Hungarian viniculture at the crossroad

Varga, István – Lefler, Péter – Márkus, Mónika

Changes of great importance are taking place in the viniculture and oenology of the world. In the grape-growing countries of the Southern hemisphere (Chile, South Africa, Australia), the latest achievements of science and technology are used to produce so called technology wines from world famous varieties (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot). They are not related to any tradition or to the character of any wine region. These wines are released for sale in large chain stores. It is vital for the Mediterranean grape-growing regions of Europe to cope with these new challenges. In Hungary, there are a few wine-producing companies that have well-established co-operations in the market (Hilltop Neszmély, Danubiana Bt, Varga Kft). In the future, these companies will have the possibility to produce good-quality, downmarket wines in large quantities by using EU funds wisely. It is probable that China will soon appear in this segment of the market, causing problems for other producers.

The traditional wine regions of Europe (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, Tokaj) must retain or increase the attention of the world’s wine consumers by innovation or new marketing methods. In the wine region of Tokaj, these changes have already been carried out successfully (Disznókõ Rt, Hétszõlõ Rt, Orémusz Rt).

In German-speaking grape-growing countries of Europe (Austria, Germany, South Tyrol) and in Switzerland, where the whole society accepts the values of environment and human health protection, the main source of innovation has been the development and production of varieties resisting to diseases.

After the phylloxera infection between 1900-1920, there was a period when it became important to grow hybrids by cross-fertilizing American and European grape varieties. However, the low quality of these wines and the fast development of the chemical industry circumvented this tendency. In Hungary, it was in the 1950’s that Csizmadia and Breznai started cross-fertilization to produce grape varieties of vinifera value. For cross-fertilization, they used the hybrids brought from France by Pál Csepregi. Based on their methods, several successful hybrids have been produced not only in Hungary but also in neighbouring countries (Slovakia, Austria).

Our paper gives a comparison of production values of some world famous varieties with those of the nationally recognized Bianka wine-grape variety and some foreign resistant varieties and potential varieties. The research was carried out in the Horticultural Department of Károly Róbert College.

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