Furmint
Hungary's signature white grape and the main variety for Tokaji Aszú. Its thin skin is susceptible to noble rot, making it ideal for world-class sweet wines. Dry styles have also gained recent attention.
Home of Tokaji Aszú, one of the world's three great botrytized wines. A historic region praised by France's King Louis XIV as 'the wine of kings and king of wines.' The complex sweetness brought by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) has captivated European royalty for centuries.
Climate / Soil
- Climate
- Continental climate (autumn mists promote noble rot)
- Soil
- Volcanic soil, Loess, Clay
Appellations
- Tokaji Aszú
- Tokaji Eszencia
- Tokaji Szamorodni
History
The Aszú winemaking method was established in the 1650s. In 1737, the world's first official wine region classification was implemented. Declined during the communist era but revived through foreign investment since the 1990s. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
Sommelier Note
Tokaji Aszú expresses sweetness by 'puttonyos' numbers. 5-6 puttonyos offers rich honey and apricot flavors. Eszencia is the ultimate sweet wine, so concentrated it's tasted by spoon. Its pairing with foie gras and blue cheese is legendary.