📍 Villány

Villány is the southernmost and one of the warmest wine areas of Hungary, not far from the Croatian border, near the city of Pécs. It is part of the Pannon region. The climate is almost Mediterranean: mild winters, long hot summers and an early autumn. The Villány hills shelter the vineyards from northern winds.

The area is famous for red wines. The main grapes are Cabernet Franc (regarded as the area's calling card), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Portugieser and Kadarka also grown. The wines are full, well structured and suited to ageing. Among whites, Hárslevelű appears.

Soils are limestone and loess on south-facing slopes, giving ripe, soft wines. New investment arrived from the late 20th century, and Villány became one of Hungary's best red-wine areas.

The villages of the area have wine cellars and restaurants where people come for tastings. Szekszárd, also known for red wines, lies next door, and the border with Croatia runs to the south. Villány reds go well with Hungarian goulash, grilled meat and hard cheese. The best Villány reds are released after ageing in barrel and bottle.