Tokaj

Question 1

List the steps in creating Tokaji Aszu wines in Tokaj.

Answer 1

Production starts with base wine from non-botrytis grapes
Before, during, and after ferm., aszu berries are macerated in the base wine.
Maceration usually lasts for 12-60 hours
Mixture is pressed and then matured in oak

The amount of aszu berries determines the sweetness (puttony)

Question 2

Describe the wine styles in Tokaj.

Answer 2

Dry wines come in 75 cL bottles
Sweet wines come in 50 cL bottles

Producers often make multiple styles of noble rot per vintage:
- Individually selected aszu (rotten) grapes
- bunches partially affected by noble rot (Szamorodni)
- Bunches unaffected by noble rot

Question 3

What does Szamorodni mean?

Answer 3

“As it comes”

Describes the process of taking grapes partially affected by noble rot and making wine

Question 4

Describe dry wines made without botrytis in Tokaj.

Answer 4

Gaining importance (producers can make them even when there isn’t enough botrytis)

Variety of styles (simple & unoaked, age-worthy & oaked)
Usually made from Furmint

Question 5

Describe a Tokaji Szamorodni wine in Tokaj.

Answer 5

Grapes harvested by Szamorodni, meaning even dry wines have botrytis characteristics
Must be aged over 1 year & 2 years old before release
Most aged longer

Casks aren’t 100% filled to develop flor-like yeast
Style similar to Fiano

Can be dry (Szaraz) or sweet (edes)

Question 6

Describe the labeling laws for sweet Tokaji wines.

Answer 6

Minimum residual sugar of 120 g/l
Lower level of sugar labelled as Late Harvest or Tokaji Szamorodni
Labelled in 3-6 puttonyos (sweetness levels)
Minimum of 18 months aged in oak
Released from January, 3 years after harvest

Question 7

What is Tokaji Eszencia?

Answer 7

Extremely rare and sweetest Tokaji wine
Means “essence” or “nectar”
Minimum residual sugar of 450 g/l

Wine made only from free-run juice of aszu berries
So sweet it takes years to ferment
Can mature and retain freshness for 100+ years

Question 8

Describe Tokaj’s climate and vineyards.

Answer 8

Moderate climate

Best vineyards located on south-facing hillsides
Bodrog and Tisza rivers generate early-morning humidity necessary for noble rot

Question 9

Describe Tokaj’s grape varieties.

Answer 9

3 principal grapes, often blended

Furmint
- Most widely planted
- Concentrated, high avid, apple when young -> nuts & honey with age
- Late ripener & susceptible to noble rot
- Can also make premium dry white wine

Harslevelu
- Late ripening, adds perfume to blends

Sarga Muskotaly
- Used for aromatic qualities
- AKA Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains