Transcarpathian wine tastings: where to go and what to try

Transcarpathia has always been regarded as a sunny land of orchards and vineyards. Here grapes are grown not only across thousands of hectares - every householder has their own little vineyard mini-oasis at home. The main winemaking “heavyweights” of Transcarpathia today - are the Mukachevo, Uzhhorod, Berehove and Vynohradiv districts. It is precisely here that the climate is more favourable, and Transcarpathian wine tastings are the tastiest and most aromatic.

Grape cultivation in Transcarpathia was begun as far back as the XII century by monks of the Jesuit Templar order. As early as the beginning of the 1700s there were already over four thousand hectares of vineyards here. Transcarpathian viticulture was positively influenced by such countries as France, Italy and Germany, and by the middle of the XVIII century the size of the plantations had grown to 13 thousand hectares. The Serednyanske, Berehivske and Muzhiyivske wines were served in the finest taverns and cellars of Europe. Whole carts and sledges laden with barrels of the sunny Transcarpathian drink were specially delivered to St Petersburg at the request of Tsar Peter I.

Grape and wine varieties in Transcarpathia

Today Transcarpathia numbers more than 100 grape varieties . For tasting, the wines most commonly offered are “Leanka”, “Riesling”, “Muscat”, “Tamyanka”, “Isabella”, “Cahors”, “Saperavi”, “Black Doctor”, “Tokaji Furmint” and others.

The queen of the wines of Transcarpathia is considered to be “Rose of Transcarpathia”. This wine has a pink colour and the aroma of a tea rose. “Serednyanske”, for its part, shimmers with light straw-coloured tones and a gentle piquancy, softness and harmony of flavour. The dry vintage “Promenyste” is prized for its golden colour, lightness and richness. “Flower of the Meadow” recalls a bouquet of blooms from an Alpine meadow, while “Berehivske” carries a subtle aroma of fresh hay. All these wines have been awarded a multitude of medals at international competitions and festivals.

And whereas once only the elite could get to Transcarpathian wine tastings in the wine cellars, today any connoisseur of this natural, aromatic, sunny drink can sample it.

Transcarpathian wine tastings: where to find the finest sunny drink

The best known in the Berehove area is “Staryi Pidval” (The Old Cellar) - a 300-year-old building set right inside the hillside. It was on this very spot that the borders of the mighty Roman Empire once ran. For several centuries dry wines have been made here from the finest grape varieties of the Berehove district, following unique family recipes and techniques.

At the “Berehvidek” Wine House in the village of Yanoshi the welcoming hosts will offer you a tasting of several varieties of young wine. And every glass is accompanied by incredibly fascinating stories about wine and the winemaking traditions of the region. Moreover, the Wine House is home to a genuine winemaking museum, with many valuable exhibits.

The Berehove village of Kidyosh is famed for the wine cellar of Karl Shosh. Here they are sure to tell and show you everything about the traditional processing of grapes and the making of wine. The tasting itself traditionally begins with dry white wines and finishes with sweet reds. And to prepare your taste buds for the next tasting variety, after each glass you are offered a bite of cheese, biscuits, nuts or slices of apple.

The town of Serednie not far from Uzhhorod and Mukachevo - is one of the winemaking centres of Transcarpathia. Here you will find the renowned wine cellar and the famous “Leanka” winery, which produces the legendary wines “Rose of Transcarpathia”, “Grono Zakarpattia”, “Isabella”, “Serednyanske” and “Berehivske”. Especially striking are the ancient cellars where the wine is stored, and the colourful, incredibly fascinating and rich tasting-tour!

 The Chateau Chizay tasting hall. Chateau Chizay tasting tour

If you are visiting Transcarpathia, it is impossible to pass over the theme of viticulture and winemaking.

Chateau Chizay is writing a new chapter in the winemaking history of Transcarpathia and of Europe, and today Chateau Chizay - is not a winery but a winemaking town, a centre of noble craft and a man-made wonder of Transcarpathia. Widely popular among tourists is a tasting at Chateau Chizay.

Wine tastings in the castles of Transcarpathia

A wonderful location for wine connoisseurs is the tasting hall at Uzhhorod Castle, which is renowned for its range of wines from local private winemakers, light snacks and an elegant interior. Especially popular in Uzhhorod is the “Chardonnay” tasting wine hall, which is located in the very heart of the city. Here you can enjoy the aromatic wine of the region’s most famous varieties and watch a film about Transcarpathian winemaking. With every tasting you will be offered a tasty snack - cheese, nuts, raisins, prunes. And a tasting at the eco-wellness hotel “Ungvarskyi” in Uzhhorod is filled with the refined atmosphere of the last century and is known for its dry whites (“Leanka”, “Müller Thurgau”, “Riesling”), reds (“Merlot”, “Cabernet Sauvignon”) and dessert wines.

Worth a separate mention is Vynohradiv - a town whose very name speaks for itself. At the Mykhailo Polychko Wine House the tasting is especially cosy and homely. The hosts speak with delight about their beloved craft, share the secrets of growing grapes, and just before the tasting itself they light the fireplace and invite you to try “Rose of Transcarpathia”, “Cabernet Sauvignon”, “Leanka” and other well-known wine varieties.

Today Transcarpathia is striving to develop its wine-tourism trail to the highest possible standard. There is a Union of Private Grape Growers and Winemakers here, and even a genuine Wine Knights’ Order of St Wenceslas. Transcarpathia - the record-holder for the number of wine festivals held in Ukraine. Just consider those renowned far beyond the country’s borders: “Red Wine” in Mukachevo, the wine festivals in Berehove, “Beaujolais” and “Sunny Drink” in Uzhhorod, “Uhochanska Loza” in Vynohradiv and many others.

Every winemaker of Transcarpathia has their own unique recipes for making this marvellous, heady sunny drink, which make Transcarpathian wine tastings truly unrivalled!

And you can taste the finest and tastiest Transcarpathian wines as part of our excursions.