Hungary’s smallest wine region is a real treasure
For lovers of special, mineral flavours, the tiny Nagy-Somló wine region is a real treasure-trove. The northernmost part of the Balaton wine region and the northwestern part of Hungary awaits visitors at any time of the year.
“If you travel from Veszprém towards the western border of Hungary, everywhere you look, you see plains. The stump-shaped mountain of Somló rises out of the landscape as if it had been there by accident, which is perhaps why the vernacular calls it God’s forgotten hat,” writes the official site of the Somló wine region.
Somló, the wine of honeymoons
Many people also know Somló as the wine of honeymoon nights, because it was once believed that Somló wine consumed on this special night was a guarantee that the newlyweds would have a son. The former volcano now stands out from its surroundings like a beautiful stump-shaped mountain. The landscape is dominated by the 432-metre-high buttes, with basalt columns in the upper third and vineyards rising to 350 metres below. Nowadays, however, it is much more the special volcanic character of the wines that attracts wine connoisseurs and wine lovers from all over the world to our wine region in the northernmost part of the Balaton wine region.
Photo: Facebook/Somlói Borvidék
The Nagy-Somló wine region is the smallest and one of the most unique wine regions in our country. The vineyards are planted up to 350 metres above sea level, and the route around the mountain is a continuous alternation of small and large vineyards and parcels. The small cottages and wine cellars along the road only add to the scenery.
According to blikk.hu, the region is mainly known for its white wines. It is worth checking with the small wineries in advance if you want to visit. It is also home to one of the country’s most modern sparkling wine cellars.
The incomparable flavour of the wine region
Here, in many cases, the factor of where the vines are grown dominates over the grape variety. Somló wines pair well with fatty foods, cheeses and fish. Both the aromas and flavours of the wines show the salty, flinty character of the region, while the massive acidity in their structure is also an important characteristic. Somlói is a wine for patient people, because when young, it rarely shows the beauty and depth of an older bottle. If you want to do yourself good, you should put the wine to bed and not open it before it is two years old. The other option is to buy a 4-5 year old Somlói. Over the years, they develop an incomparable flavour, a “volcanic essence” that no wine lover should miss.
The Somló wine region also invites visitors in winter, and walks are often organised. You can find out about the current weather conditions and how to get there in case of snow on their Facebook page.
Source: blikk.hu, somloiborvidek.hu
