Traminer is a grape capable of great wines in great wine regions, but it can also give mediocre wines with excessed perfumy notes. Terroir and balance are the two keys to this wine. In case of Fehérvári Reserve Tramini both is given: the volcanic Somló terroir gives an extra touch to the wine, while meticulous winemaking results a balanced, aromatic, yet elegant wine.

1.
Tramin is a cute wine village in the Alpine region of South Tyrol, at an altitude of 276 metres, by the Lake Kaltern. Is it the origin of Traminer grape? Quite unlikely, Traminer was already cultivated by the Romans. However, the grape might have been named after Tramin, since in the medieval times it was a busy centre of wine trade.

2.
Rose petals, orange blossom, lemon zest with some spicy notes – these notes could well describe a perfume in the beauty store. Grapey aromas similar to that of Muscat, relatively high alcohol, many times moderate acidity. No wonder, in Russia Traminer is used to add a hint of “perfume” to sparkling wines.

3.
Mala Dinka, Savagnin Blanc (not Sauvignon Blanc) are all names for Traminer. In Hungary it is called Tramini. Gewürztraminer is a close relative, but they are not identical.

4.
In Hungary it is grown in several wine regions, mostly in Pannonhalma, Mór, Mátra and Eger. Only 700 hectares are planted with Tramini (in 2025), much less than other aromatic varieties, like Cserszegi Fűszeres (3380 hectares) and Irsai Olivér (2770 hectares). The amount is decreasing, in 2019 there were 740 hectares.

5.
In Somló wine region there is just a small amount of Tramini, only 9 hectares, while Olaszrizling leads with 98 hectares, then comes Juhfark with 77 hectares, Furmint with 76 hectares, Hárslevelű with 25 hectares, Chardonnay with 14 hectares and Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris) with 11 hectares. Yet, with the extra touch of the vocanic soil, Somló Tramini is a more than exciting wine, a true “must-try”.

Fehérvári Nagy-Somlói Tramini Reserve

“Our Tramini is recommended for those who like gastronomic specialties. The scent of Tramini Reserve is intense, rich and varietal. Each sip is a real flavour-journey, as the rose oil and rich aromas go down a perfect dance with the classic minerality of Somló lurking in the background. The aging in wooden barrels awakens the soul of the wine, at the same time giving it a sophisticated softness, which only makes the overall effect even more spicy.
This wine is the perfect highlight of the richly spiced Hungarian dishes as well as the exotic flavours of Asian cuisine.
The richness of the Tramini Reserve connects people, distant landscapes: whoever tastes it, returns to it again and again.”
The retail price in the winery webshop is only 3099 HUF / around 8.5 EUR.
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Fehérvári wines are available in some countries, for example in Poland on Wina Wulkaniczne webshop. If you are interested in importing, contact the export manager.

May is the favourite month of many–especially in the Northern Hemisphere–due to its beauty and its abundance in flowers. In the Ancient Rome, people celebrated Maia, the goddess of fertility and the coming of summer. In Hungary today we celebrate the beginning of a new era with a new government, and with the promise that we will never be oppressed again by our own politicians. Bubbles are to celebrate, so let us recommend three novelties from the sparkling scene

Does it give you a boy?

Spoiler: no. The myth has been debunked. The wine of the indigenous grape of Juhfark from volcanic Somló does not give you a baby boy, but it gives you pleasure, so enjoy it, even today, on Valentine’s Day.
Background photo of the cover: Pexels / Foundertips
Author: Ágnes Németh

The following article of mine was written 10 years ago, I won Millesima Blog Awards in Wine Reporter category with this article in 2017, so it might be worth republishing it. The wines are different from the ones in th original article.

Make love and drink Juhfark – does it help if you want a baby boy?

Well, the first action definitely does. The most important indigenous grape variety of Hungary’s smallest wine region, the volcanic soiled Somló is said to have a positive effect on women who long for a son. The legend goes back to the XVIII. century, when Maria Theresa, Habsburg archduchess of Austria and queen of Hungary ordered the young Habsburg archdukes to drink Juhfark wine from Somló on their wedding night so that they would have an heir as a fruit of the night. The argument was backed by the local observation, that four times more baby boys were born then girls around the hill of Somló.

Endre Czeizel, Hungary’s most famous geneticist, who has passed away recently, commented the belief. ‘Stomach is very far from the womb’ – said he undermining the myth immediately. The professor claimed that certain diets might influence the sex of the baby, but these researches still lack evidence, and some of them are too long and hard to keep. Intimate irrigation may have significant influence, however, if the irrigation liquid is acidic, it helps to find their way for X chromosomes, which are for girls, and alkaline environment helps Y chromosomes, and therefore the boys. The grape Juhfark is highly acidic, thus if it has an influence, it has a reverse one: it might enable women to give birth to girls! It is enough to look at Maria Theresia’s family: she had 16 children, and 11 of them were girls! The message of the story is that one should enjoy Juhfark for its own merit, not for family planning.

