Wines produced in the Tokaj wine region of Hungary are known throughout the world. The most famous of them is Tokaji Aszú, a sweet white wine of topaz color, made from “nobly rotten” grapes. Hungarian winemakers are so proud of this that they even celebrate International Aszú Day every December 10th.
History of Tokaj wines
The Tokaj wine region is located in northeastern Hungary and southeastern Slovakia. There is evidence that winemaking has been known here since at least the 12th century or even earlier, but the growth of Tokaj as a major wine region began in the 16th century. By the 17th century, Tokaj wines were an important commodity and a significant source of income for local rulers. The peak of winemaking in Hungary came in the 18th century, but suffered a severe blow in the era of communism. Since the 1990s, it has been experiencing a kind of Renaissance, mainly due to the growing popularity of Tokaj wines.
All wines produced in the Tokaj region can be called Tokaj wines, but it is Tokaj Aszú, the most famous of Tokaj wines, that is called Tokay in the English-speaking world. It is the oldest known botrytized wine in the world.
Botrytized wine is made from grapes affected by a type of fungus called “noble rot”. It produces particularly exquisite and extremely sweet wines if the harvest is collected at the proper time and processed correctly.
The original meaning of the word “aszú” is “dried” (grapes affected by noble rot, partially dried). But over time, this term has become associated with botrytized wines. According to legend, the first Aszú wine was made by Laczkó Máté Szepsi in 1630, although there is evidence that botrytized wines were produced in Hungary even earlier.
Aszú accounts for less than 1% of all wines produced in the Tokaj region, but it is widely considered the flagship wine of the region and the most famous Hungarian wine. It is even mentioned in the national anthem of Hungary, written in 1823, as a sweet nectar that God dripped on the fields of Tokaj. The most important grape variety used to produce Tokaji Aszú wines is Furmint, a white grape that has been grown in Hungary since at least the 16th century.
International Aszú Day
International Aszú Day was founded in 2017 to celebrate one of the most recognizable wines in the world, which has a unique character and which is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “Hungarian wine”. This event was initiated by Daniel Keszdi, whose book about the Tokaj wine region entitled “Tokaj – People and Vineyards” was published in 2014. He also created International Furmint Day, which is celebrated annually on February 1, to honor the most popular Hungarian wine grape variety.
Hungarian vineyards, wineries, wine bars, restaurants and wine shops organize various events to celebrate International Aszú Day. These events include presentations, wine tastings, wine and food pairing lessons. Did you know that Tokaj Aszú goes perfectly with Chinese food, such as Peking duck and sweet and sour pork?
If there are no similar events near you, you can celebrate International Aszú Day by buying a bottle of Tokaj wine and sharing it with friends, thereby learning more about Hungarian wines.