Ászár-Neszmély wine region
History of the wine region
The wine-growing region of Ászár-Neszmély situated in the northern part of Transdanubia and bordered by the the Vértes and Gerecse mountains has a wine-making history of almost two thousand years. Grape cultivation and wine-making started in the area in ancient Roman times. Later, in the Middle Ages, wine-making in the area flourished, as evidenced by the records of various Hungarian kings visiting the region of Neszmély and Dunaalmás (such as Zsigmond, Ulászló and László the 5th.). Later, the growing vine production of the estates and serfs ensured the good reputation of wines coming from the region. However, with the radical decrease of population during the Turkish occupation, the vines were greatly eroded.
After the Turkish occupation, by the end of the XVIII century Aszar and its surroundings once again became a significant vine-growing area. The high acidity of the local wines allowed for longer transportation, so they were exported abroad in significant quantities. Further international recognition came in the second half of the XIX century when the Eszterházy family’s famous Csákvár manor house and winery was established here. At the end of the XIX century the nationwide phylloxera epidemic caused serious damage in the vineyards of the region, also causing changes in the grape variety structure. After World War II the production and quality problems have increased to such an extent that in 1959 the area lost its wine-region rank, which was recovered in 1977 thanks to extensive new plantations. In 2009, the Ászár-Neszmély wine region was renamed to Neszmély wine region.
Over the past few decades, the modernization of grape production has resulted in a significant improvement in wine quality and an increase in the rank of the wine region. Today vine growing and wine production is done in three sub-regions, the Ászár district, the Neszmélydistrict and the Tata district.
Ászár-Neszmély wine region numbers
Total area of the wine region is 1432 ha, most of it is a first class vineyard.
Number of settlements in the wine region: 23
Districts
According to the vineyard register, the following 3 districts make up the wine region: Ászár, Neszmély, Tata.
Ászár district:
Ászár, Bársonyos, Császár, Csép, Ete, Kerékteleki, Kisbér, Nagyigmánd, Vérteskethely, Bakonyszombathely
Neszmélyi district:
Baj, Bajót, Dunaalmás, Dunaszentmiklós, Esztergom, Kesztölc, Kocs, Lábatlan, Mocsa, Neszmély, Nyergesújfalu, Mogyorósbánya, Süttő, Szomód, Tát, Vértesszőlős
Tatai district:
Tata
Climate and terrain of the region
Vines typical of the region
In the Ászár-Neszmély wine region almost exclusively white wine grape varieties are grown (and were grown in the past). The main white grape varieties include: Chardonnay, Olaszrizling, Ezerjó, Rizlingszilváni (Müller-Thurgau), Zöld Veltelini, Irsai Olivér, Cserszegi Fűszeres, Tramini and the Muscat Ottonel, but as of late Sauvignon Blanc, Rhine Riesling and Leányka is also gaining popularity.
Traditionally Budai Fehér, Sárfehér, Mézes Fehér, Budai Zöld, Zöldszilváni and Juhfark were cultivated on large parts of the area, but today only traces of that remained.
Red wine grape cultivation started to grow only recently, Cabernet Sauvignon being one of the red grape types among the grape varieties giving red wine.
Among the blue grapes, Kékfrankos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot can be found here, but despite the fact that in recent years the red wine grape cultivation started to grow, it is still primarily used as a base material for rosé wines.
Wine style of the region
The soil and climatic conditions of the Ászár-Neszmély wine region favor the production of light acid-rich white wines. The wines of the Ászár-Neszmély wine region are usually dry, reductive, with intense acidity and rich in smell. The wines produced here give their best qualities at a young age. In the wine region, the cold, steel tank-based fermentation, paired with tank-based short maturation is the in the most widespread technique.
Ászár-Neszmélyi is one of the most sought after Hungarian wine regions in recent years. The delicious acids, and the fruitiness of these wines, are easy to appreciate even for amateur wine-tasters. The wines from here can be the ideal accompaniment to salads, vegetables and white meat.
