Mátra

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Volcanic and sedimentary soil cover: on south-facing slopes protected from northerly winds, the soils are partly volcanic and partly nutrient-rich sedimentary in character.
• Two soil-type zones: in the lower part of the borvidék, meadow (chernozem-type) soils predominate, while forest soils developed in the upper part where woodland was once cleared.
• Continental climate: hot summers, cold winters; annual sunshine duration 1,900–2,000 hours, mean growing-season temperature 17 °C.
• Annual precipitation 356–903 mm; summer rainfall (June–August) has a positive effect on both the yield and quality of the grapes.
• Southern exposure along the east–west ridge of the Mátra: the sheltering effect of the mountains favourably influences temperature conditions.

• The earliest written record dates from 1042: a vineyard estate granted by royal donation to Aba Sámuel's Benedictine monastery.
• 1536: János Szapolyai granted the citizens of Gyöngyös the right to sell wine freely, signalled by a displayed wine-bush sign.

• White and rosé wines: intense aromas, flavour-rich; reds: fruity, lighter in body, less deeply coloured, with tannins that develop rapidly.
• Generally light, soft wines with rapid acid development; mineral character; recommended for shorter ageing and early drinking.

• Volcanic and sedimentary soils combined with an intense climate yield white and rosé wines with intense aromas, rich flavour, and rapid acid development.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National product specification (PDF) — agrarminiszterium
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-HU-A1368
• Official trade body site — Mátrai Borvidék Hegyközségi Tanácsa