Page 115 - GV2020 Portfolio Master

HUNGARY
The wines of the Tokaji region of Hungary have been
produced since at least the 1500’s and with good reason.
The Tokaji region of Hungary sits in the extreme north-east
corner of the country separated from Slovakia by the
Carpathian mountains. The vineyards of Tokaji are
composed of red, white and black volcanic soils
intermingled with clay. Tokaji was one of, if not the first,
region to establish a vineyard classification system. In
1700 under the orders of Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy,
vineyards were designated 1st, 2nd or 3rd growth. Today
74 vineyards are designated as 1st Growth with just
Szarvas and Mézes Mály designated as Great Growths.
Tokaji’s reputation lies squarely on its world class dessert
wines. Central to the production of these wines is the
formation of the botrytis cinerea also known as “noble rot”
in the vineyards. Grapes effected by noble rot are called
aszú. Noble rot occurs naturally in Tokaji where the
Bodrog and Tisza rivers converge creating the humidity
rich fogs needed to support its development. Wines are
often labelled as 3-6 puttonyos. The more puttonyos added
to the wine the sweeter the wine will be The traditional
collection vessel for grapes in Tokaji, the Puttonyo is a Royal Tokaji Wine Company
backpack. The puttonyos would be filled with aszú grapes With a substantial investment
and would be added to the dry wines from the previous from international wine critic
year. Thus the number of puttonyos added determines the Hugh Johnson the Royal Tokaji
overall sweetness of the wine. Dry wines are becoming remains Tokaji’s most important
producer. Royal Tokaji owns a
more readily available and are produced from vineyards unique combination of 1st, 2nd
that are not effected by botrytis. Dry wines are crisp, and 3rd growth vineyards that
mineral driven. Both dry and sweet wines are produced have always been privately
from Furmint, Hárslevelű and Sárgamuskotály (Muscat owned, including one of the two
Blanc à Petite Grains). Furmint is key to the production of great first growths: Mézes Mály.
At one time, first-growth
Tokaji Aszú, as it is particularly susceptible to botrytis and vineyards Betsek and Szt. Tamás
high in acidity. were owned by Prince Rakcózi.
Three centuries later, these
vineyards continue to be highly
valued. Winemaker István Szepsy
continues to create dessert wines
on par with those made anywhere
in the world.

Royal Tokaji Wine Company (Mád) royal-tokaji.com
Royal Tokaji “Oddity” Dry Furmint 2017 $143.90
Királyudvar
Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2017 .375ml (6pk) $89.95 Domaine Huet owner Anthony
Royal Tokaji Red Label 5 Puttonyos 2017 .500ml (6pk) $239.95 92DEC Hwang oversees this historic
Royal Tokaji Gold Label 6 Puttonyos 2013 .500ml (6pk) $336.00 98DEC, 97WE property. Anthony’s experience
Royal Tokaji Betsek Vineyard 6 Puttonyos 2013 .500ml (6pk) $653.90 97W&S in biodynamic farming in
Vouvray paved the way for
implementation of the same
farming techniques in Tokaji.
Királyudvar (Tarcal) rarewines.com Királyudvar (Kings Court) has 45
Királyudvar Furmint Sec 2014 $191.90 ha of vineyards located in
Tokaji’s heartland on the hilltops
Királyudvar 6 Puttonyos 2007 .500ml (6pk) $341.95 surrounding the villages of Mád

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