Hungary Flashcards
Which region of the world was the first to classify it’s regions/vineyards? When? By whom?
Hungary (mainly Tokaj)
1700
(Or, 1732 intro, 1772 according to some sources)
Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy
When did Phylloxera hit Hungary?
1875
Outline the effects of “Collectivisation” on Hungarian wine trade
during Soviet Rule of 1950’s-1989
huge increase in plantings, dramatic decrease in quality
What are the 2 largest modern trends in Hungary after fall of Iron Curtain?
- Privatization and foreign investment (Oremus (Ownership of Vega-Sicilia/Álvarez family, Hugh Johnson of Kiralyduvar/Royal Tokaj Co.)
- Steady trend to decrease in plantings and increase in quality
2004-2015: 93,000 ha →64,000ha under vine
steady trend to decrease production and increase quality
When did Hungary join the EU?
2004
Where does Hungary stack up on world stage in terms of production?
17th largest
When were most vineyards of Hungary replanted?
1990s-2000s
What are 3 major regions of Hungary?
a. North Hungary (Ésak Magyarország)
b. Transdanubia (Dunántúl) (West)
c. Great Plain (Duna) (Southern)
When was the earliest mention of Aszú berries?
1571
Likely accidentally discovered when grapes were left on the vine for local forces to prepare against the invasion of the Ottomans
What is the first Botrytis affected wine ever created?
Tokaji
When did vineyards of Tokaj gain UNESCO WH Site status?
2002
list major Geo Features of Tokaj
- Carpathian Mtns (protect region)
- confluence of Tisza and Bodrog Rivers
- primary villages of Tokaj and Mád
outline the original classification of Tokaj from the 1700s?
Prince Rákóczy’s Classification
1st-3rd Growths
1st=74 vineyards
What are the 2 Great First Growth vineyards of Tokaj?
Szarvas, Mézes Mály
What is the general climate of Tokaj?
Warm continental climate w/ long humid autumns
soil type of Tokaj?
Volcanic loess, clay
History of over 400 volcanoes
major varieties of Tokaj?
**Furmint and **Hárslevelű
Furmint particularly important, susceptible to botrytis and high acid
Sárgamuskotály (Muscat Blanc à Petite Grains), Zéta (Oremus), Kabar and Kövérszőlő are authorized but generally used in small quantities.
how much does one puttony hold?
25 kg ea
what is a Gönc (i)?
barrels of must (base wine) used in production of Tokaj
Hungarian oak cask 136L
in what vintage were puttonyos eliminated? Caveat?
2013
may still be used on label for marketing purposes only
what are req’s for Tokaji Aszu from 2013-present?
l-abeled as “Aszú
- aged 2 yrs before release (min 18 mo in barrel)
- Min RS of 120 g/l
- Final alc of min 9% abv
What is min RS for Tokaji Esszencia?
450 g/l
can be as high as 800 g/l
What is unique about the fermentation of Tokaji Esszencia?
Ferments extremely slowly (difficult for yeast to survive), frequently fermented in glass
What does Édes refer to?
Sweet Tokaji
What does Száras refer to?
Dry Tokaji
What law was passed in 2007 that was important to Tokaj?
2007 no other EU countries can use “Tokaj” or derivatives
- Alsace=PG as Tokay d’Alsace
- Friuli=Friulano as Tocai Friulano
What are the authorized styles of Tokaj?
- Tokaji Aszú
- Tokaji Esszencia
- Tokaji Szamorodni
- Fordítás=refermenting wine w/ pressed paste/spent lees of Tokaji Aszú
- Máslás=same as Fordítás
- Tokaji Late Harvest
- Dry varietal wines
What is Tokaji Szamorodni?
(“As it comes”)=mix of Aszú/non-aszú grapes, often oxidized, aged in cask 2 yrs, sometimes flor
What is Tokaji Fordítás?
refermenting wine w/ pressed paste/spent lees of Tokaji Aszú
Same style as Máslas
What is Tokaji Máslás?
refermenting wine w/ pressed paste/spent lees of Tokaji Aszú
Same style as Fordítás
What style of Tokaji is the major focus of current winemakers?
Dry varietal wines from Furmint
What are some recent difficult vintages in Tokaj?
2011, 2012 low botrytis vintages
What is the notable producer association of Tokaj? What is their focus? Who is the most famous member?
Circle of Mád
Producer association dedicated to elevating dry wines of the region.
István Szepsy key figure/Hungarian Winemaker
Who is most influential Hungarian winemaker currently? What wines does he producer?
István Szepsy
Királyudvar, Royal Tokaji Co
Who owns Tokaji Oremus?
Vega Sicilia (Álvarez family)
Who owns Királyudvar & Royal Tokaji Co?
Englishman Hugh Johnson
name some key producers of Tokaji?
- Tokaji Oremus
- Disznókõ
- Királyudvar
- Royal Tokaji Co
What are the 2 most important regions of Northern Hungary?
Tokaj
Eger
What is main style of Eger? Cépages?
Egri Bikavér
a. Historically Kadarka (ind, low tannin light bodied grape)
b. Modernly
i. Blend of min 4 grapes (30-50% Kékfrankos) + lots of ind and int’l grapes
Ex: Kadarka, Blauburgunder, Zweigelt, CF, CS, PN
What are the main regions of Transdanubia?
i. Szekszárd
ii. Badacsony
iii. Balantonfüred-Csopak
iv. Somló
v. Villány
vi. Sopron
What is main style of Szekszárd?
Cépage?
Bikavér
must be a blend of at least 3 varieties, including a minimum 40% combined Kadarka and Kékfrankos.
Which 2 regions of Hungary are the only allowed to produce Bikavér?
Eger
Szekszárd
What is the major geo feature of Balantonfüred-Csopak?
Lake Balaton
Which region is the hottest in Hungary? What styles of wine?
Villány
BDX varietals, Kékfrankos, Kékoportó (Blauer Portugieser)
Which region of Hungary is contiguous w/ Burgenland?
Sopron
Which region of Hungary has the most acreage planted?
Why?
Great Plain (Duna)
Sandy soils, lots of plantings here post-phylloxera
What is the largest region of Hungary? Styles of wine?
Kunság
Mass produced but fine quality table wines from mainly indigenous grapes
What are the post 2013 terms for Tokaj wines?
3=Szamorodni (száraz or édes)
4= Fordítás (száraz or édes)
5= Máslás (száraz or édes)
6=Késői szüretelésű bor (“Late Harvest”)
Fehér bor=white table wines
What does pezgo mean
Hungarian term for “sparkling”
