Learn about Tokaj Aszú – 5 things you never knew
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There are things one tends to take for granted because as long as you can remember you have always known about them. For many, Tokaj aszú is such a self-evident and therefore less interesting wine category. Actually, it is a unique wine in many respects and with Christmas fast approaching it may be well worth to take a look at what makes it special.
The unique character of the Tokaj wine region
Without the special microclimate and geographical features of the wine region Tokaj aszú could not have come into existence.
With two rivers, Bodrog and Tisza running through the region, autumn mornings in Tokaj are shrouded in mist.
Morning fog followed by dry weather during the day is conducive to the development of Botrytis cinerea, a.k.a. noble rot which then pierces the skins of healthy and ripe grapes thus initiating the process of „aszúsodás”. The lack of just one of these factors is enough to render a vintage fruitless as far as aszú production is concerned.
Hand picking squared
Harvesting by hand in itself is not that unusual but aszú harvesting is on a totally different level.
The emergence of aszú berries within the bunches is uneven and is spread over a longer period therefore picking aszú berries is a long term project.
Just imagine what it’s like on freezing cold November mornings to select and pick the treasured aszú berries one by one from the bunches with the sugary juice freezing over your skin. And all the while you have to focus not to pick and put any rotten or vinegary berries in the baskets because they might spoil your whole day’s work. Even the most experienced workers can’t pick more than 6-7 kilograms a day, so you can imagine how precious their skills are.
Aszú Day
We all love to celebrate. Celebrations grow into traditions, provide causes for family occasions to sustain continuity in our lives. Many things can be celebrated, private anniversaries, birthdays just as well as festive occasions celebrated by millions like Christmas. Tokaj aszú, this fabulous and extraordinary wine deserves its own special day.
