Villa Tolnay - Olaszrizling Matraalja 2022 750ml (12.5% ABV)

Csobánc hill, located on the Northern shore of lake Balaton, in the Tapolca basin, is one of the most beautiful volcanic mountains in Hungary. This is where the center of this estate and most of the vineyards are located. The vineyards spread across 17 hectares, but they also process grapes from an additional six hectares in the Badacsony wine region. The combination of unique geological conditions, the heat-retaining basalt soil and the microclimate resulting from proximity with lake Balaton allow Villa Tolnay to create wines of special character and quality. 

Olaszizling is NOT Riesling. Do not fret, this is a dry wine.

"Our main variety is Olaszrizling, of course. It is undoubtedly difficult to sell this wine outside Hungary, but I think it is important to preserve this grape here, because it is the grape which is able to bring the terroir character into the wine. We should use Olaszrizling as the ambassador of the terroir."

The Olaszrizling grapes come from Badacsony, Fekete-Bacs and Csobánc hill. The soils are volcanic, with clay, sand, basalt, and ancient Pannonian sea sedimentation.

a new fave smoky volcanic white, for fans of muscadet or chablis, flinty, green almond, seashells, apple blossom, medium bodied, crisp and zingy, saline and clean

region: Transdanubia, Hungary

varietal: Olaszrizling (Welschriesling)

style: dry mineral white

farming/cellar: certified organic, picked by hand, and fermentation was spontaneous with native yeasts and on the lees in stainless steel tanks (80%) and 750 L Stockinger barrels (20%). Minimal so2. vegan 

pairing: oysters, cheese plate, veggie skewers