Tokaj

INTRODUCING

TOKAJ

Tokaj Wine Region, the most famous and celebrated of them all, is but two hours’ drive from Budapest and just an hour from the nearby cities of Miskolc, Debrecen and Košice (Slovakia). You can come by train, but as it’s a rural area it’s easier to get about the region by car. Here you will find around a hundred wineries that produce excellent wines, retaining some of the local winemaking traditions, innovating where necessary. This is a dynamically developing wine region.

The richness and diversity of Tokaji wines is rooted in the volcanic soils of the region that developed over millions of years. Rich in minerals, the soils impart Tokaji wines with their distinctive aromas and flavours.

WHAT IS PDO?

Protected designation of origin (PDO)

Product names registered as PDO are those that have the strongest links to the place in which they are made.

The label PDO (protected designation of origin) identifies a product that originates in a specific place, region or country, the quality or characteristics of which are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment with its inherent natural factors (raw materials, environmental characteristics, location) and human factors (traditional and craft production) and the production, transformation and elaboration phases of which all take place in the defined geographical area, in respect of rigid production regulations established in the procedural guidelines of production.

Tokaji wines registered as PDO are those that have the strongest links to the place in which they are made.

MILESTONES

“THE WINE OF KINGS, THE KING OF WINES!”

This is what the Sun King Louis XIV is said to have exclaimed in appreciation of Tokaji wine in the late-17th century. He was enjoying luscious Tokaji Aszú at the time, a noble sweet wine that developed founded on the terroir, centuries of tradition and expert winemaking craft. Today Tokaji Aszú remains well-positioned for ongoing success as one of Hungary’s hallmark luxury products.
Here are a few key stages in history of Tokaj – the journey begins at the dawn of the second millennium…

1074

“Tokaj” was first mentioned as a town

1074

1283

The first indirect mention of our Deák vineyard. This is the terroir where grapes ripen with high sugar content and delicious sweetness.

1571

First known reference to “Aszú” wine

1571

1611

First reference to the “Furmint” grape variety was recorded in a church document

End of the 17th century

The Bai (Báji) family has been cultivating grapes in the Tokaj Wine Region since then. The family is linked to the planting of Hungary’s famous plum-growing area. Grape cultivation and winemaking have spanned several generations.

End of the 17th century

1760

The first mention of our Gyertyános-dűlő (gyertyán is hornbeam, Carpinus in Latin). Until the mid-20th century Gyertyános was owned by noble families. It became the property of the Bai family in 2004.

1720s

The world’s first vineyard classification

The Tokaj vineyards were classified before any other in the world, well predating the classification of Port vineyards in 1757 and Burgundy in 1855

1720s

1737

Royal Charter: demarcation and appellation control

The Royal Charter issued in 1737 established the Tokaj Wine Region with a list of towns and villages where Tokaj grapes could be grown, and thus Tokaji wines produced. This was the first of several appellation regulations introduced to protect Tokaj as a brand by reducing unjustified use - which had not been uncommon in the preceding period.

1880s

The phylloxera plague reaches Tokaj

An enormous 90% of all the grape vines in the region were killed by the fatal root louse epidemic over just 10 years.

1880s

1886

First international trial concerning the Tokaj brand

Tokaj producers were successful in protecting the Tokaj name at a trial staged in several countries.

1920

Hungary breaks apart

As a result of the Trianon Peace Treaty following World War I, Hungary lost two thirds of its territory and one third of its population. Two Tokaj Wine Region villages and part of the town of Sátoraljaújhely were ceded to what is today Slovakia.

1920

1950s

Communist takeover

During the Communist era Tokaj moved to mass production and the standard of winemaking practices declined. As quantity was set before quality, Tokaji wines fell into oblivion on the international scene.

Our grandfather could not identify with the industrial scale production during Communism and decided he was only willing to create premium quality wines for his family and friends. The research and experimentation that is an intrinsic part of quality was instilled in us right from being small children.

1990s

Renaissance of the region begins with a new style of Tokaji Aszú wines

1990s

2000s

Modern Tokaji dry wines appear on the scene

2002

Tokaj is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Tokaj Wine Region is inscribed as a Cultural Landscape on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

2002

2013

The Bai sister and brother founded the Carpinus family winery.

Firmly rooted in tradition, it is a new style winery.

Stricter winemaking rules are introduced in the region that support higher values in Aszú making and regulate the production of Pezsgő (sparkling wine). In order to focus on premium quality for both wine styles, the 3 and 4 puttonyos Aszú was abolished and from that vintage onwards only Pezsgő in bottles made using the methode traditionelle were allowed.

INTRODUCING

TOKAJ

WHAT IS PDO?

Protected designation of origin (PDO)

MILESTONES

“THE WINE OF KINGS, THE KING OF WINES!”

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