Káli-medence is a unique region near Lake Balaton, with an abundance of popular restaurants and wineries. These five wines, perfect for autumn, will give you a taste of local viticulture.
The wines of Káli-medence originate from a wider region: those from the slopes of Monostorapáti-, Henyei-, Monoszlói-, and Salföldi-medence are all categorised as Káli wines.
The vineyards in the area contain loam and brown-forest soils mixed with basalt. Rich in minerals and fossils, this terroir influences the wines produced here. Since it was first brought to the area in 1873, Olaszriesling has been the main local variety. Juhfark, Riesling, Chardonnay and Tramini are also quite widespread, while Furmint has been increasing in popularity in recent years. Most cellars make white wine, but some produce reds as well.
1/5
Kaal Villa Franoir 2017
Csaba Tímár’s wine is a marriage of Kékfrankos, Pinot Noir and Zweigelt. Aged in barrels and tanks, this wine has the spicy plum and cherry aromas of autumn. It’s well-balanced with great acids, an intense fruitiness and low levels of tannin, making it a truly joyful experience.
Price: 3,500 HUF
2/5
Káli Balázs Olaszriesling Öregtőkék 2018
This treasured item by winemaker Balázs Káli comes from the southern slopes of Öreghegy-dűlő, from the vineyard planted by his grandfather in the ’70s. With this wine, the emphasis is on the fruit, the variety itself and the area, so it is rarely aged in barrels, ensuring that these characteristics can shine through. It’s a proper Olaszriesling, with tight acids, and flavours reminiscent of pears and apples, mixed with a bouquet of wildflowers and a little mineral. Its elegance makes it stand out.
Price: 2,590 HUF
3/5
Káli Kövek Riesling 2018
The cellar of Gyula Szabó celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. This wine is half Olaszriesling, half Riesling, both very prominent on the north shore. Its freshness and nice acids can be linked to it never having been stored in barrels. Every sip carries the taste of flowers, white peach and green apple, with a hint of almonds, accompanied by a little mineral flavour.
Price: 2,080 HUF
4/5
Kőróka Bebíró Olaszriesling 2017
Located by the road from Köveskál to Mindszentkálla, about 100 metres from Kaal Villa, László Nagyrónai’s cellar at Szűcs-hegy doesn’t use any herbicides in its vineyards. The fruit of 50-year-old plants is aged in steel barrels, then rests in bottles. This wine has a deep, ripe scent of peaches and honey. It’s well-balanced, lively, with nice acids and the sour taste of almonds at the back. Kőróka is a lone wolf, you won’t find its wines in shops, but you might find them at nearby markets or, of course, at the cellar itself.
Price: 2,600 HUF
