Where is the Tokaji Aszú, the most precious wine of Hungary, coming from?
Tokaji Aszú is a world-famous Hungarian dessert wine. It comes from the Tokaj region in northeastern Hungary.
The wine is made from noble rot grapes. Noble rot is a beneficial mold called Botrytis cinerea. This mold shrivels the grapes and concentrates their sugars. This wine is one of the oldest botrytized wines in the world.
The wine region’s history dates back to the 16th century. The first written mention of it was in 1571. Hungarian kings and noble families prized Tokaji Aszú. Louis XIV of France famously called it “the wine of kings and the king of wines.” Russian czars also adored it.
What is so special about the production method of the Tokaji Aszú?
Firstly, the Tokaji Aszú production is labor-intensive, meaning that the grapes are hand-picked one by one. They are collected into containers called “puttonyos”. The number of puttonyos determines the wine’s sweetness, to clarify more puttonyos mean a sweeter wine.
Secondly, after picking, the produers make a paste from the grapes. After that, they mix it with a base wine or “must”. The mixture ferments in oak barrels for several years. Aging is done in underground cellars, most importantly these cellars provide consistent humidity and temperature.
The wine has a golden amber color, yet the aroma is rich and complex. It often smells of dried apricots, honey, and citrus. The flavor is sweet but balanced with acidity, therefore It pairs well with desserts like cakes or pastries. (However, some people enjoy it with blue cheese.)
The wine is also known for its longevity, the properly stored bottles can age for decades. The European law protects the Tokaji Aszú, therefore we can only call the wines from the Tokaj wine region this name.
Today, Tokaji Aszú remains a symbol of Hungarian heritage. Wine lovers worldwide admire its quality, they consider it a luxury product. Every sip tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship.