What does Aszú mean?

It means 'dried' in Hungarian, referring to the grapes shrivelled by botrytis. Aszú is a sweet wine made from these botrytised grapes. It is Tokaj's most prestigious category.

They are the traditional measure of how much aszú fruit is added to the base wine: historically from 3 to 6 puttonyos; today Aszú starts at 5. The higher the number, the sweeter the wine. Eszencia is a separate category.

How much does a good Tokaji cost?

From €15 for the more accessible styles to €60+ for 6-puttonyos Aszú from historic wineries. Good value for money for a noble sweet wine.

How should Tokaj be served?

Use 8-12 C as a starting point and adjust by body, vintage, dish and service pace.

How should a restaurant include Tokaj?

Include one easy-reading reference and one premium route. By the glass: Furmint or Tokaji Aszú

🇭🇺PDOIconicRecognition: Medium

Tokaj

Also known as: Tokaji, Tokaj region

One of the world's most famous regions for botrytised sweet wine, where botrytis produces concentrated, complex wines of unique class.

Tokaj is the legend of European sweet wine. With terraced vineyards along the Tisza and Bodrog rivers, and autumn mists that encourage botrytis, Tokaj produces noble wines of incomparable complexity: honey, apricot, spice, minerals. The classification by 'puttonyos' (the amount of botrytised grapes) is unique in the world of wine.

Key facts

Country

Hungary

Type

PDO

Prestige

Iconic

Recognition

Medium

Wine types

sweet wines, seco

Main grapes

FurmintHárslevelűSárgamuskotály

Usual styles

Top-level sweet Tokaji Aszú

Modern dry Tokaji

Tokaji Eszencia

Winerim view

What it signals on a wine list

Wine-list perception

Tokaj on a wine list signals historic sophistication. A Tokaji Aszú says 'we know authentic noble sweet wine'. It works as a dessert, as an aperitif (the dry wines) and as an experience.

When to highlight it

On premium wine lists looking for a noble sweet wine different from Bordeaux, in restaurants with a strong pastry offering, as a historic experience, and on chef-driven lists.

Guest profile

The sweet wine connoisseur, the traveller to Central Europe, the guest looking for a historic experience and rarity.

Best sales angle

Sells best on the Tokaj name (instant recognition), on Aszú level (5 or 6 puttonyos), on the 'king of sweet wines' story, and on the historic winery.

Usual role on the list

PrestigeDiscoveryIdentity

Wine-list intelligence

How to use Tokaj on a wine list

Practical reading for buying, service, rotation and pairing.

Service

8-12 C

Glass

Aromatic white-wine glass

By the glass

Furmint or Tokaji Aszú

Role on the list

Tokaj is an aromatic reference for selling freshness, precision and recognizable white-wine origin.

Floor cue

Clarify sweetness, acidity and aromatic profile to avoid doubt.

Commercial lever

Strong by the glass when the team can explain it in one sentence.

Mistake to avoid

Do not serve too cold or blend it into generic house-white language.

Useful uses

chocolate

blue cheese

desserts

Comparable regions

Denominations that compete in guest perception or a similar segment.

SauternesGerman Beerenauslese

Common mistakes

Assuming Tokaj is always sweet: there are excellent dry Tokaji (dry Szamorodni, Tokaji Száraz)

Not understanding the puttonyos classification: the higher the number, the sweeter the wine

Overlooking dry Tokaji as an aperitif: it is a missed opportunity

Suggested pairings

Honey desserts

Foie gras

Blue cheeses

Dried fruit

Walnuts

Frequently asked questions

Connected library

Explore related library entries

Connect this page with related grapes, regions, styles and pairings.

FurmintConnected library SauternesConnected library Foie grasConnected library

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