📍 Balatonboglár

Balatonboglár is a wine area on the southern shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary, around the town of Balatonboglár. It is part of the Balaton region. The lake moderates the climate: in summer it warms up and releases heat at night, and in winter it keeps hard frosts off the vineyards.

The southern shore is gentler and warmer than the northern one, with loess and volcanic soils. Many slopes face the sun.

The area is known for sparkling wines, which remain the zone's trademark. They are made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as in Champagne. Besides sparkling wines, grapes for still wines are grown: whites such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Olaszrizling; reds such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet. Rosés are made too.

Wineries on the southern shore are open to visitors, and many offer tastings with a view of the lake. Other areas, such as Badacsony and Balatonfüred-Csopak, lie on the north of the lake. Balatonboglár goes well with lake fish, for example pike-perch, and light summer food. Lake Balaton is the largest lake in Central Europe, and a separate wine region with several districts has grown up around it. In summer the southern shore is full of tourists, and wine is served right by the water.