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There are twenty two wine regions in Hungary, five of which are around Lake Balaton. Balatonboglar is the professional and commercial centre of the wine region, with an international reputation for wine making and grape production. The types of wines produced in the area include, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noire, Kekfrankos, Riesling varieties, Muscatel varieties, Irsai Oliver, Little Princess, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the famous Balatonboglar "BB" sparkling "Champagne" types of dry, medium, sweet and cuvee wines. There are vineyards as far as the eye can see on the gently rolling hills around Balatonboglar. Throughout the region, there are hundreds of privately owned wine cellars where the vineyard owners and their guests sample each others' wines and hearty country food. Many wine cellar owners also have restaurants and open their doors to paying guests. Some of the wine cellars open to the public can be found on Kis Hegy near Balatonboglar, in Szoloskislak, Szolosgyorok, Radpuszta and in Badacsony. |
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A wine sampling trip to Badacsony is always an experience. The volcanic hills of Badacsony on the Northern shore of Lake Balaton give a distinctive flavour to the wines from the region. A trip from Balatonboglar usually involves a ferry crossing of Lake Balaton to Badacsony and then a taxi ride up the hill in an old "jeep". A relaxing lunch in one of the two uppermost restaurants overlooking the vineyards and Lake Balaton starts off the sampling of over twenty wine stops on the walk back down the hill. Those wanting to mix a little culture with their wine can visit the Kis Faludy Museum opposite the top restaurant at the start of the trip before the real wine sampling begins.
In August, Balatonboglar, Balatonlelle and Badacsony have wine festivals where the major wine producers from the region display their wines and encourage people to try them and buy them. These festivals are also a time when local artists, potters, embroiderers and crafts people of every type set up stalls and sell their wares. Together with food stalls, beer tents, folk dancing, music and free pop concerts in the evenings, a Balaton Wine Festival is a good time to visit.
The St. Donatus restaurant and wine cellar on Kis Hegy near Balatonboglar, is a must for anyone who enjoys good food, fine wines from the Lellei vineyards and beautiful sunsets on the verandah overlooking the vineyards and Lake Balaton.
The South Balaton Wine Route depicted on the map below is a collection of places where there are wine cellars, restaurants and festivals where wines from the region can be tasted. Wine tasting holidays can be organised throughout the year, taking in the historic sites and wine cellars on the Northern and Southern shores of Lake Balaton.
