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The Eger wine region

Characteristics
The Eger wine region lies in the North of Hungary, South-west of the Bükk Mountains at a distance of 120 km from Budapest. According to the provisions of the Wine Law of 1997 the region is divided into two districts: the Eger and the Debrő district. While red wines dominate in the Eger district, the Debrő district excels in the production of white wine, so we can conclude that both types are significant in the region. The area of vineyards in the region is 4395 hectares at present, of which 3680 hectares yield grapes for wine. The total length of the cellar system cut in rhyolitic tuff originally established in the Middle Ages used to exceed 140 km.

Climate:
The climate of the region is cooler and drier than the national mean. Changeability which is a characteristic trait of our continental climate is moderated here by the Bükk mountain ranges lying north of the region. The region gets the largest amount / most of the / of sunshine in the late summer and early autumn period yearly hours of sunshine exceed 2200 and the sum heat of the growth season is above 3400-3600 degrees centigrade. Soil types of the region range from lava rock through rhyolitic tuff and limestone to brown forest soils and brown soils.

Varieties of Grapes and Wines:
First in the list of characteristic grapes mention should be made of Kékfrankos (Blue Franck -- this kind is grown in the largest amount/volume/mass on 849 hectares) Kékoportó (Blue Oporto - Portugieser 293 hectares) and Zweigelt (317). Among white grapes Leányka takes the lead (543 hectares) in front of Rizlingszilváni (Riesling Sylvani - 330 h) Olaszrizling (Welshriesling 177 hectares) and Muscat Ottonel (204 h). Of its wines the duely world-famous Egri Bikavér (Bull's blood) was the first Hunarian wine to get origin protection. But this is not the one and only excellent red wine of the area, the region can boast with. Kékfrankos, Kékoportó, Merlot, Medina and Zweigelt all yield excellent quality wines. And of course, we must mention Pinot Noir, which also yields excellent vintages/wines due to the climate largely similar to that in Burgundy. From among white wines Debrői Hárslevelű, Egri Leányka and Verpeléti Olaszrizling have won general acclaim.

Outstanding vintages from the last two decades:
1988, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002

Settlements and Sights in the area:

The colourful variety of the cellar system in the Eger region is unique in Hungary. It is well worth savouring the special atmosphere of the cellars in Szépasszony-völgy (Fair Dame Vale) as well.

Winemakers' Festivities:
The Feast of Egri Bukavér (Bull's Blood) St. Donath's Day Eger Vintage Days from early September to late October: Vintagers' procession, Vintage Celebration, Wine Auction The feast of Eger wine guards, the first Sunday of Advent The Blessing of Wine on St. John's Day 27-28 December: Eger Wine Salon Exhibition
Eger district: Andornaktálya, Demjén, Eger, Egerbakta, Egerszalók, Egerszólát, Felsőtárkány, Kerecsend, Maklár, Nagytálya, Noszvaj, Novaj, Ostoros, Szomolya.
Debrő district: Aldebrő, Feldebrő, Tófalu, Verpelét.

History:
Eger, the center of the region and seat of the county was inhabited as early as the 10th century. King Stephen I. lay the foundations of an early archbishopric here. Monks from all over Europe brought with them vinestalk from their home country, so it is indirectly due to them that the region earned a reputation outside the Hungarian borders as well. The majority of the population did not survive the Mongol invasion in 1241-42. Wallonian settlers invited by King Béla IV. introduced the use of barrels; earlier wine was stored in bags made of leather.
The hills around Eger were planted with vine in the 13th -14th century and Cistertian Friars settling here used the wine from these vineyards for their needs. The Church had a decisive role in the initiation and development of viticulture since wine was and still is an indispensable element of religious ceremonies. Royal decrees assured the provision of tithe for the Church as well as secular institutions. In fact, the first cellars were made for the storage of tithe wine. The technology of fermenting wine on the skin of grapes was brought here by Serbs (Rács) fleeing from the Turcs along with the Kadarka variety of grapes.
After several decades of unsuccessful siege the Turcs captured the castle of Eger in 1596 and held it for 91 years. This did not affect viticulture, however, since in spite of the fact that the Turcs did not drink wine they were interested in the considerable revenue of the wine trade. The castle was recaptured in 1687 and the establishment of vine monoculture ran parallell with the fast population growth in the area.
Phylloxera propped up in Eger in 1886 and almost killed cleared vines in the area. During the ensuing replantations new kinds of vines appeared in the region. Another interesting addition to the history of Eger viticulture is that the 30 million-year-old fossilized leaf of Vitis hungarica was found in the hillside of Kis-Eged hill nearby.

Restoration of vineyards in the twentieth century brought and 'domesticated' many new varieties of grapes. Then the area of vineyards decreased again between the two wars as a result of the wine crisis. Later forced collectivisation and the mistaken economic policy in the nineteen-fifties made the situation even worse. Slight improvement ensued in the seveties with the formation of Eger-Mátravidéki Borgazdaság (Eger Mátra Wine Trust). In the eighties some areas were given over for individuals, which also contributed to quality improvement. These small and privately run ventures lay the foundations for today's small and medium-sized businesses in the area. The previous huge state companies were also transformed into private and community ventures and in 1995 a Wine Regional Council representing smaller grower communities (Hegyközség) was established. Two years later they had Egri Bikavér Regulations accepted, have been running the Wine Qualification Committee and even determined the lowest purchase and sale prices. Owing to their work, as well as the efforts of local private businesses and individual winemakers the future for the Eger wine region is developing with great prospects


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