Hungary/eszak-dunantul/pannonhalma">Pannonhalma is a wine region in north-western Hungary. It constitutes the eastern corner of Transdanubia, the traditional region of Hungary which Lies across the Danube (trans danubia) from the Hungarian capital Budapest.
As this corner of Hungary focuses mainly on red wine production, Pannonhalma's vineyards are planted mostly with the Bordeaux wine grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, as well as Burgundy's Pinot Noir.
Pannonhalma is situated just south-east of Gyor, the regional capital of Gyor-Moson-Sopron county (of which Sopron makes up the western third), and the western Transdanubia region.
Although Pannonhalma is a Long way from Hungary's most famous wine regions (Tokaj for whites and Villany for reds) it produces wines of quality, many of which are exported to other European countries and the United States.
In wine terms Pannonhalma's name is not as internationally recognized as Hungary's other wine regions (such as Tokaj or Villany). However the district has considerable cultural and historical significance.
When Otto von Habsburg, the last Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary died in July 2011, Pannonhalma Archabbey was chosen as the burial place for the prince's heart.
(His Body was entombed at the Imperial Crypt in Vienna. ) The abbey Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crowns the Mount of Saint Martin that overlooks Pannonhalma town.
Pinot grigio 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 grigio 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 grigio 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 grigio wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot grigio is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
white wines from the region of Dél-Pannónia go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of sauerkraut (with tips so to do!!!), light salmon steaks and or ham and comté quiche.
On the nose in the region of Dél-Pannónia often reveals types of flavors of tree fruit, earth or microbio and sometimes also flavors of oak, citrus fruit or floral.
