Tokaj / Tokaji PDO
Tokaj PDO is a sweet white, golden wine made from aszú grapes in the Tokaj region of Hungary or the adjoining Tokaj wine region in Slovakia. Named by King Louis XIV of France ‘the wine of kings, the king of wines’ and mentioned in the official anthem of Hungary, the wine from this region has an even older tradition than champagne.
Although good with desserts, it is also excellent with foie gras, blue cheeses, and Asian cuisine. It should typically be served at a temperature of 5-8°C (40-46°F).
The production of Tokaj PDO is quite unique. A particular mould called botrytis develops on the grapes in moist conditions and then dries when the sun comes out. This process of rotting and drying causes the fruit to shrivel and become sweet. Once collected, the botrytised raisins are macerated in a fermenting must. The juice from the press is further fermented to create the wine. The wine is stored in barrels, and it is then aged for several years in the natural underground cellars of the Tokaj region.
