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The uniqueness of Tokaj is not just about the various wines, but also mentioned as the gold liquid from the  regions vineyards, but a major part to produce this gold liquid lies on the „shoulders” of the wine makers.

The Tokaj area has been producing great wine for generations, passing down its knowledge from father to son, and earning its reputation as a historical wine region.

The region is famous for the Grand Tokaj winery, and its flagship Tokaji Aszú, a classic Hungarian wine listed as a ‘Hungaricum’ in Hungary, and produced only in the best vintages.

Károly Áts – born and bred in Tokaj-Hegyalja, grapes and wine always played a part in his life through his father. His aim was to return nature’s gifts through his wines and to bring joy to wine drinkers.

In 2002, Károly Áts created Áts Cuvée, the now legendary late-harvest Tokaj sweet wine that bears his name. In 2006, American magazine Wine & Spirits awarded his 1999 Tokaji Essencia 100 points. In 2009, his 2003 Betsek Aszú wine was an absolute winner and his 2007 dry Furmint a category winner in the “Top 100 Wines” competition in the daily newspaper – Népszabadság. In 2012, he was awarded the titles “Winemaker of Wineries” and “Winemaker of the Year.” In recognition of his outstanding professional work in the service of development of the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Region, Áts received the Civil Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in 2014. In 2013 the Tokaj wine  entered in the list of Hungarikum.

Some outstanding wines of the outstanding winemaker: Furmint – Furmint is a grape variety of Hungarian origin, one of the most distinctive and frequently occurring varieties in the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Region. Besides Furmint, Hárslevelű is the other widely occurring grape variety in Tokaj-Hegyalja, an old regional variety of probably Hungarian origin. It gained its name from the similarity of its leaves to those of the linden tree. Besides Furmint, Hárslevelű is the other widely occurring grape variety in Tokaj-Hegyalja, an old regional variety of probably Hungarian origin. It gained its name from the similarity of its leaves to those of the linden tree. Muscat Lunel grows in only a few wine regions in Hungary, but in many more places in Europe. It is known as one of the most long-established varieties. The Kabar grape variety was created by crossing Bouvier with Hárslevelű. Its vine stocks produce few shoots, while its leaves are ivy green. Its yield is lower than that of Zéta. The berries are thick-skinned, making them more resistant to rainy weather.This grape variety is linked to the name of Ferenc Király, who created it in 1951 by crossing Bouvier and Furmint. Previously known as Oremus, its name was changed to Zéta much later. Indigenous to the Black Sea region, this grape variety disappeared from vineyards following the phylloxera epidemic, and has since maintained only a modest presence in the wine region.

The Essencia, was/is the wine that was actually listed as a medicine generations ago!

Last year, at the European finals of Bocuse D’Or was introduced Károly Ats wines where the crème de la crème of gastronomy and the outstanding premium wines met.

The Tokaj region is not that far from Budapest, approx. two-and-a-half hours and several accommodation options available to roll over to Tokaj by the Hungarians and/or foreigners.

Update Aggie Reiter