Why it matters
The producer
The red planting programme ran from 2001 through 2006 on land acquired from local farming cooperatives and individuals. Cezar Winery's named range includes Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc among the white grapes, with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon among the red varieties. Luis Fuentes is named as chief oenologist.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Nagyrada is in the Zala Wine Region near Kis-Balaton. Zala is relatively cool and moderately sunny, with 700 to 800 mm of annual rainfall. Its soils are sandy and clayey deposits from the former Pannonian Sea, with loess and predominantly brown forest and loamy soils. Sandy ground drains quickly, while clay and loam hold more moisture. The difference changes water supply and ripening speed, while cooler ripening generally helps grapes retain acidity.
Wines to know
The range in view
The white wines are Cezar Kis-Balatoni Chardonnay 2023 and Cezar Kis-Balatoni Sauvignon Blanc 2023. The red wines are Cezar Syrah 2021 and Cezar Kis-Balatoni Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. Rosé is also part of the range.
Cezar's style is fruit driven, and some wines are aged in oak. White and rosé musts ferment with specific yeasts under temperature control at 10 to 18°C for roughly two to three weeks, and malolactic conversion is not used in those wines. Red wines may mature in stainless steel, 225 litre barriques or Tuscan amphorae, depending on quality category.