Juhfark takes its name from the sheep’s tail, as the long cylindrical shape of the bunches resemble the sheep’s tail. Juhfark has a rather neutral, restrained nose with some flowers and green apples. High, sometimes brutal acidity. It is really difficult to tame this variety, but there are amazing examples of it in history! If you are not afraid of straightforward acidity, take a chance on it. In Somló, the minerality paired with high acidity results some outstanding wines with great aging potential.

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

The largest, annual walk-around tasting of Winelovers team will take place at the glamorous Corinthia Hotel, as usual. The organisers promise to present wineries from each of the 22 Hungarian wine regions, the list of exhibitors is continuously updated.

Date and time: 21 March 2026, 12.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsébet krt.43–47, Budapest, Hungary
Early bird tickets (until 20 February): 14.900 HUF (instead of 20.900 HUF) / approximately 39 EUR instead of 55 EUR.
Purchase your ticket here (in Hungarian) or contact the organisers here

Some of the exhibitors (with bottles in our cover photo)

Bock Winery (Villány), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek), Fehérvári Wine Estate (Somló), Feind Winery (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Gere A. Winery (Villány), Kancellár Wine Estate (Somló), Koch Winery (Hajós–Baja / Villány), Kúria Sopron (Sopron), Sauska (Villány and Tokaj), Thummerer Winery (Eger)

Fehérvári Grand Rouge & Fehérvári Pinot Noir

God listened to my prayers. It happened a couple of times that I spent a few consecutive days in Somló, and as much as I adore the magnificent white wines of the volcanic Somló, on the last day usually I was daydreaming of some red wine, just for a change. Some wineries came out with red wines, but in general only one brand, only a few bottles, sold out immediately. But now Fehérvári Wine Estate has released not one, but two red wines! Welcome!

Ágnes Németh

 

Did you know?

– Though nowadays Somló is first and foremost famous for its iconic white varieties, before phylloxera devastated the vineyards, there were some black grapes on Somló, besides Juhfark, Furmint and Sárfehér.
– Vinum Somlaianum Omni Tempore Sanum–the Latin sentence means “Wine of Somló is a medication for every occasion” – for many centuries wines from Somló were considered medicine. Another saying is Vinum Somlaianum lac senum, pueris venum, meaning “Wine of Somló is milk for the elderly people but poison for the children”.
– József Antall, the first prime minister of Hungary after the collapse of the communist regime was a historian, and according to his findings the wine of Somló was credited to cure many diseases or malfunctions including constipation, hemorrhoids, male potential problems, anaemia and cold.
– Somló is our smallest wine region with only 438 hectares of vineyards (409 hectares growing), with 416 hectares white and only 22 hectares black varieties.
– The most important grapes now: Olaszrizling (99 hectares) Juhfark (78 hectares), Furmint (77 hectares) and Hárslevelű (25 hectares).
– The most planted black grape is Syrah (6 hectares), Kékfrankos (4 hectares), Zweigelt (1.6 hectares), Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir (both around 1.3 hectares).
(Source: “HNT”, The National Council of the Wine Communities Hungary)

The kiss of Somló and the ruby queen

Grand Rouge 2021 (Syrah)

As the estate says, “the kiss of Somló” was made from carefully selected Syrah grapes from their sunny, northern vineyards. After fermentation with manual punching down of the cap, it was aged in new oak barrels. “Alongside its shade leaning towards purple, it has a rich, rocky aroma. Its taste intertwines elegance with rich spiciness, while its long finish is further enriched by a mineral character.”

Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2021

The grapes were picked on the northern, rocky, sun-drenched slopes of Somló. After fermentation with manual punching down of the cap, it was aged in new oak barrels. “Its colour is ruby ​​red, with intensely fruity and spicy aromas, enhanced by the smokiness of the barrel. It’s a lively, complex wine with serious ageing potential.”

Both wines cost 9999 HUF / around 25 EUR on the winery webshop.
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Fehérvári wines are available in some countries, for example in the Netherlands on Wijndruppels.nl or in Poland on Winawulkaniczne.pl.

Our earlier article about Sárferér – and ancient grape of Somló

Sárfehér – a rare grape even in its homeland

Save the date!

The annual tasting festivity of the indigenous grape of our smallest wine region awaits its guests. The volcanic Somló is a land of astonishing wines with their distinct character. If you taste Somlói Juhfark, you will remember it. The hosting estate is – as always – Tornai Winery.

