As a committed oenophile, I always make an effort to try local wines when travelling. From the vineyards of South Moravia to touring the Champagne houses of Reims, I’m there.
Everyone needs a hobby.
So during my last visit to Hungary, I carved out time to go wine tasting in Budapest at Taste Hungary. And what a brilliant evening it was, entertaining and educational in equal measure. I came away better informed and just a little tipsy.
Curious to find out more? In this short review, I spill the beans about why I loved this crash course on Hungary’s relatively unknown wines and how to do it.
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Why you should go wine tasting in Budapest
First and foremost, it allows you to learn about viniculture in Hungary and try a selection of the country’s wines. The country has a long and proud winemaking tradition, predating the Roman Empire. Hungary’s famous variety is Tokaji Aszú, a dessert wine made from raisin-like, late-harvest grapes.
If you are a solo traveller, this is an excellent way to meet other travellers, even if it is just for one evening. I bumped into two of my fellow slurpers the following day.
Last but by no means least, it’s a fun activity.
My experience at Taste Hungary
Upon arrival at Taste Hungary, I was greeted by the sommelier who was our guide for the evening. Over two hours, he gave our group of nine information about viniculture in Hungary and steered us through the tastings.
During the evening, we were served generous pours of eight Hungarian wines:
These wines were paired with local cheeses and charcuterie, and we were also served bread and olive oil. We were given tasting sheets and a map of the Hungarian wine regions.
For the record, my favourite wine was the Tokaji Aszú. It’s not known as Liquid Gold for nothing.
What I loved about this wine-tasting
This was both a fun and an educational evening. It’s always a roll of the dice who else will be in groups like this, but this was a lovely bunch of people. As well as coming away with a better understanding of Hungarian wine, we had a laugh.
Our sommelier, John, was friendly and humorous and demonstrated passion for his subject. He hit that sweet spot, providing enough information about Hungarian wines without overwhelming us. There was plenty of time between his talks to enjoy the wines.
If you are looking for a comprehensive overview of Hungarian wines, this is it. Not only were we served eight wines, but they were generous pours. Add to this the food plates, education and company, and you have a value-for-money evening.
As an older solo traveller in Budapest, this was a perfect evening activity (and it helps that I love wine). I might have jumped at the chance of joining one of the popular pub crawls of the city’s famous ruin bars 30 years ago but not now.
Joining a wine tasting at Taste Hungary
This Essentials of Hungarian Wine session takes place at 6 pm on most evenings. Taste Hungary is Budapest’s leading food company and is located in the Pest side of the city at Bródy Sándor u. 9 (location here)
>>> CHECK DATES AND BOOK HERE
Other wine tastings in Budapest
If the days or times of this session at Taste Hungary don’t suit you, there are other places that you can go wine tasting in Budapest.
Wine, Cheese, and Charcuterie Tasting
Taste Hungary also offers this highly-rated 90-minute session with tastings of five wines, including the Tokaji Aszú. It might suit you if you are looking for an afternoon wine-tasting session.
>>> CHECK DATES AND BOOK HERE
Budapest: Food and Wine Tasting Tour
Learn more about Hungarian food and wine on this 4-hour walking tour of Budapest.
It starts at the city’s Central Market Hall and includes visits to a spice shop, coffee house, butcher’s shop and a traditional patisserie. The tour ends with a tasting of three wines.
>>> CHECK DATES AND BOOK HERE
Half-Day Etyek Wine Tour
Take a look at this experience if you would prefer a half-day trip from Budapest to two boutique wineries in Etyek village. You’ll be able to taste four wines at each place and will enjoy a 3-course home-cooked meal.
This tour includes transfers from selected downtown Budapest hotels.
>>> CHECK DATES AND BOOK HERE
And That’s a Wrap!
I hope this article persuades you to add wine tasting to your Budapest itinerary. It is 100% worth it.
I visited Budapest as a solo traveller on an Interrail trip through Central and Eastern Europe. If you have found this guide useful and need help with planning where to go next, take a look at my other guides:
AUSTRIA: Explore the famous Mozart sites in Salzburg and discover why Vienna is a fabulous festive destination. Discover the best things to do in Feldkirch, one of Austria’s hidden gems, and use it as a base to spend a day in Vaduz in lovely Liechtenstein.
CZECHIA (CZECH REPUBLIC): Discover where to visit in Brno. For the perfect day trip, do a self-guided tour of the South Moravia vineyards.
SLOVAKIA: Find out what to see in Bratislava in a day. Visit Košice, Slovakia’s second city, and take a day trip to Bardejov, a UNESCO gem.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.