Hungarian Wine in Australia: A Guide to Hungary’s Volcanic Wines, Grapes & Regions

Hungary is one of Europe’s great historic wine countries, yet for many Australian wine drinkers it remains surprisingly unexplored. Beyond the better-known names of France, Italy and Spain lies a wine culture shaped by ancient vineyards, indigenous grape varieties and some of the most distinctive volcanic terroir in Central Europe.

For Australians looking beyond Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, Hungarian wine offers something genuinely different. Native and regional varieties such as Furmint and Juhfark, alongside Central European favourites such as Olaszrizling, produce wines with freshness, texture, minerality and a strong sense of place.

At Podrum, our Hungarian wine selection focuses on one particularly exciting corner of the country: Somló, a tiny volcanic wine region in western Hungary. Our range includes wines from Somlói Vándor, with expressions of Juhfark, Furmint and Olaszrizling available for Australian wine lovers wanting to experience this remarkable region.

Hungarian Wine: One of Europe’s Most Distinctive Wine Cultures

Hungary has been producing wine for centuries, with vineyards spread across a remarkably diverse collection of growing regions.

The country is internationally associated with Tokaj and its famous sweet wines, but limiting Hungarian wine to Tokaji would overlook a much broader story. Hungary produces dry whites, reds, sparkling wines and naturally sweet wines from both international and local grape varieties.

For Podrum's current Hungarian wine collection, however, the story begins somewhere else entirely.

It begins on an extinct volcano.

Somló: Hungary's Tiny Volcanic Wine Region

Somló is one of Hungary's smallest and most fascinating wine regions.

Located in western Hungary, the region is centred around the distinctive Somló hill, an extinct volcanic formation rising dramatically above the surrounding landscape. Its volcanic soils have helped give Somló a reputation for highly individual white wines characterised by pronounced minerality, freshness and structure.

This isn't a region built around mass production.

Somló's relatively small vineyard area, unusual geology and historic wine culture have made it particularly interesting to sommeliers and wine enthusiasts searching for wines that express their origin.

The region is especially associated with white varieties including Juhfark, Furmint and Olaszrizling — all three of which are represented in the Somlói Vándor wines selected by Podrum.

For Australian drinkers accustomed to fruit-forward white wines, Somló can be an entirely different experience. These are wines where acidity, mineral character, texture and savoury complexity can be just as important as obvious fruit.

Shop the range of Somló wines here>

What does volcanic wine taste like?

"Volcanic wine" doesn't describe one single flavour.

Rather, it refers to wine grown in vineyards shaped by volcanic geology. In regions such as Somló, these soils can contribute to wines renowned for their mineral-driven, structured and often savoury character.

Depending on the grape and winemaking style, expect flavours and aromas that can move through citrus, orchard fruit, herbs, florals and stone-fruit notes, alongside firm acidity and the distinctive mineral character for which Somló has become known.

For lovers of Chablis, dry Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, mineral Chardonnay and other European whites, the wines of Somló offer a fascinating next step.

Somlói Vándor: Hungarian Volcanic Wine at Podrum

The Hungarian winery currently represented in Podrum's wine collection is Somlói Vándor, a producer closely associated with the volcanic landscape of Somló.

The name itself translates approximately to the "Wanderer of Somló", fitting for a winery whose identity is so closely connected to this remarkable hill and its vineyards.

Rather than trying to make Somló taste like an international wine region, the appeal of Somlói Vándor lies in wines that showcase the grapes and character of the region itself.

For Australian drinkers, it provides an opportunity to experience Hungarian wine through varieties that are rarely encountered on mainstream Australian bottle-shop shelves.

Somlói Vándor Juhfark Öregtőkék > Buy now

Few grape varieties say Hungarian Wine quite like Juhfark.

Pronounced roughly "YOO-h-fark", Juhfark is a historic Hungarian white grape particularly associated with Somló. Its name translates to "sheep's tail", a reference to the elongated shape of its grape bunches.

Juhfark can produce distinctive dry white wines with high natural acidity, structure and a pronounced mineral quality. Rather than relying on overt tropical fruit, the variety can lean towards citrus, orchard fruit, herbs, savoury notes and stony minerality.

The Somlói Vándor Juhfark Öregtőkék takes the story further, with "Öregtőkék" referring to old vines.

For Australian drinkers searching for Juhfark wine in Australia, this is the sort of bottle that demonstrates why Somló has developed such a devoted following among adventurous European wine drinkers.

Try Juhfark with seafood, grilled fish, roast chicken, pork, hard cheeses or dishes where its acidity can cut through richer flavours.

Furmint: Hungary's Famous White Grape Beyond Sweet Wine

If there is one Hungarian white grape that international wine drinkers are increasingly likely to recognise, it is Furmint.

Furmint is famously associated with Tokaj, where it plays a central role in Hungary's historic sweet wines. However, Furmint is also capable of producing excellent dry white wine.

And this is where things become particularly interesting.

Dry Furmint can be vibrant and structured, combining refreshing acidity with citrus, apple, pear and mineral characters. Depending on the vineyard and winemaking, it can develop considerable texture and complexity.

In volcanic Somló, Furmint has another landscape through which to express itself.

Somlói Vándor Furmint Öregtőkék

The Somlói Vándor Furmint Öregtőkék represents Furmint from old vines grown in Somló's volcanic environment.

