Tokaj

Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.

Continental, with wet springs, hot summers and autumn mists rising from the Bodrog and Tisza rivers — perfect conditions for botrytis (noble rot).

Tokaj is the world's first classified wine region, officially classified in 1730 — a century before Bordeaux's 1855 classification.

Its Aszú wines — made from botrytised Furmint — were served at the royal courts of Europe and praised by Louis XIV as 'the wine of kings, the king of wines'.

For the modern buyer, Tokaj offers both affordable dry Furmint and transcendent sweet Aszú and Essencia at the top of the pyramid.

Terroir & Soil

Volcanic rhyolite and clay soils over basalt; the famous 'gönc' oak barrels and endemic volcanic soils give Tokaj its signature smoky, mineral grip.

What to Expect from the Wines

· Aszú is the world's benchmark botrytised sweet wine, made only in good years from individually-selected botrytised bunches.
· Dry Furmint showcases Tokaj's electric acidity and volcanic minerality — a benchmark for food-friendly white wine.
· The famous gönc barrels (136-litre oak) and long lees ageing give Tokaj its distinctive oxidized, spicy, nutty character.

Remarkable Bottles from Tokaj

Disznókő Dry Furmint

Tokaj · 2024 (representative vintage)

Disznókő Dry Furmint is an white wine from Hungary, in the Tokaj region (Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.), made principally from Furmint. Tokaj's flagship dry white — a racy, high-acid Furmint from one of the region's great Grand Crus.

$18–$30 est. retail

Tokaj Furmint

Tokaj · 2024 (representative vintage)

Tokaj Furmint is an white wine from Hungary, in the Tokaj region (Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.), made principally from Furmint. a house-style Tokaj furmint that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

Tokaj Blaufränkisch

Tokaj · 2024 (representative vintage)

Tokaj Blaufränkisch is an red wine from Hungary, in the Tokaj region (Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.), made principally from Blaufränkisch. a house-style Tokaj blaufränkisch that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Tokaji Aszú Furmint Riserva

Tokaj · 2024 (representative vintage)

Tokaji Aszú Furmint Riserva is an white wine from Hungary, in the Tokaj region (Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.), made principally from Furmint. a reserve-tier Tokaji Aszú furmint that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$35–$65 est. retail

Tokaji Szamorodni Furmint Riserva

Tokaj · 2024 (representative vintage)

Tokaji Szamorodni Furmint Riserva is an white wine from Hungary, in the Tokaj region (Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.), made principally from Furmint. a reserve-tier Tokaji Szamorodni furmint that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$53–$100 est. retail

Tokaji Fordítás Furmint Riserva

Tokaj · 2024 (representative vintage)

Tokaji Fordítás Furmint Riserva is an white wine from Hungary, in the Tokaj region (Northeastern Hungary, around the town of Tokaj and the Szerencs foothills of the Zemplén mountains.), made principally from Furmint. a reserve-tier Tokaji Fordítás furmint that represents the region's premium bottled expression.

$71–$135 est. retail

Food Pairing

· Aszú with foie gras, blue cheese, and fruit desserts is a classic match.
· Dry Furmint pairs brilliantly with goat cheese, shellfish, and light Asian dishes.
· Sweet Tokaji with crème brûlée and apple-based desserts.

Buying from Tokaj

› Aszú quality is measured in puttonyos (bows) from 3 to 6 — 6 puttonyos and Essencia are the pinnacle.
› Dry Furmint is sold young and is excellent value; sweet Aszú demands cellaring and repays it handsomely.
› Top producers include Disznókő, István Szepsy, Château Pajzos and Royal Tokaji.