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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Eastern Europe > Flashcards

Eastern Europe Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

List the major regions of wine production in Ukraine?

A

Crimea (Krim)
Odessa
Nikolayev-Kherson
Transcarpathian

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2
Q

Major grapes Ukraine

A

Rkatsiteli
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Welshriesling
Furmint
Isabella (hybrid)

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3
Q

Main grapes Georgia?

A

native Saperavi (red)
Rkatsiteli (white)

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4
Q

What is qvevri?

A

amphorae pots used for fermentation and aging in Georgia. Traditionally, all parts of the grape clusters (chacha) go into the qvevri. The earth moderates the temperature, and wines are left to settle and clarify naturally. lid is called the ‘orgo’- traditionally made of wood or stone, now commonly glass or metal
‘
lined with beeswax to prevent oxidation

also called churi sometimes

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5
Q

Which region in Georgia is responsible for the majority of wine production?

A

Kakheti - about 80%. in SW Georgia

soil: ‘cinnamonic’, is found in Kakheti’s key wine-growing zones. This typically comprises sandy, reddish-colored, calcareous clays. The soil’s color is the result of its high iron content

Rkatsiteli, Kakhuri Mtsvani
Saperavi, Cabernet

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6
Q

Describe climatic challenges to winegrowing in Armenia?

A

Summers are hot and dry- nearly all vineyards require irrigation. Harsh winters- most growers must bury their vines for protection

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7
Q

Describe climate of winegrowing regions in Moldova

A

Really good! same lattitude as Burgundy- temparate climate and rolling hills. Black Sea offers moderating cooling influence. SW Moldova is more Mediterranean

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8
Q

Main grapes in Moldova?

A

small % of native grapes: Feteasca Alba, Regala, and Neagra (neighbors with Moldavia in Romania)

lots of French varietals: Aligoté, Chardonnay, SB, CS, PN

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9
Q

What are the two PGI in Bulgaria?

A

Danubian Plain in the north

Thracian Lowlands

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10
Q

What are the 4 major ares of wine production in Bulgaria?

A

Danubian Plain in North
Black Sea Coast in East
Thracian Plain and Valley of the Roses in the center
Struma River Valley in the South West

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11
Q

What does the term barik indicate on a bottle of Bulgarian wine?

A

wine was aged in oak cask of 500L or less

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12
Q

What do the terms Reserve and Special Selection indicate on a bottle of Bulgarian wine?

A

reserve: 1 year aging
special selection: 2 years aging

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13
Q

What are the two quality levels of Bulgarian wine?

A

Table wine - around 70% of production

Quality wine - two PGIs, Danubian Plain, Thracian Lowlands. 52 PDOs, but only 5-6 are used

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14
Q

Bulgaria red grapes:

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are over half of plantings

Pamid
Gamza (Kadarka)
Mavrud
Rubin (Nebbiolo x Syrah)

red grapes account for about 60% of plantings

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15
Q

Bulgaria white grapes

A

Red Misket
Rkatsiteli
Dimiat

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16
Q

What separates northern Bulgaria from Romania?

A

Danubian Plain is separated from Romania by the Danube River

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17
Q

Romania major white grapes

A

indigenous: Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Riesling Italico (Welschriesling)

Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Muscat

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18
Q

Romania major red grapes

A

Feteasca Neagra, Burgund Mare, Babeasca Neagra, Rosioara (Pamid)

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19
Q

Describe the quality levels of Romanian Wine

A

Table wines: Vin de Masa and Vin de Masa Superior

Quality Wines:
Vin cu Indicatie Geografica (PGI) - 12 PGI
Denumire de Origine Controlata (DOC / PDO) - 35 DOC

The DOC wines may be further classified as CMD- harvested at full maturity, CT-late harvet, or CIB- botrytis affected

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20
Q

What do the terms Rezerva and Vin de Vinoteca indicate on a bottle of Romanian wine?

A

Rezerva: minimum 6 months in oak and 6 months in bottle

Vin de Vinoteca: minimum 1 year in oak and 4 years in bottle

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21
Q

Romania climate and influencing factors

A

Continental. Moderated by the Black Sea, Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, and Danube River marks southern border with Serbia.

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22
Q

What are the 4 important wine regions in Romania?