For Australians searching for Furmint wine in Australia, it provides an opportunity to experience the variety away from the sweet wines with which Hungary has historically been associated internationally.

Think of Furmint as a variety for drinkers who enjoy whites with acidity and structure.

If you normally reach for dry Riesling, Chablis, Grüner Veltliner or a restrained Chardonnay, dry Hungarian Furmint should absolutely be on your radar.

Its natural acidity also makes it particularly versatile with food, working beautifully alongside seafood, poultry, pork, creamy dishes, cheeses and Central European cuisine.

Olaszrizling: A Central European Classic

Another important variety in Podrum's Hungarian wine range is Olaszrizling.

Despite the name, Olaszrizling is not the same grape as Rhine Riesling. Australian drinkers may be more familiar with it under its international name, Welschriesling.

The variety is widely planted across Central and Southeast Europe and has developed particularly strong regional identities in countries including Hungary and Croatia.

In Hungary, Olaszrizling can produce fresh, dry and highly drinkable white wines while still retaining the acidity and structure that make the variety so food-friendly.

Somlói Vándor Olaszrizling

Somlói Vándor Olaszrizling brings the grape into the volcanic landscape of Somló.

Expect a style that speaks more to European freshness and regional character than overt sweetness or heavy oak.

For Australian wine drinkers who enjoy Pinot Grigio, dry Riesling, Grüner Veltliner or crisp unoaked Chardonnay but want something less familiar, Hungarian Olaszrizling is an excellent variety to explore.

It is also particularly versatile around the table, pairing comfortably with seafood, salads, poultry, pork, cheeses and lighter Mediterranean and Central European dishes.

Why Australian Wine Drinkers Should Pay Attention to Hungary.

Australia has one of the world's most sophisticated wine cultures, but our shelves tend to concentrate heavily on a relatively small group of international grape varieties.

Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc. Pinot Noir. Pinot Grigio. Riesling.

They are popular for good reason, but Europe contains hundreds of other varieties with completely different personalities.

Hungarian wine opens another door.

Furmint gives Riesling and Chardonnay drinkers something new to consider. Olaszrizling provides an alternative for lovers of crisp, dry whites. Juhfark goes further still, offering a variety with a particularly strong connection to one small volcanic region.

Somló also taps into the growing interest in wines that communicate terroir rather than simply grape variety.

When the vineyard happens to sit on an extinct volcano, that conversation becomes even more interesting.

What Food Goes With Hungarian White Wine?

The naturally refreshing acidity found in many Hungarian white wines makes them exceptionally useful at the table.

Furmint, Juhfark and Olaszrizling can work beautifully with grilled fish, seafood, roast chicken, pork, charcuterie, hard cheeses and vegetable dishes.

They're also naturally suited to the broader food traditions of Central Europe and the Balkans.

That makes these wines particularly interesting for Podrum customers. A mineral-driven Somló white can sit comfortably alongside a table of cured meats, cheeses, grilled seafood, roast meats and traditional European dishes without overwhelming the food.

And because these wines often prioritise acidity, texture and minerality rather than sweetness or excessive oak, they can be remarkably versatile.

Where to Buy Hungarian Wine in Australia

Finding Hungarian wine in Australia can still be difficult, particularly if you're looking beyond the most famous styles.

Podrum is expanding its European wine selection to include distinctive bottles and varieties that are rarely represented in mainstream Australian liquor stores.

Our current Hungarian wine selection focuses on Somlói Vándor from the Somló wine region, including wines made from:

• Juhfark
• Furmint
• Olaszrizling

These wines offer Australian customers an introduction to one of Hungary's most fascinating volcanic wine regions and three grapes that deserve far more international attention.

Whether you're searching for Hungarian wine online in Australia, Furmint in Australia, Juhfark wine, Olaszrizling, Somló wine or Somlói Vándor, Podrum's Hungarian collection brings these distinctive Central European wines together in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hungarian Wine

What wine is Hungary famous for?

Hungary is internationally famous for Tokaj and Furmint, but the country's wine culture extends well beyond sweet wine. Regions such as Somló produce distinctive dry volcanic white wines from grapes including Juhfark, Furmint and Olaszrizling.

What is Juhfark wine?

Juhfark is a historic Hungarian white grape particularly associated with the Somló wine region. It is known for producing structured, high-acid and mineral-driven white wines. The name Juhfark translates to "sheep's tail", referring to the shape of the grape bunch.

Is Furmint a dry or sweet wine?

Furmint can produce both dry and sweet wines. Although internationally famous for its role in the sweet wines of Tokaj, dry Furmint has become increasingly appreciated for its acidity, structure, citrus and mineral character.

What is Olaszrizling?

Olaszrizling is a white grape widely grown throughout Hungary and Central Europe. Internationally it is commonly known as Welschriesling and is separate from Rhine Riesling. It typically produces fresh, dry and food-friendly white wines.

What is Somló wine?

Somló wine comes from the Somló wine region of western Hungary, centred around an extinct volcanic hill. The region is particularly celebrated for distinctive mineral-driven white wines and varieties including Juhfark, Furmint and Olaszrizling.

Can you buy Hungarian wine in Australia?

Yes. Podrum stocks selected Hungarian wines in Australia, including Somlói Vándor wines from the volcanic Somló region. Customers can shop Hungarian wine online through Podrum with delivery across Australia.