Nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in Hungary, Tokaj is a region steeped in history and renowned for its sweet wines. With a unique terroir and a long-standing winemaking tradition, Tokaj is one of the oldest and most respected wine regions in the world.
The main grape variety grown in Tokaj is Furmint, which is used to make the region's signature sweet wines. Other varieties grown in the region include Hárslevelű, Muscat Lunel, and Yellow Muscat. The region is also known for its dry white wines, which are made from Furmint and Hárslevelű.
Tokaj is home to some of the world's most renowned winemakers, including Disznókő, Oremus, and Royal Tokaji. These producers are known for their high-quality sweet wines, which are made from grapes that have been affected by the region's unique botrytis cinerea, or "noble rot".
The annual Tokaj grape harvest is a long, drawn-out affair, with multiple stages. The first grapes picked, in September, are those destined for the region's increasingly popular dry wines. The much-prized aszu (dried) grapes are not harvested for several weeks after this, and sometimes remain on the vine right into November.