Hungary

Question 1

Where is the Tokaj region located?

Answer 1

In the northeastern corner of Hungary, at the confluence of the Tisza and Bodrog Rivers

Question 2

What type of wine is the Tokaj region known for?

Answer 2

Dessert wines

Question 3

What was significant about the vineyard classification in the Tokaj region?

Answer 3

It was one of the first in modern Europe

Question 4

Who delimited 28 villages in the Tokaj region in 1700?

Answer 4

Transylvanian Prince Rákóczy

Question 5

In what year did Tokaj’s vineyard classification receive final legal recognition?

Answer 5

1772

Question 6

What are Aszú grapes?

Answer 6

Grapes of high sugar levels afflicted with botrytis cinerea

Question 7

What does the term Aszú originally signify?

Answer 7

Desiccated grapes

Question 8

When does the earliest mention of Aszú appear?

Answer 8

As early as 1571

Question 9

Who produced the first botrytis-affected aszú wine by the mid-17th century?

Answer 9

Szepsi Lackó Máté

Question 10

Which countries’ botrytised wines did Tokaj aszú wines predate?

Answer 10

Germany and probably Sauternes

Question 11

What famous declaration is attributed to the mid-16th century regarding Tokaji wines?

Answer 11

“These wines are fit for a pope”

Question 12

Which French king praised Tokaji as the ‘king of wines’?

Answer 12

King Louis XIV

Question 13

What did Catherine the Great of Russia do to protect Tokaji shipments?

Answer 13

Left a permanent detachment of her Cossack guard in Tokaj

Question 14

What annual gift did Queen Victoria of England receive?

Answer 14

A dozen bottles of Tokaji

Question 15

What event in the 20th century negatively impacted Tokaji’s quality?

Answer 15

The Iron Curtain

Question 16

What happened to Tokaji after the fall of communism?

Answer 16

It rebounded quickly with foreign interest and investors

Question 17

Name one leading estate in the Tokaj region today.

Answer 17

Royal Tokaji Company, Vega Sicilia’s Tokaj Oremus, Disznókö, or Királyudvar

Question 18

What is the Tokaj region known for?

Answer 18

Famous for its wine production and unique climate conditions

The Tokaj region is recognized as a significant wine-producing area, particularly noted for its sweet wines made from botrytized grapes.

Question 19

What two principal grapes are used in Tokaj wine production?

Answer 19

Furmint and Hárslevelú

These grapes are essential for creating the distinctive flavors and qualities of Tokaji wines.

Question 20

What is the significance of Rákóczy’s original classification?

Answer 20

It divides vineyards into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd growths

This classification system remains relevant today and is upheld by the Tokaj Renaissance producers’ association.

Question 21

What are the characteristics of the climate in the Tokaj region?

Answer 21

Warm continental climate with long, humid autumns

These conditions are ideal for the development of botrytis, which is crucial for sweet wine production.

Question 22

What is the role of Furmint in Tokaji Aszú production?

Answer 22

It is key due to its susceptibility to botrytis and high acidity

Furmint grapes are essential in creating the complex flavors of Tokaji Aszú wines.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The containers used to gather handpicked aszú grapes are called _______.

Answer 23

puttony

Question 24

What does the term ‘Aszú’ refer to?

Answer 24

A type of sweet wine made from botrytized grapes

Tokaji Aszú is a renowned wine style that showcases the unique qualities of the grapes affected by botrytis.

Question 25

How is the final sweetness of Tokaji Aszú determined?

Answer 25

By the number of puttony added to a gönc barrel ## Footnote The puttony contains aszú paste and is mixed with base wine, influencing the sweetness level of the final wine.

Question 26

What is Essencia in the context of Tokaji wine?

Answer 26

A sugar-rich wine that ferments very slowly ## Footnote Essencia retains significant residual sugar and is known for its unique flavor profile, often taking decades to mature.

Question 27

True or False: Modern Tokaji Aszú is labeled with 3-6 puttonyos.

Answer 27

False ## Footnote The labeling system was revised, and modern Tokaji Aszú is simply labeled 'Aszú'.

Question 28

What is the minimum residual sugar content required for Tokaji Aszú?

Answer 28

At least 120 g/l ## Footnote This high sugar content is essential for the sweet profile characteristic of Tokaji wines.