A

Moldaven Hills - in the east
Dobrogea - on eastern Black Sea Coast
Muntenia-Oltenia - in the south
Transylvania Plateau - in the center

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23
Q

Dealurilor Moldovei

A

Also known as Moldaven Hills (eastern Romania)

Cotnari DOC - sweet white wines- most famous Romanian wine. Main grape is Grasa de Cotnari

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24
Q

Cotnari DOC - grapes and styles?

A

In Moldovei (Moldaven Hills), Romania

Romania’s most famous wine product- sweet white wines. Main grape is Grasa de Cotnari, others are Frâncusa, Tămâioasă Românească

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25
Q

Colinelor Dobrogei

A

aka Dobrogea (on Black Sea Coast in Romania)

Murfatlar DOC. Cabernet, Pinot Noir, once known for late harvest chardonnay.

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26
Q

Dealurilor Munteniei si Olteniei

A

aka Muntenia-Oltenia (southern Romania)

Dealu Mare DOC (“big hill”) Cabernet, Pinot Noir

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27
Q

Podisului Transilvaniei

A

aka Transylvania (central Romania)

Jidvei DOC
Tarnave DOC

dry, high acid white wines from Fetească grapes and Traminer Rosé.

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28
Q

Tarnave DOC

A

in Transylvnaia (Podisului Transilvaniei), central Romania

nested commune: Jidvei

one of Romania’s coolest and most important wine regions, producing white wines of high acidity from several varieties, including the Fetească grapes and Traminer Rosé.

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29
Q

What is Russia’s most important wine region? Climate?

A

Krasnodar, on the Black Sea coast

Moderate climate, maritime influenced

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30
Q

Other Russian wine regions?

A

Dagestan & Stavropol - lots of grapes distilled into brandy. much colder, vines buried in winter

Rostov, Kabardino-Balkaria, and the war-torn Chechnya produce smaller amounts of wine.

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31
Q

Russian grapes grown?

A

nearly half of the plantings are Cabernet Sauvignon.

other- for sparkling: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.

Also Rkatsiteli

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32
Q

Slovakia - important wine region and grapes grown?

A

Malé Karpaty Hills “small carpathian” - most viticulture is in the western part of the country, around Bratislava, near the Austrian border

Silvaner, Veltliner, Welschriesling, and Riesling

more reds like Blaufrankisch and Cabernet near the Hungarian border

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33
Q

Slovakia wine regions

A

Malé Karpaty Hills (Small Carpathian) *
Južnoslovenská (Southern Slovakia)
Nitrianska (Nitra wine region)
Stredoslovenská (Central Slovakia)
Východoslovenská (Eastern Slovakia)
Tokaj

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34
Q

Czech Republic - important wine region and grapes grown?

A

Moravia - over 96% of plantings are here

Welshriesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner, Riesling

Also: Muller Thurgau, Frankovka (Blaufrankisch), St Laurent, Cabernet

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35
Q

Tokaji is located at the confluence of which two rivers?

A

Tisza
Bodrog

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36
Q

Describe the climate of Tokaji? Soils?

A

warm, continental climate with long humid autumns. sheltered by the Carpathian mountains, to the east. Tokaji itself is on the eastern foothills of the Zemplen (or Tokaj) Mountains, which lie to the west

soils: volcanic loess and clay

ideal for botrytis

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37
Q

Tokaji authorized grapes?

A

principal: Furmint and Harslevelu. Furmint is susceptible to botrytis and has high acid.

Sargamuskotaly (Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains)
Zeta (Oremus)
Kabar
Koverszolo

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38
Q

Tokaj Renaissance

A

producers assc dedicated to preserving vineyard ranking first put forth by Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy

74 vineyards are recognized as first growths; Szarvas and Mézes Mály, near the communes of Tokaj and Tarcal, respectively, share the superlative designation of Great First Growths

there were originally first - third growths. one of the first regions in Europe to have a vineyard classification- sometime early 1700s (accounts vary)

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39
Q

What is a puttony?

A

a container that holds roughly 25kg of grapes. grapes are handpicked individually and collected in puttony

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40
Q

What is puttonyos?

