Villány: The Napa Valley of Europe

Where Is Villány, and Why Should You Care?

Villány truly sits at the stylistic crossroads of Bordeaux and Napa, offering wines that combine ripeness and power with restraint and mineral precision.

Thanks to its latitude (45.8°N), Villány sits almost directly between Bordeaux (44.8°N) and Burgundy (47°N). Like Napa, it benefits from long growing seasons and plenty of sunshine, but like Bordeaux, its limestone soils and winemaking philosophy emphasise balance.

Bordeaux ✕ Napa = Villány’s Signature Style

Villány’s wines are often crafted from Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but the results are distinctly Hungarian.

• Climate: Continental + Mediterranean-influenced with warm summers, cool nights, and the protection from the Mecsek Hills create perfect ripening conditions.

• Soil: Loess and limestone soils echo those of Saint-Emilion or Bolgheri, lending structure and freshness.

• Style: Think black cherry, graphite, cocoa, and herbs, layered and concentrated, but with an elegant spine.

If Bordeaux is elegant and Napa is bold, Villány lands right in the middle. 

Wines being labelled at Gere Attila

Wines to Know (and Why They Matter)

• Kopar: A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Polished, age-worthy, and the benchmark of the region. Famous for once beating the Petrus in a blind tasting with James Suckling.

• Solus: A 100% Merlot that is rich but restrained, with mocha, black cherry, and spice. Often compared to the Masseto.

These are wines that wouldn’t feel out of place beside their more famous counterparts, and they come in at a fraction of the price.

What Makes Villány Unique

Villány may take inspiration from Bordeaux and Napa, but it doesn’t imitate. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Hungarian Oak: Often used over French or American, it imparts gentle spice and a distinctive signature. Hungarian oak has finer grains than American but allows for more oxygen to pass though as compared to French - We'll do an article on this in the coming weeks!

• Kékfrankos & Kadarka: Indigenous grapes still play a role, especially in blends.

• People-first winemaking: Many top estates are family-run, with deep roots and generational know-how. Everything is done by the winery from grafting to labelling.

Kadarka grapes are round and thin-skinned

Enjoying Villány Wines in Singapore

How should you dive in?

• Pair bold with bold: Gere Kopar with Peking duck, or Solus with charcoal grilled meats.

• Taste it blind: Line up a Napa Cab, a Saint-Emilion, and a Villány red. See who guesses what.

Want to taste what the middle ground between Bordeaux structure and Napa richness tastes like? Villány is your ticket.