Hárslevelű

VIVC records Hárslevelű in its variety passport as a white grape under the prime name Harslevelue, variety number 5314, with Hungary as its country of origin, so Hungary is its likely homeland. Its pedigree, confirmed by DNA markers in that passport, is Furmint × Tsimlyanskii Belyi; it rests on this single source. In WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data, Hárslevelű has one offspring, Kabar, a crossing with Bouvier, and one half-sibling, Zéta.

• VIVC prime name: Harslevelue; VIVC variety number 5314; berry skin colour: white (blanc)
• Country of origin: Hungary (likely)
• Parents: Furmint × Tsimlyanskii Belyi, confirmed by DNA markers (single source)
• Offspring: Kabar (with Bouvier); half-sibling: Zéta (VIVC-derived lineage data)

The name Hárslevelű means 'linden leaf'. In Jancis Robinson's account, the grape is named after the lime leaf its wines can smell of. Genetically it is an offspring of Furmint, and it is Furmint's traditional blending partner in Tokaji.

• Name means 'linden leaf'
• A genetic offspring of Furmint
• Furmint's traditional blending partner in Tokaji

In Tokaj, Hárslevelű is the second most planted variety after Furmint. Tokaj's deeper subsoil is mostly tuff, the result of 20 million years of volcanic activity. In Slovakia the grape is known as Lipovina, and it is one of only three principal varieties permitted in Slovak Tokaj. Hárslevelű is also grown in other parts of central Europe. In the Hegyközségek Nemzeti Tanácsa planted-area table for Hungary dated 31 July 2025, Hárslevelű covers about 1,284 ha.

• Tokaj: the second most planted variety, after Furmint
• Tokaj soils: deeper subsoil mostly volcanic tuff
• Tokaj soils: windblown loess dominates in the south and on Tokaj Hill
• Slovakia: known as Lipovina, one of three principal varieties permitted in Slovak Tokaj
• Also grown in other parts of central Europe
• Hungary: about 1,284 ha planted, in the Hegyközségek Nemzeti Tanácsa table dated 31 July 2025

Hárslevelű can stand on its own or act as a blending component, for both dry and sweet wines. In Tokaji it is Furmint's traditional blending partner, adding richness, floral aromas and complexity to blends and bringing aromatic and spicy properties to the Tokaji blend.

• Made in both dry and sweet styles, as a single variety or in blends
• Adds richness, floral aromas and complexity to Tokaji blends
• Brings aromatic and spicy properties to the Tokaji blend
• Elegant acidity

Hárslevelű is a late-ripening variety. Its looser bunches and relatively thick skins make it less prone to botrytis in drier years.

• Late ripening
• Looser bunches and relatively thick skins
• Less prone to botrytis in drier years

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=5314 ; https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2024/tokaji-decoded-the-science-behind-hungary-s-iconic-sweet-wines ; https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2026/discovering-slovakia-through-wine ; https://holdvolgy.com/en/wine/tokaji-harslevelu-expression-2021 ; https://hnt.hu/dokumentumok/szolovel-beultetett-terulet-bv-fajta-20250731-1 Reference sources: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/eric-danch/posts/tokaj-part-one ; https://www.decanter.com/wine/grape-varieties/h-rslevel-white-52604/ ; https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/harslevelu Last verified 2026-10-27