Tokaji
Tokaji is the name used to describe wine from the Tokaj region in northeastern Hungary. Though dry wine is made here, the region’s most famous wines are lusciously sweet, and this is what most people refer to when they use the name Tokaji. The sweet wines of Tokaji are some of the world’s greatest.
The Tokaj winegrowing region lies close to the Hungarian border with Slovakia, in the shadow of the Carpathian Mountains. The vineyards lie on the slopes of the Carpathian foothills, and the wines here have been held in the highest esteem for hundreds of years. Hungary’s time under communist rule seriously hurt its wine industry, as the emphasis shifted from quality to quantity. Since 1989, quality has once again become a focal point, and today Tokaj boasts a wealth of top quality producers.
There are six grape varieties permitted to make Tokaji wine. The most important grape in sweet Tokaji production is Furmint. This is a late-ripening white grape, and is particularly susceptible to botrytis, lending itself well to quality sweet wine. Hárslevelű is also prone to botrytis, and is the next most common variety. The other grapes permitted here are Sárga Muscotály (known internationally as Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains), Kövérszőlő, Zéta and Kabar.
The best-known Tokaji wine style is certainly Tokaji Aszú. This is the primary sweet style of Tokaji, and is produced from grapes that have been affected by noble rot. The botrytis-affected berries are handpicked in a time-consuming and labor-intensive exercise. Grapes that have been affected in this way have very high sugar concentration, and thus the wines have a lot of residual sugar after fermentation. Tokaji Aszú must have a minimum of 120 grams per liter (g/L) of residual sugar.
There are several other styles of Tokaji wine, from dry and semi-sweet to even sweeter than Tokaji Aszú. Important styles include Szamorodni, Late Harvest and Eszencia.
Tokaji Eszencia is legendary in its own right, known for its low alcohol and decadent sweetness—the minimum level of residual sugar is 450 g/L, though it’s possible to see levels closer to 800 g/L. This is an incredibly rare and expensive style of Tokaji.
Looking for a list of the top-rated Tokaji wines produced globally? You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to filter by style, rating, price and year. Use our database to discover popular and rare bottles sure to provide the perfect pre- or post-dinner beverage.
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Béres 2007 Aszú 5 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungaryAromas of caramelized pineapple, honey and acacia flower prepare your palate for ...See Full Review$50 -
Dobogó 2007 Aszú 6 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungaryAn intoxicating bouquet of beeswax, honeysuckle, freesia and shea butter leads the ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$125 -
Disznókö 2002 Aszú 6 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungarySensuous aromas of honeycomb, canned peache and apricot drives the nose. It's ...See Full Review$100 -
Disznókö 2006 Aszú 5 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungaryLight amber color, the bouquet is carried by aromas of honeycomb and ...See Full Review$46 -
Disznókö 2007 Aszú 5 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryA brilliant deep-gold color in the glass, this alluring Tokaji draws you ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full ReviewN/A -
Royal Tokaji 2007 Szt. Tamás Aszú 6 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungaryAromas of butterscotch, honeyed apricot, beeswax and honeysuckle transfer seamlessly onto the ...See Full Review$118 -
Royal Tokaji 2007 Betsek Aszú 6 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungaryOpulent and elegant, this brilliant deep-gold Tokaji has aromas of vanilla caramel, ...See Full Review$118 -
Royal Tokaji 2008 5 Puttonyos Aszú (Tokaji)
HungaryAromas of butterscotch, apricot preserves and vanilla caramel lead to flavors of ...See Full Review$48 -
Royal Tokaji 2010 Mád Cuvée Late Harvest Tokaji (Hungary)
HungaryOffering great bang for the buck, this late-harvest selection leads with seductive ...See Full Review$21 -
Királyudvar 2007 Cuvée Ilona Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryBursting with flower and tropical fruit aromas, the nose on this Tokaj ...See Full Review$50 -
Királyudvar 2009 Pezsgo Henye Brut Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryHints of sweet pastry and rising bread entice on this refreshing, dry, ...See Full Review$30 -
Château Hellha 2007 5 Puttonyos Aszú (Tokaji)
HungaryIntensely aromatic, this has scents of honey, caramel and dried savory herbs. ...See Full Review$30 -
Château Hellha 2002 3 Puttonyos Aszú (Tokaji)
HungaryThis off-dry, honeyed Tokaj wine has a penetrating minerality that extends from ...See Full Review$20 -
Sauska 2003 Aszú Essencia Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryEssencia is the rare free-run juice from botrytized Tokaji grapes, and if ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$150 -
Royal Tokaji 2005 Betsek Aszú 6 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryHeady with notes of orange marmalade and lavender, this honeyed Tokaji is ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$104 -
Patricius 2006 Leonis Aszú 3 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryAlmost lacy on the palate, with a crisp, delicate structure, this effortlessly ...See Full Review$23 -
Sauska 2003 Aszú 6 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaj)
HungaryDark herb aromas are a unique addition to classic characteristics of honeysuckle, ...See Full Review$90 -
Chateau Dereszla 2011 Semi-Dry (Tokaji)
HungaryA hefty dose of Muscat makes this Tokaji blend particularly flamboyant on ...Best BuySee Full Review$13 -
Chateau Dereszla 2011 Dry (Tokaji)
HungaryA delicate honeycomb flavor fringes pleasant apple and white flower notes on ...See Full Review$15 -
Royal Tokaji 2007 Red Label Aszú 5 Puttonyos (Tokaji)
HungaryEbulliently floral on the nose, this decadently creamy Tokaji bursts with characteristic ...See Full Review$43