Hungary — wine

Szekszárd

Hungary's second-most prestigious red wine region, occupying the loess bluffs above the Danube in the southern Tolna county. Where Villány focuses on Bordeaux varieties, Szekszárd is defined by Kadarka — Hungary's most important indigenous red variety — and the Szekszárdi Bikavér ('Bull's Blood') blend. The loess-clay soils and continental climate produce reds of a distinctive rustic depth and earthy character, with Kadarka achieving an almost Pinot Noir-like translucency and spice. The region also produces excellent Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) that rivals the best from Austria and Burgenland.

Year Rating Notes
2021 Outstanding Kadarka vintage — cool, long season producing wines of exceptional aromatic purity and elegance.
2020 Good vintage across the region. Bikavér blends of reliable complexity.
2019 One of the decade's finest — Kadarka of extraordinary delicacy and Kékfrankos of great structure.
2018 Classic Szekszárd vintage with characteristic loess mineral quality.
2017 Reliable vintage with good concentration. Indigenous varieties performed particularly well.