Tokaj and the surrounding 26 settlements form the wine region, whose natural borders are the Sátor Hill, Kopasz Hill, and the rivers Tisza and Bodrog. The area is considered a distinct wine region due to several unique features, including the local microclimate that promotes noble rot—made possible by the protection of the Zemplén Mountains—as well as the wetlands and marshy areas formed along the rivers. The vineyards are located on volcanic soil rich in diverse rock formations, at elevations of approximately 100–300 meters above sea level.
The wine of kings, the king of wines
Tradition holds that Louis XV called Tokaji Aszú both the “wine of kings” and the “king of wines,” and it is also said to have been greatly admired by figures such as Mozart and Goethe. It is therefore essential not to end a visit before tasting a glass of Furmint or Aszú in the atmospheric centuries-old cellars, accompanied by storytelling from winemakers in villages such as Tokaj, Mád, or Erdőbénye.
Tokaji Aszú, one of the world’s most unique sweet wines, can truly be called a miracle of nature. The development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) is essential to its production, which is encouraged by autumn humidity. At the same time, sunshine plays a crucial role by allowing the grapes to shrivel, concentrating their sugars and other valuable compounds, which give the wine its distinctive character. During harvest, the precious aszú berries are collected separately, then soaked in must or base wine from the same vintage in the appropriate ratio. After pressing and fermentation, the wine undergoes years of aging, resulting in the uniquely complex Tokaji Aszú.
