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Hungarian Wines

Hungary’s quality wine reputation is arguably built on the esteemed dessert wines of Tokaj. These rich and mellifluous wines, which are referred to as Tokaji, are the product of botrytis cinerea, or noble rot, a beneficial mold that concentrates the natural sugar levels in grapes. The two principle grapes of the Tokaj region are Furmint and Hárslevelü, with Sárga Muskotály (Muscat Blanc á Petite Grains), Zéta, Kabar and Kövérszolo also authorized, but generally used in smaller proportions. While Tokaj is considered to be Hungary’s most famous wine region, 21 other regions of production exist. These regions are divided among three major zones of production: North Hungary, Transdanubia and the Southern Great Plain. For more information about the wines of Hungary, visit our Wine Reviews.

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Royal Tokaji 2000 Essencia Tokaji (Tokaji)

Editors' Choice

Price $544

This famed Hungarian dessert wine never disappoints. An elegant nose of honey, apricot, butterscotch and spice is followed by a luxuriant, mouth-coating wave of satiny honey and apricot flavors, balanced by citrusy acidity. Complex, perfectly poised, it’s a wine with both pedigree and charm—delicious when sipped alone or paired with a mild Roquefort or fruit. — S.K. (5/1/2009)

Patricius 2000 Aszú Bendecz Dúló 6 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaj)

Editors' Choice

Price $105

This Tokaji strikes the perfect balance of lush, creamy opulence and elegant, lively acidity. Honey, spice and lemon on the nose and in the mouth unfold triumphantly, offering a fresh but full character. On the palate, the wine is viscous and full, but with a strain of liveliness that gives it lift. Delicious and decadent. — S.K. (5/1/2008)

Royal Tokaji 2003 Essencia Furmint (Tokaji)

Price $764

Surprisingly subtle, yet maddeningly complex, this is a rare treat to unravel slowly, sip by sip. Sweet and honeyed on the nose with scents of freesia, orange peel and stone fruit, but accented with just a hint of sun-dried hay. The palate is deeply concentrated with undulating waves of honey, beeswax and fruit, but balanced with striking tangerine acidity… — A.I. (5/1/2012)

Royal Tokaji 1999 Mézes Mály Aszú 6 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaji)

Price $175

This exuberant Tokaji starts with an enticing nose of orange peel, honey, flowers and toast, and explodes in the mouth with intense, delicious waves of lemon, orange and honey flavors. A perfect balance of acid and fruit keeps the wine fresh without losing its luscious appeal. A memorable wine loaded with personality and excitement. — S.K. (5/1/2009)

Royal Tokaji 2000 Aszú 5 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaji)

Editors' Choice

Price $32

An amazing wine that is a benchmark for its class. Pure scents of dried apricot, citrus, jasmine and melon are coated with Asian spices, while the mouth is honeyed but nuanced, with flavors of dried spices, apricot marmalade and citrus fruits. What sets this wine apart is its mouthwatering acidity. A blend of grapes from multiple vineyards, this 26,000-case… — W.E. (6/1/2006)

Royal Tokaji 2005 Red Label Aszú 5 Puttonyos - 500 ml Tokaji (Tokaji)

Price $41

A deep, lush nose of honey, marmalade and lemon leads into fresh, bright fruit and acid undertones melded with luscious honey, orange peel and quince. A lingering finish spun with spice adds to the complex, elegant nature. Pair with cheeses, foie gras. — S.K. (8/1/2009)

Szepsy 2002 Aszú 6 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaj)

Online Exclusive

Though this dessert wine is already excellent, it’s quite exciting to imagine how good it will be as its delicate flavors mingle over time. Made by the Szepsy family, whose roots go centuries (perhaps 1,000 years) deep in Hungary, the wine starts with a dense, slightly musky but floral nose. On the tongue, apricot, honey and spice mingle in a rich, opulent union… — S.K. (12/1/2007)

Royal Tokaji 1999 Betsek Aszú 6 Puttonyos Tokaji (Tokaji)

Price $67

Made with 50% Furmint, 45% Háslevelu and 5% Muscat, this vintage weathered two hailstorms during the summer. The surviving grapes benefited from greater concentration, leading to a more intense wine. Already developing toffee and coffee notes, this wine still shows plenty of citrus, honey, dried apricot and fig, with a hint of nuttiness on the nose. Syrupy and… — W.E. (6/1/2006)

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