Royal Tokaji, Furmint "The Oddity" Tokaj, Hungary 2018

100% Dry Furmint

A fresh, crisp wine showing all the fine qualities of the unique Furmint grape. Aromas of grape flowers, apple and pear combine with flavors of ripe apricot and peach to produce a sleek, intense dry wine with a long, refreshing finish. This wine is delicious as an aperitif, with seafood, white meats or spicy food. Oddity is an ideal pairing with oysters, but partners equally well with fried foods. Versatile is the word!

Tokaji is famed for its sweet wines with a history stretching back many centuries. Royal Tokaji's dedication has led the winery to the growing realization that Furmint has the potential to make not only great sweet wine ("aszú"), but also dry wines of particular class and charm. The same ripeness, aromatics and acidity which grace the aszú wines can also, with time and skill, create dry wines equally capable of greatness.

For over 20 years Royal Tokaji has been refining its knowledge of this wonderful grape variety. Whole bunches were gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and some Hungarian Zemplen oak barrels, segregated by different vineyard lots. During vinification, malolactic fermentation is avoided. The wine is matured in a combination of stainless steel tanks and 300 L and 500 L Hungarian Zemplen oak barrels. With this vintage the wine was aged in equal amounts in stainless steel and oak, with a proportion of 15% new oak to add subtle overtones and dimension. The wine is kept on fine lees for 4-5 months to achieve roundness and structure.