Hungary

The wines of Hungary are unique, fascinating and have a history and sophistication unrivalled outside western Europe. Red wine is rare - Hungary is all about its whites, ranging from bone dry to the sweetest of the sweet. What most of the traditional styles have in common is a deep golden colour, a dense richness and a peppery, spicy edge that suits Hungarian food. The greatest, most famous of the wines is Tokaji Aszu - a legendary dessert wine pretty well unique in its ability to age for centuries - nectar-like and astonishingly complex. The dry whites are less well-known but are starting to gain ground outside Hungary. Their unique styles and use of indigenous grape varieties are increasingly seen as assets rather than a handicap, and wine drinkers keen to try something distinctive with a fascinating heritage need look no further.