Date and time: 11 October 2025, 13.30–19.00
Venue: Tornai Winery, Somló, Hungary
How to get there: It takes approximately 2.5 hours to get to Tornai from Budapest.
Transfer from Budapest: There will be a transfer from Budapest directly to Tornai Winery for 7900 HUF (return trip), prior booking is needed.
Accommodation is available, plus Tornai has a charging station for electric cars.
What happens? Participants can taste Juhfark wines from 16 wineries in a relaxed walk-around tasting.
Participating wineries: Baráth, Barcza, Csordás-Fodor, Fehérvári, Fekete, Hegedűs-Szabó-Clements, Kabor, Kancellár, Kolonics, Kőfejtő, Kreinbacher, “A Nagy Bajuszú Jász Laci Pincéje”, Somlói Vándor, “A szemüveges srác borpincéje”, Tornai.
Guest winery: Laposa Estate from Badacsony
Dishes by Tornai restaurant will be available to purchase:
– Grilled Camembert wrapped in bacon, garnished with fresh salad (for vegetarians without bacon)
– Grilled chicken breast with basil and fresh salad
– French fries
– Cheese selection
– Cream dessert a la Tornai
Side programmes:
– 14.30–15.30: Somló tour with a tourist train, with tasting the wines of each stop, ticket: 8900 HUF
– 15.30–16.30: Cellar and museum visit with tasting, ticket: 2900 HUF
– 16.30–17.30: Vertical Juhfark tasting with several award-winning wines, conducted by the owner, Tamás Tornai, ticket: 8900 HUF

Tickets cost 12 900 HUF / person.
Buy your tickets here
For more information call +36 70 663 6641 or write to here.
More about Tornai Winery

A World Heritage site, 4 days, nearly 90 wine exhibitors

Buda Castle is undoubtedly one of the most majestic venues of the world, no wonder the pop star Katy Perry’s video for the song Firework was shot here. “THE” Wine Festival, as it is often referred to was the first significant wine event more than three decades ago. The organizers put a lot of effort into the renewal from time to time, as a consequence the 4-day open air wine cavalcade has still been the meeting point of wine enthusiasts.

Date and time: 11–14 September 2025, from 2 pm (check closing hours here)
Venue: Buda Castle, in the centre of Budapest, easy access. Find more details here.
Tickets: Daily tickets between 6900 HUF and 8900 HUF, more details here.
Food will be available to purchase at more than 20 vendors, including an oyster shop and some well-known Budapest restaurants, like Pomo d’Oro.
Some of the exhibitors: Bock (Villány), Borbély Family Winery (Badacsony), Fehérvári Wine Estate (Somló), Garamvári Vineyards (South Balaton), Teleki (Villány), Thummerer Winery (Eger), Tornai Winery (Somló), Tűzkő Estate (Tolna), Vylyan Vineyard and Winery (Villány).
Novelty this year: several wineries and companies exhibit for the first time or for the first time after many years, like the importing Heinemann Brothers and the kosher and vegan wine producing Gluck Estates.
Message from the organizers: “This autumn, you are invited to one of Hungary’s most iconic events, the Budapest Wine Festival, a true celebration of wine culture, elegance, and gastronomy for over three decades. Set within the historic walls of the Buda Castle, the festival offers a unique atmosphere, a powerful sense of community, and an unforgettable meeting of past and present, must-attend for every wine enthusiast. Say farewell to summer in style between September 11 and 14 with fine wines, breathtaking Danube sunsets, great company, and a rich blend of flavours. Expect a masterfully curated gastronomic selection and sophisticated wines from Hungary and beyond.”

 

Nearly 60 wineries, outdoor event

Three days with relaxed wine tasting among the giant trees of the largest park of the city of Debrecen – this is the annual Wine & Jazz Days. Nearly 60 wineries, jazz concerts and exciting programmes await visitors, like a workshop where participants can paint with wine!

Dates: 31 July – 2 August 2025
Opening hours: Thursday 16.00–01.00, Friday: 16.00–01.30, Saturday: 16.00–02.30
Venue: Nagyerdő (‘Grand Forest’), Debrecen, Hungary
Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary, you can get there in an Intercity train (2,5 hours) or drive via M3 (also around 2.5 hours).
Tickets: 4500 HUF (Thursday), 5500 HUF (Friday and Saturday)
Some of the exhibitors: Béres (Tokaj), Etyeki Kúria (Etyek), Garamvári (Balaton), Holdvölgy (Tokaj), Sauska (Villány / Tokaj), Steigler (Sopron), Szeleshát (Szekszárd), Tornai (Somló)
Food: 20 vendors will sell food including Ikon Restaurant and artisan cheeses from Nárcisz Estate
Programmes: jazz concerts on three stages, programmes for kids, workshops wine masterclasses, including a Tornai masterclass featuring the award-winning wines of the Somló estate
More about the event
Wine masterclasses (in Hungarian, but google can help)

Wine painting workshop

Panni Czikkely is a design artist, illustrator and graphic designer. Her favourite subjects are people, emotions, nature and their fusion. “All I want is to create, to give something of myself to others without becoming less–in fact, I can be more. My existence is humour, coffee and my plants. I am currently working in and managing the community creative space ZUG workshop in Budapest, where we organise various creative programmes, fairs and workshops. With me, people can paint with coffee and wine, and I show them the basics of digital drawing and pattern making.”
Panni is welcoming you to her workshop at the Debrecen Wine and Jazz Days on 2 August from 16.00 to 19.00!

