Tokaj
The Tokaj wine region lies 240 kms north-east of Budapest in Hungary, at the confluence of the Tisza and Bodrog rivers. Tokaj enjoys long sunny summers, while dry autumns and the early morning mists, created by the meeting of the two rivers, encourage the development of noble rot on grapes. The Botrytis Cinerea makes the berries dry and shrivel, thus concentrating the compounds and developing the Aszú grapes.
Furmint is the dominant grape in Tokaji, and Aszú in the name refers simply to the dried, nobly-rotted grapes, which are hand-picked from the vines. The number of puttonyos is an indication of sweetness, with 2 the driest and 6 the sweetest. A 3-Puttonyos Tokaji indicates at least 60g of residual sugar, 4 indicates at least 90g, 5 at least 120g and 6 at least 150g. From 2015 the new minimum is set to 130g of residual sugar per litre,and the 3 and 4 ‘Puttonyos’ categories are eliminated.
A wine of 7 puttonyos is known as Aszú Essencia and is only produced in the very best years. Aszú Essencia is incredibly sweet and is one of the greatest dessert wines in the world.
By the end of the 17th century, Tokaji aszu wines were so well regarded throughout the Royal Courts of Europe, that Prince Rakoczi was urged to classify all the finest vineyards around the 28 villages in the region. Thus, the Tokaji wine region has the distinction of being Europe’s first classified wine region.
Prices:
H/Litre
£29.95
H/Litre 6 x 50cl 382cs
H/Litre
£72.95
Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager
Essencia is the richest and rarest of all Hungarian Tokaji wines. It is the truest expression of terroir known to man. Typically, this free run juice takes 6 to 8 years to complete its fermentation to less than 2% alcohol. Essencia can reach 85% residual sugar. Essencia wine is legendary. This Tokaji wine displays a rich, fat mouthfeel of honey, apricots and marmalade with uplifting acidity to balance out the sweetness. An ideal partner to foie gras.
H/Bottle
£466.00
H/Bottle 6 x 37.5cl 4cs
H/Bottle 1 x 37.5cl 3cs
H/Bottle 1 x 37.5cl 1cs
H/Litre 6 x 50cl 1cs
H/Litre 6 x 50cl 1cs
Mezes Maly, in the Tarcal commune of Hungary, has the distinction of being one of two vineyards to be elevated to the equivalent of Great 1st growth in the Rakoczi classification of 1700. Situated on loess soil on a south facing slope, this famous vineyard is now enjoying a renaissance of its own. Mezes Maly’s characteristics evoke its translation as ‘honey pot'. Its incredibly long and exquisitely balanced aromas and flavours combine the very essence of aszu wines. Mezes Maly's 11 hectares are jointly owned by the Royal Tokaji Company and Hugh Johnson.
H/Litre 6 x 50cl 1cs
Stuart Rae, Private Account Manager
Peter Newton – Private Account Manager
The Oremus wine estate has a long and colourful history, with Tokaji being produced there as early as 1620 by a Calvinist priest called Mate Szepsy Lacko. In 1993, the 33-hectare estate was bought by a Spanish consortium headed by David Álvarez, the owner of Vega Sicilia. The aim at Oremus is to produce Tokaji wines of elegance and balance with perfect harmony between the sweet fruit and natural acidity.
The 2011 vintage has yielded a more elegant and floral interpretation of this Tokaji Aszú wine. The nose has notes of orange blossom and peach, interspersed with honeysuckle and acacia. The palate is beautifully poised with the trademark acidity acting as counterpoint to the noble-rot sweetness. The long finish is fresh and vibrant.