What is Hungarian Tokaji?

Tokaji is the name used to describe wine from the Tokaj region in northeastern Hungary. This is a late-ripening white grape, and is particularly susceptible to botrytis, lending itself well to quality sweet wine. Hárslevelű is also prone to botrytis, and is the next most common variety.

What grape makes Tokaji?

Grape Varieties of Tokaj Six grape varieties are officially approved for Tokaji wine production, with Furmint (accounting for 60 \% of the area), Hárslevelű (30 \%, also known as Feuille de Tilleul), and Yellow Muscat, or Muscat Lunel (Hungarian: Sárgamuskotály) being the most important ones.

Where does Tokaji wine come from?

of Hungary
Historically Tokaji was a white wine from the region of Tokaj in the Kingdom of Hungary. Tokaji wine was mentioned as early as 1635 with reference to the sweet dessert aszú (botrytised) wine.

What does Tokaji taste like?

The flavours are of dried fruit, golden sultanas or apricots, with citrussy notes that can range from grapefruit to mellow orange-peel, and there are often flowery aromas as well. Best of all, the vineyards produce dramatically different results, as you would expect in any area where terroir really means something.

What is Tokaji wine?

Tokaj is not a large region, but it is a complex one—full of fascinating history, unique wine styles, indigenous grapes, terroirs which vary widely from vineyard to vineyard, deep traditions, and a climate uniquely inducive to bringing on the botrytis which defines the most famous Tokaji wines.

What kind of grapes grow in Tokaji?

6 white grape varieties are permitted in Tokaj. Of course some winemakers also experiment with other grapes, notably pinot noir, though these are not allowed to be labelled as Tokaji wine. Furmint —The most important grape in Tokaj, Furmint makes up approximately 60 percent of grapes grown here.

What are the different types of harvests in Tokaj?

There are essentially three types of harvests in Tokaj: the dry wine harvests, the aszú harvest, and the szamorodni harvest. First comes the standard dry wine harvest, in which grapes are picked when they are in the ideal condition to make crisp dry wine.

What famous people drink Tokaj wine?

Catherine the Great, Frederick II of Prussia, Napoleon III, Goethe, Schubert, Beethoven, and Liszt all loved Tokaj wine. Emperor Franz Joseph sent Queen Victoria Tokaj aszú as a birthday gift every year.