Balaton (Plattensee)

Lake Balaton in Hungary has a surface area of 591 km˛, making it the largest fresh-water lake in Central Europe, it is also known as the „Hungarian Ocean“. The Celts and the Romans grew wine here. The region is also considered to be one of the scenically most beautiful regions in Hungary. The north shore, in particular, with its sites protected from wind and providing excellent exposure to sunshine, is ideally suited for viticulture. The large water surface of the lake exerts a positive regulating effect on the climate. The soil is a combination of sand and unusual, characteristic volcanic cones, the best-known of these is Badacsony. Here, in particular, white varieties are produced, the most widely planted varieties are Olaszrizling (Welschriesling) and Skürzebarát (Pinot Gris). Several wine-growing regions border on the lake, these are Badacsony, Balatonboglár (formerly Dél-Balaton), Balatonfüred-Csopak, Balatonfelvidék (formerly Balaton-Mellék) and Balatonmelléke (formerly Zala).