Tokaj

Tokaj is a historic town in northeastern Hungary, located in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County on the Bodrog River near the border with Slovakia. It serves as the center of the Tokaj wine region, widely known for Tokaji wines that carry the name of the town.

Geography and viticulture in the Tokaj-Hegyalja region encompass hillside vineyards that rise above the Bodrog and its tributaries. The soils are a mix of volcanic ash, loess, and clay, which support botrytized grape growth when autumn mist and humidity prevail, a key factor for aszú wines. The principal grape varieties used in Tokaji production are Furmint and Hárslevelű, with muscat varieties such as Sárga Muskotály also cultivated.

Wine and production in Tokaj focus on Tokaji aszú, a dessert wine made from botrytized grapes. Aszú wines are traditionally aged in wooden casks and are defined by their sweetness, historically graded by the number of puttonyos (1 to 6). In addition to aszú, the region produces dry and semi-dry wines from Furmint and other local varietals.

History and heritage: Tokaj wine production gained prominence from the 16th to the 18th centuries, flourishing under Hungarian rulers and the Habsburg court and earning a European reputation for quality. In 2002, the Tokaj Wine Region was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its enduring winemaking tradition and distinctive hillside landscape.

Today, Tokaj is a center for wine tourism and cultural heritage, featuring cellars, wine festivals, and museums that celebrate its long-standing association with Tokaji wines.