Tokaj Flashcards
Tokaj is one thing, Tokaji another - what?
Tokaj is the place and Tokaji is the wine.
Name one reason why Tokaji was world famous and enjoyed in royal courts around Europe from 1500 and onwards.
It offered sweetness before crystal sugar became available.
What made the Tokaji tradition to come to a halt?
Hungary became a communist state in 1945 and focus shifted from quality to quantity - often deliberately oxidised, sweetened, fortified and pasteurized.
Name a few foreign investors that rebuilt Tokaj when communism fell. When did it fall?
Communism ended in 1989. AXA, Vega Sicilia and Hugh Johnson.
Climate in Tokaj?
Moderate continental
What forested mountain shelters Tokaj from cold northerly winds?
Zemplén mountains.
Between what latitudes do you find Tokaj?
48-49N
Why are the vineyards in Tokaj mostly planted on slopes? At what aspects and why?
On slopes to reduce risk of frost and winter cold. For max sunlight on south, south-east and south-west aspects.
Rainfall range in Tokaj? And when does most of it fall?
Between 500-600mm, half during the growing season.
Is irrigation permitted in Tokaj?
No.
Name the two major rivers that meet in the town of Tokaj.
Bodrog and Tisza
The warm sunny afternoons in Tokaj that burn off the mist helps out to control botrytis but also another disease. Name the disease.
Grey rot.
The deep volcanic bedrock of Tokaj is overlaid with a complex variety of soils. Name the most prominent and what kind of wines it is said to produce. West of town, around the Tokaj hill and different soil type is found. What, and what kind of wines is it said to produce?
Nyirok is the volcanic soil, said to produce the most powerful wines while there is loess, a sandy silt with high clay content around the Tokaj hill - said to produce lighter, more delicate wines.
In what way is the soft volcanic bedrock great for the vines.
The roots can grow very deep making water stress and nutrient deficiencies rare.
The soft volcanic bedrock is also excellent for digging cellars. The cellars in Tokaj are famous for a fungus that is believed to help regulate humidity. Name the fungus and the physical appearance.
Zasmidium Cellare - grey-black and cushiony.
Traditionally vines in Tokaj were grown on single posts with up to 10.000 v/ha in density. This is still seen in small old plots. But how are vines grown today?
On trellising using replacement cane or cordon with VSP, densities around 4-5 thousand vines per hectare.
Modern training systems in Tokaj allow mechanised harvest, but many vineyards are still worked by hand. Why?
Mechanised harvest is not possible on steep slopes AND hand harvest is required for the careful selection of Aszú berries.
Name the two main disease concerns in Tokaj. One happening in wetter years.
Powdery mildew and in wetter years grey rot.
How is powdery mildew and grey rot fought in Tokaj?
By managing the canopy to ensure good air circulation. Particularly important for grapes intended for dry wines.
Name the two main pests in Tokaj.
Birds and wild boars.
Yields for Aszú berries is tiny (because they have shrivelled ON the vine). How tiny? General yields for dry wines are also kept low. Why and how low?
Aszú yields are around 2-3 hL/ha. To ensure quality yields for dry wines are around 30-40 hL/ha. It is possible to have higher yields in warm, sunny vintages, but in poor years yields must be controlled to ensure ripeness.
How many permitted grape varieties are there in Tokaji PDO? Name the 3 most important.
- The 3 most important are Furmint, Hárslevelű and Sárga Muskotály (Muscat Blanc à petits grains)
Furmint is the most planted variety in Tokaj. How many percent of all plantings? When does it ripen?
63% of all plantings is Furmint, a late-ripening variety.
Explain how Furmint is well suited for sweet wine production.
Despite being thick-skinned it is highly susceptible to botrytis. It retains acidity very well even as fully ripe. Furmint accumulate high levels of sugar which is further concentrated by botrytis, shrivelling and late harvest.
What dry styles of wine is made with Furmint ?
The whole range from intended to be drunk young to more age-worthy - the latter often matured in oak.
Dry Furmint are often full bodied and high in alcohol due to the high sugar accumulation. Improved viticultural practices are making possible wines with medium alcohol but still ripe. What typical flavours can be found in all styles?
Lemon, apple and pear.