The wineries from our cover photo

Fehérvári Wine Estate

Steigler Cellar

Szeleshát Estate

Tornai Winery

Tűzkő Estate

Complex white, light sparkling or fruity red?

If you read the advice of food & wine experts, you can find examples of all the three wines above. A white from the volcanic Somló is definitely complex enough to balance the richness of smoked ham, and if it is a slightly aromatic wine, like a Tramini, it goes well with honeyed smoked ham. Prosecco or other light sparkling wine with some sweetish character will also work, and if you would go for a red, a lighter red like Kadarka or Zweigelt will do the job.

The three wines in our cover photo

Fehérvári Grand Reserve Tramini, 2022, Somló
Grape: 100% Tramini
Barrel aged Tramini from selected barrels. Concentrated rose oil and spicy barrel aromas greet you in its fragrance. Its taste is both vibrant and rich, with a very long, spicy aftertaste and refined barrel notes.
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Babarczi Buborczi aerated sparkling wine 2024, Pannonhalma
Grapes: Cserszegi Fűszeres, Irsai Olivér, Tramini
Fine bubbles caress the palate, while its fragrant fruit character and lively acidity make this wine the refreshing drink of the summer.
More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

 

Vylyan ‘Ördög’ 2022, Villány
Grapes: Merlot, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc
Ördög is a blend of the classicus product range, named after the Devil) ‘ördög’ means ‘devil’ in love in the traditional Villány legend. Energetic, thirst-quenching and full of vitality. This wine showcases vibrant fruitiness in the form of red stone fruits. Refreshing acidity, sporty structure and pleasant warm undertones characterize this wine.
More about Vylyan Vineyard and Winery  

Winelovers Grand tasting

We could have picked other letters of the alphabet, the range of wines offered to taste at this grand tasting is quite wide. Apart from the 83 individual exhibitors from all over Hungary, the Hall of Top Wines also awaits wine enthusiasts with international samples at discounted price. The venue is again the glamorous 5-star Corinthia Hotel Budapest.

Date and time: 29 March 2025, 12.00–21.00
Venue: Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Erzsébet krt 43–37, Budapest, Hungary
Tickets:17900 HUF / person, more information here.
List of exhibitors (tasting at their booth is included in the ticket)
List of wines in the Hall of Top Wines (price of sample is paid separately, samples are for 2–5 EUR / 50 cl

Fehérvári Wine Estate, Somló

A quite young estate, though based on family traditions and with strong passion towards the volcanic Somló wine region and its authentic varieties. The estate has gained its reputation with the elegant, traditional method white and rosé sparkling wines, they have collected several international and national accolades in the past few years. However, they equally pay attention to the still wines of indigenous grapes. Juhfark, the icon grape of Somló is obvious, but they also cultivate a much less-known grape called Arany Sárfehér as well.

More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Feind Winery, Balatonfüred–Csopak

The family estate is located right at the “edge” or “corner” of Lake Balaton, in the village of Balatonfőkajár. If you drive from Budapest towards Balaton, the modern estate building with its tempting wine bar is your ideal “first stop”. The winery has a wide range of affordable, lovely wines of both local and international grapes. Feind Chardonnay 2023 has just won gold medal at Berliner Wine Trophy. Berekszél Rhine Riesling is another excellent example of how famous grapes can adapt Balaton terroir. The winery makes superb red wines as well, we can honestly say that Feind Shiraz is the best all around the lake.

More about Feind Winery

Frittmann Winery, Kunság

Frittmann is a family winery founded by two brothers, and currently the second generation is also active in the life of the estate. The largest Hungarian wine region is most known about the easy-to-drink, aromatic white grapes, like Cserszegi Fűszeres, an indigenous grape in Hungary. The winery has just won a gold medal at Berliner Wine Trophy for its Cserszegi Fűszeres 2024 along with Néró Rosé 2024. The winery also makes a bottle fermented sparkling wine of the authentic Ezerjó grape. Red wines are also important, Kadarka is a star and also look for their complex reds like Cabernet Franc Selection from vintage 2020.

More about Frittmann Winery