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 50cl87cs
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 37.5cl5cs
H/Bottle 1 x 37.5cl3cs
H/Litre 6 x 50cl1cs
(Olly Smith - Mail On Sunday - 09-Dec-2012)
The 18 hectares Nyúlászó (nu-laah-sooh) vineyard is one of the most well-known vineyards in Tokaji, and the first that the Royal Tokaji Wine Company purchased. This First Growth single vineyard vineyard is located on south-, southwest- and southeast-facing slopes overlooking the village of Mád and contiguous with the St Tamas vineyard. The grapes grown here produce lively, elegant and highly-perfumed wines, characteristics typically associated with wines originating from grapes grown in loess soil, whereas the Nyulászó vineyard is predominantly red volcanic clay with only pockets of loess soil present. Because of this unusual soil composition, the wines that are made from Nyulászó’s grapes are the most complex wines in the Royal Tokaji portfolio.
the 2003 vintage displays medium amber colour with a rich deep nose of orange peel and toasted nuts. On the palate it has a very smooth creamy, vanilla character, and a long, lingering finish.
H/Litre 6 x 50cl1cs
Lusciously sweet and honeyed, with hints of wild flower on the nose, this has lively acidity to balance the 213g/l of residual sugar. The finish seems to last forever. The 2008 vintage started inauspiciously but an Indian summer in late September and October gave perfect conditions for the development of noble rot. This is a truly indulgent, long-lived and magnificent icon of a wine.
H/Litre 6 x 50cl1cs
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.