Question 29

What type of soil predominates in the Tokaj region?

Answer 29

Volcanic loess and clay ## Footnote These soil types contribute to the unique terroir and flavor profiles of Tokaji wines.

Question 30

What is the typical alcohol content range for Essencia?

Answer 30

4-6% ## Footnote Essencia ferments extremely slowly, resulting in low alcohol levels and very high residual sugar.

Question 31

How long does modern Tokaji Aszú age before release?

Answer 31

Just over two years ## Footnote This includes a minimum of 18 months aging in barrel.

Question 32

What is Tokaji Szamorodni?

Answer 32

A mixture of aszú and non-aszú grapes, often oxidative in style ## Footnote Matured in cask for a minimum of six months, sometimes under a film-forming yeast similar to flor. May be édes (sweet) or száras (dry).

Question 33

What are Fordítás and Máslás wines?

Answer 33

Wines produced by refermenting with pressed paste or spent lees of Tokaji Aszú ## Footnote Fordítás uses pressed paste, while Máslás uses spent lees.

Question 34

What are late harvest wines?

Answer 34

Wines produced without the extended aging of Tokaji Aszú ## Footnote They come in a wide range of styles.

Question 35

Who is István Szepsy?

Answer 35

A key figure in establishing Hugh Johnson's Royal Tokaji Company and Királyudvar ## Footnote A founding member of the Circle of Mád, promoting dry wines in Tokaj.

Question 36

What does the term 'Tokaj' signify as of 2007?

Answer 36

Prohibition for other EU countries from using the term 'Tokaj' or derivatives on labels ## Footnote This includes terms like Tokay and Tocai, regardless of similarity.

Question 37

How many wine appellations were identified in Hungary in 2000?

Answer 37

22 total wine appellations ## Footnote This increased to 31 PDO regions and 6 PGI areas after EU reforms.

Question 38

What are the three major geographical zones of wine production in Hungary?

Answer 38

Northern Massif, Transdanubia, Great Plain ## Footnote These zones encompass various regions and wine styles.

Question 39

What is Egri Bikavér known as?

Answer 39

The 'Bull's Blood of Eger' ## Footnote A historically significant wine from the Eger region, traditionally dominated by Kadarka.

Question 40

What grape varieties are included in modern Egri Bikavér?

Answer 40

At least four varieties, including Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) ## Footnote Also involves other Hungarian and international grapes.

Question 41

Which regions are permitted to use the term 'Bikavér' on labels?

Answer 41

Eger and Szekszárd ## Footnote In Szekszárd, Bikavér also requires a blend of four varieties.

Question 42

What is Mátra known for?

Answer 42

Hungary's second largest winegrowing region, primarily known for white wines ## Footnote Red grapes like Kékfrankos and Kadarka are gaining reputation.

Question 43

What types of wines dominate production in Transdanubia?

Answer 43

White wines ## Footnote Grapes include Furmint, Juhfark, Olaszrizling, and international varieties.

Question 44

What is unique about Sopron?

Answer 44

Contiguous with Austria's Burgenland ## Footnote Kékfrankos is cultivated in both regions.

Question 45

What region in Hungary contains nearly half of the country's acreage under vine?

Answer 45

The Great Plain ## Footnote The Great Plain is located to the east of Transdanubia.

Question 46

What type of soils are found in the Great Plain that benefited the region after phylloxera?

Answer 46

Sandy soils ## Footnote Sandy soils provided a welcome habitat for vine growth.

Question 47

What is the general quality of wines produced in the Great Plain?

Answer 47

Everyday quality ## Footnote Most wines are consumed locally.

Question 48

Which is Hungary's largest wine region located in the Great Plain?

Answer 48

Kunság ## Footnote Kunság produces a sizable amount of mass production white wine and some reds.

Question 49

From what types of grapes does Kunság produce its wines?

Answer 49

Indigenous grapes ## Footnote Kunság primarily utilizes local grape varieties.

Question 50

What is the geographic location of Villány in Hungary?

Answer 50

Just south along the Croatian border ## Footnote Villány is known as Hungary's hottest wine region.

Question 51

What types of wines does Villány produce?

Answer 51

Good-quality wines from Bordeaux varieties, Kékfrankos, and Kékoportó ## Footnote Kékoportó is also known as Blaufer Portugieser.

Question 52

Map

Answer 52