January 31, 2025 | international furmint day [is february 1st]

It's February! (Almost) Let's Drink Furmint

Yes, an all-furmint tasting could be labeled as... niche, perhaps?

We prefer "focused." And we are hyper fixating on a Hungarian varietal with a history interwoven with empire and intrigue. I mean, there's a whole day dedicated to it after all! But who is she, you ask? Let us discuss.

First documented in 1571, ampelographers credit furmint to having originated in Tokaji, Hungary, despite some unfounded reports crediting Italy as the place of origin. Extensive DNA testing has shown a direct relation to crowd favorites gamay, chardonnay, and riesling by way of parent-grape Gouais blanc, but its true origins are shrouded in mystery. A grape that at one point produced the favorite libation of the noble Hapsburgs, it was an icon of the Austro-Hungarian empire, as sugarcane was in rare supply, but sweet wine was in abundance. In 1796, a Hungarian politician noted furmint as being the "genuine Tokaji Aszú grape." Fast-forward to 2006, and reports show that over 9,000 acres in Hungary are planted to furmint, with 97% of those existing within Tokaj. Despite the historical association with sweet wines, furmint has RANGE with its dry wines beginning to dominate the international market, rivaling the most austere of German rieslings. It's clear that a grape that has survived dueling empires, world wars, phylloxera, and the fall of communism has staying power. So let's meet your new favorite, in its many forms, and toast to the past as we interrogate the future.

For your consideration: the 2023 Szent Donat '5Bar' Furmint, because we always start with bubbles whenever possible. Next up, the 2023 Sanzon 'Classic' Furmint, followed by a delightfully decadent sip of 2020 Disnoko Late Harvest Tokaji. Oh, and maybe, there's a secret bonus wine.
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Okay, fine, we'll tell you. It's the 2021 Dúzsi Tomás Kadarka, because this indigenous red grape also deserves more hype and we are here to spread the good word.

Szent Donát '5Bar' Furmint Balatonfüred-Csopak 2023

Sanzon 'Classic' Furmint Tokaj PDO 2023

Disznoko Furmint Late Harvest Tokaji 2020 500ml