Tokaj Wine

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Tokaj is the prized sweet wine of Hungary, produced in the northeast Tokaj-Hegyalja region, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. Wine has been produced in the region for centuries, dating back to the Roman era when the land was known as Pannonia. However, it was not a sweet wine until the 1630s.

With the Ottoman invasions, many of the glorious vineyards that had been cultivated by Hungarian royal decree were left to rot because of strict Muslim law forbidding alcohol consumption. Some wine was still being produced, but always under fear of attack. Legend has it that a local wine-maker was forced to abandon his harvest fearing one such raid, and upon return, found his grapes had developed what became known as Botrytis cinerea, or “noble rot.” He shrugged his shoulders and made the wine anyway, yielding spectacular results no one had imagined. With this serendipitous viticultural discovery, the wine known as Tokaj Aszu, which many consider among the world’s finest, was born Read more »

After World War I, as per the Treaty of Trianon, a small part of Tokaj was sectioned to Slovakia’s southeast corner. Since then, the two nations have been fighting over the legal rights to the name, particularly after 1990 and the fall of Communism. Around 2004 the name Tokaj became a legally protected name for the wines made on the Hungarian side. Even the Italian grape name Tocai, which has nothing at all to do with the Hungarian wine, is now known as Tocai-Friulano.

Tokaj is produced from three grapes, known collectively as the Aszu when dried: Furmint, Hárslevelű, and Muscat Blanc. Furmint is the dominant grape in the blend, contributing the acidity for balance and longevity (like apricots), while the other two contribute to the sweet and aromatic profile. These are left on the vine until most have shriveled and developed Botrytis, becoming honeyed with concentrated flavors and aromatics. The wine is produced in varying degrees of sweetness from the grapes’ residual sugars. The word “puttonyos” is used to declare the level of concentration from 3 to 6. Each level ascends 5 grams per liter or residual sugar.

Essencia is the label term referring the the sweetest Tokaj, produced from free-run juice from the dried grapes, though the speed at which it comes out is more like squeezing honey, thick and viscous, and in very small quantities. Sauternes has its Chateau d’Yquem, and Essencia is Hungary’s equivalent, fetching some of the most expensive prices in the world. ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Varietals Produced in Tokaj View all

Muscat

History of the grape: Muscat existed as far back as the Ancient Greeks. It spread throughout the world as empires gre...
Hárslevelü
Isabella

Reportedly named after a famous southern belle, Isabella was allegedly discovered in North Carolina. This grape is be...
Furmint

History of the grape: Exact details of Furmint’s origins are a bit murky. It is known that Hungarian King Bela IV ord...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Popular Wineries in Tokaj View all

Grof Degenfeld

Winery - History Of German-Hungarian descent the counts of Degenfeld family history leads back t...
István Szepsy

THE SZEPSY FAMILY HAS BEEN CULTIVATING VINE AND PRODUCING WINE SINCE THE END OF THE 16TH CENTURY...

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Tokaj on Snooth

March 2010

Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Dry 2006

Snoothrank:

Great nose, lemon and marshmallow, with a hint of banana. A little lemoney banana cream pie body, with good acidity and a somewhat lengthy finish. Read More

Wine review by ONUMello
March 2010

Chateau Dereszla Furmint Tokaji 2000

Snoothrank:

Though I am only an occasional drinker of sweeter dessert wines, I chose this one to pair with a Blood Orange sorbet. It was a good pairing. For the type of wine, I felt it has a medium balanced mouthfeel. Sweet, without being cloying, the wine has a good acidity to prevent the lingering swetness. Notes of honey, citrus, and fresh apricot w... Read More

Wine review by funbrew
March 2010

The Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by nventure
February 2010

Hilltop Neszmely Tokaji 5 Puttonoyus 1993

Snoothrank:

Beef bouillon nose. Oaky, earthy, mushroomy but still manages to have a bit of sweetness. Read More

Wine review by mark
February 2010

Hilltop Neszmely Tokaji 5 Puttonoyus 1993

Snoothrank:

Raisins and worcester sauce. Some flowery elements but not too overpowering. Read More

Wine review by solomania9
February 2010

Hilltop Neszmely Tokaji 5 Puttonoyus 1993

Snoothrank:

Honeyed nose of molasses, pine nuts and hazelnuts. Very rich, thick and gloupy with excellent mouth feel. Sufficient acidity to feel balanced. Very nice. Read More

Wine review by Philip
January 2010

The Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by jlperez67
December 2009

Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Dan S
October 2009

Chateau Dereszla Furmint Tokaji 2003

Snoothrank:

http://abel-winetastingnotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/chateau-dereszla-tokaji-2000.html Read More

Wine review by winetraveller
October 2009

Oremus Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos 2000

Snoothrank:

Excellent wine. This one of the best tokaji wineries. They are the same producers as the "Vega Sicilia" wine. Great taste and excellent aroma Read More

Wine review by 82967Gonzalo 82967

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Tokaj wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Royal Tokaji Wine Company
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Varietal:	Furmint
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Royal Tokaji Wine Company
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Varietal:	Furmint
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Disznókó
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Varietal:	Furmint
Type:	Dessert/Fortifieds

Winery:	Betsek
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Varietal:	Furmint
Type:	Dessert/Fortifieds

Winery:	Chateau Dereszla
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Varietal:	Furmint
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Tokaj Classic Winery Ltd. Hungary
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Varietal:	Furmint
Type:	Dessert/Fortifieds

Winery:	Château Pajzos
Region:	Hungary » Tokaj
Type:	Dessert/Fortifieds

Tokaj Wine

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Varietals Produced in Tokaj View all

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Page 5 of 8 Tokaj on Snooth

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