Neszmély

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• In the flatland Ászár district, the appellation's soils are mainly brown forest soils developed on a marl base, while the hilly Neszmély district features loess, limestone, dolomite, and sandstone.
• According to Wikipedia, the soil is mainly brown forest soil developed on loess, though rendzina formed on limestone and dolomite, as well as brown forest soil formed on sandstone and marl, also occur. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The number of sunshine hours ranges from 1,950 to 2,000, annual rainfall is 550–650 mm, and based on ecological conditions the great majority of vineyard land falls within cadastral class I.
• A significant portion of the vineyard land lies in the western part of the Gerecse hills, where the area is bounded to the north by the Danube and to the west by the Little Hungarian Plain (Kisalföld), and the river creates a microclimate on the gently sloping, north-facing hillsides.
• According to Wikipedia, the appellation's finest growing sites lie at elevations of 150–300 metres above sea level, on the sun-exposed slopes of the Vértes and Gerecse mountains. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• In the 2nd century, Emperor Probus ordered the soldiers stationed here to plant vines on the Danube-facing hillsides of the Gerecse, and viticulture is attested by a tombstone found in the Szaller vineyard on Ispita hill, belonging to Esztergom.
• After the phylloxera crisis, the vineyard area fell to nearly one-third of its former extent, and Olaszrizling of French origin spread widely, finding favourable growing conditions here, while Kadarka and Rácfekete receded into the background.
• The Neszmély wine appellation was established in 1897, its foundation having been laid in the second half of the 19th century by the Eszterházy Estate model winery at Ászár; in 1905, Count Ferenc Eszterházy converted the estate's winery — built in 1772 in the Tata English Park — into a sparkling wine facility.
• After World War II, production and quality problems became so severe that in 1959 the appellation lost its official status, which it only regained in 1977 as a result of new plantings; the appellation covers 1,400 hectares. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The wines of the appellation are predominantly varietal, rich in fragrance and aromas, white wines with fine acidity, made for early drinking within one to two years.
• From traditional varieties such as Olaszrizling, Szürkebarát, Ezerjó, and Rizlingszilváni, the flatland part of the appellation produces fuller-bodied wines that are less aromatic but richer in varietal character.

• The high-acid wines of Neszmély withstood extended transport by both water and land, which enabled a lively wine trade during the Middle Ages.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Hungary

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National product specification (PDF) — agrarminiszterium
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-HU-A1335
• Official trade body site — Neszmélyi Borvidék Hegyközsége (Neszmélyi Borvidék Hegyközségi Tanácsa)