Global Rank : 18 Production here experienced a steep fall of 3 % ( down from 3mn hectolitres ) which sees Hungary drop from seventh place in the chart but cling on to its position in the top ten , just ahead of European rival Bulgaria in the global chart . Hungary also suffered from the climatic pressures felt across Europe which combined negatively with the traditionally late November harvest of many Hungarian regions .

The Romans first brought their vines here in the 5th Century . Among Hungary ’ s most famous wines are the white dessert wine Tokaji ( grown in the far north foothills of the Zemplen Mountains ) and the fearsomely monikered red , Bull ’ s Blood of Eger which comes from the Kadarka grape , introduced to the country by the Serbs in the 16th Century .

Global Rank : 17 Austria ’ s wine production may have fallen by 1 % ( down from 2.3mn ) but experts are applauding quality over quantity . A late April frost in some regions , such as Steiermark and Burgenland , saw their yields drop by as much as 80 %. However , the harvests in large parts of Niederosterreich were above average following an unseasonably warm and sunny close to the season in September .

Austria is known for its prime red grape varieties including Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch and the internationally harvested Pinot Noir . But these only accounts for around 30 % of production with the country more famous for its dry white wines often made from the Gruner Veltliner grape . Austria is also home to Riedel , makers of some of the world ’ s most expensive wine glasses .

26 August 2017