A

describes how many puttony (25kg containers) of grapes are added the non-aszu grapes in the gonci (Hungarian oak cask)

These categories (3/4/5/6 puttonyos) were technically abolished from the 2013 vintage forward. A producer may still choose to include an indication of puttonyos on the label, where wines with > 120 g/L residual sugar may be labeled as 3, 4, or 5 puttonyos and those with > 150 g/L residual sugar may be labeled 6 puttonyos.

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41
Q

2013 Tokaji changes

A

removed Aszu 3/4/5/6 puttonyos categories, as well as Aszueszencia

42
Q

Késői szüretelésű bor

A

(Hungary)
Late Harvest Wine

43
Q

Fehér bor

A

white table wine
Hungary

44
Q

Pezsgő

A

sparkling wine
Hungary

45
Q

Describe the Tokaji production process

A

botrytis affected berries are handpicked individually and collected in containers called puttony. free run ‘juice’ is separated for esszencia. these are trampled into a paste and then added to must or base wine from non-aszu grapes. the number of puttony added determines the level of sweetness.

the wine ferments to at least 9% then ages for just over 2 years prior to release.

min 120 g/l RS

46
Q

What is a gönci?

A

Hungarian Oak barrel used in Tokaji production. Holds 136 L

47
Q

Tokaj Aszu

A

min. 120 g/l
min 9% alcohol (19% potential)

48
Q

What is Esszencia?

A

Super sweet syrupy wine- free run ‘juice’ from aszu (botrytis affected) grapes is collected and fermented super slowly, sometimes for up to decades.

Esszencia reaches 4-6% abv

min 450 g/L RS

49
Q

What is Tokaji Szamorodni?

A

Tokaji ‘as it comes,’ produced from a mixture of aszu and non-aszu grapes, often oxidative in style. matured in cask for min 6 months, sometimes under flor.

may be édes (sweet) or száras (dry)

50
Q

édes

A

sweet (Tokaj/ Hunary)

51
Q

száras

A

dry (Tokaj/ Hungary)

52
Q

What is Tokaji Fordita?

A

wine made by fermenting non-aszu base wines with spent Tokaji Aszu paste- the paste from making Tokaji aszu is basically used a second time

53
Q

What is Tokaji Maslas?

A

wine made by fermenting non-aszu base wines with spent lees from Tokaji Aszu

54
Q

Circle of Mád

A

a small contingent of producers committed to elevating the stature of dry wines in Tokaj

55
Q

Hungary main winegrowing regions?

A

Northern Massif (Eger and Tokaji)
Transdanubia (west) (Dunatul)
Great Plain (southern) (Duna)

56
Q

Mátra PDO

A

in North Hungary (Észak Magyarország)

area is most known for white wines, red grapes like Kékfrankos and Kadarka are gaining in reputation

57
Q

Badascony PDO

A

on the banks of Lake Balaton, western Hungary

White wines dominate: Furmint, Juhfark, Olaszrizling (Welschriesling), and a number of international varieties.

Transdanubia, (Dunatul) Hungary
in Balaton PGI

58
Q

Somlo PDO

A

NW of lake Balaton in western Hungary. White wines dominate

Fehérbor - White Wine
Dűlős bor - Single Vineyard Designated Wine.

Authorized Varieties: Furmint, Hárslevelű, Juhfark, Tramini, Olasz Rizling

Transdanubia (Dunatul), Hungary
in Balaton PGI

59
Q

Sopron PDO

A

contiguous with Austria’s Burgenland, and Kékfrankos (blaufrankish) is cultivated in both regions.

Transdanubia (Dunatul), Hungary
in Dunatul PGI

60
Q

Eger PDO

A

North Hungary (Észak Magyarország)

famous for Egri Bikavér- Bull’s Blood of Eger: historically dominated by Kadarka, now a blend of 4 grapes, with Kefrankos (Blaufrankisch) and others

61
Q

Regions in Upper Hungary

A

also the Northern Massif:

Tokaj
Eger
Mátra

62
Q

Tokaj communes of production

A

most made in Mad, Tarcal and Tokaj

63
Q

Tokaji notable vineyards

A

Great First Growths: Szarvas and Mézesmáj (aka Mezes Maly), both in commune of Tarcal

Szent-Tamás, Disznókõ, Oremus, Király-hegy, Cserfás, Becsek, Ciróka, Szerelmi, Gyarpáros, and Hétszõlõ.

