This is the world-famous wine that is proudly cited in the Hungarian national anthem. Tokaji is a wine from north eastern Hungry. Although some dry and medium wines are made, the most famous wines are the sweet Tokaji Aszú (Right the one I have tasted) Tokaji wines are amber in colour, due to a long period of ageing in oak. They are full – bodied, sweet, with medium alcohol and high acidity with intense flavour of dried fruits and sweet spices such as Orange peel, orange marmalade, dried apricot, raisins, cinnamon.
A combination of many factors is needed to make these wines : a problem free ripening period to ensure fully ripe, healthy grapes, damp, misty mornings to encourage the growth. Such conditions are found in very few wine growing regions, and cannot be relied on to occur every year. Hand – picking is essential and the laborious process of grape selection makes these wines expensive to produce.
Appearance – Its Clear with medium intense, visibly deep gold in color but i believe when we name Tokaji, most of you will agree with amber in color being skeptical when I opt for Topaz which is appropriate for Aszú its exclusive. We do have Tokaji wines which are amber in color, you will find in my next article.
On Nose – Clean condition, pronounced Intensity, Oak aromas, honey, rich creamy with hint of vanilla and caramel. I have to tell you the best part, to store these wines are so simple and they don’t get damage even a bit. Any dark and cool place is good which is incredible within.
The characteristic aromas of noble rot are hard to describe, and the best way to recognize them is to try a few examples of these wines. Dried lemony apricot, ryebread, sweet biscuits, orange marmalade, pineapple and mushroom.
On Palate – “In the mouth brilliant bright acidity makes flavors of apricots, candied orange peel, and white flowers explode in the mouth. Sexy as all get out, the wine’s texture is liquid silk across the tongue, with a weightless thickness that is quite entrancing” The sweetness is not over powering. I have tasted with various desserts, being a Cheese cake lover it was my first rest followed with cake platters like Carrot cake, Belgian chocolate banana cake, Fruit tart platter, chocolate and orange mousse, chocolate cream cake. Do I have any readers who doesn’t like desserts ? I can only say – Once in a young lifetime should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.
I have great Hungarian friend Ference Zelenak, who once said few words about Aszú and I cannot complete without writing the same.
“aszu means dried shrunken, those botrytis noble rot effected grape berries has been used in this wine making, some says just like in the Sauternes dessert wines, I say no, Tokaji Aszú is not made the way as Sauternes dessert white wines, yes we have a similar wine to those, but that is our Szamorodni but Aszu is simply Tokaji Aszú nothing to compare with and nothing to compare to…and with Zoltan Demeter…you are enjoying heaven” To Your Health….egészségedre !
My score between 9 and 9.5
