D3 - Tokaj Flashcards
Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of Tokaj.
What does the term Aszú indicate?
A sweet wine made from shrivelled and botrytized grapes.
Select the correct answer.
The Tokaj region is situated in the:
a. northwest corner of Hungary
b. northeast corner of Hungary
c. exact center of Hungary
b. northeast corner of Hungary
The Tokaj region extends into the foothills of which mountain range?
Zemplén Mountains
What is the climate of Tokaj?
Moderate continental
The Tokaj region is sheltered from cold, northerly winds by:
The Zemplén Mountain range.
Select the correct answer.
The vineyards of Tokaj are generally planted where?
a. Slopes, which help reduce the risk of winter cold and frost damage;
b. Valley floor, which helps keep warmth due to the region being such a northerly latitude;
c. Above the fog line facing north, which helps maximize solar interception.
a. Slopes, which help reduce the risk of winter cold and frost damage
What is the number of sunshine hours Tokaj sees during the growing season?
1400 - 1500 hours of sunshine.
What is the latitude of Tokaj?
48°–49°N
In which directions do the slopes of Tokaj face?
South, south-west and south-east to take maximum advantage of sunlight.
What is the average annual rainfall in Tokaj?
500-600 mm/year
Select the correct answer.
Half of Tokaj’s annual rainfall falls during which season?
a. Winter
b. Autumn
c. The growing season
c. The growing season
Irrigation in Tokaj is or is not permitted?
Is NOT permitted.
Select the correct answer.
Autumns in Tokaj are:
a. Warm and dry
b. Wet and cool
c. Short and hot
a. Warm and dry
What are the two major rivers in Tokaj?
- Tisza
- Bodrog
The two rivers meet in the town of Tokaj.
Which of the two rivers in Tokaj floods regularly?
What does this flooding create?
- Bodrog River;
- Shallow marshes and water meadows, resulting in moist air and frequent morning fog in the autumn – perfect for the development of botrytis
Describe the soil of the Tokaj region.
Deep volcanic bedrock overlaid by a complex range of soils:
- most significant is nyirok, a volcanic soil which produces the most powerful wines;
- loess, a sandy silt with high clay content found mostly around the Tokaj hill (to the west of the town) which produces more light, delicate wines.
What factor in the soils of Tokaj contribute to the lack of water stress and nutrient deficiencies there?
The soft volcanic bedrock means vines can root very deeply.
What is Zasmidium (previously Cladosporium) cellare?
Grey-black fungus (it looks cushiony) that grows in the cellars of Tokaj, which is believed to help regulate humidity.
How were vines traditionally grown in Tokaj?
On single posts at a density of up to 10,000 vines/ha.
Today, how are vines more commonly grown in Tokaj?
- They are grown on trellises using replacement-cane pruning or cordon training with VSP;
- Planted at lower densities than the traditional vineyards.
This modernization allows for mechanization.
Select the correct answer.
Aszú berries:
a. can be machine harvested
b. must be hand harvested
b. must be hand harvested
In fact, Aszú berries are picked individually in several passes through the vineyard.
What are the two predominant disease concerns in Tokaj?
- Powdery mildew;
- Grey rot.
Name two main pests in Tokaj.
- Wild boars;
- Birds.
There are 6 allowed grape varieties in Tokaji PDO.
Name the 3 most important.
- Furmint;
- Hárslevelű;
- Sárga Muskotály (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
Which grape variety in Tokaj is the most planted?
Furmint (63% of all plantings).
Select the correct answer.
Furmint is:
a. an early-ripening variety
b. a mid-ripening variety
c. a late-ripening variety
c. a late-ripening variety
Even when fully ripe, Furmint has what level of acidity?
High.
Furmint is quite susceptible to botrytis even though it has _____ skin.
Thick
What is the typical profile of Furmint when it’s young, when it’s aged, and when it’s affected by botrytis?
- Young: lemon, apple and pear which can be identified in all styles of wine;
- Aged: honey and nuts;
- Botrytis: dried apricot and mango.
The second most planted grape in Tokaj is _____.
Hárslevelű (19% of total plantings)