Balaton & Somló Wine Guide: Grapes, Appellations & Producers

Tiny extinct-volcano whites

Soil: A single extinct volcano rising from the plain — basalt and volcanic ash, one of Europe's smallest, most singular wine hills.
Style: Intense, smoky, high-acid whites of legendary longevity from Furmint, Hárslevelű and the local Juhfark.
Top sites: Somló's tiny output is some of Hungary's most distinctive — austere when young, magnificent with age.
Vintages: 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
Producers: Somlói Apátsági PinceFekete BélaKreinbacher

Tip · Somló was historically the 'wedding-night wine' said to favour the birth of sons — myth, but great wine.

Value pick

Kreinbacher 'Öreg Tőkék' Furmint · ~$25

Smoky, mineral, high-acid volcanic white.

Collector pick

Somlói Apátsági Pince Juhfark · ~$35 · 2019

Austere, smoky, ageworthy local-grape rarity.

Basalt hills above Lake Balaton

Soil: Steep basalt hills above Lake Balaton, whose mass moderates the climate and reflects light onto the vines.
Style: Textured, smoky Olaszrizling (Welschriesling) and aromatic whites with a saline, volcanic cut.
Top sites: Old-vine Olaszrizling from Badacsony's basalt is a Hungarian classic.
Vintages: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Producers: SzeremleyVilla Tolnay2HA

Tip · Lake Balaton is Central Europe's largest lake — a giant heat-store for the vines.

Value pick

Villa Tolnay Olaszrizling · ~$22

Textured, smoky, saline lakeside white.

Collector pick

Szeremley Kéknyelű · ~$30 · 2020

Rare local-grape white of real character.