A Little Fizz in Hungary

A warm, gentle breeze brought the inimitable, soothing breath of Lake Balaton as I stood with my grandfather in front of his wine cellar, gazing at the lake. He was proud of fresh wine (Olaszrizling), and I looked up to him. It’s an unforgettable, cherished moment from decades ago.

Hungarian wines, tradition, passion, generations, and hospitality. Tokaj, Villány, Eger, Badacsony, Tokaji Aszú, Egri Bikavér, Cserszegi Fűszeres, and then the bubbly ones.

József Törley’s first efforts to popularise sparkling wine (French methods) in Central and Eastern Europe are already memory of two centuries.

Due to global market trends and changing consumer habits, more Hungarian wine producers have turned their attention to bubbly wines. Today, internationally recognised sparkling wines (semi, aerated, pétillant naturel ) are emerging from Hungarian cellars, proudly showcasing themselves and succeeding in international awarding events.

Notable sparkling wine regions Tokaj, Lake Balaton, and Etyek-Buda offer unique terroirs. Volcanic, basalt-rich soils, Mediterranean climate, and indigenous grape varieties (Hárslevelű, Furmint) employed creative procedures.

The combination of these conditions results in the unique complexity of Hungarian sparkling wines, such as mineral-driven, vibrant/high acidity, freshness, and salty sweetness.

 

Also, Hungarian producers face challenges that require more attention, creativity, and investment:

Climate change (rising average temperatures, heatwaves, erratic rainfall) affects grape varieties, grape viability, and grape growth cycles, shorter harvest periods.

Economic difficulties (rising costs, inflation) and market effects (overproduction, struggling with higher pricing of competitors) all require constant adaptation.

Changing consumer preferences (shifting alcohol trends, organic products).

 

The international sparkling wine market is very saturated, and effective expansion requires much time, energy, money, and persistent, continuous, effective efforts. Having a professional, international expert support and networking could save a lot of time and invested money for producers looking to expand in the market.

Glass of Bubbly, and Mr Christopher Walkey, have built an internationally recognised business and brand over the past two decades. They have done valuable, innovative work in developing and internationally recognising the sparkling wine industry. Glass of Bubbly by now represents international recognition and prestige, with producers from all over the world bringing their sparkling wines to compete in their annual awards and trade shows in London. They have helped and continue to help many producers with effective market presence and expansion.

“Mr. Walkey’s principle, business strategy, approach and human qualities have made him and his small team very appealing to me. He creates and represents value in the international sparkling wine industry, that’s why I joined him and try to help his team as much as I can.

I would like to recommend him and Glass of Bubbly to Hungarian sparkling wine producers if they are considering market expansion in England as well.

Christopher feels passionate about helping Central and Eastern European sparkling wine producers. Feel free to reach out to the Glass of Bubbly team with confidence.” Laszlo Lenner