Tokaj(i)

Question 1

What is the climate of Tokaj and where is it located?

Answer 1

It’s moderate continental climate. Located in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains close to the Slovakian border.

Question 2

What are the principal white varietals for making Tokaji wines? Briefly describe their characteristics:

Answer 2

Furmint - Most widely planted, high acid, Apple notes when young. After development notes of nuts and honey.

Harslevelu - contributes perfume to the blends

Sarga Muskotaly (Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains) - also used for aromatic qualities

Question 3

T/F: Hungary uses varietal labeling?

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The region of Tokjai is located on the foothills of which mountain?

Answer 4

Carpathian Mountains

Question 5

Describe Aszu grapes:

Answer 5

Rotten grapes. Furmint is the principal grape.

Question 6

What does the term ‘Szamorodni’ mean?

Answer 6

‘As it comes’ meaning bunches of grapes that are partially affected with Noble Rot

Question 7

Name the 3 main styles of sweet wine in Hugary:

Answer 7

• ‘Late Harvest’
• Aszu wines
• Tokaji Eszenzia

Question 8

How is Tokaji Eszencia made?

Answer 8

Only free run juice of Botrytis grapes. Incredibly sweet, yeast has trouble fermenting so fermentation goes on for a number of years. Final wine about 5% abv

Question 9

How is Tokaji Aszu made?

Answer 9

A base wine is made from healthy grapes then, before, during or after fermentation Aszu grapes are macerated in the base wine for 12 to 60 hours. Wine is pressed then stored in oak.

Question 10

What’s the name of the unit used to express sweetness of Aszu wine?

Answer 10

Puttony (plural puttonyos)

Question 11

What is Tokaji Szamorodni?

Answer 11

A wine made from Szamorodni (as it comes) grapes that can be dry or sweet depending on the amount of Noble Rot present. Wines aged for min 1yr in Oak and be 2yr old before release.

Question 12

In 2013 the laws governing Tokaji Aszu were changed, what are the two main differences?

Answer 12

Minimum residual sugar increased meaning 3 and 4 puttonyos no longer exist just leaving 5 and 6 puttonyos
Tokaji Aszu wines now subject to shorter minimum ageing of 18 mo in oak with wines released in January of the 3rd year after harvest. It was 24 mo in oak being released in Jan of the 4th year after harvest

Question 13

Describe why dry wines without Noble Rot are gaining importance in Tokaj?

Answer 13

It allows producers to make wines in years where there’s not much Noble Rot. These dry, unoaked whites are usually drank young and made from Furmint.

Question 14

Describe Aszu wines:

Answer 14

the amount of aszu berries determines the sweetness

-deep amber, high acid wines with orange peel, apricot, and honey