Great Hungarian Wines

G.O. Global Hungarian Wines
"Hungary for a Change"

Presented by G.O. Global Trade & Investments, Inc.

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Two Thousand Years of Wine Tradition

Hungary’s winemaking traditions date back over two thousand years, influenced, in part, by the Romans. By the beginning of the 20^th century, Hungary was one of Europe’s premier wine producers, behind France and Germany. But two World Wars, and more than forty years of Communist rule decimated Hungary’s winemaking industry and lands. By the 1980s, most of the country’s winemaking capability had been reduced to mass-producing cheap, low quality wine for distribution throughout the Eastern-bloc countries.

This is a land blessed with a variety of terroirs that have given rise to the globally famous Tokaji dessert wines, as well as a variety of intense red and white wines developed from Hungarian varietals such as Hárslevelu, Portugieser, Kékfrankos, and Furmint, as well as varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and more.

The Re-Birth of Hungary’s Wines Industry

In 1989, the Communist era ended, and the re-birth of Hungary’s winemaking tradition began. A talented generation of winemakers emerged whom passionate about making great Hungarian wines to share with the world. The influx of international investment, the acquisition of the finest terroirs in each appellation, the introduction of modern cellars and techniques has combined with dedication to the details that characterize great winemaking. The winemakers we represent are dedicated to strict yields, hand picking and sorting, maintaining clean, organized modern facilities, and adhering to a “land friendly” approach in managing their vineyards. The results are wines that can truly stand next to the best wines from any other region of the world.

The Hungarian “Father” of California’s Wine Industry

With the financial backing from the California legislature, Agoston Haraszthy, a charismatic Hungarian, traveled throughout Europe doing research and studying cultivation techniques. He returned to California with over 100,000 vine cuttings of 350 varietals from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Agoston felt that California was an optimal place for winemaking, and in 1857 he founded the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma, California. Starting with 300 acres, this was the largest winery in the state at the time. Haraszthy’s legacy remains, visible not just in the winery he founded, which is now the oldest continuing winery in California, but also in the emergence of Sonoma as one of the world's premier wine producing regions.

Hungarian Viticulturalist Helps Restore Global Vineyards

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Phylloxera destroyed most of the vineyards in Europe, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and California. Destruction by this aphid root pest was so widespread, that many feared the world’s vineyards were doomed. The Hungarian viticulturalist Zsigmond Teleki contributed to the salvation of much of Europe’s and the world’s vineyards in the form of the renowned Berlandieri x Riparia Teleki Kober 5 BB rootstock, which he developed and cultivated at his famed Villány stockyards,. Teleki was a pioneer in the field of viticulture, and the world is still drinking the fruits of his labors.