Royal Tokaji, Dry Furmint 2011, Hungary
Furmint is the great grape of Tokaji in the northeast of Hungary. Normally picked late in the season when heavy with the Botrytis mould (the "Noble Rot" that makes so many of the world's greatest sweet wines), Tokaji is best known as a luscious and expensive dessert wine. But more and more Tokaji is appearing as dry table wine, using the same grape varieties as the sweet versions, but made in a crisp and elegant style.
This example from the illustrious house of Royal Tokaji and is a fine example - and available at time of writing for a very good price. The nose has a crisp, but creamy nougat and baked apple note. But mostly it is about fresh, spiced fruit with hints of star anise to summer fruits and citrus. On the palate it has good texture and weight, the richness due in part to a hefty 14% alcohol, yet the quince and pear flavours are really fresh with lovely acidity to sweep through that textural weight. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas. £7.99 on offer from Majestic (Normally £9.99), and see all stockists on wine-searcher.com.
Please also join me at wine-pages.com, check out my youtube channel at youtube.com/user/winepagesTV or meet up on facebook at facebook.com/tom.cannavan.