Szérelmi Tokaji 2017

Originating from the historic hillsides of Tokaj in northeastern Hungary, this wine comes from vines planted in volcanic soils rich in minerals, a blend of tuff, rhyolite, and andesite. The vineyards, situated on well-exposed slopes, benefit from a microclimate influenced by the Bodrog and Tisza rivers, which promotes morning mists and excellent concentration in the grapes. The Zoltán Demeter estate practices low yields and meticulous viticulture to precisely express the unique character of this Tokaj terroir.

Sourced from select parcels of the Szérelmi vineyard, this white Tokaji is crafted from hand-harvested grapes harvested at peak ripeness, with meticulous berry sorting. After gentle pressing, the must is slowly fermented in tanks and barrels to preserve aromatic purity and the expression of the volcanic terroir. Aging then continues on fine lees in Hungarian oak barrels, with controlled stirring, before bottling to maintain the balance of richness, freshness, and complexity typical of the estate.

This wine reveals notes of candied apricot , ripe peach , and orange zest , complemented by floral touches of acacia and linden blossom, as well as delicate spicy and honeyed nuances underpinned by a mineral structure. The palate displays a dense yet balanced sweetness, punctuated by vibrant acidity, offering a velvety texture, remarkable purity of expression, and a long, precise, and mouthwatering finish.

It was the Romans who planted the first vines at a time when the Country was part of a region called Pannonia. It was at the dawn of the 18th century that Hungary, united with Austria, ensured the export of its most famous wine throughout Europe: Tokaj (from the Fürmint grape variety). As throughout Europe, in the 19th century, viticulture was destroyed by phylloxera. During the communist period, vineyards were managed in cooperatives which guaranteed a stable income for wine producers. Quite a few small winegrowers were unable to keep up with this growing economy, so the Hungarian vineyard was restructured, losing 30% of its surface area in the process. Nowadays, many family estates have emerged, some of which produce wines of incredible quality. As everywhere in Europe, viticulture is in decline as part of the European restructuring plan for the wine industry. Hungary, which is at the same latitude as Burgundy, has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The rainfall is sufficient for non-irrigated viticulture and the soils are heterogeneous and of high quality depending on the region. With around a hundred indigenous and international grape varieties, the country has good varietal diversity. The fürmint and the hárslevelü from the Tokaj region, vinified dry and at the origin of the great sweet wines of Tokaj, are undoubtedly the best-known varieties today. The most widely planted grape variety is Olasrizling for whites and Kéfrankos for reds. International grape varieties, mainly Bordeaux grape varieties, flourish in particular in the south of the country where they produce high-class wines.