D3 Tokaj Flashcards
Define Aszú.
Sweet wine made from shriveled and botrytis affected grapes.
When (year) were Aszú wine first mentioned.
1571
What was Tokaj the first to create in the wine eod in the 18th century?
One of the first controlled appellations, classifying it’s vineyards and decreeing which villages were allowed to use the Tokaji name.
Why was Tokaji one of the world’s most famous wines and enjoyed by Royal courts across Europe for century?
It offered sweetness before crystal sugar became available.
What happened in Hungary in 1945 which shifted the focus of Tokaji. Hoe fix it affect the quality?
Hungary became a communist state.
There was a shift from quality to quantity.
What were some of the changes in wine making techniques which affected the quality of the sweet wines.
Wines were often deliberately oxidized,sweetened, fortified and pasteurized.
In what year did communism end in Hungary?
1989.
When communism ended, why were producers in Hungary able to start rebuilding their reputation more quickly than other eastern European countries?
During the communist regime, more vineyards remained in private hands in Hungary than in other eastern European countries.
What helped the wine making style evolve in the early 1990s?
The arrival of foreign investors such as:
AXA, Vega Sicilia, Hugh Johnson.
Geographically where is the Tokaj region?
North eastern corner of Hungary. It extends from the town of Tokaj into the foothills of the Zemplén mountains towards the Slovakian border. A part of the region continues into Slovakia.
What is the climate of Tokaj?
Moderate, continental climate. Summers are warm whilst winters can be cold, although the region is sheltered from the worst of the cold, northerly winds by forested mountain peaks.
Why are the vineyard mainly planted on slopes?
It helps reduce the risk of winter cold and frost damage. This is important at this latitude of 48° to 49° north. It helps take maximum advantage of the sunlight.
What is the annual rainfall? When does the rain fall?
Rainfall ranges from around 500 to 600 mm per year. Although this is relatively low, around half of this falls during the growing season.
Is irrigation permitted?
No.
Describe the climate during autumn. Why is this important?
Autumns are warm and dry, providing ideal conditions for the shriveling of the grapes.
Explain how the ideal conditions are created for botrytis to develop.
Two major rivers meet in the town. The Brodog floods regularly creating shallow marshes and water meadows. The moist air results in frequent morning fogs in the autumn, ideal for the development of botrytis. In the autumn the warm, sunny afternoons control the development of botrytis and limit grey rot.
What are the names of the two major rivers?
Tisza and Brodog.
What is particular about the geology?
It’s a region of hundreds of extinct volcanoes. It has deep volcanic bedrock.
Name and describe the 2 most significant soil types.
Nyirok: The most significant. A volcanic soil which is said to produce the most powerful ones.
Loess: A sandy silt with high clay content found particularly around the Tokaj hill (to the west of the town) which is thought to produce lighter, more delicate wines.
How is a soft volcanic bedrock beneficial?
It means vines can root very deeply, making water stress and nutrient deficiencies rare. It is also ideal for digging the cellars which are widely used in the region for aging wine.
What is Zasmidium cellare? What does it help regulate?
A grey-black cushiony growth found in the cellars. A cellar fungus. It helps regulate humidity.
Describe the vineyard plantings and vine density, old versus new.
Traditionally vines were grown on single posts at a density of up to 10,000 vines per hectare. This is still occasionally seen in small old plots but almost all vines are now grown on trellis, using replacement cane pruning or cordon training with VSP and at lower densities. On average between 4000 and 5000 vines for hectare.
What have the new modern training systems allowed?
They have allowed for mechanisation.
Are vineyards mostly worked by machine or by hand? Why?
Many vineyards are still worked by hand, especially on steeper slopes and hand harvesting is required for the careful selection of Aszú berries. Labour availability is not currently a problem but maybe in the future.
What are the main disease concerns? How are these managed or mitigated?
Powdery mildew, and in wetter years grey rot.
Managing the canopy to ensure good air circulation (particularly important for grapes intended for dry wines).
What are the main pests?
Wild boars and birds.
What are the yields for Aszú wines? Why are they so small?
Yields are tiny 2 to 3 hL per hectare. Because the berries have shriveled on the vine.
What are the yields for dry wines?
Between 30 to 40 hL per hectare.
How many permitted grape varieties? What are the three most important ones?
Six. The most important are: Futmint Hárslevelú Sárga Muskotály (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
What is the most planted grape variety?
Futmint
69% of all plantings.
Describe the characteristics of the grape variety Furmint.
Very versatile
Capable of producing high-quality wines from dry to sweet
Late ripening and needs long, sunny growing season to ripen fully
Retains high levels of acidity even when fully ripe
Why is Furmint well-suited to the production of sweet wines?
It is very susceptible to botrytis (despite thick skins)
Grapes accumulate a high level of sugar (further concentrated by shriveling)
Balanced by high acidity
Describe a typical style of dry Furmint.
Due to higher levels of sugar they can be full-bodied with high levels of alcohol.
Typical flavors include lemon, apple and pear.
Develop notes of honey and nuts with age.
More age worthy examples are aged in Oak.
Other styles are intended to be drunk young.
