Tokaji

Question 1

When was Tokaj Aszu first mentioned?

Answer 1

1571

Question 2

What significant development occurred in Tokaj during the 18th century?

Answer 2

Created one of the first controlled appellations, classifying vineyards and designating which villages could use the Tokaj name

Question 3

What impact did the production of crystal sugar have on Tokaj?

Answer 3

The invention of Tokaj predates the production of crystal sugar, making it one of the most prized wines in the world

Question 4

What happened to Tokaj wine production in 1945?

Answer 4

Production took a dive when Hungary became a communist state, shifting focus to quantity and leading to oxidised, sweetened, fortified, and pasteurised wines

Question 5

How did the ownership of vineyards in Hungary during communist rule differ from other Eastern European countries?

Answer 5

More vineyards remained in private hands, allowing for quicker rebuilding after communism in 1989

Question 6

Which foreign investors contributed to the revitalization of Tokaj in the 1990s?

Answer 6

AXA (Disznoko), Vega Sicilia (Oremus), and Hugh Johnson (Royal Tokaj and Mezes Maly 1er Cru)

Question 7

What style of Aszu has evolved in the last 25 years?

Answer 7

A fresher, fruitier style, along with quality dry wines and new styles like late harvest

Question 8

What is the geographical location of Tokaj?

Answer 8

North-eastern Hungary, from Tokaj in the foothills of the Zemplen mountains towards the Slovakian border

Question 9

What type of climate does the Tokaj region have?

Answer 9

Moderate continental summers with warm temperatures and cold winters

Question 10

How does the topography of Tokaj benefit its vineyards?

Answer 10

Vineyards are mainly planted on slopes, reducing frost risk and maximizing sunlight exposure

Question 11

What is the rainfall range in Tokaj, and how does it affect irrigation?

Answer 11

500-600 mm per annum, with irrigation prohibited

Question 12

What is the significance of the Tisza and Bodrog rivers in Tokaj?

Answer 12

Their meeting increases humidity, which is ideal for botrytis development

Question 13

What are the two main types of topsoil found in Tokaj?

Answer 13

• Nyirok (volcanic type) * Loess (windblown silt high in clay)

Question 14

What is the main disease concern for vineyards in Tokaj?

Answer 14

Powdery mildew and grey rot

Question 15

What is the typical yield for Aszu grapes?

Answer 15

2-3 hl/ha due to shriveling on the vine

Question 16

What is the most planted grape variety in Tokaj?

Answer 16

Furmint at 63% of all plantings

Question 17

What characteristics make Furmint suitable for Tokaj?

Answer 17

• Late-ripening * High acidity * Thick-skinned yet susceptible to botrytis

Question 18

What flavor profiles are common in Furmint wines?

Answer 18

• Lemon * Apple * Pear

Question 19

What is the second most planted grape variety in Tokaj?

Answer 19

Harslevelu at 19%

Question 20

What flavor characteristics does Harslevelu contribute to blends?

Answer 20

• White peach * Orange blossom

Question 21

What is Szamorodni?

Answer 21

A traditional style from whole bunches with varying amounts of healthy and botrytised grapes

Question 22

What is the minimum residual sugar (RS) for Szamorodni wines?

Answer 22

45 g/l, commonly around 90-110 g/l

Question 23

What is the aging requirement for Szamorodni wines since the law change in 2016?

Answer 23

Must be aged in oak for 6 months

Question 24

What is the historical significance of dry wines in Tokaj?

Answer 24

Historically a by-product of sweet wine production when botrytis didn’t develop

Question 25

What trend has been observed in the production of dry wines in Tokaj?

Answer 25

Production has tripled in the last 5 years

Question 26

What is the legal classification system for wines in Hungary since joining the EU?

Answer 26

PDO/PGI system

Question 27

What is the typical size of vineyard holdings in Tokaj?

Answer 27

1 ha to 2 ha

Question 28

What percentage of Tokaj's production is Aszu?

