Zala

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Submediterranean-continental climate: Alpine oceanic and Adriatic Mediterranean air currents combine to give the borvidék its uniquely distinctive weather patterns.
• Clay-illuviated barna erdőtalaj soils, with their strong water-retention capacity, reliably supply the vines with moisture even during drought-prone summers.
• Mean annual temperature 9–11 °C, annual rainfall 650–700 mm, growing-season precipitation 400–450 mm, sunshine hours approximately 1,950–2,000 per year.

• A charter from 868 attests to viticulture along the Zala river; the 1288 customs tariff of King László IV also lists Zala wines.
• After phylloxera, the hills of the Zala valley were replanted largely with table grapes; Olaszrizling became the dominant variety from the second half of the 19th century onward.

• Zala wines are characterised by rounded, ripe acids; in rosé and red wines, silky, elegant tannins; and a full-bodied, flavour-rich character.
• Zala Pezsgő and Gyöngyözőbor: discreet, elegant aromas, lingering fruit and citrus notes on the finish, and a pronounced acid structure.

• The water-retention of barna erdőtalaj soils combined with oceanic and Mediterranean air currents together impart the fresh, fruity vivacity and ripe acidity that define Zala wines.

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