BLACK GRAPE VARIETIES

There are currently 45 black grape varieties authorised or temporarily authorised in Hungary, ranging from Alibernet to Zweigelt. Compared to the white varieties, there is much less variation in their ranking.

Kékfrankos is the most common variety (also overall), with more than 12% of the country’s vineyards planted with this Carpathian Basin variety, while the percentage of international, French varieties has increased in recent years. Proportionately, black grapes account for 30% of the vineyard area, with white grapes making up the remaining 70%, meaning that 19,670 hectares of black varieties are currently planted in Hungary. The proportions of black grapes are much more concentrated than those of white grapes, with the top ten most planted varieties accounting for 96% of all planted varieties. Both red and rosé wine is made from black varieties. These can be grouped according to origin (e.g. international or Carpathian Basin varieties) as well as style.