25 May 2007

A special feature of the stamps is that each denomination bears a scientifically accurate, authentic depiction of a bunch of grapes of a specific variety. The series of stamps has been designed with the involvement of the wine consult-ant Dr. József Csizmazia D. Pécs wine region. A sub-Mediterranean climate protected from the north wind, where the heat and sun of summer is followed by autumn sunshine and a mild winter, characterises the vineyards which cover 633 hectares. According to written records viniculture in the area stretches back 2,000 years. Besides full-bodied wines with high sugar and alcohol content produced from Chardonnay, Furmint and Italian Riesling, the most distinctive wine of the region is Cirfandli, which has a floral bouquet and a high alcohol content. The trading centre of the region in ancient times was Sophiane, today’s Pécs. The city is renowned far and wide for its wines and its sparkling wine production, the base wine for which is still produced in the local vineyards. Etyek-Buda wine region. With almost 1,480 hectares under vine, this region has a several hundred year-old tradition of tending vines and making wines. Long hours of sunshine and low rainfall typify its climate. It was granted the status of a wine region in 1990. Elegant, dry, fine fragrant wines with well-balanced acidity are made here. Since the end of the 19th century the celebrated Törley sparkling wines have been made here from the wine grown in Etyek.

Apart from Chardonnay, Italian Riesling, Pinot blanc, Rhine Riesling and Sauvignon blanc, wines made from Ezerfürtű (thousand bunches) mature in the circular cellars found in the region or in the cellars full of atmosphere of Swabian houses. Tolna wine region. Tolna became a wine region in 1998, which makes it one of Hungary’s youngest. Viniculture in the area began in Roman times, but it was only in the 16th century that German settlers revived the flagging fortunes of the region’s viniculture. Vines are cultivated on 2,175 hectares and enjoy mild winters complemented by dry and sunny summers. The region is famous for its cellars in Györköny, built over 200 years ago, and the old walnut trees providing shade for them. Fragrant white wines are made from world and regional varietals including Chardonnay, Italian Riesling, Pinot blanc, Rhine Riesling, Riesling Sylvaner and Zenit. Red wine varieties such Kadarka, Blaufränkisch, Merlot and Zweigelt are also grown in the region. In the top of each stamp design are the names of the wine region, grape variety and the breeder of the variety. These are in order of face value: “Pécs wine region; Cirfandli P.123 – Diófási, L.”; “Etyek-Buda wine region; Ezerfürtű – Kurucz, A.” and “Tolna wine region; Zenit – Király, F.” In the background are views of the landscape typical of the region. The first day cover for the set of stamps bears a photograph-based graphic design of a grape-growing area with an outline of Hungary. The special postmark has motifs in similar vein, complementing the cover’s design. Source: Edit Hajdú, senior member (Research Institute for Viticulture and Oenology, Kecskemét)

Order code:
2007120050311/stamp set
2007120060012/FDC

Date of issue: 25 May 2007
Face value: HUF 495
Number of copies: 400,000
Printing method: offset
Perforated size: 30.4x45 mm (in sheets of 50 stamps)
Printed by Állami Nyomda Nyrt.
Designed by Pál Varga