64
Q

Where in Hungary would you find Bikavér?

A

Eger, in the Northern Massif
Szekszard in Transdanubia

both require a blend of 4 grapes, including Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch),

65
Q

Tokaj climate & soils

A

Tokaj’s climate is relatively warm. The winegrowing area is protected by the vast crescent-shaped mountain range (the Carpathians) which dominates neighboring Slovakia and Romania.

The region’s soils are a patchwork of various types. Volcanic clays are to be found in the higher sites on the many hillsides here, and on lower-lying sites layers of loess and other sedimentary soils cover the bedrock. Closer to the banks of the Bodrog, the river which flows along the region’s eastern edge, sandier soils prevail, particularly around Tokaj town.

Mean Annual Temperature: 10.8° C (51.45° F)
Average Annual Rainfall: 525 mm (20.65 inches)
Average Growing Season Rainfall: 313 mm (12.3 inches)
Average Annual Sunshine Hours: 1,400-1,500 hours
Elevation: 100-300 meters

66
Q

Kunsag PDO

A

in Duna (Great Plain / southern Hungary) - largest region, lots of bulk wines

67
Q

Balaton PGI

A

Balatonboglár, Badacsony, Balaton-felvidék, Balatonfüred-Csopak, Tihany, Káli, Zala, Nagy Somló, and Somló PDOs are nested inside

68
Q

Dunatul PGI

A

Pannon, Pécs, Szekszárd, Tolna, Villány, Etyek-Buda, Neszmély, Mór, Pannonhalma, and Sopron PDOs are nested inside

69
Q

Tokaj PDO shares the same boundaries with which PGI?

A

Zemplén PGI

70
Q

Duna-Tisza-közi PGI

A

all of Duna’s PDOs are within this PGI, incl:
Kunsag PDO

71
Q

Villány PDO

A

Hungary’s hottest region, which produces good-quality wines from Bordeaux varieties, Kékfrankos, and Kékoportó (Blauer Portugieser).

in Dunatul/ Transdanubian

72
Q

Kékoportó

A

Blauer Portugeiser synonym in Hungary

73
Q

Tokaj aging

A

Aszú wines may not be released prior to January 1 of the third year after harvest. They must be aged in barrel for at least 18 months.

Szamorodni, Máslás and Fordítás wines must be aged for a minimum of 6 months in barrel.

74
Q

Tokaj other requirements

A

A maximum of 220L of finished Aszú or Fordítás wine can be made from 100 kg of aszú berries or paste.

Enrichment, sweetening, and bottling outside of the Tokaj PDO region are banned for all wine styles bearing the name Tokaji as of 2014. (formerly banned for only Eszencia, Aszú, Szamorodni, Fordítás and Máslás)

Puttonyos labeling is permitted for marketing purposes only

75
Q

Tokaj max yields

A

Eszencia: 2 tons/ha
Aszú: 10 tons/ha, 70 hl/ha
Fehér bor: 14 tons/ha, 100 hl/ha
Pezsgő: 14 tons/ha, 100 hl/ha

min density 4000 vines / ha

76
Q

Slovenia important grapes

A

Refosk (Refosco)
Rebula (Ribolla)
Sivi Pinot (Pinot Grigio)

Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurz, Sauv Blanc

white wine is approx 70% of production

77
Q

Slovenia appellations

A

ZOP are PDO - Zaščitena Označa Porekla

ZGO are PGI - Zaščitena Geografska Označba- less commonly used

78
Q

Slovenia regions of production

A

Primorska PGI*
Podravje PGI
Posavje PGI

79
Q

Slovenia producers

A

Edi Simcic
Marjan Simcic
Movia

80
Q

Primorska PGI

A

(western Slovenia) note PGI is ZGO here

Goriska Brda PDO (borders Collio Gorinzano)
Kras PDO (borders Carso)
Slovenska Istra PDO
Vipava Valley PDO

mild mediterranean climate, similar to Friuli, close to Adriatic sea

81
Q

Podravje PGI

A

Slovenia’s largest wine region. Mostly white wine production, dominated by Laski Rizling (Welschriesling). Also Diseci Traminer (Gewürztraminer), Renski Rizling (Riesling), Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

around the eastern town of Maribor, in the valleys of the Pesnica, Drava and Mura rivers. oldest vine in the world is here- at 400 years old

