Tokaj is a name you’ll come to associate with golden wines, slow craft and the unique conditions of Hungary’s historic Tokaj wine region. Produced from grapes grown in and around the volcanic soils of northeastern Hungary, Tokaj styles are especially known for their depth and distinctive sweetness, which can develop when berries are affected by noble rot (botrytised fruit). This natural process concentrates sugars and flavours, giving many Tokaj wines a rich, honeyed character and layers of dried fruit, apricot, toast and spice.

In the glass, you may find everything from gently off dry expressions to intensely sweet, luscious bottles, depending on the traditional method and the chosen blend. Tokaj wines are often a wonderful companion to food: think blue cheese, mature cheddar, foie gras, nutty desserts and fruit-based tarts. Their natural acidity also helps keep the sweetness balanced, making them surprisingly versatile rather than cloying.

If you’re building a wine collection, Tokaj is a fantastic choice to explore the heritage of regional winemaking and the magic of botrytised grapes. From relaxed evenings to special occasions, it brings a quietly elegant, unmistakably memorable character.