In Hungary, Welschriesling (Olaszrizling) is often simply referred to as “Rizling.” Just think of a sunny day by Lake Balaton, ordering a wine spritzer:

"I'll have a long spritzer with Rizling, please" or while browsing in a wine shop:"I'm looking for a complex and layered Rizling to give as a gift.")

This nickname isn’t accidental—it’s a well-known and beloved variety in Hungary. In fact, Olaszrizling is the fifth most widely planted grape variety in the country, with vineyard area comparable to that of Furmint and Cserszegi Fűszeres. The largest plantings can be found in the Balatonfüred–Csopak, Badacsony, and Mátra wine regions.

 Olaszrizling is an incredibly versatile grape—used to make everything from light, fresh, reductive wines to complex, full-bodied, barrel-aged expressions. It excels at showcasing terroir, and its adaptability gives winemakers creative freedom to craft wines that align with their vision.

 It typically ripens with good acidity, and you’ll often find citrus, apple, and peach notes, along with hints of almond and herbal aromas.

 In Croatia, Olaszrizling—locally known as Graševina—is the most popular white wine. It's also grown in Slovenia, Italy, Romania, and Austria. In Austria, particularly around Lake Neusiedl, it’s even used to produce excellent dessert wines. Its English name is Welschriesling, and the name's origin provides a clue to the grape’s background. In German, “welsch” means “foreign”, suggesting that the grape was brought into German-speaking regions from elsewhere. Possible origins include France, Italy, Croatia, or Hungary. However, due to the “Olasz” (Italian) prefix in the Hungarian name, it's unlikely to have originated in Hungary directly—perhaps it arrived through Italy. According to the reference book Wine Grapes, the most likely birthplace is Croatia.

 It’s important not to confuse Olaszrizling with the German-born Riesling, also known as Rajnai Rizling in Hungarian, and simply “Riesling” in both German and English. Genetically, the two are not related at all.

 Riesling is widely regarded as one of the finest white grape varieties in the world. It’s capable of producing everything from bone-dry wines to sweet botrytized and ice wines, all at the highest quality. It’s grown globally, but its heart remains in Germany, where it is the most important grape variety. Entire wine regions—Mosel, Pfalz, Rheingau—are practically synonymous with it.

 Riesling wines commonly show apple, peach, and floral notes, but their signature is often a distinctive petrol aroma that makes them instantly recognizable. The grape’s origin is clearly German, most likely in the Rheingau along the Rhine River.

 If you get the chance, it’s definitely worth tasting an Olaszrizling and a Riesling side-by-side. Both grapes can produce sensational premium wines, and there are plenty of affordable, high-quality bottles available too. Take a look around—you might just discover a new favorite in our selection.