Prekmurje PDO
Štajerska Slovenija PDO

82
Q

Croatia important grapes

A

white wine dominates
Malvasia (Malvazija Istaska)
Grasevina (Welschriesling) - most planted
also: Bogdanusa, Grk, Posip, and Vugava

Crljenak Kastelanski (Zinfandel- native!)
Plavac Mali (red)
Terlan (related to refosco)

83
Q

Croatia wine regions

A

Primorska Hrvatska (Coastal Croatia): Istria, Kvarner, Dalmatia- mostly red
Hrvatska Istra PDO Croatian Istria
Hrvatsko Primorje PDO North Croatian Littoral

Kontinentalna Hrvatska (Continental Croatia)
Slavonia and the Danube - warmest
Croatian Uplands

84
Q

PDO within Primorska Hrvatska

A

(Coastal Croatia)

Dalmacija - Dalmatia mostly red
Sjeverna Dalmacija PDO Northern Dalmatia
Srednja i Južna Dalmacija PDO Central and Southern Dalmatia
Dalmatinska Zagora PDO Dalmatian Hinterland
Dingač PDO

Hrvatska Istra PDO Croatian Istria mostly white- Malvazija Istarska

Hrvatsko Primorje PDO North Croatian Littoral

85
Q

PDO within Kontinentalna Hrvatska

A

(Continental Croatia)

Istočna Kontinentalna Hrvatska PDO Eastern Continental Croatia
Zapadna Kontinentalna Hrvatska PDO Western Continental Croatia
Hrvatsko Podunavlje PDO Danube Region
Slavonija PDO Slavonia
Moslavina PDO Moslavina Hills
Pokuplje PDO Kupa River Region
Plešivica PDO Plešivica Hills
Zagorje-Međimurje PDO
Prigorje-Bilogora PDO

86
Q

Croatia producers

A

Bibich
Saints Hills
Grgich makes wine here

87
Q

Moldova wine regions

A

Codru (central)- continental
Ștefan Vodă (southeast) - mediterranean
Valul lui Trajan (southwest)

88
Q

Georgia wine producers

A

Artani
Artevani
Telavi Wine Cellar
Jakeli Wines
Vinoterra
Phesant’s Tears

89
Q

Caucasus mountains

A

between Black and Caspian Seas, in much of Georgia

90
Q

Armenia wine regions

A

Armavir, Ararat and Vayots Dzor represent most or production

mostly white wine production

91
Q

Tbilisi

A

capital of Georgia

92
Q

Tokaji producers

A

Royal Tokaji Wine Company
Oremus (Vega Sicilia)
Disznókõ
Királyudvar (Hwang family- also Domaine Huet)

93
Q

Tokaji climate, soils

A

sheltered by the Carpathian Mountains, enjoys a warm continental climate with long, humid autumns: perfect encouragement for botrytis.

Soils are predominantly volcanic loess and clay, and many of the better vineyards occupy south-facing slopes.

94
Q

Hungarian name for the Danube?

A

Duna

Dunatul = transdanubian

95
Q

Tokaji fermentation vessels?

A

glass demi-johns
stainless steel tank
pottery

water content is so low, they can’t afford to lose any to evaporation- so no oak

96
Q

Kindzmarauli

A

a semi-sweet red wine of appellation of controlled origin (AOC), made with Saperavi grapes grown in the Kindzmarauli micro-viticulture area of the Kakheti region of Georgia.

97
Q

Georgian grape brandy

A

chacha

98
Q

maghlari

A

An ancient Georgian cultivation method in which grapevines are trained to grow up tree trunks; literally, “raised”

99
Q

Cladosporium cellare

A

black mold which thrives in its wine cellars, feeds on the alcohol fumes evaporating from the wine barrels, and dresses the bottles and oak barrels in what looks like black fur

100
Q

olasrizling

A

one of the major white grapes of Hungary (Badascony, Somlo), also known as Welshriesling, Riesling Italico, Grasevina

101
Q

Lake Balaton

A

central-west Hungary

long, thin freshwater body of water almost 80 kilometers (50 miles) in length, which is often referred to as the “Hungarian Sea”. The lake plays a vital role in moderating the climate of not just the Badacsony wine region, but most of central-west Hungary.

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