December tenth is Worldwide Aszú Day, celebrating one of many world’s best and oldest candy wines from Hungary.
The Hungarian phrase for botrytis-affected berries, and the title of the ensuing wine, ‘Aszú’ wines are produced with a centuries-old, distinctive winemaking technique.
Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) regional chair for CEE, Balkans, Croatia & Slovenia, Caroline Gilby MW says, ‘The Aszú grapes should be harvested laboriously one-by-one. A superb picker could choose lower than 10kg per day, visiting every vine 4 or 5 instances. After harvest, these grapes are crushed and soaked in both grape juice, younger wine or (mostly right this moment) fermenting should so as to extract flavours and sweetness.’
The method is painstaking, however the ensuing wines may be sensational with unbelievable stability between sweetness and acidity: This stability is especially famous in tasting notes by the knowledgeable judges at DWWA.
Discussing the DWWA judging course of, Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW displays on the standard of candy wines that make it to the ultimate rounds of judging, mentioning Tokaji particularly. ‘We have now sensational Tokajis’ she says. ‘The Tokaji we get entered into the competitors is of a very excessive commonplace.’
Scroll all the way down to see the top-scoring Tokaji Aszú wines of DWWA 2024
On judging candy wines, Evans provides, ‘One different factor that’s necessary to say is that it’s very straightforward to be taken in by candy wine, you’ll find it irresistible, simply because it’s all of a sudden so luxurious and scrumptious. It’s a matter of then placing collectively that complexity to see the way it comes out.’
Yr after 12 months candy wines from Tokaj are awarded high marks at Decanter World Wine Awards, and 2024 was no exception with one Finest in Present awarded to Gizella, Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2019, one Platinum and 4 Gold medals.
To rejoice the eighth annual Worldwide Aszú Day, this distinctive technique of winemaking and these fantastically advanced wines, under uncover 10 nicely value attempting this vacation season and past.
Search all DWWA 2024 award-winning wines from Tokaj at awards.decanter.com
Prime-scoring Tokaji Aszú for the vacations
Gizella, Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2019
Finest in Present, 97 factors
The 2019 classic wasn’t a straightforward one in Tokaji – after a moist spring, flowering handed off nicely and summer season was scorching. It was additionally, although, intermittently moist, and downy mildew was unusually extreme within the vines. It was a brief crop because of this, however analytically wonderful, as this 5 puttonyos wine exhibits. It’s brilliant gold in color, with ample honeyed fruits lent complexity by the intrigue of botrytis. On the palate, it’s thick-textured and candy, with a fragile grape-acid stability however with these botrytis notes bringing each construction and complexity right through the palate to an extended, crème-anglaise-rich end. It’ll probably age nicely but additionally serves as a toothsomely wealthy Tokaji to take pleasure in earlier than too lengthy. Alcohol 9.5%
Balassa, Villő, Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2019
Platinum, 97 factors
A spectacular concord of clover blossom, lavender and rosemary aroma, so delicate and ethereal, with a particular unctuosity of honeyed apricot and candied lemon which oozes over the palate. Silky and voluptuous with racy pink grapefruit acidity. Alc 9%
Maison Aux Pois, Aszú 2019
Gold, 96 factors
Staggering quince, honeyed peach and marmalade fragrance is emboldened by a superb purity and searing seam of acidity. Completely bewitching with an everlasting size. Textbook. Alc 9.5%
Pajzos, Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2017
Gold, 96 factors
Sumptuously candy apricot compote, candied ginger and honeyed saffron flavours interaction exquisitely with the electrical core of pink grapefruit acidity and prolonged toasted almond end. Alc 9.5%
Disznoko, Hattyus Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2019
Gold, 95 factors
Mellow apricot protect, lemon curd and vanilla spice billow and thrive in a blanket of caramel sweetness with an intoxicating freshness and cleaning acidity as well! Alc 12.5%
Oremus, Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2017
Gold, 95 factors
Implausible aromatics of acacia blossom, honeyed peach and pear with clusters of aromatic lavender and rosemary to raise and swirl. Unctuously candy with a superbly contrasting zesty acidity. Alc 10.6%
Harsányi, Aszú 2019
Silver, 94 factors
Implausible apricot aromas with notes of lemon, caramel, toasted almonds, candied ginger, rosemary and juniper. Refined palate with seductive acidity. Alc 11%
Royal Tokaji, Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2018
Silver, 93 factors
Toasty nostril with aromas of brown sugar, caramel, maple syrup, acacia honey and mandarin. Contemporary and zesty on the palate. Alc 11%
Chateau Dereszla Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2019
Silver, 92 factors
Aromas of saffron, apricot jam, juicy apple and tropical notes of papaya, with mouthwatering acidity. Properly made and lengthy. Alc 11.5%
Disznoko, Sarga Borhaz Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2019
Silver, 92 factors
Wealthy on the nostril, with notes of caramel, beeswax, golden apple, hay, apricots, acacia honey and meadow flowers. Very interesting palate. Alc 10.3%
