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Furmint grape

White grape

Furmint is a white grape known for apple, pear, honey. Its best-known homes are Tokaj.

StyleWhite
Body●●●○○ (3/5)
FlavoursApple, pear, honey
Key regionsTokaj

Origin and history

A Hungarian grape long tied to Tokaj, recorded there since at least the 17th century.

Where it grows

Hungary (Tokaj, Somló), Slovakia's Tokaj area, Slovenia (Štajerska), Austria (Rust in Burgenland) and Croatia.

Structure

Medium to full body with very high acidity; made bone dry or as Tokaji Aszú and Eszencia sweet wines.

Aromas, young and aged

Young: green apple, pear, lime, smoke and mineral notes. With age: honey, quince, apricot, marmalade and walnut.

Ageing

Dry Furmint ages 5–15 years; Tokaji Aszú can last 50 years and Eszencia for a century or more.

Also known as

Šipon (Slovenia), Zapfner (Austria), Moslavac (Croatia).

Good to know

Its thin skins make it very prone to botrytis, the key to Tokaji Aszú, once celebrated as 'the wine of kings, the king of wines'.

Wine regions for Furmint

Tokaj

Furmint wines to try

Real bottles from The Wine Library.

Sweet · Hungary

Royal Tokaji Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos Red Label

Tokaj · Furmint, Hárslevelű

Sweet but fresh: apricot, orange peel, honey and lively acidity.

Food: Foie gras, apricot tart

White · Hungary · Diego's Selection

Disznókő Dry Furmint

Tokaj · Furmint

Dry Tokaj Furmint: quince, citrus and smoky minerality.

Food: Pork, fish

Sweet · Hungary · Diego's Selection

Classic Winery Tokaji Late Harvest

Tokaj · Furmint, Hárslevelű

Late-harvest Tokaji: apricot, honey and fresh acidity.

Food: Fruit tarts, blue cheese

White · Hungary

Oremus Mandolás Dry Furmint

Tokaj · Furmint

Quince, pear and toasted hazelnut wrapped around Furmint's piercing acidity, finishing smoky and long.

Food: Pork schnitzel with cucumber salad

Sweet · Hungary

Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos

Tokaj · Tokaji · Furmint, Zéta, Hárslevelű

Botrytis honey, candied orange and apricot, with racy acidity keeping the sweetness bright and clean.

Food: Foie gras, apricot tart

Similar white grapes

ChardonnayGodelloGarnacha BlancaXarel·loEncruzadoPinot BlancMuscatChenin Blanc

Explore all grapes in the interactive guide

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