Hungary Flashcards
The Tokaj region is in the NE corner of Hungary at the confluence of what two rivers?
Tisza and Bodrog Rivers
What was the Tokaj region formerly known as?
Tokaj-Hegyalja, or Tokaj “foothills”
What is Tokaj-Hegyalja?
Tokaj “foothills”
- Tokaj region formerly known as Tokaj-Hegyalja
In what year did Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy delimit 28 villages in the region of Tokaj?
1700
- One of the 1st in modern Europe to undergo vineyard classification
- Started golden age for wine that lasted 2 centuries
Who delimited 28 villages of Tokaj in 1700?
Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy
- One of 1st in modern Europe to undergo vineyard classification
- Started golden age for wine that lasted 2 centuries
In what year was the final legal recognition of Tokaj?
1772
- 1700 - Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy delimits 28 villages
- 1732 - some sources date Tokaj’s classification
What is aszú?
grapes of high sugar levels afflicted botrytis cinera
When did aszú wines first start to appear in Tokaj?
- Appears in works published as early as 1571
- Szepi Laczkó Máté definitely produced botrytis-affected aszú wine by mid-17th century
- Predated botrytised wines of Germany and probably Sauternes
Name four estates that are leading the way in restoring Tokaj to its former glory.
- Royal Tokaji Company
- Vega Sicila’s Tokaj Oremus
- Disnókõ
- Királyudar
What is the difference between Tokaj and Tokaji?
- Tokaj - name of overall region and the commune at the convergence of the two rivers
- Tokaji - adjectival form used to indicate the wine
Tokaj is sheltered by what mountain range?
Carpathian Mountains
What is the climate in Tokaj?
warm continental - long, humid autumns
- Sheltered by Capathian Mountains
- Perfect encouragement for botrytis
-
What are the soils of Tokaj?
predominantly volcanic loess and clay
- Better vineyards on S-facing slope
What is the Tokaj Renaissance?
Producer’s association - devoted to the protection of Rákóczy’s original classification which divided Tokaj vineyards and neighboring villages into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd growths
How many vineyards are recognized as first growths?
74
-
Great First Growths:
- Szarvas - near Tokaj
- Mézes Mály - near Tarcal
Name a Great First Growth located near the commune of Tokaj?
Szarvas
Name a Great First Growth near the commune of Tarcal?
Mézes Mály
- Tarcal - NE Hungary, W of Tokaj
What are the two principal grapes of Tokaj?
- Furmint
- Hárslevelu
Besides Furmint and Hárslevelu, what are four other authorized grapes for Tokaj?
- Sárgamuskotály (Muscat Blanc à Petite Grains)
- Zéta (Oremus)
- Kabar
-
Kövérszolo
- All authorized, but used in small quantities
What is Muscat Blanc à Petite Grains known as in Tokaj?
Sárgamuskotály
How much will a puttony hold?
25 kg
What is Esszencia?
Esszencia - tiny fraction of syrupy, free-run juice allowed to settle out of the aszú, and vinified separately
What happens to aszú after they allow a little free run juice to settle out of the must?
- Aszú is then trampled into a paste, or dough
- A number of puttony containing aszú paste is mixed with gönci barrels of must or base wine from non-aszú grapes
What is a gönc?
gönc - Hungarian oak cask, common in Tokaj, appx 136 L