literature refutes it having anything to do with Leányszőlő or Feteasca…

Müller-thurgau (rizlingszilváni)
Müller-thurgau (rizlingszilváni)

Müller-thurgau (rizlingszilváni)

The variety's official name is Müller-Thurgau, but the name Rizingszilváni is widespread in Hungary as it was once believed to be a crossing…

Muscat Ottonel
Muscat Ottonel

Muscat Ottonel

The variety originates from the Loire Valley in France and is most likely a crossing between Chasselas and Muscat d'Eisenstadt connected to…

Olaszrizling
Olaszrizling

Olaszrizling

A true Central European, Carpathian Basin variety, for which there are many synonyms. Although the variety is taken most seriously in…

Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc

A mutation of Pinot Gris that was recognised in Burgundy in the 19th century. Numerous records mention that it was often confused with…

Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris

It has many synonyms around the world. It is known as Pinot Gris in France, Pinot Grigio in Italy, Grauburgunder in German-speaking…

Riesling (rajnai Rizling)
Riesling (rajnai Rizling)

Riesling (rajnai Rizling)

One of the most fantastic white grapes in the world comes from Germany, from the banks of the Rhine. According to some records, it was first…

Sárgamuskotály
Sárgamuskotály

Sárgamuskotály

The Muscat family is perhaps one of the largest in the grape world, and Sárgamuskotály is one of its most prominent members. It is…

Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

It is certainly a grape variety of French origin, which most likely started its journey around the world from the Loire and is now one of…

Tokaji Szamorodni

Its history is closely connected to Tokaj and is certainly mentioned as one of the first wine types or specialities. Written records first…

Tramini
Tramini

Tramini

It is an ancient, probably Western European variety, which is shrouded in many myths and legends. Some sources say the variety's origin can…

Viognier
Viognier

Viognier

It is native to the northern Rhône Valley and, according to some research, is closely related to Syrah. Some narratives link the variety's…

Zalagyöngye
Zalagyöngye

Zalagyöngye

A crossing of Seyve Villard and Csabagyöngye produced in 1957 by the breeders Dr József Darab Csizmazia and László Bereznai. This resistant…

Zenit
Zenit

Zenit

The variety is associated with the name of Ferenc Király, who created this crossing of Ezerjó and Bouvier in Pécs in 1951. It was registered…

Zéta (oremus)
Zéta (oremus)

Zéta (oremus)

A Furmint and Bouvier crossing created by Ference Király in Pécs in 1951. It was originally called Oremus, but as there is a vineyard with…

Zöldveltelini
Zöldveltelini

Zöldveltelini

A variety of Austrian origin that, according to the latest research, is a natural crossing between Traminer and St Georgen. The latter is…