The best wines from Ászár-Neszmély in Hungary

The vineyards of Ászár-Neszmély are located on the winding Danube, near the northern border of Hungary. The wine district was instantly put on the wine map in 1998 when Hilltop winery won the award for 'Best white wine of the year' in Great Britain with its Chardonnay. The terroir lends itself to fresh, aromatic and elegant white wines.

Viticulture is not exactly new in Ászár-Neszmély. The Romans already did it. In the Middle Ages it was an important wine region, but Ászár-Neszmély only really gained status when the Hungarian government was based there for a while in the 17th century.

In recent years, the number of vineyards has increased considerably. More than 1,500 hectares have now been planted. An increasing number of ambitious, modern young winegrowers are making fresh white wines, often from international grapes such as Chardonnay and Riesling. But native grapes such as Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris), Muskat Ottonel, Királyleányka, Irsai Olivér and Grüner Veltliner are in the majority.