Szt. Kristóf Pincészet, Zamárdi - Zöld Veltelini 2006

Szent Kristóf Pincészet was our last wine stop on our trip around Lake Balaton. It is located in Zamárdi nearly at the foot of Kőhegy hill amidst beautiful idyllic surroundings. After looking around the winery we took a seat outside in the shade of tall trees and began to order off their wine list. But after looking at their menu, who could resist tasting their food! Their menu is full of delicious cold cut plates made with fresh, local ingredients and homemade delicacies like goat cheese and delicious pumpkinseed oil. So, waiting for our cold plate to arrive, we tasted their 2007 Irsai Olivér and their award-winning 2007 Zenit, but their 2006 Zöld Veltilni was something quite special…

The Zöld veltilini is one of the main varietals of the Balaton wine region known especially for its white wines. Distinctive yellow-greenish in color, this wine boasts a wonderful spicy bouquet and intense flavors. Peeking out from spices of cloves and cinnamon come wonderful fruit aromas like pear compote, quince, and tropical fruit in the nose. As the wine opens up it gets more and more exciting revealing a whole array of aromas. In the end, a bouquet of apple pie dominates. Great balance and wonderful body, its lively, crisp acidity is balanced with its medium-to-light body. This is not your average veltelini. This wine brings the most out of this variety, which is more often than not, not much better than your average table wine. More than with good conversation, this wine pairs excellently with food. Medium-long finish, gradually fades away.