Answer 28

10%

Question 29

What is the minimum residual sugar (RS) for Aszu wines?

Answer 29

120 g/l

Question 30

What type of fermentation process is used for Aszu wines?

Answer 30

Maceration in must or base wine

Question 31

What is Eszencia?

Answer 31

Rare, full-bodied wine made from free run juice with a minimum RS of 450 g/l

Question 32

What is the aging requirement for Aszu wines?

Answer 32

Minimum 18 months in oak

Question 33

What changes were made to the classification of Aszu wines in 2013?

Answer 33

Minimum RS set to 120 g/l, equivalent to the old '5 Puttonyos'

Question 34

What is the traditional method of aging Aszu wines?

Answer 34

In Hungarian oak from the Zemplen Mountains

Question 35

What are the common markets for Tokaji wine exports?

Answer 35

* UK * USA * Canada

Question 36

What is the total area under vines in Tokaj as of 2022?

Answer 36

5260 ha

Question 37

What is the minimum potential alcohol for Eszencia?

Answer 37

27.75% ## Footnote Eszencia is a type of sweet wine with high potential alcohol content.

Question 38

What is the minimum actual alcohol content for Aszú?

Answer 38

19% ## Footnote Aszú wines are known for their sweetness and are made from botrytized grapes.

Question 39

What is the range of residual sugar for Eszencia?

Answer 39

1.2-8.0% ## Footnote Eszencia must have a minimum of 450 g/l of residual sugar.

Question 40

What is the minimum residual sugar for Aszú?

Answer 40

120 g/l ## Footnote Aszú wines are categorized based on the amount of residual sugar they contain.

Question 41

What is the actual alcohol content for Aszú 6 puttonyos?

Answer 41

18.53% ## Footnote Puttonyos indicates the level of sweetness in Aszú wines.

Question 42

What is the minimum residual sugar for Szamorodni 'édes'?

Answer 42

45 g/l ## Footnote Szamorodni wines can be either dry or sweet.

Question 43

Fill in the blank: The minimum actual alcohol for Szamorodni 'száraz' is _______.

Answer 43

12% ## Footnote 'Száraz' means dry in Hungarian.

Question 44

True or False: The Aszú category was added for the 2013 vintage.

Answer 44

True ## Footnote The Aszú category was officially recognized starting with the 2013 vintage.

Question 45

What is the actual alcohol content for Késői szüretelésű bor?

Answer 45

13.6% ## Footnote Késői szüretelésű bor refers to late-harvest wines.

Question 46

What is the minimum residual sugar for Aszú 4 puttonyos?

Answer 46

120 g/l ## Footnote Aszú wines are classified by the number of puttonyos, indicating sweetness.

Question 47

What is the actual alcohol content for Fordítás?

Answer 47

12% ## Footnote Fordítás refers to a type of wine made from grapes that are repressed after the first pressing.

Question 48

What is the minimum actual alcohol for Aszú 3 puttonyos?

Answer 48

12.54% ## Footnote This category of Aszú is characterized by its specific sweetness level.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: The minimum actual alcohol for white wine is _______.

Answer 49

10.6% ## Footnote There are no specific residual sugar requirements for white wines.

Question 50

What is the minimum residual sugar for Aszú 5 puttonyos?

Answer 50

120 g/l ## Footnote Aszú wines are known for their concentrated sweetness.

Question 51

What is the actual alcohol content for Szamorodni 'édes'?

Answer 51

16% ## Footnote 'Édes' means sweet in Hungarian.

Question 52

What is the minimum potential alcohol for Aszúeszencia?

Answer 52

16.62% ## Footnote Aszúeszencia is a rare and very sweet wine category.

Question 53

True or False: The categories for Aszú 6 puttonyos and below were technically abolished from the 2013 vintage forward.

Answer 53

True ## Footnote Producers may still label wines with indications of puttonyos if they exceed certain residual sugar levels.