As beautiful as Lake Balaton looks in winter, spring is just around the corner. These seven Balaton wines are the perfect companions while temperatures remain cool – and with the promise of spring in the sunbeams.
Although red wines are more popular in winter than in summer, Balaton’s wine regions highlight white wines every season. When the weather is cold, it’s best to reach for more fully bodied wines that go well with the hearty sustenance of winter.
Borbély Kőmagas Riesling 2015
This wine originates from Borbély winery’s Kőmagas vineyard on the southern slopes of Csobánc. It’s a mature wine with hints of tobacco and oil in its character. Its flavour is rounded with a bit of residual sugar, making it a good companion for a wide variety of meals, not just poultry and fish.
Price: 2,950 HUF
Bujdosó Nemere 2015
Products at this winery are named after classic Balaton ships – with some serious items in the ranks. Nemere is a marriage of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, with a rich and intense scent of pear, peach and sweet spices. Its fruity taste leaves a fresh hint of grapefruit.
Price: 2,700 HUF
Garamvári Délidőlő Chardonnay 2015
Although this winery is best known for its champagnes, its wines represent the same level of quality. This item has an elegant, subtle scent and a character with hints of green apples and soft butter. It’s balanced with a fruity flavour.
Price: 2,290 HUF
Laposa Kőtenger Badacsony Furmint 2016
The secret to this renowned winery’s success isn’t just the breathtaking view that greets visitors from its terrace; they also deliver excellent wines from each vintage. This one is a lean wine, with crisp acids and an exciting character of apple and pear – the makers recommend drinking it with beef tenderloin.
Price: 7,000 HUF
Pátzay Riesling 2017
2017 was this winery's first vintage. This variety is used by many Badacsony cellars as it produces wines with lovable character. It has a nice structure, an air of elegance. With the subtle fruity scent and a little bit of residual sugar, each sip is very balanced.
Price: 3,200 HUF
Ujvári Olaszriesling 2017
This wine is aged in a barrel made in 1943, a family heirloom. It’s a true Olaszriesling standard, with flavours of pear, flowers and herbs, and a soft sour taste indicating that it is, indeed, a wine of this variety.
Price: 3,690 HUF
Villa Tolnay Tenger 2017
The winery that’s going to make serious waves this spring has just introduced new labels for its wines. This item is a marriage of Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Olaszriesling, all of which are the cellar’s strong suits, resulting in an excellent wine. It has a flavour of ripe pear and peach, with hints of herbs, and a finish of soft almonds.
Price: 4,450 HUF
