Tokaj

Question 1

where is Tokaj located?

Answer 1

at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in the far north east of Hungary and close to the Slovakian border.

Question 2

what is Tokaj known for?

Answer 2

producing premium botrytised sweet wines, but late harvest and dry wines are also becoming popular

Question 3

what is the climate for Tokaj?

Answer 3

moderate

Question 4

where are the best vineyards located in Tokaj

Answer 4

on hillside slopes with southerly aspects. the bodrog and Tisza rivers and tributaries help to generate early morning humidity necessary for noble rot.

Question 5

what are the three main white grapes used in making Tokaji

Answer 5

Furmint, Harslevelu and Sarga Murskotaly - which are often blended

Question 6

what is the most widely planted variety in Tokaj>

Answer 6

Furmint

Question 7

describe a Furmint wine?

Answer 7

concentrated, high acid, white wine with flavors of apple when young and nuts and honey as they age. can make premium dry wines but due to late ripeneing and botrytis rot it is better known for its sweet wine Aszu

Question 8

what is Harslevelu?

Answer 8

a late ripening grape that contributes perfume to a blend

Question 9

what is Sarga Muskotaly?

Answer 9

(muscat Blanc and Petits Grains) used for aromatic flavoring

Question 10

when did new wine laws go into effect in Tokaj?

Answer 10

2013 still waiting EU approval

Question 11

what is the min residual sugar for Aszu wine both traditional and new wine law?

Answer 11

traditional - 60 g/L - included 3-6 pattonyas levels
new - 120 g/l - typical amount needed for 5 pattonyas. wines with lower level must be labeled late harvest or Tokaj Szamorondni

Question 12

what is min aging requirements both traditional and new?

Answer 12

trad - 24 months in oak but could only be released from the January in the fourth year after harvest
new law - Aszu have new aging requirements of min of 18 months in oak and wines can be released January after the 3rd year of harvest

Question 13

what is required for a wine to be labeled Aszu Eszencia?

Answer 13

traditional: min of 180 g/l residual sugar is required

new law - no longer exists

Question 14

how are sweet wines bottled in Tokaj?

Answer 14

distinctive 50 cl bottles

Question 15

what does azsu translate to?

Answer 15

rotten

Question 16

what does Szamorodni translate to? and what is it?

Answer 16

“as it comes” - a selection of grapes that are partially effected by noble rot

Question 17

what are the three different types of harvests done in Tokaj>

Answer 17

grapes have been widely effected by noble rot
bunches of grapes that have not been effected
and partially effected

Question 18

describe dry wines in tokaj

Answer 18

up and coming, can vary in style from simple and unoaked made to be drunk young to more concentrated age worthy blends which are fermented and aged in new oak. usually made with Furmint

Question 19

Describe Tokaji Szamorodni wines

Answer 19

made from grapes harvested as Szamorodni (partial noble rot) and may be dry (szdraz) or sweet (edes) depending on amount of noble rot present.

Question 20

what is min age requirements for Tokaji Szamorodni wines

Answer 20

must be aged in cask for min 1 year and be two years old before release, but most are aged longer

Question 21

describe aging process for Tokaji Szamorodni wines

Answer 21

for dry styles - casks are not filled in order to allow flor like yeast to develop giving the wine a Fino Sherry like character
for sweet styles casks are filled completely

Question 22

what does the production of Tokaji Aszu wines start with?

Answer 22

base wine of healthy grapes

Question 23

what happens after base wine for Aszu wines are made?

Answer 23

before, during and after fermentation the aszu berries are macerated into the base wine lasting 12-60 hours. traditionally the berries were made into a paste but using uncrushed berries avoids bitter flavors. then it is pressed and matured for a period of time on oak.

Question 24

what determines the final sweetness of Aszu wine?

Answer 24

the amount of aszu berries used.

Question 25

describe a Classic Tokaji

Answer 25

deep amber, with high acidity, intense aromas, flavors of orange peel, apricots and honey. wines become more intense and concentrated as they go up the sweetness scale

Question 26

what is Tokaji Eszencia (essence or Nectar)

Answer 26

extremely rare wines seldom available outside of the region. made by using just the free run juice from the aszu berries. can take years to ferment due to must being so sweet. able to retain their freshness for a century or more

Question 27

how much alcohol does a Tokaji Eszencia typically have?

Answer 27

less than 5% abv

Question 28

what is the minimum sugar for Tokaji Szamorodni wines

Answer 28

450 g/l - but balanced by high acidity and concentrated flavor

Question 29

describe wines labelled Late Harvest in Tokaj

Answer 29

grapes that have spent extended time on the vine. some may have been infected, but they are fermented rather than macerated like Aszu. also matured for less time