Top 100 wines of Balaton
Discover the top 100 best wines of Balaton as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the wines that are popular of Balaton and the best vintages to taste in this region.
Discovering the wine region of Balaton
Balatonboglar (South Balaton) is one of several wine regions on the shores of Lake Balaton, in the Transdanubia region of western Hungary. Lake Balaton is a Long, thin freshwater lake measuring almost 80 kilometers (50 miles) in Length, sometimes referred to as the 'Hungarian Sea. ' It is the largest lake in Central Europe and Hungary's most popular tourist destination.
A wide portfolio of the popular, internationally recognized Grape varieties are grown here, including a number of the French classics.
Balatonboglar's Sparkling wines are increasingly successful, many of which are based on the classic Champagne recipe of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The region also produces a range of ripe, Fruity reds, mostly from Gamay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah grapes. Dry whites from Balatonboglar are likely to be based on Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Muscat Blanc, which are also popular on the western side of the lake.
The lake also plays a vital role in moderating the Climate in western Hungary.
It is largely due to the presence of the lake (as well as Lake Neusiedl, or the Neusiedlersee) that high quality viticulture is possible here. Without the moderating influence of these two bodies of water, the climate would be more continental, with soaring summer temperatures and very cold winters.
The significance of the lake is reflected in the fact that Balaton is referenced in many of the names of the regions, towns and villages in the area. The two other winemaking regions in the area are named Balatonfured-Csopa and Balaton Felvidek.
Discover the grape variety: Pinot gris
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
Food and wine pairing with a wine of Balaton
wines from the region of Balaton go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or pork such as recipes of feijoada ( portuguese cassoulet ), leg of lamb in a casserole or endives with ham (improved).
