Zala

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The appellation's mean annual temperature ranges between 9–11°C, and the extremely severe cold or heat that could damage the vines occurs only rarely.
• The floodplain areas along the Zala river significantly moderate larger temperature fluctuations, and the conditions for wine production on the nearby hills have further improved since the restoration of the Kis-Balaton wetland.
• In the appellation the hills run in a north–south direction, cut through by east–west valleys; this geographical configuration also contributes to viticulture.
• The annual number of sunshine hours is 1,950–2,000, annual precipitation totals 650–700 mm, of which 400–450 mm falls during the growing season.
• Due to the cooling effect of the Kis-Balaton lake's water mass in summer and the higher relative humidity arising from evaporation, atmospheric drought and the number of drought days in the area are low.
• The reflective effect of the Kis-Balaton water surface means that Zala vineyard sites on hillsides and slopes receive more light than the average sunshine-hour count would suggest, which is especially important during the long, sunny autumns provided by Mediterranean anticyclones.

• A charter surviving from 868 mentions viticulture along the Zala river, constituting early written evidence of medieval wine culture in Zala.
• The Esztergom toll tariff issued by Ladislaus IV in 1288 also lists wines from Zala.

• The acids of Zala wines are rounded and mature, the tannins of the rosé and red wines are silky and elegant, and the wines are full-bodied and flavour-rich.
• The defining flavour characteristic of Zalai quality sparkling wine is fruitiness, which lingers at length on the palate; its quality is guaranteed by the cuvée base wines, characterised by freshness and a ripe, assertive acid structure.
• The defining flavour characteristics of Zalai semi-sparkling wine are fruitiness and a citrus character, which linger at length on the palate.

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-A1502
• Official trade body site — Zalai Borvidék Hegyközségi Tanácsa