Tokay
Definition - What does Tokay mean?
Tokay, also known as Tokaji, are specialty dessert wines that are produced in Tokaj, a region located in northeastern Hungary. Tokay wines are produced with late-ripened (shriveled) grapes that are affected by favorable fungus known as the Noble Rot (Botrytis Cinerea). Among the specific varieties of grapes that are approved for the production of Tokay wines include Furmint, Hársevelu and Sárga Muskotály. One of the best and rarest Tokay wine produced from these grapes is called Aszú.
WineFrog explains Tokay
Tokay wines are famous all over the world for their natural nectar-like sweetness that is beautifully balanced with high acidic levels. The ideal soil and climate of the Tokaj wine region contributes enormously towards the production these magnificent wines.
Some famous Tokay wines include:
- Aszú: A legendary sweet dessert wine made from handpicked dry-ripened grapes affected by botrytis cinerea. The wine exhibits a deep amber color complimented with delicious notes of caramel and dried fruits.
- Aszú Eszencia: Considered one of most luxurious and rarest wines in the world, it displays a thick, dark, syrupy consistency that is blessed with exquisite aromas and flavors of flowers, dried fruits and honey.
- Szamorodni: A rich to medium bodied sweet white wine with crisp acidic levels. Exclusively made from partly borytized grapes, embodies a light amber color profile with delightful notes of dried fruits, citrus, vanilla and toasted bread.
The level of sweetness or sugar in Tokay wines is measured in Puttonyous, a reference unit that denotes the number of baskets of grapes that went into making of a specific Tokay wine. This designation can be easily observed on the label of the wine.
